(Explanation of the third type: explicit statement of being above, whether absolute or restricted by a person)
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The Shaykh : One of them is accompanied by "min" (from) and the other is absolute. In His saying, the Exalted: [Al-An'am 6:18], this is not restricted by "min"; it is absolute. And in His saying: [An-Nahl 16:50], this is restricted by "min." He said, may Allah have mercy on him, that the one not restricted by "min" admits of figurative interpretation (ta'wil), whereas the one restricted by "min" does not admit of figurative interpretation. The first admits of figurative interpretation, meaning that the "being above" is being above in status, being above in status and attribute, just as you might say, for example, "gold is above silver," meaning in honor and value. As for [An-Nahl 16:50] , it does not admit of figurative interpretation because it is explicit that the intended meaning is being above in place, and that Allah the Exalted is above all creation.
Then he said, may Allah have mercy on him, regarding the first interpretation that the absolute statement admits of figurative interpretation: we do not accept figurative interpretation because the default is the literal meaning; the default is the literal meaning. Then he mentioned an important rule, which is that if a phrase comes in a context that clarifies the intended meaning, it does not accept figurative interpretation, because it becomes "like an explicit statement". Just as the circumstances of the situation are like an explicit statement in the case of concealment; when a person conceals something and the circumstances of the situation indicate his lie, these circumstances become like an explicit statement.
And He is the subjugator over His servants
وهو القاهر فوق عبادهThey fear their Lord above them
يخافون ربهم من فوقهمThey fear their Lord above them
يخافون ربهم من فوقهمWho
منThen he said, may Allah have mercy on him, regarding the first interpretation that the absolute statement admits of figurative interpretation: we do not accept figurative interpretation because the default is the literal meaning; the default is the literal meaning. Then he mentioned an important rule, which is that if a phrase comes in a context that clarifies the intended meaning, it does not accept figurative interpretation, because it becomes "like an explicit statement". Just as the circumstances of the situation are like an explicit statement in the case of concealment; when a person conceals something and the circumstances of the situation indicate his lie, these circumstances become like an explicit statement.