(Explanation of the eighth type of evidence for the elevation of Allah, which is describing Allah as the Exalted One of the high degrees in Surat Ghafir, where it is attached to the doer and does not mean the Raiser attached to the object)

The Shaykh : This is the eighth type of evidence for the exaltation of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), namely what came in Surat Ghafir in His saying: So these are clearly a descriptive attribute (sifat mushabbihah), meaning that His degrees are high (Mighty and Majestic). So to whom does the description here refer? To Allah (Mighty and Majestic), to Allah. But some people said: meaning the One who raises the degrees, so they made "Rafi'" (Elevator) an intensive form attached to the object, meaning the One who raises the degrees. And the correct, definitive position is that it is a descriptive attribute attached to the subject, just as you say "Zayd is beautiful in appearance and good-hearted," meaning his appearance is beautiful and his heart is good. So likewise, "Rafi' al-Darajat" (Elevator of the degrees) is a descriptive attribute attached to the subject. O Muhammad, to whom is it attached? It is attached to the subject, not the object.
The student: The doer.

The Shaykh : To the doer, to the doer. As for those who interpreted it as "Rafi'" meaning "Raiser" and made it attached to the object, that is an error. What indicates this is what Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) pointed out, that the Qur'an interprets some of itself. And Allah the Exalted said in Surat As-Sajdah: . So means the same as , exactly the same or similar. This is also supported by the fact that He (Mighty and Majestic) said: , meaning the Owner of the Throne. It is known that the Throne is the highest of created things. If He is the Owner of the Throne, upon which no one else has risen, then it must be that means the descriptive attribute. It is clear, then, that the interpretation of the verse comes from the verse, and from the second verse in Surat Al-Ma'arij. So listen to his words (may Allah have mercy on him).