Be warned! The danger of Tamtheel and Takyeef

[Umm Yoosuf]

Concerning Allah’s Attributes

The danger of Tamtheel and Takyeef;


Affirming His attributes requires one to shun two greater dangerous thoughts: Tamtheel and Takyeef.



Tamtheel is when the affirmer believes that the Attributes he affirms for Allahare simlar to the attributes of the creation. This beleift is falsehood, as understood from both textual and intercultural evidence:

Textual Evidence:

“There is nothing similar to Him”
(42:11)

“Then is there the One who Creates like the one who does not create? Do you not reflect?”(16:17)


“Do you know anything comparable to Him?”(19:65)

“And there is nothing comparable to Him”(112:4)


Intellectual Evidence: This is from a number if angles.

Firstly, everyone knows that there are difference between the Creator Himself and the Creation. This necessitates that there be a difference in the attributes themselves, since the attributes of each and every thing is something that befits it, as it apparent in the various things Allah created. For example, the strength of a camel is not like the strength of an atom. So when it becomes clear that the created things differ between themselves in attributes that they share in common, then it becomes even more clear that there must be a stronger and more obvious difference between the attributes of the Creation and the Attributes of the Creator.

Secondly, it can be said, “How can the Lord, the Perfect Creator, the One who is Perfect from all angles, be similar in His attributes to His Creation that He provides for, while thay are deficient and in need of someone to take care of them?” isn’t believing this taking away from the Right of the Creator, since making the perfect one similar to a deficient one cause him to be deficient as well?

Thirdly, we witness created things that share the same name but differ in their details and realities. We see that the human being has a limb that is not like the limb of an elephant, while the elephant has strength that is different from the strength of a camel, while they are both possessors of the same attributes called strength. This is a limb, and that is a limb; and this is strength, and that is strength and between the two there is a difference in their specifics. So then it becomes known that this sharing of the name of the attribute does not necessitate sharing the same qualities.

Tashbeeh is like tamtheel. The difference between these two words is that tamtheel is total equality in all attributes, while tashbeeh is equality in most, but not all, attributes. Therefore, to negate tamtheel is more appropriate and in accordance with the Quran,

“There is nothing similar to Him.”

[Umm Yoosuf]

Takyeef is when the affirmer believes in a specified understanding of the attribute of Allah the Exalted, that they must be like this or that, without claiming them to be similar to something else. This belief is also falsehood, based on textual and intellectual evidence:

Textual evidence: Allah the Exalted has said,

“And they can not encompass His Knowledge.”

“And do not follow what you have no knowledge of. Verily the hearing, the sight, and the chest, (you) will all be questioned (about each of them).”


And it is well known that there is no knowledge available to us about the specific details of the Attributes of our Lord, as He, the Exalted, had only informed us of them and had not informed us of their specific details. Therefore, seeking to know their specific deals would be considered following after what we have no knowledge of, and speaking with what is not possible for us to understand.

Intellectual Evidence: The details of something’s attributes are not known to except after having knowledge of the details of the thing itself, or by knowing about it through descriptions of something similar or equal to it. All of this clearly impossible with regars to the details of the Attributes of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. So then it is binding to reject takyeef.

Furthermore, which specific details about the Attributes of Allah the Exalted are you able to estimate? Verily whatever specific details you estimate in your mind, then Allah is Greater and More Lofty than that! And whatever specific details you imagine, then you are a false claimant, since you have no knowledge for what you claim! So now you understand the obligation of refraining from guessing about the specific details of Allah’s Attributes in your heart, and from speaking with your tongue based upon that, and from acting by that with your limbs.

When Imaam Maalik, may Allah have Mercy on him, was asked about the Statement of Allah the Exalted,

“Ar-Rahmaan ascended above the Throne.”

He was asked, “How did He ascend?” He put his head down until he began sweating, and then said,

“The ascension is not unknown, the details of it are not comprehensible, believing in it is obligatory, and questioning about it is an innovation!”

And it has also been narrated that his teacher, Rabee’ah, also said, “His Ascension is not unknown, and the details of it are not comprehensible.”

The people of knowledge stayed upon this way after them. So if the specific details are not understandable, and there are no texts in the matter, then both kinds of evidence, textual and intellectual, are useless, so it is binding upon us tht we refrain from speaking about these matters.

So I warn you, and again I warn you about takyeef, since if you were to seek after the details of Allah’s Attributes, then you will have fallen into a trap that you will never be able to escape from! And if Shaytaan put some of it in your heart, then know that it is from his evil whispering, and seek refuge in your Lord, for verily He is your refuge. Do what He ordered you do, as He is your Doctor! Allah has said:

“And of an evil whisper from Shaytaan comes to you, then seek refuge in Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

[Umm Yoosuf]

From the Book:

Concering the Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allah by Imaam Muhammas Ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaymeen

.................................................. .

Can one of the Mods fix my title :)

Jazakallahu Khayr

[Nawal89]

Shaykh ibn Uthaimeen is one of my favorite authors when it comes to Aqidah.
Muslims all over the world today do tashbeeh, adn tamtheel. Especially takyeef. They dont know how dangerous it is.

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[Umm Yoosuf]

I know this :( thats why i think everybody should get a copy of this book and take heed. I haven't yet finished it but it's a really benefical book. May Allah bless the authour. I too like this style of writing, he has this specail connection with the readers subhnallah :)

[boriqee]

He, the shaykh rahemahullah expouned greatly about this subject in his explaination of Ibnu-Qudama al-Maqdisee's "Lumaat al-Itiqaad"

that was a good read in reference to this subject

asalamu alaikum

[boriqee]

sorry for posting again, just wanted to complete 50 posts

[Protected_Diamond]

From the Book:

Concering the Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allah by Imaam Muhammas Ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaymeen

.................................................. .

Can one of the Mods fix my title :)

Jazakallahu Khayr

:sl: warhmatulahi wabarakathu

Can one of the mods fulfill our sister's request insha' Allah?

Excellent thread Alhamdulilah :rose:

:w: warhmatulahi wabarakathu

[Umm Yoosuf]

They have Alhamdulilaah :)

[Umm Safiya]

:sl:

Masha Allâh, nice read.. Barak Allâhu fîki..