The Difference Between Saying: “Allah is in a place above” and Saying: “Allah is above, but not in a place”

The questioner : What is the difference between the two statements: that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is above in a place above, and the statement of those who say that we say Allah is above, but not in a place?

The Shaykh : This is a contradiction, unless they mean by “not in a place” that He is not in a place that confines Him, just as we are now in the mosque with walls in front of us, to our right, to our left, and behind us.

The questioner : No, the statement is not absolute.

The Shaykh : It is not correct; it is a clear contradiction. Then we ask: Are you more knowledgeable, or the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), who asked the maidservant, “Where is Allah?” In this question, the location is being asked about, according to the consensus of the people of language.