Question:
Assalam u alaikum
Kindly tell me about the hadith which is mentioned in Sahih Muslim as quoted by these scholars in this video. Does this hadith or the talk of these scholars show any thing about the tajseem or direction about Allah….
Wa-As-Salam
Al-Muslim
Lahore, Pakistan
Dear Brother
Wa alaikum us salam wa Rahmatullah
That Hadith is Sahih. It does not give any clue about Tajseem. It is a well-known view prevailing in all religions that the Power of God is concentrated at the Throne which is over the heavens. The slave-girl was not supposed to be an educated lady. She pointed the direction. Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم did not reject her view. It is a silent approval that the center of God’s Power is His Throne.
Our ancient scholars (Aslaaf) held the view about God’s Hand etc. that it is not like our hands because ليس كمثله شيئ. I’ve seen this video. It is apparent from this video is that such famous scholars understand the Hadith in its literal sense. Based on that they derive that Allah is over the throne. Although I’m sure that they believe that Allah’s body is not like us.
Other schools of thought interpret this Hadith in allegorical and figurative way and are convinced that the throne is the center of Allah’s powers, therefore, it is pointed in this Hadith.
Since both schools make their opinion on the basis of interpretation of Hadith, therefore, it is a matter of interpretation only. Based on interpretation, calling someone Bid’ati (heretic) is something extremely lousy. Unfortunately, all of our religious people are victimized by such attitude. Whenever they see any opinion different to theirs, they start calling others as ‘heretic’ or ‘bid’ati’. In my opinion, debate on such issues is just a waste of time.
The Quranic Verses & Ahadith about the facts about God and Hereafter belong to the category of “Mutashabahat”. We’ve neither seen Allah nor the objects of the Hereafter. Therefore, Allah has expressed them by using examples from our worldly life in an allegorical way.
It is similar to that if we had to explain the modern inventions of science to a person living 1000 years ago, we’ll describe bulb as “a lamp without oil”, computer as “an artificial brain” and airplane as “an iron bird”. Similarly, if someone has to describe the objects of 25th century to us, he will use the same method because we have not yet seen those items and are unable to conceive the idea about them. It will be an irresponsible behavior at the end of that person to investigate into the meaning of iron bird. Same is the case of God and Hereafter objects. It is not possible for us to conceive fully the state of God and the Hereafter objects.
Almighty has asked us not to ponder into these things and conduct debates. Unfortunately, our these brothers are conducting debates on these issues. This attitude is not correct. :
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنَا وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلاَّ أُوْلُوا الأَلْبَابِ۔
“He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:” and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.” (Aal Imran 3:7)
I’ll advise you to believe in the Hadith as it is with the qualification “As it is suitable to Allah’s Sanctity (جیسا کہ اللہ کی شان کے لائق ہے)”.
wassalaam
Muhammad Mubashir Nazir
Don’t hesitate to share your questions and comments. They will be highly appreciated. I’ll reply as soon as possible if I know the answer. Send at mubashirnazir100@gmail.com.