Knowing Our Creator by His Names and Attributes
Left on their own people can conclude that a Creator exists, but cannot come to a completely correct understanding of what Attributes this Creator possesses. They will tend to either conjure up an image of the Creator which resembles a created being, or will reduce the Creator to being an imaginary, being-less force.
The one who likens Him to His creation forms a picture of a created being in his mind, and this can only be done by likening Him to something which he has witnessed in his lifetime. Hence, he ends up worshipping an idol. Likewise, the one who attempts to flee from this by reducing the greatness of the Creator to the realm of philosophical conjecture ends up worshiping nothingness. The one who affirms all of Allāh’s authentic Names and Attributes without likening them in nature to any created thing frees himself from the extremes of these two poles.
In the Name of Allāh, The Most Merciful, The Giver of Mercy
Left on their own, people can conclude that a Creator exists, but cannot come to a completely correct understanding of what Attributes this Creator possesses. They will tend to either conjure up an image of the Creator which resembles a created being, or will reduce the Creator to being an imaginary, being-less force.
Islām teaches that both of these extremes are incorrect and that mankind can only describe Allāh in the way that He has described Himself. For example, Allāh has said in the Qur’an:
“There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearer, All-Seer.” [42:11]
Allāh affirms that there is nothing in the whole universe which is like Him, yet in the same verse, He also affirms that He can see the most discrete actions as He is the All-Seer. Similarly, He can hear the faintest whispers, as He is the All-Hearer. Other names and attributes are mentioned in the Qur’an which both the Creator and the created are described with. However, they differ in mode and manner. Therefore, we do not compare Allāh’s Attributes to those of His created beings, nor do we ask how (kayfiyyah) His Attributes are, as we have not been informed about that.
We do not see as Allāh sees, nor do we hear as He hears, nor do we know as He knows, nor is His Face like the face of any of His created beings. We can sometimes be merciful to one another, but our mercy and His all-encompassing Mercy are not comparable. He is alive and so are we. However, His life is neither preceded by non-existence, nor succeeded by death, unlike us.1
Hence, it is neither permissible to reject what Allāh has affirmed for Himself in His revelation, nor is it permissible to liken Him to any created thing, as He has also affirmed that there is nothing like unto Him. This is the balanced and rational understanding of the Salaf (early generations of Muslim) and those who followed them in understanding Allāh’s Names and Attributes.
Allāh teaches mankind in the Qur’an that He is above the heavens and separate from His creation, not dwelling within it such that He can be found within animals, walls, chairs, hearts, internal organs and the like. Creation neither surrounds Him nor is it above Him in any way, because He is above all things, Most High, in a manner befitting His majesty:
“And He is the Supreme, above His servants.”[5:18]
And:
“The angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend to Him in a day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years.” [70:4]
Concerning the angels, Allāh says:
“They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.” [16:50]
In short, we are informed that He is Most High and Glorified from any kind of imperfection in all of His Names and Attributes.
The wisdom of the Salafee (pure and orthodox) understanding of Allāh’s Names and Attributes can be observed when considering the beliefs of the people who fell into the two previously mentioned extremes. The one who likens Him to His creation forms a picture of a created being in his mind, and this can only be done by likening Him to something which he has witnessed in his lifetime. Hence, he ends up worshipping an idol. Likewise, the one who attempts to flee from this by reducing the greatness of the Creator to the realm of philosophical conjecture ends up worshiping nothingness. The one who affirms all of Allāh’s authentic Names and Attributes without likening them in nature to any created thing frees himself from the extremes of these two poles.
Endnotes:
[1] Mankind cannot bear the intensity of seeing Allāh in this life. Allāh said:
“When Moses came to the place appointed by Us, and his Lord addressed him, he said: ‘O my Lord! Show (Yourself) to me, that I may look upon You.’ Allāh said: ‘You cannot see Me, but look upon the mountain; if it stands still in its place, then you shall see Me.’ So when his Lord manifested His Glory on the mountain, He made it as dust, and Moses fell down unconscious. When he recovered his senses he said: ‘Glory be to You, I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the Believers.’” [7:143]
However, in the Hereafter, those who believed and did righteous deeds will be given the ultimate reward of seeing their Lord: Allāh’s Messenger said in a ḥadīth: “When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, Allāh, the Blessed and Most High, will say: “Do you wish for anything extra that I may give you?” They will say, “Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not entered us into Paradise and saved us from the Fire?” So He will remove the screen (of light), and they will not have been given anything more beloved to them as gazing at their Lord, the Mighty and Majestic.” (Reported by Muslim (no. 448))
Source: Excerpted from ‘The Wahhabi Myth’ 2026, TROID Publications. Originally entitled, ‘Appendix I: Knowing Allāh by His Names and Attributes’
