Adapted from the original article by Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri حفظه الله❖ The Creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah
The fundamental belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah is that Allah is truly above His Throne in essence and is not present everywhere. This creed has been the unanimous belief of Muslims throughout the ages.
Imam Abu ‘Umar al-Talamanki (d. 429 AH) said:“There is consensus among Ahl al-Sunnah that Allah is truly established over the Throne, not metaphorically.”
(Ijtimā‘ al-Juyūsh al-Islāmiyyah by Ibn al-Qayyim, 2/142)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (661–728 AH) said:“Belief in Allah being above the Throne is a doctrine upon which all prophets agreed, and this is mentioned in all the divinely revealed books. The early generations of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ and its scholars are unanimously upon it.”
(Bayān Talbīs al-Jahmiyyah, 2/9)
Hafiz al-Dhahabi (673–748 AH) said:“Allah is above His Throne, as was the consensus of the early Muslims, and this consensus was transmitted by the scholars.”
(Al-‘Uluww li’l-‘Aliyy al-Ghaffār, p. 596)
❖ Rejection of Opposing Philosophies
Philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, Ibn Sina, and some Mu‘tazilite scholars claimed that Allah is everywhere, but this view contradicts the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the consensus of the Ummah.❖ A Natural Belief
The belief in Allah being above His creation is instinctive, embedded by Allah in the hearts of His creatures. A famous example is the incident of the ant:Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“A Prophet once came out with his people to pray for rain. He saw an ant raising its legs toward the sky, praying. He said: ‘Go back, for your prayer has been answered due to the ant.’”
(Sunan al-Daraqutni: 1797, al-Mustadrak: 1/325-326 – Hasan chain)
❖ The Belief of Monotheists from Previous Nations
The monotheists of previous nations also believed that Allah is above the heavens, not present everywhere.Narrated by Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما, the Prophet ﷺ mentioned:
“On the night of Mi‘raj, I passed by a fragrant scent and asked Jibreel: ‘What is this?’ He said: ‘This is the fragrance of the woman who combed Pharaoh’s daughter’s hair and her children.’ … She said to Pharaoh: ‘My Lord and your Lord is the One Who is above the heavens.’”
(Musnad Ahmad: 1/310; Musnad Abi Ya‘la: 7/25 – Authentic)
❖ The Belief of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Numerous authentic narrations indicate the Prophet ﷺ believed and taught that Allah is above the heavens:➤ Raising hands towards the sky in supplication
➤ Angels ascend toward the heavens to report to Allah
➤ The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the ascent of good deeds
➤ He ﷺ said: “Fear the supplication of the oppressed, for it ascends to the sky like sparks.”
(Al-Mustadrak: 1/29 – Sound chain)
❖ The Belief of the Companions
The Sahabah رضي الله عنهم unanimously believed that Allah is above the heavens, over His Throne.Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated:
“On the Day of Judgment, a caller will proclaim: ‘O people! Judgment has come!’ Then Allah will descend to the heaven of this world...”
(Al-Ahwāl by Ibn Abi Dunya; Al-Mustadrak: 2/437 – Hasan)
❖ The Belief of the Tabi‘in (Successors)
Notable Tabi‘in also affirmed the belief that Allah is above the Throne: ‘Ikrimah, student of Ibn Abbas:“Allah created the heavens and the earth between Sunday and Friday, then on Friday He rose above the Throne.”
(Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim: 5/1497)
Ka‘b al-Ahbar:“When Allah created creation, He rose above the Throne, and the Throne began glorifying Him.”
(Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim: 7/2217)
Imam Rabi‘ah:“Istiwa (rising above the Throne) is known, but its modality is unknown...”
(Al-‘Uluww, p. 129)
Imam Abu Ja‘far al-Tirmidhi (201–295 AH):“Allah's descent is known, its modality is unknown, belief in it is obligatory, and questioning its nature is an innovation.”
(Tarikh Baghdad: 1/382)
❖ Summary: The Belief That Allah Is Above the Throne
All evidences from the Qur’an, Hadith, sayings of the Companions, and early generations affirm that Allah is above His Throne, and not omnipresent in the literal sense.➤ This has been the unanimous creed of Ahl al-Sunnah, the Companions, the Tabi‘in, and the pious predecessors.
➤ Even the monotheists from past nations believed in Allah’s elevation.
➤ The contrary view—that Allah is everywhere—is rejected by the texts and scholarly consensus.
