Three Important Principles in Names and Attributes

Author: Al 'Allaamah Muhammad Amaan al Jaamee

Topic: Names and Attributes

Reference: Al Sifaat al Ilaheeyyah - more about reference here...

The following are three points that must be considered as principles in this topic:

[Firstly:] Affirming what Allaah has affirmed for Himself or what His Messenger - صلى الله عليه وسلم – affirmed for Him, because the most knowledgeable to describe Allaah is Allaah Himself:

Are you more knowledgeable or Allaah [Al Baqarah: 140]

Just as no one can describe Allaah, who is more knowledgeable of Allaah after Allaah, than His Messenger - صلى الله عليه وسلم – whom Allaah said in regards:

Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation revealed [An Najm: 3-4]

[Secondly:] Exalting Allaah from resembling things with His Attributes, in light of the saying of Allaah the Elevated:

There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer [Ash Shoorah: 11]

This Ayah consists of an exaltation of Allaah as well as an affirmation [of His Attributes] as you can see.

[Thirdly:] Abstaining from trying to comprehend the reality of His Attributes, just as you can not comprehend the reality of His Existence [or Self], the Glorified, believing in His saying:

And they will never encompass anything of His Knowledge [Al Baqarah: 255]

Do you know of any who is similar to Him? [Maryam: 65]