Is interpreting the word "face" in the phrase of Allah the Exalted, "then the face of Allah," as the qiblah considered ta'wil (figurative interpretation)?
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Question:
May Allah reward you. Your Eminence, the father, the questioner says: Some exegetes interpreted the phrase of Allah the Exalted, "then the face of Allah," as the qiblah. Is this ta'wil (figurative interpretation) of this attribute?
Answer:
No, it is not ta'wil (figurative interpretation) of this attribute, because the word "face" is used to mean direction, meaning: then the direction to which Allah commanded turning. And the face of Allah is affirmed in other verses besides this one,[Ar-Rahman 55:27], [Al-Qasas 28:88], so the face of Allah is affirmed in other verses besides this possible one. Yes.
May Allah reward you. Your Eminence, the father, the questioner says: Some exegetes interpreted the phrase of Allah the Exalted, "then the face of Allah," as the qiblah. Is this ta'wil (figurative interpretation) of this attribute?
Answer:
No, it is not ta'wil (figurative interpretation) of this attribute, because the word "face" is used to mean direction, meaning: then the direction to which Allah commanded turning. And the face of Allah is affirmed in other verses besides this one,
And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.
وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِEverything will be destroyed except His Face
كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، [657- 4717] هل تفسير الوجه في قوله تعالى:﴿فثم وجه الله﴾ بالقبلة يعد تأويلًا؟ - الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
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