The common saying among many of the ignorant: that Allah is present in every place, believing that they are purifying Allah to the utmost degree of purification; are they excused for that due to their ignorance?
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The questioner : O Shaykh! It is widespread among many Muslims, especially in lands other than this one, that if one of them is asked, "Where is Allah?" he says, "Allah is present in every place." They believe that this is the ultimate purification of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Are they excused in this matter due to the negligence of the scholars, or are they to be blamed for not having learned their original creed regarding Allah (Mighty and Majestic)?
The Shaykh : The truth is, if they wanted to learn, they have no one to teach them, because those who should teach them are in need of someone to teach them. The problem is very difficult. And as we always say, forever and ever: whoever has been given some knowledge must convey it to the people and not conceal it. Their saying, and this is a very well-known phrase, unfortunately: "Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is present in every place, Allah is present in all existence": this is the meaning of the previous phrase we mentioned earlier. But this sentence we hear from the general public is the belief of the common people today, except for those whom Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has protected by the Book and the Sunnah. Among the wonders of matters: these scholars of Kalam, whose result of knowledge is that they keep the masses of Muslims saying this ancient saying of misguidance: "Allah is present in every place". Among the wonders of these scholars, they refused to say that Allah is above the Throne, having risen above it in a manner befitting His greatness and majesty, and yet they did not purify Him from being in every place, while they know that place came into existence after it was non-existent, because place is derived from "was" and "becomes." And Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says:[Ya-Sin 36:82] So place was, and Allah was, but there was no place and no time. So He created place and He created time. How can these people comprehend, let alone that they have contradicted their religion, how can they comprehend with their minds that Allah is in this place which He created after it was non-existent?!
In addition to that, how can they comprehend this universal statement: "Allah is present in every place", when there are places that people generally do not enter, whether Muslims or disbelievers, except out of necessity, such as latrines? And there are places that righteous believers do not enter, such as bars and taverns, and so on. And there are many other things; the issue does not require detailed elaboration. How can these people say about their true Lord that He is in these places?!
That is the far-reaching misguidance. And therefore, protection, as we said at the end of the speech, is holding fast to the Book and the Sunnah.
The questioner : I have a question!
The Shaykh : Regarding this issue?
The Shaykh : The truth is, if they wanted to learn, they have no one to teach them, because those who should teach them are in need of someone to teach them. The problem is very difficult. And as we always say, forever and ever: whoever has been given some knowledge must convey it to the people and not conceal it. Their saying, and this is a very well-known phrase, unfortunately: "Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is present in every place, Allah is present in all existence": this is the meaning of the previous phrase we mentioned earlier. But this sentence we hear from the general public is the belief of the common people today, except for those whom Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has protected by the Book and the Sunnah. Among the wonders of matters: these scholars of Kalam, whose result of knowledge is that they keep the masses of Muslims saying this ancient saying of misguidance: "Allah is present in every place". Among the wonders of these scholars, they refused to say that Allah is above the Throne, having risen above it in a manner befitting His greatness and majesty, and yet they did not purify Him from being in every place, while they know that place came into existence after it was non-existent, because place is derived from "was" and "becomes." And Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says:
His command is only when He intends a thing that He says to it, "Be," and it is.
إنما أمره إذا أراد شيئًا أن يقول له كن فيكونIn addition to that, how can they comprehend this universal statement: "Allah is present in every place", when there are places that people generally do not enter, whether Muslims or disbelievers, except out of necessity, such as latrines? And there are places that righteous believers do not enter, such as bars and taverns, and so on. And there are many other things; the issue does not require detailed elaboration. How can these people say about their true Lord that He is in these places?!
That is the far-reaching misguidance. And therefore, protection, as we said at the end of the speech, is holding fast to the Book and the Sunnah.
The questioner : I have a question!
The Shaykh : Regarding this issue?