✦ Clarification on the Divine Attributes: As-Samīʿ (All-Hearing) and Al-Baṣīr (All-Seeing) ✦
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1 – Kitāb al-ʿAqāʾid, p. 177
This ḥadīth is narrated by:
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:
“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ placing his thumb on his ear and his index finger on his eye.”
This action was performed during the explanation of the Qur'ānic verse:
"إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا"
“Indeed, Allah is Ever-Hearing, Ever-Seeing.”
(Surah al-Nisāʾ: 58)
✔ This ḥadīth affirms the Divine Attributes of:
✘ However, it does not establish physical limbs (like ears) for Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ’s gesture of pointing to his eye and ear was for illustrative and educational purposes to explain the attributes, not to ascribe bodily parts to Allah.
✔ The attribute of ‘Ayn (eye) has been explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an and authentic aḥādīth, such as:
"وَلِتُصْنَعَ عَلَىٰ عَيْنِي"
“That you may be brought up under My eye.”
(Surah Ṭāhā: 39)
✔ Hence, belief in Allah’s ‘eye(s) in a manner befitting His majesty is valid and affirmed without likening it to creation.
✘ The ḥadīth does not explicitly attribute an “ear” to Allah.
✘ Therefore, it is incorrect to deduce from this narration that Allah possesses ears.
⚠ Establishing a Divine attribute requires clear and explicit proof—as is found for “ʿAyn” but not for “Udhun” (ear).
✔ Imām Ibn Khuzaymah cited this narration in response to the Jahmiyyah sect, who denied the attributes of hearing and sight for Allah.
✔ His intent was not to attribute limbs to Allah, but to affirm the Divine qualities mentioned in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”
✒ The focus is on affirming attributes—not on anthropomorphism (attributing bodily parts).
✔ This ḥadīth affirms that Allah hears and sees—as stated in the Qur’an.
✘ However, it does not establish physical organs such as ears for Allah.
✔ Any such deduction would be unwarranted and incorrect.
The approach of Imām Ibn Khuzaymah was to refute the deviant beliefs of the Jahmiyyah, not to anthropomorphize Allah.
والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1 – Kitāb al-ʿAqāʾid, p. 177
❖ Ḥadīth Reference and Authentication:
This ḥadīth is narrated by:
- Imām Abū Dāwūd رحمه الله (Ḥadīth No. 4728)
- Ibn Ḥibbān (al-Mawārid: 1732)
- al-Ḥākim (1/24)
- Imām al-Dhahabī also authenticated it.
❖ Content and Interpretation of the Ḥadīth:
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:
“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ placing his thumb on his ear and his index finger on his eye.”
This action was performed during the explanation of the Qur'ānic verse:"إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا"
“Indeed, Allah is Ever-Hearing, Ever-Seeing.”
(Surah al-Nisāʾ: 58)
❖ Does the Ḥadīth Prove Physical Attributes Like Ear and Eye?
✔ This ḥadīth affirms the Divine Attributes of:
- Samaʿ (hearing)
- Baṣar (sight)
✘ However, it does not establish physical limbs (like ears) for Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ’s gesture of pointing to his eye and ear was for illustrative and educational purposes to explain the attributes, not to ascribe bodily parts to Allah.❖ Mention of Allah’s Eyes in the Qur’an and Sunnah:
✔ The attribute of ‘Ayn (eye) has been explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an and authentic aḥādīth, such as:
"وَلِتُصْنَعَ عَلَىٰ عَيْنِي"
“That you may be brought up under My eye.”
(Surah Ṭāhā: 39)
✔ Hence, belief in Allah’s ‘eye(s) in a manner befitting His majesty is valid and affirmed without likening it to creation.
❖ The Issue with Inferring “Ear” for Allah:
✘ The ḥadīth does not explicitly attribute an “ear” to Allah.
✘ Therefore, it is incorrect to deduce from this narration that Allah possesses ears.
⚠ Establishing a Divine attribute requires clear and explicit proof—as is found for “ʿAyn” but not for “Udhun” (ear).
❖ Commentary of Imām Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله:
✔ Imām Ibn Khuzaymah cited this narration in response to the Jahmiyyah sect, who denied the attributes of hearing and sight for Allah.
✔ His intent was not to attribute limbs to Allah, but to affirm the Divine qualities mentioned in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”
✒ The focus is on affirming attributes—not on anthropomorphism (attributing bodily parts).
❖ Conclusion:
✔ This ḥadīth affirms that Allah hears and sees—as stated in the Qur’an.
✘ However, it does not establish physical organs such as ears for Allah.
✔ Any such deduction would be unwarranted and incorrect.
The approach of Imām Ibn Khuzaymah was to refute the deviant beliefs of the Jahmiyyah, not to anthropomorphize Allah.
والله أعلم بالصواب
