Advice for Students of Knowledge in the Field of Creed
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The Shaykh : On this occasion, I would like to offer advice to our brothers among the students of knowledge who wish to engage in research in the area of creed and the oneness of Allah. They are committed to this, yet you find them digging into matters that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did not ask about and did not investigate. For example, a person will say, "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ." Then they burden you with questions like: "Is Allah described as being bored, or not?"
Glory be to Allah! Are you more eager than the Companions? Is the one being asked more knowledgeable than the Messenger? Is the one to whom the question is directed in our time more knowledgeable than the Messenger, or not? Answer, people. So the reason exists, and the obstacle is absent in the era of the Companions. And yet, when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said this, they did not say, "O Messenger of Allah, is Allah described as being weary or bored?" So let what sufficed them suffice you.
Some people investigate the idea that Allah places the heavens on one finger and the earths on one finger, and so on. The one who taught us in al-Bukhari that it is five fingers, which the Messenger mentioned to us, comes and asks, "Is it more than five? Does Allah have more than five fingers?" People, fear Allah. Are you more eager than the Companions to know Allah? The answer is: No. Is the one about whom the question is directed now more knowledgeable about Allah than the Messenger? No. If the knowledge existed in the time of the Messenger, who is more knowledgeable than us and more eager than us to know Allah by His names and attributes, and they did not ask? It is obligatory to refrain, to refrain from this. Therefore, I advise my brothers, the students of knowledge, and especially those who wish to engage in research in the chapter of creed and the oneness of Allah, I advise them against stubbornness and affectation. And I say: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: three times. My brother, follow the path of the Salaf and do not ask about what they did not ask about, for they are better than you.
[Ad-Duhaa 93:11] the end of the surah.
O people, do not do what you cannot bear of deeds, for Allah does not grow weary until you grow weary.
أيها الناس لا تفعلوا من العمل ما لا تطيقون فإن الله لا يمل حتى تملواGlory be to Allah! Are you more eager than the Companions? Is the one being asked more knowledgeable than the Messenger? Is the one to whom the question is directed in our time more knowledgeable than the Messenger, or not? Answer, people. So the reason exists, and the obstacle is absent in the era of the Companions. And yet, when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said this, they did not say, "O Messenger of Allah, is Allah described as being weary or bored?" So let what sufficed them suffice you.
Some people investigate the idea that Allah places the heavens on one finger and the earths on one finger, and so on. The one who taught us in al-Bukhari that it is five fingers, which the Messenger mentioned to us, comes and asks, "Is it more than five? Does Allah have more than five fingers?" People, fear Allah. Are you more eager than the Companions to know Allah? The answer is: No. Is the one about whom the question is directed now more knowledgeable about Allah than the Messenger? No. If the knowledge existed in the time of the Messenger, who is more knowledgeable than us and more eager than us to know Allah by His names and attributes, and they did not ask? It is obligatory to refrain, to refrain from this. Therefore, I advise my brothers, the students of knowledge, and especially those who wish to engage in research in the chapter of creed and the oneness of Allah, I advise them against stubbornness and affectation. And I say: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: