Allama Thanvi explains that there are two darajaat of haqeeqah. One is the dhahir ma'lumul kunh (Not that dhahir is malum ul kunh - he didnt say that). And the other is batin majhul ul kunh. The the first darajah is the superficial terms which we attach to those matters. They do NOT necessitate the second level, meaning they have NO bearing on the second level.
These are the two levels of haqeeqah explained. When he says that sifaat are taken on their haqeeqi meaning, it is refering only to the superficial term being used. true Meaning or nature or kunh is not being addressed.