✍ Adapted from the book Shirk ke Chhor Darwazay by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi and Hafiz Mahmood al-Khudri
① Ḥulūl al-Jawārī (Bodily Incarnation):
"This refers to one body becoming the container of another, such as water inside a jug."
② Ḥulūl al-Sarīyānī (Subtle Indwelling):
"This implies a merger so complete that pointing to one body is as if pointing to the other — like the essence of a rose infused in rosewater."
Kitāb al-Taʿrīfāt by al-Jurjānī, p. 97
The first known promoter among Muslims was the Jewish convert ʿAbdullah ibn Saba’, who falsely claimed that Allah incarnated in ʿAli (رضي الله عنه).
Al-Farq bayn al-Firaq, p. 225
Later, this belief spread among some sects and individuals who claimed:
For detailed examples, see: “Taṣawwuf Ko Pehchāniyē” by Naqi Ahmad Nadwi, pp. 25–58, 62 onwards
Qur’an (Al-Aʿrāf: 20–22):
"Satan said: Your Lord only forbade you from this tree lest you become angels or immortals..."
If Allah were inside him, he wouldn't long for something lesser than the Divine.
Surah Al-ʿAlaq: 19
"Prostrate and draw near (to your Lord).”
If Allah were inside the Prophet ﷺ, who was commanding this act?
Also, when the Prophet ﷺ asked a slave girl:
"Where is Allah?" She replied: “In the heavens.”
He asked: “Who am I?” She said: “You are the Messenger of Allah.”
He said: “Free her — she is a believer.”
Sahih Muslim: 1199
Had Allah been incarnated in him, the girl’s answer would have been incorrect.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Shayṭān runs in the veins of the son of Adam like blood."
Sahih Muslim: 2175
Also:
"When a person oversleeps and misses prayer, Shayṭān urinates in his ears."
Sahih Bukhari: 1144
Can Allah coexist with Shayṭān and impurity within a human body?
Glory be to Allah! He is above what they attribute to Him.
Surah Ṭā-Hā: 5
﴿الرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىٰ﴾
"The Most Merciful is established on the Throne."
Surah Ash-Shūrā: 11
﴿لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ...﴾
"There is nothing like unto Him..."
What blasphemy!
﴿فَاعْتَبِرُوا يَا أُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ﴾
"So reflect, O people of insight."
Surah Al-Hashr: 2
"Anyone who believes Allah has incarnated in a human body is a kāfir (disbeliever). There is no difference of opinion among scholars about this."
Al-Faṣl fī al-Milal wa al-Ahwā’ wa al-Niḥal: 2/269
➋ Shaykh Naeemuddīn Murādābādī:
"God who eats food, digests it, and has a body cannot be God."
Tafsīr Khazā'in al-ʿIrfān, Sūrah Al-Mā'idah: 75
➌ Mufti Abdul Qayyūm Hāzarwī:
"Claiming that Allah incarnates in someone or equating a person with Allah is pure shirk and kufr. Anyone making such claims must immediately repent, or be treated like a mushrik."
Minhāj al-Fatāwā: 1/492
“He who confuses the Creator with creation has strayed far from the truth. Allah is above and beyond all imperfections.”
◈ What Is Ḥulūl (Incarnation)?
Ḥulūl is the false belief that Allah incarnates within His creation. Classical definitions divide it into two categories:① Ḥulūl al-Jawārī (Bodily Incarnation):
"This refers to one body becoming the container of another, such as water inside a jug."
② Ḥulūl al-Sarīyānī (Subtle Indwelling):
"This implies a merger so complete that pointing to one body is as if pointing to the other — like the essence of a rose infused in rosewater."
Kitāb al-Taʿrīfāt by al-Jurjānī, p. 97◈ Historical Roots of Ḥulūl
This belief is not originally Islamic but stems from:- Judaism and Christianity (e.g., Trinity)
- Hinduism and Mysticism
The first known promoter among Muslims was the Jewish convert ʿAbdullah ibn Saba’, who falsely claimed that Allah incarnated in ʿAli (رضي الله عنه).
Al-Farq bayn al-Firaq, p. 225Later, this belief spread among some sects and individuals who claimed:
- Allah entered into their leaders or saints.
- Allah incarnates in beautiful bodies, even women.
- Allah is present in all creation (pantheism).
For detailed examples, see: “Taṣawwuf Ko Pehchāniyē” by Naqi Ahmad Nadwi, pp. 25–58, 62 onwards◈ Refuting the Claim of Divine Incarnation
❖ 1. Was Allah Ever in Adam (عليه السلام)?
If so, why did Adam desire to become an angel or immortal? Qur’an (Al-Aʿrāf: 20–22):"Satan said: Your Lord only forbade you from this tree lest you become angels or immortals..."
If Allah were inside him, he wouldn't long for something lesser than the Divine.
❖ 2. Was Allah Present in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Surah Al-ʿAlaq: 19"Prostrate and draw near (to your Lord).”
If Allah were inside the Prophet ﷺ, who was commanding this act?
Also, when the Prophet ﷺ asked a slave girl:
"Where is Allah?" She replied: “In the heavens.”
He asked: “Who am I?” She said: “You are the Messenger of Allah.”
He said: “Free her — she is a believer.”
Sahih Muslim: 1199Had Allah been incarnated in him, the girl’s answer would have been incorrect.
❖ 3. Is Allah in Every Human Being?
The Prophet ﷺ said:"Shayṭān runs in the veins of the son of Adam like blood."
Sahih Muslim: 2175Also:
"When a person oversleeps and misses prayer, Shayṭān urinates in his ears."
Sahih Bukhari: 1144Can Allah coexist with Shayṭān and impurity within a human body?
Glory be to Allah! He is above what they attribute to Him.
◈ Is Allah in Everything?
This pantheistic belief is blatantly false. Surah Ṭā-Hā: 5﴿الرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىٰ﴾
"The Most Merciful is established on the Throne."
Surah Ash-Shūrā: 11﴿لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ...﴾
"There is nothing like unto Him..."
◈ Poisonous Beliefs of Ḥulūliyyah
Some so-called mystics claim:- Allah becomes a child, husband, wife, or playmate.
- He gets beaten by children, pelted with stones, etc.
What blasphemy!
﴿فَاعْتَبِرُوا يَا أُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ﴾"So reflect, O people of insight."
Surah Al-Hashr: 2◈ Fatwas and Verdicts on Ḥulūl Believers
➊ Imam Ibn Ḥazm (456 AH):"Anyone who believes Allah has incarnated in a human body is a kāfir (disbeliever). There is no difference of opinion among scholars about this."
Al-Faṣl fī al-Milal wa al-Ahwā’ wa al-Niḥal: 2/269➋ Shaykh Naeemuddīn Murādābādī:
"God who eats food, digests it, and has a body cannot be God."
Tafsīr Khazā'in al-ʿIrfān, Sūrah Al-Mā'idah: 75➌ Mufti Abdul Qayyūm Hāzarwī:
"Claiming that Allah incarnates in someone or equating a person with Allah is pure shirk and kufr. Anyone making such claims must immediately repent, or be treated like a mushrik."
Minhāj al-Fatāwā: 1/492❖ Final Reflection ❖
The doctrine of Ḥulūl is a fabrication of disbelief, an affront to divine transcendence, and an open gateway to shirk. It contradicts the essence of Tawḥīd as taught by the Qur’an, the Prophet ﷺ, and the pious predecessors. “He who confuses the Creator with creation has strayed far from the truth. Allah is above and beyond all imperfections.”