The Thirteen Attributes Of Allâh Whose Knowledge Is Obligatory On Every Accountable Person
Praise Allâh Lord of the Worlds, to Him belong the endowments and proper commendations. May Allâh increase the honour of Prophet Muhammad, çalla-llâhu ^alayhi wasallam, raise his rank, and protect his nation from what he fears for it.
Restoration has started. The Sunni way is being restored. It had never disappeared but all kinds of movements, sectarian groups grabbed the opportunity of the Ummah's weakness to try and reshape religion to their desires. The Community is awakening, scholars and the pious are restoring the traditions of Ahlu sSunnah walJamâ^ah with their four schools of fiqh founded by the Salaf: Hanafi, Mâliki, Shâfi^i and Hanbali, their 'Ash^ari and Maturidi methodology and their Sufi orders.
THE THIRTENN DIVINE ATTRIBUTES EVERY MUSLIM MUST KNOW AND BELIEVE IN
1-AlWujûd (The eternal and everlasting Existence that is unlike the existence of any other)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat ‘Ibrâhîm, verse 10) what means: “There is no doubt in the Existence of Allâh, the Exalted.” AlBukhâriyy, alBayhaqiyy and Ibn alJârûd related that the Prophet (Salla-llâhu ^alayhi wasallam) said what means: “Allâh existed eternally and there was nothing else.” Imam Abû Mansûr alBaghdâdiyy has related the following saying of Imam ^Aliyy *1 the fourth caliph and most knowledgeable person of our Prophet's nation *2 (Salla-llâhu ^alayhi wasallam). Imam ^Aliyy said: “Allâh existed eternally and there was no place. And He is now as He eternally existed (i.e., without a place).”
2-AlWahdâniyyah (Being without partner)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat Muhammad, verse 19) what means: “Know that no one is god except Allâh.” Allâh is One in His Dhât (Reality), in His Af^âl (Creating) and in His cifât (Attributes).
3-AlQidam, i.e., al‘Azaliyyah (Being without beginning)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat alHadîd, verse 3) what means: “Allâh is al‘Awwal (i.e., there is no beginning to His Existence) and al‘Aakhir (i.e., there is no end to His Existence).” Nothing is without a beginning except Allâh and His Attributes. If it has been said, Allâh is alQadîm, this means that there is no beginning to His Existence. This is when the term alQadîm relates to Allâh. In relation to other than Allâh, the term Qadîm means 'influenced by a great period of time', i.e. 'old'.
4-AlBaqâ' (Everlastingness)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat arRahmân, verse 27) what means: “Allâh will remain forever.” We must believe that Allâh is Everlasting, i.e., that His Existence does not end. His Existence is everlasting and His Attributes are everlasting. Nothing lasts forever by itself, except Allâh. Paradise and Hellfire are everlasting because Allâh Willed eternally that they remain forever. Paradise and Hellfire are not independently everlasting but are so because of the eternal and everlasting Will of Allâh that is unchanging and is fulfilled absolutely.
5-AlQiyâmu binNafs (Absolute absence of need)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat Aalu ^Imrân, verse 97). This means: “Verily, Allâh is Absolutely Independent of need for the creation.” Allâh does not need anyone to give Him existence because He exists without beginning. Allâh does not need to be in a certain shape or manner because shapes and manners are part of His creation. Allâh does not need to be in a place because places are part of His creation. Allâh does not need to be inclined towards a direction because directions are part of His creation. And He has told us in this verse that He has absolutely no need of creation.
6-AlQudrah (The eternal and everlasting Absolute Power that is unlike the power of any other)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat 'Aalu ^Imrân, verse 29) what means: “Allâh has Absolute Power over everything.” We must believe that Allâh is attributed with this Absolute Power. The Absolute Power is an Attribute of Allâh that is without beginning or end. With this Attribute (alQudrah), Allâh creates and destroys completely that which is logically possible. The logical possibilities are all things that the sound mind can imagine existing or not existing.
7-Al‘Irâdah (The eternal and everlasting Will that is unchanging and is fulfilled absolutely)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat atTakwîr, verse 29) what means: “You do not will anything unless Allâh, the Lord of the world, Willed eternally for this to be.” Whatever Allâh Willed eternally to be will be and whatever Allâh Willed eternally not to be, will not be. The Will of Allâh means the eternal and everlasting Attribute by which Allâh specifies the creations which are intellectual possibilities with certain attributes as opposed to any others. His Will does not change, neither on the night of the middle of the month of Sha^bân (which is before the month of Ramadan), nor on any other night, and neither if one supplicates, nor if one gives in charity. This is because the one whose will changes is certainly created. And if an attribute is created, then this necessarily indicates that its reality is also created. This is absolutely impossible of Allâh. Both good and evil exist by the Creation of Allâh and by the Will of Allâh. However, good is by His Order, but evil is not.
8-Al^Ilm (The eternal and everlasting Absolute Knowledge that is unlike the knowledge of any other)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat atTalâq, verse 12) what means: “Verily, the Absolute Knowledge of Allâh includes everything.” Allâh knows everything before it happens and nothing is hidden from His Absolute Knowledge. Allâh has Knowledge of what has happened, what is happening and what will happen. Allâh also has knowledge of how the event that did not happen would have happened if it had happened. Allâh knows eternally about everything and none of his creation knows about everything, neither Prophet Muhammad (salla-llâhu ^alayhi wasallam), nor any other.
9-AsSam^ (The eternal and everlasting Attribute of Allâh that is without instruments, whether ears or otherwise, with which every thing that is hearable is heard)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat ashShûrà, verse 11) what means: “He is the One attributed with eternal and everlasting Sam^ and Basar.” We must believe that Allâh is attributed with eternal and everlasting Sam^ which is not like the hearing of the creations. This is an eternal and everlasting Attribute of Allâh with which Allâh hears all things that can be heard, without manner and without instruments like ears. Allâh hears all things that are far away from us and that are close to us without any difference to Him because He exists without a place. Allâh hears even the tapping of an ant’s steps upon a smooth stone, without being in need of ears or wave of sound.
10-AlBasar (The eternal and everlasting Attribute of Allâh that is without instruments, whether eyes or otherwise, with which every thing that is seeable is seen)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat ashShûrà, verse 11). This means: “He is the One attributed with eternal and everlasting Sam^ and Basar.” We must believe that Allâh is attributed with eternal and everlasting Basar which is not like the sight of the creations. This is an eternal and everlasting attribute of Allâh with which He sees all things that can be seen, without manner and without instruments like eyes. Allâh sees the things that are far away from us and that are close to us without any difference to Him because He exists without a place. Allâh sees even the black ant upon a black stone on a dark night, without being in need of eyes or ray of light.
11-AlHayâh (The eternal and everlasting Life without body, flesh, blood or soul)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat alBaqarah, verse 255) what means: “There is no god except Allâh, the One who is attributed with eternal and everlasting Life (without body, flesh, blood or soul). And He does not need anything, while everything is in need of Him.” The Life of Allâh is not like our life because our life needs body, flesh, blood, soul and other things. Allâh is attributed with a Life unlike our life, and He has neither son nor wife.
12-AlKalâm (The eternal and everlasting Attribute of Allâh that is without letter, sound or language with which He Orders and Prohibits)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat anNisâ', verse 164). This means: “Allâh Created in Mûsà (^alayhi ssalâm) the ability to hear His eternal and everlasting Kalâm (that is without letter, sound or language).” Imam Abû Hanîfah (radiya-llâhu ^anh) stated in his book alFiqhu l'Absat:" " This means: “Allâh is attributed with the Attribute of Kalâm that is not like our speech. We speak with apparatuses, with outlets and with letters. But the Kalâm of Allâh is without an apparatus and without letters.”
13- AlMukhâlafatu lilHawâdith (Dissimilarity to the creation)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat ashShûrà, verse 11) what means: “There is nothing like Him at all, either in one respect or in all respects.” Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (164-241 A. H.) and Imam Dhu nNûn alMisriyy (who died 245 A. H.) said: " ". This means: “Whatever you imagine in your mind, Allâh is different from it.” The great scholar and defender of Islam Imam Abu Ja^far atTahâwiyy, Ahmad Ibn Salamah (237-322 A. H.), who died in the early part of the fourth century, has related in his creed which has become famous and is known as al^Aqîdah atTahawiyyah a declaration of the creed of Ahlu sSunnah walJamâ^ah. He referred to it as the creed as explained by Imam Abû Hanîfah (80-150 A. H.) and his companions, Abû Yûsuf alQâdî and Muhammad Ibn alHasan ashShaybâniyy, who are among the greatest scholars of the Salaf. In this creed Imam Abu Ja^far said: . This means: “Allâh is exalted and free of all sizes, extremities, sides, body-parts and small organs. The six directions that contain all created things do not contain Him.” This is explained as: “Allâh is exalted and free of all sizes–i.e., volumes– extremities–i.e., ends– sides–like the right or the left part of one’s body– body-parts–like the face, hands or feet– and small organs–like the epiglottis. The six directions that contain all created things –i.e., up, down, right, left, front and back– do not contain Him.”
*1 'Abû Mansûr alBaghdâdiyy has related this saying in his book alFarqu Bayn alFiraq after he transmitted the Ijmâ^ (consensus ) of the Muslim scholars of Muhammad’s nation that Allâh, the Exalted, exists without a place and without a volume.*2 The Prophet (salla-llâhu ^alayhi wasallam) daughter Fâtimah, about Imam ^Aliyy: " ". This means: “I have married you to the most knowledgeable person in my nation.”
Restoration has started. The Sunni way is being restored. It had never disappeared but all kinds of movements, sectarian groups grabbed the opportunity of the Ummah's weakness to try and reshape religion to their desires. The Community is awakening, scholars and the pious are restoring the traditions of Ahlu sSunnah walJamâ^ah with their four schools of fiqh founded by the Salaf: Hanafi, Mâliki, Shâfi^i and Hanbali, their 'Ash^ari and Maturidi methodology and their Sufi orders.
THE THIRTENN DIVINE ATTRIBUTES EVERY MUSLIM MUST KNOW AND BELIEVE IN
1-AlWujûd (The eternal and everlasting Existence that is unlike the existence of any other)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat ‘Ibrâhîm, verse 10) what means: “There is no doubt in the Existence of Allâh, the Exalted.” AlBukhâriyy, alBayhaqiyy and Ibn alJârûd related that the Prophet (Salla-llâhu ^alayhi wasallam) said what means: “Allâh existed eternally and there was nothing else.” Imam Abû Mansûr alBaghdâdiyy has related the following saying of Imam ^Aliyy *1 the fourth caliph and most knowledgeable person of our Prophet's nation *2 (Salla-llâhu ^alayhi wasallam). Imam ^Aliyy said: “Allâh existed eternally and there was no place. And He is now as He eternally existed (i.e., without a place).”
2-AlWahdâniyyah (Being without partner)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat Muhammad, verse 19) what means: “Know that no one is god except Allâh.” Allâh is One in His Dhât (Reality), in His Af^âl (Creating) and in His cifât (Attributes).
3-AlQidam, i.e., al‘Azaliyyah (Being without beginning)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat alHadîd, verse 3) what means: “Allâh is al‘Awwal (i.e., there is no beginning to His Existence) and al‘Aakhir (i.e., there is no end to His Existence).” Nothing is without a beginning except Allâh and His Attributes. If it has been said, Allâh is alQadîm, this means that there is no beginning to His Existence. This is when the term alQadîm relates to Allâh. In relation to other than Allâh, the term Qadîm means 'influenced by a great period of time', i.e. 'old'.
4-AlBaqâ' (Everlastingness)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat arRahmân, verse 27) what means: “Allâh will remain forever.” We must believe that Allâh is Everlasting, i.e., that His Existence does not end. His Existence is everlasting and His Attributes are everlasting. Nothing lasts forever by itself, except Allâh. Paradise and Hellfire are everlasting because Allâh Willed eternally that they remain forever. Paradise and Hellfire are not independently everlasting but are so because of the eternal and everlasting Will of Allâh that is unchanging and is fulfilled absolutely.
5-AlQiyâmu binNafs (Absolute absence of need)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat Aalu ^Imrân, verse 97). This means: “Verily, Allâh is Absolutely Independent of need for the creation.” Allâh does not need anyone to give Him existence because He exists without beginning. Allâh does not need to be in a certain shape or manner because shapes and manners are part of His creation. Allâh does not need to be in a place because places are part of His creation. Allâh does not need to be inclined towards a direction because directions are part of His creation. And He has told us in this verse that He has absolutely no need of creation.
6-AlQudrah (The eternal and everlasting Absolute Power that is unlike the power of any other)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat 'Aalu ^Imrân, verse 29) what means: “Allâh has Absolute Power over everything.” We must believe that Allâh is attributed with this Absolute Power. The Absolute Power is an Attribute of Allâh that is without beginning or end. With this Attribute (alQudrah), Allâh creates and destroys completely that which is logically possible. The logical possibilities are all things that the sound mind can imagine existing or not existing.
7-Al‘Irâdah (The eternal and everlasting Will that is unchanging and is fulfilled absolutely)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat atTakwîr, verse 29) what means: “You do not will anything unless Allâh, the Lord of the world, Willed eternally for this to be.” Whatever Allâh Willed eternally to be will be and whatever Allâh Willed eternally not to be, will not be. The Will of Allâh means the eternal and everlasting Attribute by which Allâh specifies the creations which are intellectual possibilities with certain attributes as opposed to any others. His Will does not change, neither on the night of the middle of the month of Sha^bân (which is before the month of Ramadan), nor on any other night, and neither if one supplicates, nor if one gives in charity. This is because the one whose will changes is certainly created. And if an attribute is created, then this necessarily indicates that its reality is also created. This is absolutely impossible of Allâh. Both good and evil exist by the Creation of Allâh and by the Will of Allâh. However, good is by His Order, but evil is not.
8-Al^Ilm (The eternal and everlasting Absolute Knowledge that is unlike the knowledge of any other)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat atTalâq, verse 12) what means: “Verily, the Absolute Knowledge of Allâh includes everything.” Allâh knows everything before it happens and nothing is hidden from His Absolute Knowledge. Allâh has Knowledge of what has happened, what is happening and what will happen. Allâh also has knowledge of how the event that did not happen would have happened if it had happened. Allâh knows eternally about everything and none of his creation knows about everything, neither Prophet Muhammad (salla-llâhu ^alayhi wasallam), nor any other.
9-AsSam^ (The eternal and everlasting Attribute of Allâh that is without instruments, whether ears or otherwise, with which every thing that is hearable is heard)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat ashShûrà, verse 11) what means: “He is the One attributed with eternal and everlasting Sam^ and Basar.” We must believe that Allâh is attributed with eternal and everlasting Sam^ which is not like the hearing of the creations. This is an eternal and everlasting Attribute of Allâh with which Allâh hears all things that can be heard, without manner and without instruments like ears. Allâh hears all things that are far away from us and that are close to us without any difference to Him because He exists without a place. Allâh hears even the tapping of an ant’s steps upon a smooth stone, without being in need of ears or wave of sound.
10-AlBasar (The eternal and everlasting Attribute of Allâh that is without instruments, whether eyes or otherwise, with which every thing that is seeable is seen)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat ashShûrà, verse 11). This means: “He is the One attributed with eternal and everlasting Sam^ and Basar.” We must believe that Allâh is attributed with eternal and everlasting Basar which is not like the sight of the creations. This is an eternal and everlasting attribute of Allâh with which He sees all things that can be seen, without manner and without instruments like eyes. Allâh sees the things that are far away from us and that are close to us without any difference to Him because He exists without a place. Allâh sees even the black ant upon a black stone on a dark night, without being in need of eyes or ray of light.
11-AlHayâh (The eternal and everlasting Life without body, flesh, blood or soul)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat alBaqarah, verse 255) what means: “There is no god except Allâh, the One who is attributed with eternal and everlasting Life (without body, flesh, blood or soul). And He does not need anything, while everything is in need of Him.” The Life of Allâh is not like our life because our life needs body, flesh, blood, soul and other things. Allâh is attributed with a Life unlike our life, and He has neither son nor wife.
12-AlKalâm (The eternal and everlasting Attribute of Allâh that is without letter, sound or language with which He Orders and Prohibits)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat anNisâ', verse 164). This means: “Allâh Created in Mûsà (^alayhi ssalâm) the ability to hear His eternal and everlasting Kalâm (that is without letter, sound or language).” Imam Abû Hanîfah (radiya-llâhu ^anh) stated in his book alFiqhu l'Absat:" " This means: “Allâh is attributed with the Attribute of Kalâm that is not like our speech. We speak with apparatuses, with outlets and with letters. But the Kalâm of Allâh is without an apparatus and without letters.”
13- AlMukhâlafatu lilHawâdith (Dissimilarity to the creation)
Allâh, the Exalted, Said (Surat ashShûrà, verse 11) what means: “There is nothing like Him at all, either in one respect or in all respects.” Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (164-241 A. H.) and Imam Dhu nNûn alMisriyy (who died 245 A. H.) said: " ". This means: “Whatever you imagine in your mind, Allâh is different from it.” The great scholar and defender of Islam Imam Abu Ja^far atTahâwiyy, Ahmad Ibn Salamah (237-322 A. H.), who died in the early part of the fourth century, has related in his creed which has become famous and is known as al^Aqîdah atTahawiyyah a declaration of the creed of Ahlu sSunnah walJamâ^ah. He referred to it as the creed as explained by Imam Abû Hanîfah (80-150 A. H.) and his companions, Abû Yûsuf alQâdî and Muhammad Ibn alHasan ashShaybâniyy, who are among the greatest scholars of the Salaf. In this creed Imam Abu Ja^far said: . This means: “Allâh is exalted and free of all sizes, extremities, sides, body-parts and small organs. The six directions that contain all created things do not contain Him.” This is explained as: “Allâh is exalted and free of all sizes–i.e., volumes– extremities–i.e., ends– sides–like the right or the left part of one’s body– body-parts–like the face, hands or feet– and small organs–like the epiglottis. The six directions that contain all created things –i.e., up, down, right, left, front and back– do not contain Him.”
*1 'Abû Mansûr alBaghdâdiyy has related this saying in his book alFarqu Bayn alFiraq after he transmitted the Ijmâ^ (consensus ) of the Muslim scholars of Muhammad’s nation that Allâh, the Exalted, exists without a place and without a volume.*2 The Prophet (salla-llâhu ^alayhi wasallam) daughter Fâtimah, about Imam ^Aliyy: " ". This means: “I have married you to the most knowledgeable person in my nation.”
posted by Abou Houdhayfah at 1:13 PM
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