The Hadith reading 'Pride is my cloak and Majesty is my lower garment'
Q 3: The Hadith reported by
Abu Hurayrah
with a Sanad Marfu` (a Hadith narrated from the Prophet with a connected or disconnected chain of narration) and narrated by Imam
Muslim
reads:
Pride is My Cloak and Majesty is My Lower Garment, and I shall throw him who shares with me regarding one of them into Hell.
How can we understand this Hadith? Is it permissible to ascribe the attribute of having a cloak or lower garment to Allah or do we in this case have to interpret these attributes?
A:
Al-Khattaby, (may Allah be merciful to Him) in his explanation of Sunan
Abu Dawud, said that the meaning of the Hadith is that Pride and Majesty are two Attributes of Allah (Glorified be He) that are confined to Him Alone, no created being can share them with Him and no created being should show them; because a created being is modest and humble. With regard to the saying that Allah has a cloak and a lower garment, it is, as Al-Khataby said - though Allah knows best - a simile that means that, just as no one shares another human's cloak or lower garment with them, no one can share with Allah the Attributes of Pride and Majesty. (Part No. 2; Page No. 400) And Allah knows best
End of his speech.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.