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 says, or asks about the meaning of the hadith: Sahih Muslim 2612e?
The Shaykh : The Messenger (may the prayer and peace of Allah be upon him) said: The scholars differed regarding the meaning of this hadith after they authenticated it. As for the one who denies 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, so it 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 necessitate that he be similar to Him, because Allah the Exalted said in His Book:[Ash-Shuraa 42:11].
So if someone says: How can it be non-similar when it was said "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 be similar to the moon? No, it does not necessitate that they be similar to it. So it does not necessitate that a thing being in the image of another thing means it is similar to that thing. Say this phrase; we see that you are good at expression.
The student: It does not necessitate that it be...
The Shaykh : No, no, I want the phrase I said. Rest from memorizing it?
The student: It does not necessitate...
The Shaykh : Okay, no, we said: It does not necessitate that a thing being in the image of another thing means it is similar to that thing. Yes, and this is clear. And 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 necessitated.
for Allah created Adam in His own image
إن الله خلق آدم على صورتهThe Shaykh : The Messenger (may the prayer and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image, and He forbade that the face be disfigured or struck.
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, so it 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 necessitate that he be similar to Him, because Allah the Exalted said in His Book:
There is nothing like unto Him
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌSo if someone says: How can it be non-similar when it was said "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 necessitate that it be...
The Shaykh : No, no, I want the phrase I said. Rest from memorizing it?
The student: It does not necessitate...
The Shaykh : Okay, no, we said: It does not necessitate that a thing being in the image of another thing means it is similar to that thing. Yes, and this is clear. And 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 necessitated.