| Min Ahlil Hadeeth
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08-18-2007
Allaah’s Ascension (al-Istiwaa’) over the Throne
The Aayaat of the Qur’aan
Allaah, the Most High, says:
The Most Merciful ascended above the Throne.
Soorah Taa-Haa (20):5
Do you feel secure that He Who is above the heavens will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes (as an earthquake)? Or do you feel secure that He Who is above the heavens will not send against you a violent tornado? Then you shall know how (terrible) was My warning.
Soorah al-Mulk (67):16-17
The Ahaadeeth of the Prophet (salAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
The Prophet (salAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked (the slave girl), “Where is Allaah?” She replied, “He is above the sky.” He (salAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked (her), “Who am I?” She said, “You are Allaah’s Messenger.” He (salAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said (to her master, “Free her, for she is a believer.” Reported by Muslim (1/537).
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree reports the Messenger of Allaah (salAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you not trust me and I am the trustworthy servant of Him who is above the sky. The news of heaven comes to me in the morning and in the evening.” Reported by al-Bukhaaree (8/67) and Muslim (2/742).
The sayings of the Pious Predecessors
Abu Bakr radhiyAllaahu ‘anhu
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, radhiyAllaahu ‘anhu, reports that when Allaah’s Messenger (salAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was taken, Abu Bakr, radhiyAllaahu ‘anhu, entered and kissed his (salAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forehead and said, “May my father and mother be your ransom! You were good in life and in death.” And he said, “He who worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad has died. (But) he who worships Allaah, then Allaah is above the sky, He lives and does not die.” Reported by ad-Daarimee in ar-Radd ‘alal Jahmiyyah, with a hasan isnaad.
Imaam Maalik, Imaam of Daaril-Hijrah (d.179H)
‘Abdullaah ibn Naafi’ reports that Maalik ibn Anas said, “Allaah is above the sky And His Knowledge is in every place, not being absent from anything.” Reported by ‘Abdullaah ibn Ahmad in as-Sunnah (p.5), Abu Daawood in al-Masaa’il (p.263), al-Aujurree in ash-Sharee’ah (p.289) and al-Laalikaa’ee (1/92/2). Its isnaad is Saheeh.
‘Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak, Shaikh ul-Islaam (d.181H)
‘Alee ibn al-Hasan ibn Shaqeeq reports: I asked ‘Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak, “How are we to know our Lord?” He replied, “He is above the seventh heaven above his Throne. We do not say as the Jahmiyyah say, ‘He is here on the earth.’” So that was mentioned to Ahmad ibn Hanbal, so he said, ‘That is how it is with us.’
Reported by ad-Daarimee in ar-Radd ‘alal-Mareesee (p.24 and 103) and ar-Radd ‘alal Jahmiyyah (p.50) and ‘Abdullaah ibn Ahmad in as-Sunnah (p.7, 25, 35 and 72). Its isnaad is Saheeh.
Imaam Muhammad ibn Idrees ash-Shaafi’ee (d.204H)
Abu Thawr and Abu Shu’aib both report that ash-Shaafi’ee said, “The saying which I hold regarding the Sunnah and which I found those whom I have seen holding like Sufyaan, Maalik and others is the testification that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, that Allaah is above His Throne over His heaven, He draws near to His creation as He wishes and descends to the lowest heaven as He wishes…” (Mukhtasar al-‘Uluww, no. 196).
Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241H)
It was said to Abu ‘Abdullaah (Imaam Ahmad), “Allaah is above the seventh heaven, over His Throne, separate from His creation. His Power and Knowledge are in every place?” He said, “Yes, He is above the Throne and His Knowledge is in every place.” Reported by al-Khallaal in al-Mukhtasar and its isnaad is Saheeh.
These are just a few of the sayings of the scholars. Adh-Dhahabee has collected over two-hundred sayings of the early scholars in this regard in his book al-‘Uluww. In the English language, The Ever Merciful Istiwa Over the Throne by Shaikh ‘Abdullah as-Sabt deals with this subject in a methodological manner.
Appendix 2, of the book ‘Explanation of the Creed’, Al-Hidaayah Publishing and Distribution
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