Names and Attributes of Allah

Belief in the Names and Attributes of Allah

Affirming Allah’s Attributes without distortion, denial, or likening Him to creation

Introduction

Belief in Allah’s Names and Attributes is a pillar of Islamic creed. A Muslim affirms what Allah affirmed for Himself in the Qur’an, and what the Prophet ﷺ affirmed in the Sunnah without distortion (tahrif), denial (ta‘til), asking how (takyeef), or likening Him to creation (tashbeeh). This balanced approach preserves the purity of tawheed.

Obligation of Belief

Affirming Allah’s Names and Attributes is inseparable from belief in Him. Among His attributes are hearing, seeing, knowledge, wisdom, rising above the Throne, being pleased, becoming angry, smiling, and rejoicing. All of these are true, real, and befitting His majesty without resembling creation.

“Exalted is your Lord, the Lord of might, above what they describe. And peace upon the messengers. And praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
Qur’an 37:180-182

How to Understand the Attributes

Ahl al-Sunnah affirm the Names and Attributes in their clear meaning, while refraining from asking “how.” We know what hearing and seeing mean, but we do not know their exact nature when applied to Allah. Just as Paradise has rivers of wine unlike worldly wine, Allah’s attributes are real yet unlike anything in creation.

“And they do not encompass Him in knowledge.”
Qur’an 20:110

Addressing Misconceptions

• Philosophers: Reduced attributes to symbols or imagination, which undermines revelation.
• People of Kalām: Claimed the Prophet ﷺ withheld meanings of attributes. This contradicts his role as the explainer of revelation.
• Extreme Agnostics: Claimed even the Prophet ﷺ and Companions did not know the meanings. This suggests revelation came without clarity, which is false.

The correct path is the way of the Salaf: affirming Allah’s attributes as revealed, without distortion, denial, or resemblance to creation.

References

Primary Sources

• Qur’an 37:180-182 : Allah is exalted above false descriptions.
• Qur’an 20:110 : Humans cannot encompass Allah in knowledge.
• Qur’an 3:7 : Only Allah fully knows the unseen meanings.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 1145 : Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of the night.

Secondary Sources

• Ibn Taymiyyah, al-‘Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah : Foundational text affirming Allah’s attributes without distortion.
• Al-Wasiti, An-Nasihah fi Sifat ar-Rabb : Clarifies that attributes are affirmed but their “how” is unknown.
• As-Safarini, Lawami‘ al-Anwar al-Bahiyyah : Refutation of philosophers and kalām groups.
• Khalil Harras, Sharh al-Wasitiyyah : Commentary on Salafi methodology in affirming attributes.