Al-Musawwir, Ar-Rabb and Al-Adheem: Conceptualizing TAWHEED - Al-Asmaa wa Sifaat Part XV

Saturday 15-Jun-2019, 1:49AM / 1199


Adaptation and Translation by Abu Aamaal Misbaah Olagunju


Bismillaah-ir-Rahmaan-ir-Raheem

Explanation of the Perfect Names and the Lofty Attributes

 [43] AL-MUSAWWIR

Allah the exalted said:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَاۤءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ
"He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, Al-Musawwir (the Bestower of forms). To Him belong the Best Names." - Surah Al-Hashir: 24

 AL-Musawwir
He is the One who make His creations into whatever forms He prefers for them as demanded by His perfect wisdom, His all-encompassing knowledge and His mercy.

Points from the Exemplary Principles

Shaykh Bin Saalih Al-Uthaymeen said in Qawā'id al-Muthlā:

Part III: Principles regarding the evidences of the Names and Attributes.

First Principle: The evidences by which the names and attributes of Allah —the exalted— are established are the Book of Allah (Qur'an) and the Sunnah (tradition) of His prophet (Muhammad):

... And from what is affirmed for Allah —the exalted— are: 

Every attribute attested to by any name from among the names of Allah —the exalted— whether implied accordingly or as an inclusion (in its meaning), or as a conformance (to its meaning).

Also from it is every attribute attested to by an action from the actions of Allah like Al-Istiwaa alaa al-arsh (ascension over the majestic throne), An-Nuzuul ilaa as-samaai ad-dunyaa (descent towards the earth's heaven), and al-Maj'yaa lil-fasl bayna ibaadihi yawmal-qiyaamah (coming to adjudicate amongst His slaves on the day of resurrection), and whatever is similar to these from amongst His actions for which there kinds cannot be enumerated, as a merit compared to them being unitary.

[44] AR-RABB

Allah the exalted said:

كُلُوا۟ مِن رِّزۡقِ رَبِّكُمۡ وَٱشۡكُرُوا۟ لَهُۥۚ بَلۡدَةࣱ طَیِّبَةࣱ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ
"Eat of the provision of your Rabb (Lord), and be grateful to Him, a fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord." - Surah Saba': 15

Ar-Rabb
He is the One who nurtures His creation with His boon and flourish (develop) them bit after bit, He is also the One who nourishes His beloved slaves with that which rectifies their heart, and He is the Originator, the Sovereign, the Master.

Points from the Exemplary Principles

Shaykh Bin Saalih Al-Uthaymeen said in Qawā'id al-Muthlā:

Part III: Principles regarding the evidences of the Names and Attributes.

First Principle: The evidences by which the names and attributes of Allah —the exalted— are established are the Book of Allah (Qur'an) and the Sunnah (tradition) of His prophet (Muhammad):

Also, from what is affirmed for Allah is Al-Waj'u (face), and Al-Aynaan (two eyes), and Al-Yadaan (two hands), and their likes. 

Also, from them are: Al-Kalaam (speech), Al-Mashee'ah (will), and Al-Iraadah which is of two categories: 

Al-Iraadah Al-Kawniy: universal will, which have the same meaning as mashee'ah, and Al-Iraadah Ash-Shar'iy: with the meaning of muhabah (Love - that which He desires).

Also, from them are: Ar-Ridhaa (satisfaction), Al-Muhabah (Love/Desire), Al-Ghadhab (Anger), Al-Kara'ah (Dislike) and their likes.

And from what its negation is established for Allah —may He be glorified— as a sanctification, and its complete opposite affirmed for Him are:

Al-Mawt (death), An-Nawm (sleep), As-Sinah (slumber), Al-Ajzu (incapacitation), Al-I'yaau (fatigue), Adh-Dhulm (injustice), Al-Ghaflah (heedlessness) from the actions of His slaves, and also for Him to have a like (an equal) or a representation (illustration) and the likes of these. 

 [45] AL-Al-‘ADHEEM

Allah the exalted said:
وَسِعَ كُرۡسِیُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۖ وَلَا یَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفۡظُهُمَاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِیُّ ٱلۡعَظِیمُ
"His Kursiyy  extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Adheem  (Most Great)." - Surah Al-Baqarah: 255

Al-‘Adheem
He is the processor possessor  of absolute greatness in His essence, His names and His attributes, and due to this it becomes obligatory on the creation to magnify and exalt Him, and deem His commands and proscriptions as magnificent.

Points from the Exemplary Principles

Shaykh Bin Saalih Al-Uthaymeen said in Qawā'id al-Muthlā:

Part III: Principles regarding the evidences of the Names and Attributes.

First Principle: The evidences by which the names and attributes of Allah —the exalted— are established are the Book of Allah (Qur'an) and the Sunnah (tradition) of His prophet (Muhammad):

And from what it's lafdh (phonation) is not expected to be affirmed nor denied (for Allah) is Al-Jihah (Direction/Side), and if a questioner were to ask; do we affirm a jihah (direction) for Allah? 

We will say to him: the lafdh  (phonation/expression) of the word jihah is not obtainable in the book (Qur'an) and the sunnah as established or denied (for Allah), so we content ourselves with it by sufficing with what has been established in both of them; that Allah the exalted is above the heavens.

But as for its ma'na (meaning of jihah), then it is either used to imply:

The lower direction/side, or the upper direction/side enveloping Allah, or the upper direction or side not enveloping Him. 

As for the first statement, it is false because it negates the loftiness of Allah the exalted which is established by the book, the sunnah, the intellect, the natural disposition, and the consensus. 

The second is also false; because Allah the exalted is more magnificent than to be surrounded by anything from His creations.

As for the third; it is correct because Allah the exalted is high above all His creation and not surrounded by any of them. 

Adapted and Translated from:
Aahkaamu Tahamul Muslim
Sharhu Qawaa'idul Muthlaa'