Explaining the meaning of Istiwa' and refuting those who oppose it in this regard.
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : The second question: "He rose above the Throne." Are we permitted to ask about its meaning?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Are we permitted to ask about its meaning?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, we are permitted to do so, and it is obligatory for us to ask. We must ask about its meaning. What is the meaning of "He rose above the Throne"? It means He elevated Himself above it. This is what the clear, eloquent Arabic language requires. As for those who have an accent in their tongues and do not know the Arabic language, they distort the words from their places and say that "He rose above the Throne" means "He took control of it." These people have been bold with the texts in two ways:
The first way is that they diverted them from what was intended by them.
The second way is that they attributed to it a defective meaning that is never correct, as we will explain, if Allah wills, Mighty and Majestic. All right.
So, regarding "He rose above," are we permitted to ask about its meaning? No, I am directing the question to one person. We ask about the meaning of "He rose above"?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, but are we permitted to ask about its meaning? Will someone say, "What is the meaning of 'He rose above'? Is it permissible or not permissible?"
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : It is not permissible.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : It is permissible. Yes, we say, yes, it is permissible. In fact, it is obligatory for us to ask, "What is the meaning of 'He rose above'?" so that a misleader does not mislead us, so that a person does not not impose on us that the meaning of "He rose above" is "He took control of it." Therefore, we must ask so that we are not misled by the misguidance we hear.
All right, secondly, are we permitted to ask "How did He rise above?"
The student: No.
The Shaykh : No, we do not ask that. It is not permissible for you to say to any scholar among the scholars, "How did He rise above?" This is forbidden for two reasons:
The first reason: Answer? The Companions did not ask about that, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were more eager for knowledge than we are, and more desirous of what is known about Allah, Mighty and Majestic. Moreover, they had with them the one who is the most knowledgeable of creation about Allah, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Are we permitted to ask about its meaning?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, we are permitted to do so, and it is obligatory for us to ask. We must ask about its meaning. What is the meaning of "He rose above the Throne"? It means He elevated Himself above it. This is what the clear, eloquent Arabic language requires. As for those who have an accent in their tongues and do not know the Arabic language, they distort the words from their places and say that "He rose above the Throne" means "He took control of it." These people have been bold with the texts in two ways:
The first way is that they diverted them from what was intended by them.
The second way is that they attributed to it a defective meaning that is never correct, as we will explain, if Allah wills, Mighty and Majestic. All right.
So, regarding "He rose above," are we permitted to ask about its meaning? No, I am directing the question to one person. We ask about the meaning of "He rose above"?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, but are we permitted to ask about its meaning? Will someone say, "What is the meaning of 'He rose above'? Is it permissible or not permissible?"
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : It is not permissible.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : It is permissible. Yes, we say, yes, it is permissible. In fact, it is obligatory for us to ask, "What is the meaning of 'He rose above'?" so that a misleader does not mislead us, so that a person does not not impose on us that the meaning of "He rose above" is "He took control of it." Therefore, we must ask so that we are not misled by the misguidance we hear.
All right, secondly, are we permitted to ask "How did He rise above?"
The student: No.
The Shaykh : No, we do not ask that. It is not permissible for you to say to any scholar among the scholars, "How did He rise above?" This is forbidden for two reasons:
The first reason: Answer? The Companions did not ask about that, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were more eager for knowledge than we are, and more desirous of what is known about Allah, Mighty and Majestic. Moreover, they had with them the one who is the most knowledgeable of creation about Allah, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).