The Shar‘i Ruling on the Poetic Line: "Zamīn se āsmān tak, āsmān se lā-makān pahuñche"
Fatwa by: Fadhilat al-‘Ālim Ḥāfiẓ Qamar Ḥasan (Hafizahullah)❖ Question:
Is the following couplet correct in terms of Islamic ʿAqīdah (belief)?
"Zamīn se āsmān tak, āsmān se lā-makān pahuñche
Jahān koī na pahuñchā, Sarwar-e-ʿĀlam wahān pahuñche"
❖ Answer:
✔ If "Lā-Makān" (لا مکاں) is taken to mean that Allah ﷻ is not confined to any spatial limit, then the phrase in itself is acceptable in that context.
✘ However, in common Sufi and poetic usage, the term “Lā-Makān” is often used in a theological sense that denies the concept of Allah being above His Throne (استواء علی العرش), which is clearly affirmed in the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah.
❖ Summary of the Ruling:
◈ The phrase itself is ambiguous and can be interpreted in more than one way.
◈ Due to its common usage as a term to negate Allah’s being above the Throne, using this terminology—especially in religious poetry—requires caution and clarity of intent.
◈ Therefore, the poem is dubious in creed and must be interpreted with care to avoid contradicting sound Islamic beliefs.
❖ Final Verdict:
➡ This poem contains ambiguous theological language.
➡ While the intention may be to praise the Prophet ﷺ, using expressions like “lā-makān” can lead to misinterpretation in matters of creed (ʿAqīdah).
➡ It is advised to refrain from using such poetry unless the meaning is clearly explained and free from doctrinal errors.
