Are the Hadiths that describe God with human attributes such as laughter, descending to Earth, placing the foot in Hellfire, placing the hand between the Prophet’s breasts, and the angel striking the clouds with a whip, authentic? And how can they be understood in a way that does not contradict the transcendence of God, especially since the interpretation of “He isistiwa’ (ascended) upon the Throne in a manner befitting His Majesty” does not resolve the problematic nature of other Hadiths? And what is the impact of such Hadiths on non-Muslims and intellectuals?

All good things have been gathered by Allah Almighty for the People of Sunnah. They affirm for Allah Almighty the attributes He has affirmed for Himself and for His Messenger, while declaring Him far removed from resembling or being similar to His creation. Thus, they combine affirming the meanings of the attributes in a manner befitting Allah’s majesty with entrusting the knowledge of their 'how' to Him, the Exalted. This is the essence of faith and submission to the texts of revelation. Allah has negated resemblance while affirming the names and attributes. Attributes of action do not differ from attributes of essence in this regard. Therefore, we affirm them for Allah without distortion or denial, and without specifying their 'how' or likening Him to creation. The People of Sunnah have explicitly declared as disbelievers those who liken Allah to His creation, just as they have declared as disbelievers those who deny what Allah has described Himself with. Some attributes ascribed to Allah Almighty are authentic, such as "laughter, 'istiwa' (ascension), 'nuzool' (descent), and 'qadam' (foot)," while some are not authentic. Some are authentic but do not present a problem, and some are not related to Allah at all. A sound intellect does not contradict authentic revelation except in a person's mind, not in reality.