Question:
There’s too much confusion out there as to where is Allah. Many scholars say He is above the Arsh whilst some say He is everywhere. I don’t know which aqeedah to follow please address this issue. Shukran.
Answer:
Allah is not any “where”. Allah is Creator of both time and space and encompasses them both without saying “how” He does so and Allah knows best.
- Umm Salama the Prophet’s wife said the following about istiwa’ as quoted by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-bari: “The establishment is not unknown (ghayr majhul) and its modality is inconceivable in the mind (ghayr ma`qul); one does not ask “how” about Him; “how” is inapplicable to Him.”
- “We believe that “the Merciful established Himself over the Throne” (20:5), and we do not know the reality of the meaning of this nor what is meant by it (la na`lamu haqiqata mi`na dhalika wa al-murada bihi), while we do believe that “There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him” (42:11) and that He is exalted far above the most elevated of created things. That is the way of the Salaf or at least their vast majority, and it is the safest because one is not required to probe into such matters.” – Al-Nawawi.Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash`ari said: “The establishment of Allah – Most High – on the Throne is an action He has created named istiwa’ and related to the Throne, just as He has created an action named ityan (coming) related to a certain people; and this implies neither descent nor movement.”
- Al-Bayhaqi confirms this: “Abu al-Hasan `Ali al-Ash`ari said that Allah – Most High – effected an act in relation to the Throne, and He called that act istiwa’, just as He effected other acts in relation to other objects, and He called those acts `sustenance’ (rizq), `favor’ (ni`ma), or other of His acts.” This is also the interpretation of Ibn Hazm (d. 456) – although a vehement enemy of Ash`aris – who explains istiwa’ as “an act pertaining to the Throne”.
For further information see the articles “Allah’s Establishment Over the Throne” and “Istiwa’ is a Divine Act“.
Shaykh Hisham Kabbani
