Written by: Maulana Abul Hasan Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani
Question:
We have heard that Allah is present everywhere, but someone recently told us that this belief is incorrect. Could you please clarify the correct belief regarding where Allah is according to the Quran and Hadith?
Answer:
The belief held by the Muhaddithin (scholars of Hadith) and the pious predecessors (Salaf al-Salih) is that Allah is established above the Throne (Arsh). As Allah Almighty states in the Quran:
"The Most Merciful is established above the Throne." [Surah Taha 20:5]
The term استوی (established) here means to be exalted and elevated, as explained in the following Hadith from Sahih Bukhari:
"Indeed, Allah wrote a book before He created the creation... it is with Him above the Throne."
[Sahih Bukhari 7554]
However, the exact nature of how Allah is established above the Throne is unknown to us. He is established in a manner befitting His majesty, and our intellects cannot fully comprehend this. It is also incorrect to say that Allah is present everywhere, as He is beyond space and physical locations. However, His knowledge and power encompass everything, and His presence is with everyone, as clearly explained in the books of Aqeedah (Islamic creed).
Question:
We have heard that Allah is present everywhere, but someone recently told us that this belief is incorrect. Could you please clarify the correct belief regarding where Allah is according to the Quran and Hadith?
Answer:
The belief held by the Muhaddithin (scholars of Hadith) and the pious predecessors (Salaf al-Salih) is that Allah is established above the Throne (Arsh). As Allah Almighty states in the Quran:
الرَّحْمَـنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى
"The Most Merciful is established above the Throne." [Surah Taha 20:5]
The term استوی (established) here means to be exalted and elevated, as explained in the following Hadith from Sahih Bukhari:
"Indeed, Allah wrote a book before He created the creation... it is with Him above the Throne."
[Sahih Bukhari 7554]
However, the exact nature of how Allah is established above the Throne is unknown to us. He is established in a manner befitting His majesty, and our intellects cannot fully comprehend this. It is also incorrect to say that Allah is present everywhere, as He is beyond space and physical locations. However, His knowledge and power encompass everything, and His presence is with everyone, as clearly explained in the books of Aqeedah (Islamic creed).