Question:
Nowadays, in various magazines and even in the magazines and books of the Ahl-e-Hadith group, the phrase Allah Ta’ala is present and observing is found. However, according to the well-known and correct school of thought and the pious predecessors, Allah Ta’ala is established on His mighty Throne and His power is prevailing everywhere. Similarly, He is present everywhere based on the attribute of His knowledge, meaning He Himself is not everywhere, but His knowledge encompasses everywhere. This is proven by many verses mentioned in the Holy Quran, such as:
“ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ”
“الرَّحْمَـٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىٰ”
etc.
So, in such a case, is it permissible or not to say words like “Allah Ta’ala is present and observing” which imply that Allah Ta’ala Himself is present everywhere?
Poor one, explain.
Answer:
الحمد للہ، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد:
To understand this issue, it is necessary to keep the following principles in mind:
The expression of language and the use of synonymous words
◈ Translating a word or phrase from one language into another in a commonly understood manner or using the commonly used words of that language to express the meaning is neither objectionable nor blameworthy.
◈ Because the general public understands the words and expressions of their own language more quickly and better.
Commonly Used Words and No Objection to Them
◈ Not only “present and witnessing” but many other words such as:
“Khuda” (God), “Dhani” (Owner), “Pak” (Pure) etc. are commonly used in our languages.
◈ Although these words have not been explicitly used in the Quran and Hadith, yet no objection was raised against them nor were they considered inappropriate to be used for Allah Almighty.
Semantic Correspondence of Commonly Used Words
◈ The meanings contained in these words are synonymous with the attributes of Allah Almighty mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah:
◈ “Khuda” = “Al-Qayyum”
◈ “Dhani” = “Malik” or “Mawla”
◈ “Pak” = “Quddus”
◈ On this basis, words such as:
◈ “Khuda Bakhsh” = “Given by the Ever-Sustaining”
◈ “Dhani Bakhsh” or “Mawla Bakhsh”
◈ “Allah Pak” = “Allah the Holy”
All these words are acceptable because they are synonymous with the attributes of Allah.
The Presence and Encompassing Knowledge of Allah Almighty
Although Allah Almighty is established on His Throne, He is with us in terms of His knowledge and power, as stated in the Holy Quran:
﴿وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ﴾
“Allah is with you wherever you are, and Allah is seeing of what you do.”
◈ This verse makes it clear that Allah Almighty sees all our actions.
◈ The meaning of “Nazir” is also the same: that is, the one who sees.
◈ Similarly, the meaning of “وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ” is by no means that Allah Almighty is physically present everywhere, rather it means presence with knowledge and power.
The meaning of “Present” is also “Presence with Knowledge”
◈ If “مَعَكُمْ” (being with) does not imply personal presence, then it is also incorrect to derive from “present” that He is physically present everywhere Himself.
◈ “Present” also indicates Allah’s knowledge-based accompaniment, which is established by the Quran and Sunnah.
◈ The meaning of “accompaniment” has repeatedly appeared in the Quran and Hadith.
Correct Explanation of the Meaning of “Present and Observer”
◈ The meaning of “present” is only that Allah is present everywhere based on His knowledge, not physically or personally.
◈ It is also a common and widely used word in our language and custom, through which the attribute of Allah’s knowledge is explained.
Problems Arising from Declaring “Present and Observer” as Unlawful
If the principle is established that only those words which appear in the Quran and Hadith should be used, then two major problems will arise:
➊ The scope of language will become very limited
◈ All those words which have been known among scholars and the public for centuries, such as:
◈ God-given
◈ wealth-giving
◈ Allah the Pure
◈ Sustainer
All these will be declared invalid.
◈ This will limit the scope of the language so much that severe difficulties will arise everywhere.
➋ Understanding the Divine Attributes will become impossible
◈ If the meaning of every word is not made clear:
◈ For example, if we say “Allah is Forgiving,” “Generous,” “All-Hearing and All-Seeing,”
◈ Then when someone asks what “Forgiving” or “Generous” means,
◈ We will only be able to say: “He is Forgiving, He is Generous,” etc., and no further explanation will be possible.
◈ This approach makes guidance for the common people impossible and causes great displeasure and confusion.
✅ Summary of the discussion:
◈ Saying “Allah Ta’ala is present and observing” is not impermissible.
◈ Because this Noble Verse:
﴿وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ﴾
◈ conveys this meaning.
◈ Just as this verse implies knowledge-based companionship, similarly the meaning of “present” is also Allah Ta’ala being with us in terms of knowledge, not personal presence.
◈ Therefore, if “present and observing” and similar common and customary words are understood to mean correct belief, then their usage is completely permissible.
ھٰذا ما عندی واللہ اعلم بالصواب
