What is the authenticity of the statement: “Allah was, and there was no place before the creation of place, and He did not change from what He was”?

Question:
The Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, says: A scholar stated, in the context of praising Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), “Allah was, and there was no place before the creation of place, and He did not change from what He was.” What is the meaning of this statement? Is it correct? Does it involve denying the Throne?

Answer:
Yes. Allah was. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about this: “Where was our Lord before He created the heavens and the earth?” He said: “He was in 'Ama,” meaning in a void, in a void. Place is created, and Allah is exalted above being contained in the created. So Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) remains in the Highness. Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) was in the Highness eternally and forever, and He remains so. He created place after that. Yes, because He is the First, is there anything before Him? And He is the Last, is there anything after Him? He said: “In 'Ama, below Him is void and above Him is void,” meaning a place that is not created, a place that is not created. And He remains (Exalted and Majestic is He) in the Highness. This is an attribute of His essence. As for Istiwa' (rising above the Throne), it is an attribute of His action. Yes.