The Shaykh’s argumentation regarding faith in the names and attributes based on the unseen matters that occurred to the prophets, such as the Night Journey and the Ascension, and the splitting of the sea for Moses (peace be upon him)
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The Shaykh : Now, let us turn our attention briefly to some of the matters mentioned in the texts of the Book and the Sunnah, which are said to be beyond the reach of reason. For example, the Night Journey and the Ascension of the Messenger (peace be upon him) to the highest heavens. As the scholars say, reason does not deny this, even though it views it as something immense and very immense. So, if a text mentions something that reason does not deem impossible, but which is contrary to what is customary, what is the position of the Muslim? For example, the splitting of the sea by Moses’ (peace be upon him) strike with his staff, where the bottom of the sea was revealed and it became like a paved road, and the army of Moses (peace be upon him) walked through it until they reached the shore safely. Then, as soon as the army of Pharaoh was in the middle of the sea, it closed up as it had been. What is the position of the Muslim toward these reports, which are beyond the reach of minds? Allah is Able to do all things. So, when our Lord (Mighty and Majestic) informs us of unseen matters, it is obligatory to believe in them and submit to them, and it is not permissible for us to apply our minds to them, because our minds, like all our physical powers, have a limited capacity. For example, I can see from here to near the mountain, but I cannot see what is beyond that; that is the capacity that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has enabled us with. And so it is with the mind; it has a very limited capacity regarding the matters that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has informed us of. If [An-Nisa 4:65] I believe that a question like this, which has taken up this much of our time to explain the Islamic position on the belief in the exaltation of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) above His Throne, stems from relying on the small mind. If we gathered all the minds of humanity, it would be possible to gather them, and they would be a speck compared to what Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) knows. There is no benefit, O my master, in "Can the shadow be straight while the stick is bent?"
The questioner : The soul mentioned... established the attribute of the soul for Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and that is in the Prophetic hadith. My question is: does the soul settle for Allah, or is it...?
Abu Malik: ...
The Shaykh : Yes, if Allah wills, I will do my part. This woman, O Abu Malik, the woman whom you taught about, they did nothing to her.
Abu Malik: ...
But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.
فلا وربك لا يؤمنون حتى يحكموك فيما شجر بينهم ثم لا يجدوا في أنفسهم حرجا مما قضيت ويسلموا تسليماThe questioner : The soul mentioned... established the attribute of the soul for Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and that is in the Prophetic hadith. My question is: does the soul settle for Allah, or is it...?
Abu Malik: ...
The Shaykh : Yes, if Allah wills, I will do my part. This woman, O Abu Malik, the woman whom you taught about, they did nothing to her.
Abu Malik: ...