Attacking the `Aqidah of Salaf

Q: We hope you would provide us with a detailed declaration about what was written by Khalid Mahyub in "Akhbar Alkhalij" newspaper, issue no. (7889), on Friday 29, October, 1999 entitled: "Glorifying Allah (Exalted be He) to the contrasts of these attributes and all other deficiencies". In this article, he has impugned the `Aqidah (creed) of the Salaf (righteous predecessors), especially Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful with both of them) whom he accused of adopting Tajsim (anthropomorphism).

A: It is an obligation to confirm the Names and Attributes which Allah (Exalted be He) or His Messenger (peace be upon him) has confirmed to Himself in a way that befits Him (Glorified be He) without Tashbih (comparison) or Takyif (descriptive designation of Allah's Attributes), and to refute what He or His Messenger (peace be upon him) has refuted for Himself of resembling His Creatures without Tahrif (distortion of the meaning) or Ta`til (denial of Allah's Attributes). This is according to His Saying (Part No. 2; Page No. 356) (Glorified be He): There is nothing like Him; and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. Therefore, Allah has confirmed Hearing and Sight to Himself, but at the same time He has refuted any resemblance to His Creatures. The terms "Tajsim" and "organs" are innovated words that have no origin in the Qur'an or the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) either by confirmation or refutation. Regarding the direction, Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) agree that Allah (Glorified be He) exists upwards above His Creatures, rising over His Throne Separate from His Creatures. This is indicated by the evidence from the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and whoever denies this will be a Kafir (disbeliever) in Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). This is the Madh-hab (belief) of the Salaf that was adopted by many leaders of guidance such as Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful with them).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.