Belief of the Names and Attributes of Allah

Stumbled upon this entry @ ibnyusof.blogspot.com. Posted with slight modifications.

Say (O Muhammad): 'He is Allah, (the) One,
Allaah-us-Samad [Allaah - the Self Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)]
He begets not, nor was He begotten
And there is none coequal or comparable to Him.'
(Surah Al-Ikhlas 112: 1-4)

Tauhid Al-Asma' Wa Sifat is one of the most important branches of tauhid yet the most misunderstood aspects of "Lordship" in Islam. It is an area where many go astray in their thinking and belief. The knowledge of understanding and knowing God's attributes (Ma'rifatullah) is obligatory upon every Muslim.

Islam in fact describes ninety-nine names of God, in each ninety-nine names reflecting the attributes of God. It is termed as Asma' Al-Husna or The Beautiful Names, a subject of much adoration and celebration among Muslims. The most common name for the one true God in Islam is Allah.

Some confusion regarding understanding the attributes of Allah are answered in several verses in the Holy Quran.

That is He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen,
the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.
(Surah As-Sajdah 32:6)

He is Allah beside Whom Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)
The All-Knower of the unseen and the seen.
He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
(Surah Al-Hashr 59:22)

He is Allah beside Whom Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)
the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects,
the Giver of Security, the Watcher over His creatures
the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme.
Glorified is Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.
(Surah Al-Hashr 59:23)

He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms.
To Him belong the Best Names.
All that is in the heavens and earth glorifies Him.
He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
(Surah Al-Hashr 59:24)

Therefore, the correct way of understanding Allah's attributes is how it has been practiced by the companions which was described by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself as the best generation.

Allah must not be named or qualified by anything other than what Allah Himself and His Messenger, have named or qualified Him. No attribute or quality should be offered in explaining or describing the Lord of Universe unless He or His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has already offered this description.

Allah will not leave the believers in the state which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. Nor will Allaah disclose to you the secrets of the Ghaib (Unseen),but Allaah chooses of His Messengers whom He wills. So believe in Allaah and His Messengers. And if you believe and fear Allaah, then for you there is great reward. (Surah Al-Imran 3:179)

As to the brain-twister such as the paradoxical question: "Where is Allah before He build 'Arasy?" raised by some quarters. The key lies in the proper understanding of the branch of Tauhid (field of "Unique Oneness of God").- Tauhid Al-Asma' Wa Sifat as what has been mentioned earlier.

The answer to matters of the unseen (al-Ghaib) is that no one knows them but He since it is not mentioned in the Holy Quran and neither by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). We're only required to be steadfast with what have been revealed to us.

This is of the news of the Unseen which We reveal to you (O Muhammad); neither you nor your people knew it before this. So, be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for the Muttaqoon (the pious) (Surah Hud 11:49)

In conclusion, total submission towards the Qur'an and Sunnah is needed when us Muslims interact with matters of the Unseen. There is no need to include logic, philosophy, debate and so forth in understanding God's names, attributes and actions as it is clearly and obviously stated that no one knows Himself better than He does.

And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record. (Surah Al-Anaam 6:59).


Ibn Yusof
17 May 2009 / 21 Jumad Al-Awal 1430
3.30 p.m
www.ibnyusof.blogspot.com