The Meaning of the Hadith: (Allah Created Adam in His Image)
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[The Meaning of the Hadith: (Allah created Adam in His image)]
What is the correct interpretation of the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): (Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image) ?
This has interpretations: The first interpretation: that the hadith is to be taken at its apparent meaning: (Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image) but without likeness, for it is not necessary that something being in the image of another thing means it is identical to it,And Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) has said in His Book: [Surah al-Shura: 11] ,And Allah the Exalted said: [Surah al-Nahl: 74] and the evidence that it is not necessary for something to be identical to another just because it is in its image,That the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed: (that the first group to enter Paradise will be in the image of the full moon on the night of its fullness) and it is known that they do not resemble the full moon on the night of its fullness, but in terms of beauty and loveliness, they will be in the image of the moon,So we say: that something being in the image of another does not necessitate likeness,And we believe in the Book and the Sunnah, so we say: that Allah is not like anything, even if something were in His image,And we say: (Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image) .
The second interpretation of the hadith: that Allah created him in an image He chose and selected for Adam, so the meaning is -Meaning: the attribution - is honor and distinction,As in the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Surah al-Hajj: 26] and it is known that the Ka'bah is not the house of Allah in which He dwells, but it is His house which is honored,And as He, the Exalted, said: [Surah al-Shams: 13] and it is known that this she-camel is not the she-camel of Allah upon which He rides (Blessed and Exalted is He), far be it from Him of that, but rather Salih attributed it to his Lord for the sake of honor, meaning: honoring this she-camel and magnifying it.
Both interpretations are correct, but the first interpretation is safer;Because the first interpretation: that Allah created Adam in His image without likeness is further from figurative interpretation and is consistent with the apparent text.
What is the correct interpretation of the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): (Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image) ?
This has interpretations: The first interpretation: that the hadith is to be taken at its apparent meaning: (Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image) but without likeness, for it is not necessary that something being in the image of another thing means it is identical to it,And Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) has said in His Book:
There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُSo do not assert similarities to Allah. Indeed, Allah knows and you do not know.
فَلا تَضْرِبُوا لِلَّهِ الْأَمْثَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَThe second interpretation of the hadith: that Allah created him in an image He chose and selected for Adam, so the meaning is -Meaning: the attribution - is honor and distinction,As in the saying of Allah the Exalted:
and purify My House for those who perform Tawaf
وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَAnd the messenger of Allah [Salih] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink."
فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ نَاقَةَ اللَّهِ وَسُقْيَاهَاBoth interpretations are correct, but the first interpretation is safer;Because the first interpretation: that Allah created Adam in His image without likeness is further from figurative interpretation and is consistent with the apparent text.