The metaphorical meanings of Allah's Names

Q 2: In his book "Shubuhat wa Rudud `Indal-Salafiyyah", the author stated: Salafis believe only in the literal meaning of Nas (Islamic text from the Qur’an or the Sunnah) while denying any metaphorical meaning. How then can they understand the following Ayah (Qur'anic verse) in the literal sense: Everything will perish save His Face. ? Allah has stated (Part No. 2; Page No. 373) that He has a Hand, Leg, Foot and other Attributes befitting His Majesty. If the Ayah is understood in the literal sense, "everything will perish" will definitely include the Hand, the Leg, the Foot and all other Attributes of Allah with the exclusion of the Face. However, if the Ayah is understood in another sense, it will definitely indicate a metaphorical one, which is the core of the issue. We would like you to refute, in full, this controversial point.

A: Allah (Glorified be He) prohibited us to supplicate to anyone other than Him, for anyone other than Him will definitely perish and thus may not be supplicated to or worshipped. He then told us that He Alone is the Eternal and is thus Alone worthy of being supplicated to and worshipped. The term "Face" was used to refer to the whole Essence as it is the most honorable part. The same can be found in Allah's Saying: Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever. The two Ayahs confirm that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) has Face that is befitting His Magnificence. Linguistically speaking, Arabs used to use the face to refer to the whole essence. Since the Qur'an is revealed in Arabic, the two Ayahs thus tell us that everything will perish with the exception of Allah, with all His Attributes, Who is the Ever-Living Who never dies, whereas the creatures will die and then be resurrected.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.