A review of the previous discussion regarding the statement of some theologians that the methodology of the Salaf is safer, while the methodology of the Khalaf is more knowledgeable and more wise.

The Shaykh : This indicates his foolishness, namely the claim that the methodology of the Salaf is safer and the methodology of the Khalaf is more knowledgeable and more wise. The origin of this statement is two things: The first is the belief that Allah does not have any attribute indicated by the texts. Then, what is the second belief? It is the belief that the methodology of the Salaf is merely believing in the words without affirming a meaning for them. Because he believed that Allah does not have a real attribute indicated by the texts, and that the school of the Salaf is merely believing in the words, he saw that the methodology of the Khalaf is more knowledgeable and more wise. We gave you an example, saying, for instance, the hand. Allah affirmed it for Himself, and this foolish person believes that Allah does not have a real hand, and that the school of the Salaf is believing in the word without affirming a meaning, so they just read and do not know what it means. The Khalaf say that we say the meaning of the hands is power. So now, did they affirm a meaning for the texts or not? They affirmed a meaning for the texts, or did they not? And they did not affirm a real hand because they believe that is impossible for Allah, as it necessitates likening Allah to creation in their view. There is no doubt that whoever affirms a meaning for the texts, even if it is a figurative interpretation, is better than whoever does not affirm a meaning. If you ask a person, "What is the meaning of that?" and he says, "Such and such" based on a context, and you ask another person, "What is its meaning?" and he says, "I do not know," which one is more knowledgeable?
The student: The first one.

The Shaykh : The first one is more knowledgeable and more wise. He is more knowledgeable because he affirmed a meaning, and he is more wise because he said that these words from the Lord, Mighty and Majestic, cannot come without a meaning at all.