What is the meaning of *ilhad* (deviation), and how does a person become a deviator in the names and attributes of Allah?
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The questioner : What is the meaning of *ilhad* (deviation)? And how does a person become a deviator in the names and attributes of Allah? We ask for guidance.
The Shaykh : *Ilhad* (deviation) in language means inclination or deviation. This is why the digging at the edge of a grave is called *lihad* (inclination), because it is inclined toward one side of it. As for its technical definition, it is deviating from what is obligatory to believe or do. This is a general definition, so anyone who deviates from what is obligatory to believe and do is a deviator. However, *ilhad* is of two types: major *ilhad* and minor *ilhad*. Complete *ilhad*, which is deviating from Islam as a whole, is major *ilhad* that expels one from the religion, such as the *ilhad* of communists, polytheists, and those who appear like them. Minor *ilhad* does not expel one from the religion, such as *ilhad* in some deeds, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Hajj 22:25] meaning by a minor sin, and the major is more severe and greater. As for *ilhad* in the names and attributes of Allah, it is divided into categories:
The first category: To deny them completely, denying the names and attributes and claiming that these names and attributes belong to the created beings and not to the Creator, as the rulers of the *mu'attilah* (those who deny attributes) do, such as the Qaramitah, the Batiniyyah, and the like.
The second: *Ilhad* in the names only, by affirming them for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) but denying the attributes they indicate. For example, saying: "Allah is All-Hearing but He has no hearing, All-Seeing but He has no sight, All-Knowing but He has no knowledge," and the like. This affirms the names but does not affirm the attributes they indicate. Among the *ilhad* in the names is affirming the names but making them indicative of likening Allah to creation, saying: "Allah the Exalted has names, and we affirm the attributes they indicate on the basis of similarity. We say: Allah the Exalted has knowledge, but His knowledge is similar to the knowledge of the created beings." Similarly, one who likens Allah in the attributes is a deviator in them, such as the one who says: "Allah the Exalted has a Face, but it is similar to the faces of the created beings," and the like. Likening Allah in the names or attributes is a form of *ilhad*. Also, among *ilhad* is naming Allah with what He has not named Himself, calling Him "The Maker" or "The Jester," and the like, by affirming for Allah the Exalted names from one's own invention. This is *ilhad* because what is obligatory regarding the names of Allah is to restrict them to what has come in the texts. Among *ilhad* is affirming for Allah the Exalted some attributes while denying others, by affirming for Allah the Exalted the attributes one claims the intellect indicates, and denying the attributes one claims the intellect does not indicate. This action is a form of *ilhad*, denial of attributes, and believing in part of the Book while disbelieving in part. For example, some people believe that Allah the Exalted is Living, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, All-Hearing, All-Seeing, All-Willful, and All-Speaking, but they do not affirm the remaining attributes. They do not affirm that He is Wise, nor that He is Merciful. They say: "Allah the Exalted does what He wills and judges what He desires without wisdom." They also say: "Allah the Exalted has no mercy, but His mercy is His doing good to the creation or His will to do good to them," and the like. This is a type of *ilhad* in the names and attributes of Allah. Among *ilhad* in the names of Allah is naming the idols with them and deriving names for the idols from the names of Allah, such as their saying "Al-Lat" and "Al-'Uzza." They took the first from "Allah," which is one of the names of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He), and they took the second from "Al-Aziz" (The Mighty), which is one of the names of Allah the Exalted.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : *Ilhad* (deviation) in language means inclination or deviation. This is why the digging at the edge of a grave is called *lihad* (inclination), because it is inclined toward one side of it. As for its technical definition, it is deviating from what is obligatory to believe or do. This is a general definition, so anyone who deviates from what is obligatory to believe and do is a deviator. However, *ilhad* is of two types: major *ilhad* and minor *ilhad*. Complete *ilhad*, which is deviating from Islam as a whole, is major *ilhad* that expels one from the religion, such as the *ilhad* of communists, polytheists, and those who appear like them. Minor *ilhad* does not expel one from the religion, such as *ilhad* in some deeds, as Allah the Exalted said:
and [also] whoever intends [a deed] therein of deviation [in religion] or wrongdoing - We will make him taste of a painful punishment.
وَمَنْ يُرِدْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحَادٍ بِظُلْمٍ نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍThe first category: To deny them completely, denying the names and attributes and claiming that these names and attributes belong to the created beings and not to the Creator, as the rulers of the *mu'attilah* (those who deny attributes) do, such as the Qaramitah, the Batiniyyah, and the like.
The second: *Ilhad* in the names only, by affirming them for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) but denying the attributes they indicate. For example, saying: "Allah is All-Hearing but He has no hearing, All-Seeing but He has no sight, All-Knowing but He has no knowledge," and the like. This affirms the names but does not affirm the attributes they indicate. Among the *ilhad* in the names is affirming the names but making them indicative of likening Allah to creation, saying: "Allah the Exalted has names, and we affirm the attributes they indicate on the basis of similarity. We say: Allah the Exalted has knowledge, but His knowledge is similar to the knowledge of the created beings." Similarly, one who likens Allah in the attributes is a deviator in them, such as the one who says: "Allah the Exalted has a Face, but it is similar to the faces of the created beings," and the like. Likening Allah in the names or attributes is a form of *ilhad*. Also, among *ilhad* is naming Allah with what He has not named Himself, calling Him "The Maker" or "The Jester," and the like, by affirming for Allah the Exalted names from one's own invention. This is *ilhad* because what is obligatory regarding the names of Allah is to restrict them to what has come in the texts. Among *ilhad* is affirming for Allah the Exalted some attributes while denying others, by affirming for Allah the Exalted the attributes one claims the intellect indicates, and denying the attributes one claims the intellect does not indicate. This action is a form of *ilhad*, denial of attributes, and believing in part of the Book while disbelieving in part. For example, some people believe that Allah the Exalted is Living, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, All-Hearing, All-Seeing, All-Willful, and All-Speaking, but they do not affirm the remaining attributes. They do not affirm that He is Wise, nor that He is Merciful. They say: "Allah the Exalted does what He wills and judges what He desires without wisdom." They also say: "Allah the Exalted has no mercy, but His mercy is His doing good to the creation or His will to do good to them," and the like. This is a type of *ilhad* in the names and attributes of Allah. Among *ilhad* in the names of Allah is naming the idols with them and deriving names for the idols from the names of Allah, such as their saying "Al-Lat" and "Al-'Uzza." They took the first from "Allah," which is one of the names of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He), and they took the second from "Al-Aziz" (The Mighty), which is one of the names of Allah the Exalted.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.