Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah’s Creed: Affirmation of Allah’s Names and Attributes and the Distinction Between Them
Reference: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
❖ The Belief of Ahl al-Sunnah Regarding Allah’s Names and Attributes
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah concerning Allah’s Names (asmāʾ) and Attributes (ṣifāt) is clear, precise, and balanced. Their stance is defined by adherence to Qur’an and Sunnah without distortion or innovation.
❖ Affirmation of Allah’s Names and Attributes
The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah is to affirm all the Names and Attributes of Allah:
- Without taḥrīf (distortion of meaning),
- Without taʿṭīl (denial),
- Without takīf (describing “how”),
- Without tamthīl (likening to creation).
These include every Name and Attribute Allah has affirmed for Himself in His Book or through the words of His Messenger ﷺ.
❖ The Difference Between Name (
- Name (Ism): The title or designation Allah has chosen for Himself.
- Attribute (Ṣifah): The quality or description by which Allah has described Himself.
Thus, there is a clear distinction between the two.
❖ Affirming Attributes Through Names
Allah’s Names function as proper nouns and simultaneously carry meanings of Attributes.
Example:
﴿إِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾
- Al-Ghafūr is a Name, and it affirms the Attribute of forgiveness.
- Al-Raḥīm is a Name, and it affirms the Attribute of mercy.
Therefore, when a Name is affirmed, the related Attribute is also affirmed.
❖ Affirming Names Through Attributes
The reverse is not always necessary.
- An Attribute may be affirmed without deriving a Name from it.
Example:
- The Attribute of speech (kalām) is established for Allah.
- But this does not necessitate affirming the Name al-Mutakallim (“the Speaker”).
❖ Conclusion: Wider Scope of Attributes
From this explanation it is clear:
- Every Name includes within it an Attribute.
- But not every Attribute necessarily implies a Name.
Hence, the scope of Attributes is broader than that of Names.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
