Informing Attributes of Allah

In Qur'an and Sunnah, there are some Allah's attributes that can lead to belief that Allah has a body if these attributes are understood literally. These attributes are called al-Habari (informing). Ashariyyah and Maturidiyya theologians understand them allegorically and interpret them. However, they admit that their interpretations may be not fully correct.

As the foundation for interpreting these attributes allegorically, they use surah 42, ayah 11:

(He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves, and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the One that hears and sees (all things). (Yusufali's translation)

Some of these attributes and their interpretations are:
1. Yad (hand) - Allah's mercy, might, authority:

Verily those who plight their fealty to thee do no less than plight their fealty to Allah: the Hand of Allah is over their hands: then any one who violates his oath, does so to the harm of his own soul, and any one who fulfils what he has covenanted with Allah,- Allah will soon grant him a great Reward. (48:10)

(Allah) said: "O Iblis! What prevents thee from prostrating thyself to one whom I have created with my hands? Art thou haughty? Or art thou one of the high (and mighty) ones?" (38:75)

2. Wajh (face) - Allah's essence, existence:

But will abide (for ever) the Face of thy Lord,- full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour. (55:27)

3. Ain (eye) - Allah's vision, observation, care:

Throw (the child) into the chest, and throw (the chest) into the river: the river will cast him up on the bank, and he will be taken up by one who is an enemy to Me and an enemy to him': But I cast (the garment of) love over thee from Me: and (this) in order that thou mayest be reared under Mine eye. (20:39)

4. Istiwa (establishing, ascension) - Allah's authority, majesty, lordship:

(Allah) Most Gracious is firmly established on the throne (of authority). (20:5)

5. Maji (coming) - descending of Allah's commandment or manifestation of signs or His might:

And thy Lord cometh, and His angels, rank upon rank. (89:22)

6. Ityan (manifestation, coming) - approach of punishment from Allah:

Will they wait until Allah comes to them in canopies of clouds, with angels (in His train) and the question is (thus) settled? but to Allah do all questions go back (for decision). (2:210)

In this matter, Wahhabi/Salafi do not agree with Ashariyya and Maturidiyya. Wahhabi/Salafi insist that these attributes should not be interpreted literally and believe that Allah really has a face, two hands, two eyes, really ascended on the throne, and so on. Other theologians reply that this means that Wahhabi/Salafi believe that Allah has a body.

In the Bible, there are even more verses where it is said about God's face, hands, other parts of the body, and even wings. Christian theologians agree that all these things are metaphors and should not be interpreted literally because God is spirit and does not have a body:

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24, New International Version)

Some examples from the Bible:

Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. (Psalm 4:6)

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:2)

He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. (Psalm 18:10)

9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up
10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself.
11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank. (Exodus 24:9-11)

5 Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,
6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you." (Nehemiah 1:5-6)

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91:4)