Question 1 of 249
Navigate Questions
|
Q 4: Some people working in Al­Da`wah Al­Islamiyyah (call to Islam) maintain the view that talking about Tawhid­ul­Asma' wal­Sifat (Oneness of Allah's Names and Attributes) should be quitted, on the ground that this causes disunity among Muslims and hinders them from fulfilling their main duty, which is Jihad (fighting/striving in the Cause of Allah). To what degree is their view valid?
Page 83
A: This is an invalid view, for Allah (Glorified be He) has clarified His Names and Attributes
in His Noble Book. He has mentioned this so that the Mu'minin (believers) can get to know, call for, describe and Praise Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) with them. Many reports from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) have been narrated that he (peace be upon him) had mentioned Allah's Names and Attributes, praised Him with them and encouraged people to do that in his Khutab (sermons) and discussions with his companions. Therefore, the people of knowledge and Iman (faith) should spread Allah's Names and Attributes and mention them in their Khutab, writings and preaching and remind people of them. Allah (Glorified be He) is known and worshiped by them. We should neither neglect nor disregard mentioning them on the plea that some laypeople might become dubious, or some of those who adhere to Bid`ah (innovation in religion) might distract people in this issue. Rather, any doubtful matter must be clarified. It should be declared that it is obligatory to prove Allah's Names and Attributes in a way that befits Him (Glorified and Exalted be He) without Tahrif (distortion of the meaning), Ta`til (denial of Allah's Attributes), Takyif (questioning Allah's Attributes) or Tamthil (likening Allah's Attributes to those of His Creation), so that the unaware may know this ruling, and those who practice Bid`ah stop, and the proof is established against them.
Ahl­ul­Sunnah wal­Jama`ah (those adhering to the Sunnah and the Muslim main body) clarified in their books that it is the duty of all Muslims, especially the people of knowledge, to take Ayat­ul­Sifat (Qur'anic verses including Allah's Attributes) and the Hadiths reported in this regard as they are without Ta'wil (allegorical interpretation) or Takyif of Allah's Attributes (Glorified and Exalted be He). Rather, they should take them as they have been revealed, along with believing in their Truthfulness and ascribing them to Him (Glorified be He). People should also believe that their meanings are true in a way that befits Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), such as Al­Rahman (The Gracious), Al­Rahim (The Merciful), Al­ `Aziz (The All­Mighty), Al­Hakim (The All­Wise), Al­Qadir (The All­Powerful), Al­Sami` (the All­Hearer), Al­Basir (the All­Seer), and so on.
Thus, they should be taken as they have been revealed along with believing in them, and knowing that Allah (Glorified be He) is unique and no one could be compared or equated with Him (Glorified and Exalted be He). We are not allowed to question the Names or Attributes, because it is only Allah (Exalted be He) who knows their nature. Thus, as He (Glorified be He) has a Self that does not resemble other selves, it is impermissible to question it; He has Attributes that do not resemble human attributes and it is also impermissible to question them. What applies to the Attributes also applies to the Self. This is
what was reported from all Ahl ul­Sunnah, the Companions of the Messenger (peace be upon him) and who followed them (may Allah be pleased with all of them). Allah (Glorified be He) says: Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ): "He is Allâh, (the) One. "Allâh­us­Samad (ﺍﻟﺴﻴﺪ ﺍﻟﺬﻱ ﻳﺼﻤﺪ ﺇﻟﻴﻪ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺤﺎﺟﺎﺕ) [Allâh the Self­Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)]. "He begets not, nor was He begotten. "And there is none co­equal or comparable unto Him."
Allah (Glorified be He) also says: There is nothing like Him; and He is the All­Hearer, the All­Seer. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: So put not forward similitudes for Allâh (as there is nothing similar to Him, nor He resembles anything). Truly! Allâh knows and you know not. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allâh, so call on Him by them There are abundant Ayahs stressing this meaning.