What is the meaning of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image"?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. A questioner is asking about the meaning of the hadith: Sahih Muslim 2612e?
The Shaykh : The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The scholars differed regarding the meaning of this hadith after they authenticated it. As for those who denied its authenticity, that is a separate matter with its own answer, but those who affirmed it differed on two points:
The first point: "Created Adam in His image" means in the form that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) chose. This falls under the category of attributing the created to its Creator, like "the she-camel of Allah" and "the house of Allah" and the like.
Some of them said: Allah created Adam in the image of the Lord (Mighty and Majestic), but it does not imply that he is similar to Him, because Allah the Exalted said in His Book:[Ash-Shuraa 42:11].
If someone asks: How can it be non-similar when it says "in His image"? We say: Does the image necessitate similarity? Has it not been established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said regarding the people of Paradise:Sahih Muslim 2834a Does it necessitate that they are similar to the moon? No, it does not necessitate that they are similar to it. So it does not follow from something being in the image of something else that it is similar to it. Say this phrase; we see that you are good at expression.
The student: It does not follow that...
The Shaykh : No, no, I want the phrase I said. Rest from memorizing it?
The student: It does not follow...
The Shaykh : Okay, no, we said: It does not follow from something being in the image of something else that it is similar to it. Yes, and this is clear. We gave you an example regarding the people of Paradise: that the first group to enter Paradise will be in the image of the moon, and similarity is not necessary.
for Allah created Adam in His own image
إن الله خلق آدم على صورتهThe Shaykh : The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image, and He forbade disfiguring the face or striking it.
إن الله خلق آدم على صورته، ونهى أن يقبح الوجه أو يضربThe first point: "Created Adam in His image" means in the form that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) chose. This falls under the category of attributing the created to its Creator, like "the she-camel of Allah" and "the house of Allah" and the like.
Some of them said: Allah created Adam in the image of the Lord (Mighty and Majestic), but it does not imply that he is similar to Him, because Allah the Exalted said in His Book:
There is nothing like unto Him
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌIf someone asks: How can it be non-similar when it says "in His image"? We say: Does the image necessitate similarity? Has it not been established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said regarding the people of Paradise:
The (members) of the first group to get into Paradise would have their faces as bright as full moon
أول زمرة تدخل الجنة على صورة القمرThe student: It does not follow that...
The Shaykh : No, no, I want the phrase I said. Rest from memorizing it?
The student: It does not follow...
The Shaykh : Okay, no, we said: It does not follow from something being in the image of something else that it is similar to it. Yes, and this is clear. We gave you an example regarding the people of Paradise: that the first group to enter Paradise will be in the image of the moon, and similarity is not necessary.