Some people, when they are surprised by something, say (by the honor of Allah). What is the correctness of this expression?

The questioner : The second question: Some people, when they are surprised by something, say: by the honor of Allah. Is this permissible, and is this considered a form of likening Allah to creation, describing Allah with what is not befitting Him, (Glorified and Exalted is He)?

The Shaykh : It is not permissible. It returns to the same previous statement: it is not permissible to describe our Lord except with what He has described Himself with. Even if this attribute is considered in the custom of people an attribute of honor, reverence, and sanctity, as long as this attribute has not come in the Book or in the Sunnah, it is not permissible to describe Allah (Mighty and Majestic) with it. The scholars have mentioned that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is described as generous (Karim), but He is not described as bountiful (Sakhi). The word "bountiful" in the Arabic language, perhaps—and I mean what I am saying, perhaps—may mean generosity. I say this with caution, because some jurists in the language may distinguish between two synonymous terms for the general public, like us in the language. But it may be that in many cases there is no difference in the language between two synonymous terms. A person may say "the sun has risen," or "it has appeared," or "it has shone," or "it has become visible." All these words are synonymous, but "became visible" is distinguished from the other words because it is a word of contrast. In the language, it is said when the sun shines: "the sun has become visible," and when the sun sets, it is also said: "the sun has become visible." Two synonymous terms. There are many examples of this in the language. It is said "a noble man," meaning great, and it is said "a noble man," meaning insignificant. The context and the preceding text are what specify the intended meaning of a word that has two opposing meanings. In conclusion, our Lord (Mighty and Majestic) is not described as honorable or as having honor, because this is an attribute that has not come, as we said, in the Shari'ah.

The questioner : So, do we say to the one who says this that it is not permissible?

The Shaykh : Of course, we have no doubt. But do we say to him that it is not permissible, when he may not believe in Allah in the first place? That is a lighter matter, another issue. It falls under the policy of da'wah. But that this is not permissible, it is not permissible. Please.