Oneness of Allah's Names and Attributes

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting in the mosque with his Companions when three men arrived. Two of them came in and the third left. One saw an empty space in the circle and sat in it. The other one sat behind the circle. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had finished his talk, he told his Companions about the three men. One of them sought refuge with Allah, and Allah gave him refuge, which means that he sat in the empty space that he found to listen to the mention of Allah. So, Allah blessed him with the virtue of sitting in that gathering. The second one felt shy, and Allah was shy towards him, which means that he did not jostle for the place and sat behind the circle. So, he was not denied the blessings of that gathering. The last one turned away, and so Allah turned away from him. This man left without any excuse. That is why he was denied the blessing of that gathering.

صحيح البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير بن ناصر الناصر، دار طوق النجاة، ط: الأولى، 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت. رياض الصالحين، للنووي، تحقيق ماهر الفحل، دار ابن كثير، دمشق -بيروت، ط: الأولى 1428هـ. نزهة المتقين، لمجموعة من المؤلفين، مؤسسة الرسالة، ط: الرابعة عشر،1407هـ. شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين، بإشراف مؤسسة الشيخ، دار الوطن للنشر، الرياض، ط: 1426هـ. بهجة الناظرين، لسليم الهلالي، دار ابن الجوزي، السعودية، ط: الثالثة 1418هـ. تطريز رياض الصالحين، تأليف فيصل آل مبارك، تحقيق د. عبد العزيز آل حمد، دار العاصمة -الرياض، الطبعة الأولى، 1423هـ. صفات الله عز وجل الواردة في الكتاب والسنة: علوي بن عبد القادر السَّقَّاف، دار الهجرة الطبعة: الثالثة ، 1426هـ - 2006م.

This Hadīth comes as an implementation of the command of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) for one to inform his brother if he loves him. When a man was sitting with him said that he loved "that man", i.e. another man who was passing them by, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Have you told him?" This indicates that the Sunnah institutes saying "I love you" to anyone one loves, because this word puts love in his heart, as if he knows that his brother loves him, he will love him back, even though the hearts sense love even if not expressed by words. Similarly, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The souls are troops collected together. Those of them who are familiar with one another unite, and those who are unfamiliar with each other are in conflict." However, when one expresses his love in words, saying "I love you for Allah's sake", it will increase his brother's love for him.

بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي، ط1، دار ابن الجوزي، الدمام، 1415هـ. تطريز رياض الصالحين، للشيخ فيصل المبارك، ط1، تحقيق: عبد العزيز بن عبد الله آل حمد، دار العاصمة، الرياض، 1423هـ. رياض الصالحين للنووي، ط1، تحقيق: ماهر ياسين الفحل، دار ابن كثير، دمشق، بيروت، 1428هـ. رياض الصالحين، ط4، تحقيق: عصام هادي، وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون الإسلامية القطرية، دار الريان، بيروت، 1428هـ. سنن أبي داود، تحقيق: محمد محيي الدين عبد الحميد، المكتبة العصرية، بيروت. السنن الكبرى للنسائي، تحقيق: حسن عبد المنعم شلبي، ط1، مؤسسة الرسالة، بيروت، 1421هـ. شرح رياض الصالحين، للشيخ ابن عثيمين، دار الوطن للنشر، الرياض، 1426هـ. عون المعبود شرح سنن أبي داود، ومعه حاشية ابن القيم: تهذيب سنن أبي داود وإيضاح علله ومشكلاته للعظيم آبادي، ط3، دار الكتب العلمية، بيروت، 1415 هـ. مسند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل، تحقيق: شعيب الأرنؤوط - عادل مرشد، وآخرون، إشراف: د عبد الله بن عبد المحسن التركي، ط1، مؤسسة الرسالة، 1421هـ. نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين، ط14، مؤسسة الرسالة، 1407هـ.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs us that Allah Almighty gets jealous, hates, and detests. Likewise, the believer gets jealous, hates, and detests. The reason why Allah gets jealous is when the believer commits shameful acts that Allah has made unlawful for him like adultery, sodomy, theft, consuming alcohol, etc.

1. Being wary of Allah's wrath and punishment when His prohibitions are committed.

صحيح البخاري (7/ 35) (5223). صحيح مسلم (4/ 2114) (2761). تطريز رياض الصالحين، لفيصل المبارك (ص62). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (1/ 496). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 96). صفات الله عز وجل الواردة في الكتاب والسنة، لعلوي السَّقَّاف (ص267).

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) expresses his disapproval concerning the attitude of some people who used to attend his session from amongst the laymen, and who would display fear on hearing Hadīths about Allah's attributes. They would shiver out of their denial of that. They did not duly believe in what was authentically reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and whose meaning was known from the Qur'an, although it is the truth about which no believer doubts. Others, however, would interpret them in a way different from that intended by Allah, thereby exposing themselves to ruin.

كتاب التوحيد للإمام محمد بن عبد الوهاب ص252 ت: د. دغش العجمي . مكتبة أهل الأثر , الطبعة الخامسة , 1435ه الجديد في شرح كتاب التوحيد لمحمد بن عبد العزيز السليمان القرعاوي, ت: محمد بن أحمد سيد , مكتبة السوادي، الطبعة: الخامسة، 1424ه الملخص في شرح كتاب التوحيد للشيخ صالح الفوزان , دار العاصمة , الطبعة الأولى 1422ه كتاب السنة لابن أبي عاصم ومعه ظلال الجنة للألباني, المكتب الإسلامي, ط4 1419

Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) tells us that a man from the Jewish scholars came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and informed him that they find in their scriptures that on the Day of Judgment Allah, the Almighty, will put the heavens on one finger, the earths on one finger, the trees on one finger, the dust on one finger, and – according to one narration – the water on one finger, and all other created things on one of His fingers, which are five, as related in authentic narrations, but are not like the fingers of creatures. Then, revealing some of His power and grandeur, Allah, the Almighty, will shake all of them and proclaim His real dominion, absolute control, and true divinity. In confirmation of the statement made by the learned man, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) laughed so hard that his premolars were visible and he then recited: {They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip on the Day of Judgment.} [Sūrat Az-Zumar: 67]

كتاب التوحيد للإمام محمد بن عبد الوهاب ص252 ت: د. دغش العجمي - مكتبة أهل الأثر , الطبعة الخامسة , 1435هـ. الجديد في شرح كتاب التوحيد، لمحمد بن عبد العزيز السليمان القرعاوي, ت: محمد بن أحمد سيد , مكتبة السوادي، الطبعة: الخامسة، 1424هـ. الملخص في شرح كتاب التوحيد، للشيخ صالح الفوزان, دار العاصمة , الطبعة الأولى 1422هـ. صحيح البخاري, ترقيم محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي, دار طوق النجاة, الطبعة: الأولى، 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم, ترقيم محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي, دار إحياء التراث العربي, بيروت.

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) relates to us in this Hadīth that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed them that Allah, the Almighty, would fold up the seven heavens on the Day of Judgment and place them in His right hand and would fold up the seven earths and seize them with His left hand; and each time he folds one of these, He will call out the mighty and arrogant ones, belittling them and declaring that He is the true Owner of the dominion who never weakens or perishes. All others, rulers and ruled, just and unjust, will certainly perish and will stand humiliated in front of Him. He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.

كتاب التوحيد للإمام محمد بن عبد الوهاب ص252 ت: د. دغش العجمي . مكتبة أهل الأثر , الطبعة الخامسة , 1435ه الجديد في شرح كتاب التوحيد لمحمد بن عبد العزيز السليمان القرعاوي, ت: محمد بن أحمد سيد , مكتبة السوادي، الطبعة: الخامسة، 1424ه صحيح مسلم, ترقيم محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي, دار إحياء التراث العربي, بيروت.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urges the Companions to offer good deeds and fear Allah as much as they can, with neither extremism nor negligence, and to intend what is right by their deeds through being fully sincere to Allah and complying with the Sunnah so their deeds would be accepted and would be a cause for bestowing mercy upon them. Then he informed them that none of them would be saved by his deeds alone; rather, there must be Allah's mercy. They said: O Messenger of Allah, not even you would be saved by your deeds despite their great significance? He said: Not even me unless Allah conceals me by virtue of His mercy.

1. An-Nawawi said: (Pursue the right course and be as close to it as possible): seek the right path and act upon it, but if you are unable to do so, then be as close to it as possible, i.e., keep close to it. The right course: the sound path, which lies in the middle between exessiveness and negligence, so neither go to extreme nor be negligent.
2. Ibn Bāz said: Righteous deeds are the cause of entering Paradise just as evil deeds are the cause of entering Hellfire. The Hadīth shows that their admittance to Paradise is not guaranteed because of their deeds alone; rather, this must be joined with the pardon and mercy of Allah Almighty. So they entered Paradise via their deeds, but this has been affirmed by Allah's mercy, pardon, and forgiveness.
3. One should not be proud or amazed by his deeds, no matter what level it reaches, because the right of Allah is greater than his deeds. Rather, one must combine fear and hope all together.
4. Allah's favor and mercy upon His slaves are far broader than their deeds.
5. Righteous deeds are a cause for entering Paradise, but attaining it is only through the favor and mercy of Allah.
6. Al-Kirmāni said: "If all people do not enter Paradise except by Allah's mercy, then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is particularly mentioned here to prove that although he will definitely enter Paradise and he will still not enter it except by Allah's mercy, then this applies to others with greater reason."
7. An-Nawawi said: Regarding the meaning of Allah's statement: {Enter Paradise for what you used to do.} [Surat an-Nahl: 32], {That is Paradise, which you will inherit for what you used to do.} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 72] and the like of these verses denoting that deeds are a means of entering Paradise, they do not contradict these Hadīths. Rather, such verses mean that deeds are a means of entering Paradise; however, guidance to such deeds, adopting sincerity in performing them, and their acceptance are all attained by Allah's mercy and favor. Hence, it is true that one does not enter Paradise by his deeds merely, which is the indication of the Hadīths, and it is also true that he enters it by his deeds, i.e., because of them, which is a sign of Allah's mercy.
8. Ibn Al-Jawzi said: This leads to four possibilities. First: Guidance to perform good deeds is from Allah's mercy, and had it not been for Allah's prior mercy, one would not have attained the faith or obedience that results in salvation. Second: The slave's benefits are for his Master; thus, his deeds are due to His Lord, and no matter how great the reward He bestows upon him is, it indicates His grace. Third: It is mentioned in some Hadīths that the act of entering Paradise itself is by virtue of Allah's mercy, but determining the degree therein depends on deeds. Fourth: Acts of obedience are performed in a brief time; however, the reward is endless. So, when an eternal blessing is given as a reward for something transient, this indicates Allah's favor rather than giving one compensation for his deeds.
9. Ar-Rāfi‘i said: One should not rely upon his good deeds when seeking salvation and high ranks because he acted only by virtue of success from Allah and was able to avoid sins only through Allah's protection. So, all of this occurs with Allah's favor and mercy.

صحيح البخاري (7/ 121) (5673). صحيح مسلم (4/ 2170) (2816). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 165). كنوز رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (2/ 321). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (1/ 573). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 130).

This Hadīth sets a major principle and guides to a great benefit; it is that a believer should strive to help fulfill the need of others, whether his efforts bear fruit fully or partially or bear no fruit at all. One way to help people is to intercede on behalf of those who need things from the rulers or the dignitaries, or those who can fulfill their needs. Many people avoid to intercede for others if they are not sure whether their intercession would be accepted or not; hence, they miss much reward from Allah, and miss doing a favor to a fellow Muslim. Therefore, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered his Companions to help the ones with need by interceding with him so that they receive their reward from Allah based on the Prophet's statement: "Intercede and you will receive reward." Good intercession is beloved to Allah; He says in the Quran: {Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a reward therefrom} [Sūrat An-Nisā’: 85]. Along with hastening to receive the reward, the intercessor also hastens to do a favor to his Muslim brother, and that person will owe him. Striving to help people in good things that may or may not bear fruit is indeed an immediate goodness, and a way to train oneself to cooperate in righteousness and piety, and a start to intercede about things which are certain or likely to be fulfilled. The Prophet's statement: "And Allah will decide whatever He wishes on the tongue of His Prophet" means that Allah decrees what He willed in His eternal knowledge as to whether the interceded matter will take place or not. Hence, it is required to intercede and he will be rewarded for his intercession, whether the intercession is accepted or not.

كنوز رياض الصالحين - حمد بن ناصر بن عبد الرحمن العمار - دار كنوز اشبيليا- الطبعة الأولى: 1430 هـ بهجة الناظرين - سليم بن عيد الهلالي - دار ابن الجوزي. نزهة المتقين - مصطفى سعيد الخن، مصطفى البغا، محي الدين مستو، علي الشرجبي، محمد أمين لطفي - مؤسسة الرسالة ، بيروت - الطبعة الأولى : 1397 هـ 1977 م - الطبعة الرابعة عشر 1407 هـ 1987م. شرح رياض الصالحين - محمد بن صالح بن محمد العثيمين - الناشر: دار الوطن للنشر، الرياض - الطبعة: 1426 هـ. دليل الفالحين - محمد بن علان - دار الكتاب العربي. رياض الصالحين- د. ماهر بن ياسين الفحل - الناشر: دار ابن كثير للطباعة والنشر والتوزيع، دمشق - بيروت - الطبعة: الأولى، 1428 هـ - 2007 م. صحيح البخاري - محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري - دار طوق النجاة - الطبعة : الأولى، 1422هـ صحيح مسلم - مسلم بن الحجاج أبو الحسن القشيري النيسابوري - المحقق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي - الناشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي - بيروت. بهجة قلوب الأبرار وقرة عيون الأخيار في شرح جوامع الأخبار - المؤلف: أبو عبد الله، عبد الرحمن بن ناصر بن عبد الله بن ناصر بن حمد آل سعدي المحقق: عبد الكريم بن رسمي ال الدريني دار النشر: مكتبة الرشد للنشر والتوزيع الطبعة: الأولى 1422هـ - 2002م.