This message is from 'Abdul'Aziz ibn 'Abdullah ibn Baz to the honorable brother, His Eminence Shaykh S.
K. May Allah guide him to what pleases Him. Amen!
A ssalamu 'alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
I received your letter in which you mention that while you were verifying a book entitled, "Fada'il AlAwqat" (Times of Particular Merit [for worship]) by AlBaihaqi, you read the following passage: "I heard Abu ' Abdullah AlHafiz saying that he heard Abu Muhammad Ahmad ibn 'Abdullah AlMizzy saying: 'The Hadith of the descending of Allah was authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) through various authentic chain of narrations. There are also corroborating texts that confirm the descending of Allah, such as His statement, And your Lord comes with the angels in rows. Nevertheless, the two attributes of coming and descending in the sense of movement and transition from a position to another are negated of Allah; rather they are two of Allah's Attributes without Tashbih (comparison). May He be Glorified above whatever is said by Mu'atilah (Those who deny Allah's Attributes) and Mushabihah (Those who liken Allah's Attributes to those of His creation).'"
Undoubtedly, this claim is Batil (false) and contradicts the opinion adopted by AhlulSunnah walJama'ah (those adhering to the Sunnah and the Muslim main body). Allah (Glorified be He) has affirmed for Himself the attribute of coming. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) informed of His descending, but neither Allah (Glorified be He) nor His Messenger (peace be upon him) informed us of the manner of the descending or the coming. Therefore, we should stop at what the righteous Salaf (righteous predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them) did, for they did not go beyond what is mentioned in texts.
We should follow their path and adhere to their doctrine in confirming the Attributes which are stated in the Noble Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah without Takyif (describing how an Attribute is). This together with the belief that Allah is unique, having no match, peer or equal (Glorified be He). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states, "And there is none coequal or comparable unto Him."
So put not forward similitudes for Allâh (as there is nothing similar to Him, nor He resembles anything). and There is nothing like Him; and He is the AllHearer, the AllSeer. It is known that negating the act of movement and transition involves describing how Allah's Attributes are without knowledge. We are prohibited from going into this subject as we do not know the manner of His Attributes (Glorified be He). This is because neither Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) nor His Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us of their manner.
May Allah guide you and us to useful knowledge and enable us to work accordingly! May He help us remain steadfast in adhering to the Truth and protect us from delusive temptation. He is AllHearing!
Assalamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh!