Tell us what is reported in *Sahih Muslim* regarding the explanation of the verse: “And the heavens are folded in His right hand, like the folding of a scroll.”
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The questioner : My question is about the creed in *Sahih Muslim* regarding the explanation of the verse . The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) . And Ibn ‘Umar said, “I saw as if the minbar was shaking from beneath him.” Please explain this to us, may Allah reward you, and what is the view of the Salaf regarding it?
The Shaykh : The view of the Salaf is well known in the hadiths of the attributes: they are to be passed on as they came, without delving into their interpretation or figurative interpretation (ta'wil) to the point that they become rationalized for us, who are materialists. Rather, they are narrated as they came.[Ash-Shuraa 42:11] As for the swaying of the Messenger, it is befitting for him as a human being, but this does not mean that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) sways like the swaying of a human being to the right and left. [Ash-Shuraa 42:11] And this attribute is not one of the attributes to which such a question is directed. His descent (Glorified and Exalted is He) every night to the lowest heaven... How is His rising above the Throne? The same answer applies to this... And there is nothing more than what we have mentioned!
The questioner : The meaning is in the spreading out.
The Shaykh : There is clasp and spread, but it is in proportion to the Divine Essence. Yes.
The questioner : ... Do you have anything else?
The Shaykh : No, you have nothing else. And it has come in some hadiths that the Messenger pointed to his eye, meaning there is nothing in it. The intention of this is to affirm the attribute in a general sense, not in a way that asks how it is or likens Allah to creation.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh: Go ahead.
And the heavens are folded in His right hand, like the folding of a scroll
والسماء مطويات بيمينه كطي السجلHe used to fold and clasp his hands
كان يطوي ويقبض يديهThe Shaykh : The view of the Salaf is well known in the hadiths of the attributes: they are to be passed on as they came, without delving into their interpretation or figurative interpretation (ta'wil) to the point that they become rationalized for us, who are materialists. Rather, they are narrated as they came.
There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
ليس كمثله شيء وهو السميع البصيرThere is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
ليس كمثله شيء وهو السميع البصيرThe questioner : The meaning is in the spreading out.
The Shaykh : There is clasp and spread, but it is in proportion to the Divine Essence. Yes.
The questioner : ... Do you have anything else?
The Shaykh : No, you have nothing else. And it has come in some hadiths that the Messenger pointed to his eye, meaning there is nothing in it. The intention of this is to affirm the attribute in a general sense, not in a way that asks how it is or likens Allah to creation.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh: Go ahead.
Source
www.al-albany.com
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