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
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.
The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah is to affirm all the Names and Attributes of Allah:
These include every Name and Attribute Allah has affirmed for Himself in His Book or through the words of His Messenger ﷺ.
Thus, there is a clear distinction between the two.
Allah’s Names function as proper nouns and simultaneously carry meanings of Attributes.
Example:
﴿إِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾
Therefore, when a Name is affirmed, the related Attribute is also affirmed.
The reverse is not always necessary.
Example:
From this explanation it is clear:
Hence, the scope of Attributes is broader than that of Names.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
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
