Is interpreting the statement of Allah the Exalted, “And We are closer to him,” as meaning “by Our knowledge” considered a figurative interpretation?

Question:
May Allah protect you, Your Eminence, the father. The questioner says regarding the saying of Allah the Exalted some exegetes said it means "by Our knowledge." Is this ta'wil (figurative interpretation)?

Answer:
No, this is correct. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is with His creation by His knowledge, not by His Essence. He is not mixed with His creation, nor is He with the present or with the deceased in the same place. Rather, He is above His Throne and above His heavens, but He is with them by His knowledge and His encompassing awareness, Glorified and Exalted is He, not by His Essence. So this statement is correct: “We are closer, and by Our knowledge We are closer to him than you are.” Also, by Our angels, who are the angels of death. Yes.