What is your opinion on affirming the five senses for Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and what is your opinion on Ibn Taymiyyah’s denial of the sense of taste?
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The questioner : The Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned in his treatise *Al-Akmaliah* the statements that have come regarding the affirmation of the five senses for Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Then he mentioned the opinions of the scholars and imams and their denial of the sense of taste. He did not speak about the sense of smell, and he affirmed the sense of touch. What is the statement in this issue?
The Shaykh : Which issue?
The questioner : Affirming five senses for Allah (Mighty and Majestic).
Another questioner: He said: They denied the sense of taste, and he did not speak about the sense of smell, and he affirmed the sense of touch. What is the statement in this issue?
One affirmed, one he was silent about, and the second!
The Shaykh : As for the sense of hearing, we do not say that Allah has senses. But we say: Allah affirmed for Himself—as we spoke after the prayer—the attribute of hearing and sight. He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. But we do not say He has the sense of hearing, nor do we say He has the sense of sight, because the senses are of the nature of people.
As for the sense that he did not affirm, smell, I said, and what else?
The questioner : Yes, he said smell.
The Shaykh : Smell?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And hearing?
The questioner : Touch, smell, and taste.
The Shaykh : I do not know; did he affirm taste? He is speaking about Ibn Taymiyyah?
The questioner : He says: He denied taste, did not speak about smell, and affirmed touch.
The Shaykh : I do not recall that there is a sound hadith regarding touch.
The one who transmitted this from Ibn Taymiyyah transmitted it this way, and did not mention any evidence that Ibn Taymiyyah provided for what he affirmed?
The questioner : But ask the questioner.
The Shaykh : Which issue?
The questioner : Affirming five senses for Allah (Mighty and Majestic).
Another questioner: He said: They denied the sense of taste, and he did not speak about the sense of smell, and he affirmed the sense of touch. What is the statement in this issue?
One affirmed, one he was silent about, and the second!
The Shaykh : As for the sense of hearing, we do not say that Allah has senses. But we say: Allah affirmed for Himself—as we spoke after the prayer—the attribute of hearing and sight. He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. But we do not say He has the sense of hearing, nor do we say He has the sense of sight, because the senses are of the nature of people.
As for the sense that he did not affirm, smell, I said, and what else?
The questioner : Yes, he said smell.
The Shaykh : Smell?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And hearing?
The questioner : Touch, smell, and taste.
The Shaykh : I do not know; did he affirm taste? He is speaking about Ibn Taymiyyah?
The questioner : He says: He denied taste, did not speak about smell, and affirmed touch.
The Shaykh : I do not recall that there is a sound hadith regarding touch.
The one who transmitted this from Ibn Taymiyyah transmitted it this way, and did not mention any evidence that Ibn Taymiyyah provided for what he affirmed?
The questioner : But ask the questioner.