Authored by: Hafiz Abu Yahya Noor Puri
Imam Ahl al-Sunnah Ismail bin Muhammad al-Asbahani (d. 535 AH) describes the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah as follows:
"Ahl al-Sunnah believe that Allah is One, without partner or equal. He has always been characterized by good attributes. He is All-Hearing with the attribute of hearing, All-Seeing with the attribute of sight, All-Knowing with the attribute of knowledge, and All-Speaking with the attribute of speech. The Quran is His speech, not created in any form, whether it is read, written, memorized, or heard. Allah is established over the Throne, as He Himself states:
(Surah Ta-Ha: 5)"The Most Merciful is established over the Throne."
He (Allah) descends to the lowest heaven every night, as mentioned in the Hadith (Sahih Bukhari: 7494, Sahih Muslim: 857). He possesses many (good) attributes, as found in the Quran and authentic Hadith, such as the face, as Allah says:
(Surah Al-Qasas: 88)"Everything will perish except His (Allah’s) face."
He also says:
(Surah Al-Rahman: 27)"And the face of your Lord will remain."
In two Hadiths (Sahih Bukhari: 7206, etc.), these words are also mentioned:
"(O Allah!) I seek refuge in Your face..."
Anyone who likens Allah’s face to the faces of creation has gone astray and disbelieved, and anyone who denies Allah’s face has also disbelieved. Allah also has two hands, as He Himself states:
(Surah Sad: 75)"Whom I created with My two hands."
He also says:
(Surah Al-Ma'idah: 64)"Rather, His two hands are extended."
In a Hadith, it is mentioned:
"And He (Allah) created Adam with His two hands." (This Hadith is weak)
The Prophet also said:
"And both of His hands are right."
(Sahih Muslim: 1827)
Thus, it is obligatory to affirm the attributes of Allah mentioned in the (authentic) Hadiths, such as the palm, foot, finger, etc., without imagining or depicting them, in the same manner as they are stated in the Hadith. Allah is also characterized by mercy, anger, will, and intent. He has will and pleasure in acts of obedience, but will without pleasure in acts of disobedience. Allah has always been named as the Creator and Provider, but it should not be believed that creation and provision were eternal. It should also be believed that Muhammad (PBUH) is His Messenger and the best of all creation.
Ahl al-Sunnah believe that Paradise and Hell are both created to last forever and will never perish. All believers will see Allah without any veil on the Day of Judgment, and Allah will speak to them without any interpreter. Ahl al-Sunnah believe in Allah's angels, books, messengers, good and bad fate, the questioning in the grave, intercession, the Pond of Kawthar, the Balance (for weighing deeds), the bridge over Hell (Sirat), and the passage of all creation over it. They also believe that any sinful believer who enters Hell will eventually be taken out if they died with faith."
(Al-Hujjah fi Bayan al-Mahajjah, 2/432-435)
Imam Ahl al-Sunnah Ismail bin Muhammad al-Asbahani (d. 535 AH) describes the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah as follows:
"Ahl al-Sunnah believe that Allah is One, without partner or equal. He has always been characterized by good attributes. He is All-Hearing with the attribute of hearing, All-Seeing with the attribute of sight, All-Knowing with the attribute of knowledge, and All-Speaking with the attribute of speech. The Quran is His speech, not created in any form, whether it is read, written, memorized, or heard. Allah is established over the Throne, as He Himself states:
(الرَّحْمَـٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىٰ)
(Surah Ta-Ha: 5)"The Most Merciful is established over the Throne."
He (Allah) descends to the lowest heaven every night, as mentioned in the Hadith (Sahih Bukhari: 7494, Sahih Muslim: 857). He possesses many (good) attributes, as found in the Quran and authentic Hadith, such as the face, as Allah says:
(كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ)
(Surah Al-Qasas: 88)"Everything will perish except His (Allah’s) face."
He also says:
(وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ)
(Surah Al-Rahman: 27)"And the face of your Lord will remain."
In two Hadiths (Sahih Bukhari: 7206, etc.), these words are also mentioned:
أعوذ بوجھک
"(O Allah!) I seek refuge in Your face..."
Anyone who likens Allah’s face to the faces of creation has gone astray and disbelieved, and anyone who denies Allah’s face has also disbelieved. Allah also has two hands, as He Himself states:
(لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَيَّ)
(Surah Sad: 75)"Whom I created with My two hands."
He also says:
(بَلْ يَدَاهُ مَبْسُوطَتَانِ)
(Surah Al-Ma'idah: 64)"Rather, His two hands are extended."
In a Hadith, it is mentioned:
وَخَلَقَ آدَمَ بِيَدَيْهِ
"And He (Allah) created Adam with His two hands." (This Hadith is weak)
The Prophet also said:
وَكِلْتَا يَدَيْهِ يَمِينٌ
"And both of His hands are right."
(Sahih Muslim: 1827)
Thus, it is obligatory to affirm the attributes of Allah mentioned in the (authentic) Hadiths, such as the palm, foot, finger, etc., without imagining or depicting them, in the same manner as they are stated in the Hadith. Allah is also characterized by mercy, anger, will, and intent. He has will and pleasure in acts of obedience, but will without pleasure in acts of disobedience. Allah has always been named as the Creator and Provider, but it should not be believed that creation and provision were eternal. It should also be believed that Muhammad (PBUH) is His Messenger and the best of all creation.
Ahl al-Sunnah believe that Paradise and Hell are both created to last forever and will never perish. All believers will see Allah without any veil on the Day of Judgment, and Allah will speak to them without any interpreter. Ahl al-Sunnah believe in Allah's angels, books, messengers, good and bad fate, the questioning in the grave, intercession, the Pond of Kawthar, the Balance (for weighing deeds), the bridge over Hell (Sirat), and the passage of all creation over it. They also believe that any sinful believer who enters Hell will eventually be taken out if they died with faith."
(Al-Hujjah fi Bayan al-Mahajjah, 2/432-435)