How do we respond to those who interpret *istiwa'* as meaning *istawala* in the statement of Allah: “The Most Merciful rose above the Throne”?

Question:
He says: What is the meaning, or what is the ruling of the Shari'ah, regarding one who interprets the statement of Allah the Exalted, , as meaning *istawala* (to dominate), and how do we respond to them?

Answer:
This is an invalid interpretation; interpreting *istiwa'* as *istawala* is an invalid interpretation. Rather, *istiwa'* means that He is above and has risen, Glorified and Exalted is He, above the Throne. This is the interpretation of the scholars and the righteous Salaf: that He is above and has risen above the Throne. As for saying that Allah has dominated the Throne and everything else, that is incorrect, for Allah owns everything. What is the special feature of the Throne such that He has dominated the Throne? He has dominated the Throne, the heavens, the earth, and all created things; Allah has dominated them all. This is a misguided interpretation; this is an invalid interpretation. Yes.