A question regarding Imam Ahmad’s statement, “This is from the usage of the language”
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The student: Among those who do not affirm the use of figurative language, in the interpretation of ... he says ...
The Shaykh : No, it is apparent that he is saying that it is permissible to use it in that sense, not that it is the figurative language that has been defined by convention. For this reason, when Imam Ahmad was asked about the saying of Allah the Exalted: How can He gather them when He is One? He said: “This is from the usage of the language”. Those who affirm the use of figurative language took hold of this text and said, “This Imam Ahmad affirms the use of figurative language.” And Shaykh al-Islam said that the meaning of his statement: “This is from the usage, meaning: that which the language permits”. Do you understand?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The Shaykh : No, it is apparent that he is saying that it is permissible to use it in that sense, not that it is the figurative language that has been defined by convention. For this reason, when Imam Ahmad was asked about the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Indeed, We
إنا نحنThe student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.