Notes for Class #2 of Fiqhul-Asmaa al-Husnaa
From The Correct Aqeedah and That Which Opposes It by Sheikh ibn Baaz
Abu Muhammad al-Maghribee
We continue with this introduction to the principles by which we understand the Names and Attributes of Allahu ta’aala.
❃ We must know the importance of having the correct aqeedah (creed).
Aqeedah (creed or belief) is the foundation of the religion. It is that which all deeds of the heart, tongue and limbs are built upon. If a person’s aqeedah is not sound, then their deeds will not benefit them (prayer, fasting, charity, etc…).
The correct aqeedah is that which the Companions of the Messenger of Allah were upon, may Allah be pleased with them and the Salafus-Saaleh were upon after them. (As the Messenger sss said, “Hold fast to my sunnah and the sunnah of the rightly-guided khaleefahs after me.” Reported by Abu Dawud and Sheikh al-Albaani graded it Sahih)
❃ We must have the proper understanding regarding the principles related to Allah’s Names and Attributes.
Understanding the principles surrounding the belief in Allah’s Names and Attributes is an area where many have gone astray. And the proper understanding is what differentiates us from the the deviant sects.
We believe in Allah’s Names and Attributes which are found in the Quran and the authentic narrations of the Messenger sss. These are from the unseen, so it is not permissible to take them from any other sources.
❃ We affirm for Allah that which He affirmed for Himself in His Book and upon the tongue of His Messenger sss. And we do this:
Without tahreef تحريف - (distorting) this means changing the wording or the meaning
Without ta’teel تعطيل - (divesting) this means to deny the Attributes of Allah
Without takyeef تكييف - this means to ask or explain how (kayfa) the Attributes are
Without tamtheel تمثيل - (making resemblance) - this means to liken any of the Attributes of Allah to that of any of the creation
It is upon us to have eemaan in Allah and His Beautiful Names and Lofty Attributes in a manner which befits Him, subhaanahu wa ta’aala, as Allah says in the Quran:
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ
There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (Ash-Shura 42:11)
This is a clear refutation against the Mumaththilah (those who make tamtheel). They say that as Allah affirms for Himself a hand, since we have hands, they say there is resemblance. No! Rather Allah informs us there is nothing like unto Him. And we cannot make this resemblance.
Also another proof found in the Quran is the saying of Allahu ta’aala:
فَلاَ تَضْرِبُواْ لِلّهِ الأَمْثَالَ إِنَّ اللّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ
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. (An-Nahl 16:74)
Believing and having eemaan in the Names and Attributes of Allah without tahreef, without ta’teel, without takyeef and without tamtheel, this is from the aqeedah of the Companions and after them the taabi’een and the atba’a taabi’een after them and the great imaams who followed in their footsteps. Imaam al-awzaa’ee said, “I asked az-Zuhri and Makhul about the ayaat pertaining to Allah’s Attributes and they replied to leave them as they are.”
Note** The taabi’een are the generation who came after the Messenger, but met the companions. While the atba’a taabi’een came after the companions but were with the taabi’een.