AFFIRMING ALLĀH’S NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES (II)

 FAJR REMINDER: AFFIRMING ALLĀH’S NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES (II)

By: Umm Affān

Ṣafar 6, 1448 (21-July-2026)

The true reality of Allāh’s Attributes is beyond the complete comprehension of the human mind. We affirm them according to their apparent meanings in a manner that befits His Majesty, while leaving the knowledge of their exact reality to Allāh Alone.

It is a grave error and a form of misguidance to divert the words that Allāh used to describe His Attributes from their established meanings in the Arabic language to obscure or unintended interpretations. For example, Allāh (ﷻ) says: “The Most Beneficent (Allāh) Istawā (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty).” [Sūrah Ta-Ha (20): 5] 

It is incorrect to reinterpret Istawā (meaning ascension) as Istīlā' (meaning to take over). Shaykh Muḥammad ‘Amīn Ash-Shanqītī (Raḥimahullāh) said: “This type of interpretation of the Divine Attributes is a form of distortion.” [Minhāj wa Dirāsāt li Ayāt al-Asmā' wa aṣ-Ṣifāt, pg. 26]

Since we cannot comprehend the true Essence of Allāh’s Attributes, we must also refrain from asking how they are. Whenever we encounter any of Allāh’s Attributes in the Qur'ān or the authentic Ḥadīth, our duty is to affirm them as they have been revealed without delving into their modality. We should neither compare them to the attributes of His creation nor attempt to imagine their nature. Rather, we should follow the path of the righteous predecessors, whom Allāh blessed with sound knowledge and correct understanding, protecting them from distortion, comparison, and questioning how His Attributes are.

Another example is the Statement of Allāh (ﷻ): “…And Allāh mocks on them back, and they shall have a painful torment.” [Sūrah At-Tawbah (9): 79] The mocking mentioned here is an Attribute that befits Allāh's Majesty. It is not to be understood in the same way that the limited human mind perceives mocking among created beings, for nothing about Allāh resembles His creation.

Similarly, Allāh (ﷻ) says: “O Iblīs! What prevents you from prostrating to one whom I have created with Both My Hands…?” [Sūrah Sād (38): 75] Concerning Allāh’s Hands, we must not reinterpret this Attribute as some extremists among the Mu'tazilah did, nor distort its meaning as the Jahmiyyah did by claiming that His Two Hands refer to His Two Bounties or His Two Powers. Such false interpretations ultimately lead to Ta'tīl—the denial of Allāh’s Hands. Indeed, the one who falls into Ta'tīl ends up worshipping nothing.

Muslims must therefore be cautious not to alter the meanings of Allāh’s Words under the guise of interpretation. This was one of the grave offences committed by the Jews, regarding whom Allāh (ﷻ) says: “But those who did wrong changed the word from that which had been told to them for another, so We sent upon the wrong-doers Rijzān (a punishment) from the heaven because they rebelled against Allāh's Obedience. (Tafsīr Aṭ-Ṭabarī, Vol. 1, Page 305).” [Sūrah Al-Baqarah (2): 59]

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to grant us beneficial understanding, keep us firm upon the truth, and protect us from every form of misguidance. Aameen.