The Meaning and Explanation of Allah’s Descent in the Last Part of the Night
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
❖ Question
It is known that night rotates across the earth. The ḥadīth mentions that Allah, the Exalted, descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night. This would seemingly mean that Allah remains on the lowest heaven all night, since on earth night is always present somewhere. How should this doubt be answered?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
◈ Our Obligation Regarding Allah’s Names and Attributes
We must believe in all the Names and Attributes with which Allah described Himself in His Book (the Qur’an) or through the tongue of His Messenger ﷺ. In affirming these attributes, we must avoid four forbidden approaches:
❀ Taḥrīf: Distorting the wording or misinterpreting the meaning.
❀ Taʿṭīl: Denying the attribute or stripping Allah of it.
❀ Takyīf: Asking about or describing its how-ness.
❀ Tamthīl: Comparing Allah’s attributes to those of the creation.
Our īmān must be pure from these four. We should not ask “why” or “how” regarding Allah’s Essence or Attributes, nor attempt to comprehend their reality.
Whoever lives by this approach will attain peace of mind — and this was the way of the salaf al-ṣāliḥīn (pious predecessors).
◈ The Example of Imām Mālik (رحمه الله)
A man once asked Imām Mālik (رحمه الله):
“O Abū ʿAbdullāh! Allah says: ﴿اَلرَّحْمٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوٰى﴾ – how did He rise above the Throne?”
Imām Mālik lowered his head, sweating profusely, then said:
«اَلْاِسْتِوَاءُ غَيْرُ مَجْهُولٍ، وَالْكَيْفُ غَيْرُ مَعْقُولٍ، وَالْإِيمَانُ بِهِ وَاجِبٌ، وَالسُّؤَالُ عَنْهُ بِدْعَةٌ، وَمَا أَرَاكَ إِلَّا مُبْتَدِعًا»
Translation:
“Istiwā’ (rising) is not unknown, but its how-ness is incomprehensible. Believing in it is obligatory, and asking about it is an innovation. I see you only as an innovator.”
◈ Clarifying the Original Question
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed that Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of the night, none of the Companions (رضي الله عنهم) asked: Since night revolves around the earth, does that mean Allah remains always on the lowest heaven?
Had such a question arisen in the heart of a sincere believer, Allah and His Messenger ﷺ would have clarified it.
The explanation is:
❀ As long as the last third of the night remains in our region, Allah’s descent occurs.
❀ When night ends, that descent ceases.
As for the how-ness of Allah’s descent, it is beyond our knowledge and comprehension.
But we firmly believe: ﴿لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ﴾ – “There is nothing like unto Him.” (Sūrah al-Shūrā: 11)
Our duty is to affirm Allah’s statement, submit with faith, and say:
“We have heard, we believe, and we obey.”
This is the true way of a believer.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
