Examining the evidences that establish Tawheed al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat
Ulama Institute #1
Looking to learn Arabic or memorize the Quran?
Check our Trusted Teachers
As it was mentioned earlier, Tawheed al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat or the monotheism related to Allah’s ﷻ Names and Attributes is only an extension of Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah. Tawheed al-Asmaa’was-Sifaat began to be studied independently due to the large numbers of people who opposed it.
The first of the people to reject Allah’s magnificent Names and Attributes were the Arab idolators, that is described in Allah’s statement:
كَذَٰلِكَ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ فِىٓ أُمَّةٍۢ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهَآ أُمَمٌۭ لِّتَتْلُوَا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ(سورة الرعد: ٣٠)
“Therefore We have sent you to a community which was preceded by other nations so that you might recite to them what We have revealed to you, while they disbelieve in the Most Merciful.” (Soorat ar-Ra’d: 30)
The reason behind the revelation of this aayah was that the Arab idolators refused to describe Allah ﷻ as being the Most Merciful (Ar-Rahmaan). This is why they refused to write the Most Merciful (Ar-Rahmaan) Bestower of Mercy (Ar-Raheem) on the treaty of Hudaybiyyah. They said: “As for the Most Merciful (Ar-Rahmaan), then we do not know what it means. Write; in your Name O Allah as you used to do.” So everyone who refuses to accept the magnificent Names and Attributes of Allah ﷻ has followed the evil example of those early Arab idolators.
Tawheed al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat or the monotheism related to Allah’s ﷻ Names and Attributes requires complete acceptance and submission to the authentic texts of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah which mention Allah’s lofty Names and Attributes. Accepting these texts with submission means that we accept them in the manner in which they were conveyed without distortion (tahreef), denial (ta teel), explanation as to how they are (takyeef), likening Him to any of His creation(tamtheel), or likening them to the creation (tashbeeh). This principle is based on of the statement of Allah ﷻ .
فِيهِ ۚ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِۦ شَىْءٌۭ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ (سورة الشورى :١١ )
”…There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Soorat ash-Shooraa: 11)
The texts of the Qur’aan which prove that Allah’s Names are numerous. One of the clearest texts is the statement of Allah ﷻ .
قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنَ ۖ أَيًّۭا مَّا تَدْعُوا۟ فَلَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ(سورة الإسراء: ١١٠)
“Say, Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever (name) you use, to Him belong the best names.” (Soorat al-Israa: 110)
And also Allah’s statement:
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ (سورة طه : ٨ )
“Allah, there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names.” [Soorat Taa Haa: 8]
Muslims must describe Allah ﷻ in the manner which He has described Himself or in the manner which the Messenger of Allah ﷻ has described Him. Allah has severely wamed those who deviate concerning His Names and Attributes:
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا ۖ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ أَسْمَـٰٓئِهِۦ ۚ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ (سورة الأعراف:١٨٠)
“And to Allah belong the best of names, so invoke Him by them. And abandon those who deviate concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they used to do.” (Soorat al-Airaaf: 180)
And whoever rejects any of Allah’s magnificent Names and lofty Attributes has fallen into disbelief. Allah ﷻ says:
وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ (سورة الرعد: ٣٠)
…While they disbelieve in the Most Merciful. Say,” He is my Lord; there is no deity except Him. Upon Him I rely, and to Him is my return.” (Soorat ar-Rad: 30)
Allah ﷻ has described Himself in the greatest manner by affirming for Himself Al-Mathal Al- ‘Ala (the loftiest description; i.e. attribute).
لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مَثَلُ ٱلسَّوْءِ ۖ وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ (سورة النحل : ٦٠)
“For those who do not believe in the Hereafter is the most evil description; and for Allah is the loftiest description (i.e. attribute). And He is the Exalted in Might, the Most Wise.” (Soorat an-Nahl : 60)
Allah ﷻ says:
وَلَهُ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ (سورة الروم : ٢٧)
“To Him belongs the loftiest description (i.e. attribute) in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Most Wise.” (Soorat ar-Rum: 27)
So Allah ﷻ has described His enemies from the pagan Arabs and their idols with the most evil descriptions which involve deficiency, insufficiency, and imperfection. Similarly, Allah has informed us of the greatest description (attribute) which involves affirming perfection for Him alone. So whoever negates that Allah has the Attributes of perfection, then he has described Him with the most evil of attributes by rejecting the lofty description that Allah ﷻ has chosen for Himself.
Learning from the lesson
- Provide proof from the Qur’aan that Allah ﷻ has magnificent Names.
- Provide proof from the Qur’aan that Allah ﷻ has lofty Attributes.
