Deviating in Allah's Names and Attributes

Authored by: Shaykh al-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab (رحمہ اللہ)
Translated by: Maulana Mukhtar Ahmad Nadwi (حفظ اللہ)

Allah’s Command Regarding His Names and Attributes​

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

"وَلِلَّـهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِهِ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ"

"And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they used to do." (Surah Al-A'raf 7:180)

In this verse, Allah commands the believers to call upon Him using His beautiful names and avoid those who deviate concerning His names. The word ilhad (deviation) refers to straying from the truth and adopting falsehood, such as attributing names to Allah that He has not revealed or misusing His names in ways that do not befit His majesty.

For example, certain ignorant people during the time of Jahiliyyah (ignorance) would use names like Abu al-Makarim (Father of Generosity) or Abyad al-Wajh (White-faced) for Allah, which are inappropriate and corrupt interpretations.

Denial of Allah’s Attributes by the Mushrikeen​

Allah mentions the rejection of His attributes by the disbelievers:

"قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِهَا أُمَمٌ لِتَتْلُوَ عَلَيْهِمُ الَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِالرَّحْمَـنِ"

"Just as We sent a messenger among earlier communities, so that you may recite to them what We revealed to you, they disbelieve in the Most Merciful." (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:30)

This verse was revealed concerning the Quraysh, who rejected the name Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful). It is reported that when the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was written and Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem was mentioned, the pagan leader Suhayl ibn Amr objected, saying, "We do not recognize Ar-Rahman. Write instead, 'In Your name, O Allah.'"

Testimony of the Skin Against Sinners​

Allah warns of the consequences of deviating from the truth about His attributes:

"وَقَالُوا لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ قَالُوا أَنطَقَنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ"

"And they will say to their skins, 'Why have you testified against us?' They will say, 'We were made to speak by Allah, who has made everything speak. And He created you the first time, and to Him you are returned.'" (Surah As-Sajda 32:21)

This verse highlights the rejection and ignorance of Allah’s attributes by the disbelievers, which led to their ultimate ruin.

Jahiliyyah and Modern Deviation in Allah's Attributes​

Even today, many Muslims deviate concerning Allah’s names and attributes in ways more severe than those of Jahiliyyah. These include:

1. Philosophical Misinterpretations:
   Some claim that Allah’s attributes are neither part of His essence nor separate from it, creating confusion and unnecessary philosophical disputes.
2. Denial of Allah’s Speech:
   Some argue that Allah does not speak directly and that His communication is only metaphorical or through "internal speech," rejecting the clear evidence of the Quran and Sunnah.
3. Fabrication of New Names and Attributes:
   Certain groups attribute names and descriptions to Allah without any basis in revelation, leading to innovation in theology.

The Correct Approach to Understanding Allah’s Attributes​

True understanding of Allah’s names and attributes comes from the Quran and the Sunnah, as understood by the righteous predecessors (Salaf as-Salih). They avoided speculative theology and relied solely on authentic textual evidence.

Allah has warned against taking knowledge from misguided sources:

"وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِهِ"

"And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names." (Surah Al-A'raf 7:180)

The books of the pious predecessors, which focus on evidence-based understanding of Allah’s attributes, remain the most reliable source for acquiring sound knowledge about Allah.

Conclusion​

Deviation in Allah’s names and attributes is a grave sin that leads to misguidance and ruin. Believers are urged to call upon Allah with the names He has revealed and to avoid adding, altering, or interpreting His attributes in ways that deviate from the Quran and Sunnah. True success lies in adhering to the methodology of the Salaf and deriving knowledge solely from authentic sources.