Zuhad al-Kawthari says: The speech of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is neither a voice nor an image. What is the meaning of this statement, and how valid is it?

The questioner : Regarding the statement: A commentary on the Names and Attributes. In the marginal notes, there is a comment: that the speech of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is not a voice and not an image, and the meaning of His speech is that speech is mental speech!

The Shaykh : The speech of whom?

The questioner : I will tell you now what I understood!

The Shaykh : From whom did you understand it?

The questioner : From the commentary.

The Shaykh : Which commentary?

The questioner : Zuhad al-Kawthari’s commentary on the Names and Attributes.

The Shaykh : Zuhad al-Kawthari is a follower of the later generations; you should not trust him. Therefore, read the creed of the Salaf al-Salih (the earliest generations).

The questioner: Perfect.

The Shaykh : Yes, indeed. The speech of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is real and audible, because Allah says in the Noble Qur'an, addressing Moses (peace be upon him): . As for mental speech, it is like divine knowledge; it cannot be heard. Is this clear?

The questioner : Yes, that is clear.

The Shaykh : So when Allah said to Moses: , that means: there is audible speech. As for those who interpret the divine speech as mental speech, they are denying many verses in the Noble Qur'an. If the seas were ink for the words of Allah, the seas would run dry before the words of Allah are exhausted! This verse is explicit text that the speech of Allah is abundant and cannot be hidden. As for mental speech, it is a single thing. Is that clear?

The questioner : Clear, Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Therefore, do not be deceived by the words of al-Kawthari and the followers of al-Kawthari in the present age.