What is the criterion regarding the names and attributes of Allah? And are names derived from His attributes (Glorified and Exalted is He) if they are in the form of the active participle, as mentioned regarding some of the Salaf?
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The questioner : Here he saysThe questioner : Regarding His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He): [Al-A'raf 7:180] It is well known that the names of Allah are based on textual evidence, but we find that some of the Salaf, such as Ibn Mandah in his book *Tawhid*, treat attributes of Allah that came in the form of the active participle as names of Allah. He said (Glorified and Exalted is He): [Al-Furqan 25:31] And the evidence, as it came from Imam Ahmad: "O Guide of the Lost", and it was mentioned by the Shaykh al-Islam. So what is the criterion for this in your view?
The Shaykh : It is as stated in the question: the names of Allah are based on textual evidence, so one does not derive a name for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) from an attribute that is established for Him (Blessed and Exalted is He). Therefore, adhering to this position is the most important thing, since it concerns the essence of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). It is not permissible to address Him or name Him except with what is established in the Sunnah. However, if a phrase comes on the tongue of someone and he does not adhere to it as a fixed name, there is no harm in that, because the meaning, in terms of the indication of the general evidences, is correct. So Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) is the Guide of the Lost, but this did not come in His names (Blessed and Exalted is He), neither in the Book nor in the Sunnah. So it is better not to adhere to it. We say, for example: "Allah is existent." This is an expression of an established reality, and His existence is not like the existence of created things, but it is not among His names (Glorified and Exalted is He) that He is "the Existent." Similarly, we may say regarding the Lord of the Worlds that He is generous, but we do not name Him "the Generous" because it is not among His names; rather, He is "the Most Merciful." And on this basis, we adhere to the position regarding His names (Blessed and Exalted is He).
And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them
ولله الأسماء الحسنى فاعدوه بهاBut sufficient is your Lord as a guide and a helper.
وَكَفَى بِرَبِّكَ هَادِيًا وَنَصِيرًاThe Shaykh : It is as stated in the question: the names of Allah are based on textual evidence, so one does not derive a name for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) from an attribute that is established for Him (Blessed and Exalted is He). Therefore, adhering to this position is the most important thing, since it concerns the essence of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). It is not permissible to address Him or name Him except with what is established in the Sunnah. However, if a phrase comes on the tongue of someone and he does not adhere to it as a fixed name, there is no harm in that, because the meaning, in terms of the indication of the general evidences, is correct. So Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) is the Guide of the Lost, but this did not come in His names (Blessed and Exalted is He), neither in the Book nor in the Sunnah. So it is better not to adhere to it. We say, for example: "Allah is existent." This is an expression of an established reality, and His existence is not like the existence of created things, but it is not among His names (Glorified and Exalted is He) that He is "the Existent." Similarly, we may say regarding the Lord of the Worlds that He is generous, but we do not name Him "the Generous" because it is not among His names; rather, He is "the Most Merciful." And on this basis, we adhere to the position regarding His names (Blessed and Exalted is He).