A Response to Those Who Deny the Exaltation of Allah and Claim That Allah Is in Every Place by His Essence, Based on Reason and Innate Disposition
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The Shaykh : Reason: If we were to ask a questioner: Is exaltation an attribute of perfection or an attribute of deficiency?
The student: Perfection
The Shaykh : Perfection or deficiency?
The student: Perfection
The Shaykh : Perfection, without doubt. If it is an attribute of perfection, then reason indicates with absolute certainty that Allah is described with attributes of perfection, and thus exaltation is established.
Innate disposition is even more indicative. Every person who has not come across this false claim—that is, that Allah the Exalted is in every place—when he says, "O Lord, O Lord," where does his heart go? It goes to the sky. It goes to the sky by innate disposition, without learning and without consulting books. Even an old woman who does not know the letters of the alphabet, when she supplicates to Allah, says, "O Lord." What is this an indication of? It is an indication of innate disposition.
So, our creed, which we hope Allah Mighty and Majestic will keep us firm upon until death, is that Allah the Exalted is above His heavens, established above His Throne, and that He has absolute exaltation in His essence and His attributes. We disavow Allah from those who say that Allah is in every place, and we ask Allah to guide them to the truth so that they do not meet Allah upon this false doctrine.
O Muslims, be firm upon your creed. Be firm upon the belief that Allah the Exalted is High by His essence, above everything. But you must know that Allah does not need the Throne or any other creation. Rather, He (Exalted and Majestic is He) is above everything. The sky does not carry Him, nor does the Throne carry Him. Rather, He (Exalted and Majestic is He) is self-sufficient regarding all His creation, and all of His creation are in need of Him.
And to the questions, because there are no questions after the prayer, considering that your brother has an appointment at the Islamic University, a lecture appointment, if Allah wills. Yes, may Allah grant health to everyone.
The questioner : In the name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and may the prayers and peace be upon the best of Allah's creation, our master and our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and upon his family and his companions. This questioner says: "Honorable Shaykh, why is it said that congregational prayer is obligatory, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:?"
The Shaykh : Yes, we answer: The mu'adhdhin and the mu'adhdhin calls for attendance at the congregation.
The student: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
The student: This is lost...
The Shaykh : O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad. O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and this established prayer, grant Muhammad the intercession and the virtue, and raise him to the praised station which You have promised him. Indeed, You do not break Your promise.
The student: Do you advise me to leave now, O Shaykh, so that I can catch the university, or...?
The Shaykh : It will not happen.
The questioner : He says:The questioner : Why is it said that congregational prayer is obligatory?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : May Allah welcome you with good. And Allah is the best.
The student: I say, may Allah reward you...
The Shaykh : There is a question I mentioned...
The student: Perfection
The Shaykh : Perfection or deficiency?
The student: Perfection
The Shaykh : Perfection, without doubt. If it is an attribute of perfection, then reason indicates with absolute certainty that Allah is described with attributes of perfection, and thus exaltation is established.
Innate disposition is even more indicative. Every person who has not come across this false claim—that is, that Allah the Exalted is in every place—when he says, "O Lord, O Lord," where does his heart go? It goes to the sky. It goes to the sky by innate disposition, without learning and without consulting books. Even an old woman who does not know the letters of the alphabet, when she supplicates to Allah, says, "O Lord." What is this an indication of? It is an indication of innate disposition.
So, our creed, which we hope Allah Mighty and Majestic will keep us firm upon until death, is that Allah the Exalted is above His heavens, established above His Throne, and that He has absolute exaltation in His essence and His attributes. We disavow Allah from those who say that Allah is in every place, and we ask Allah to guide them to the truth so that they do not meet Allah upon this false doctrine.
O Muslims, be firm upon your creed. Be firm upon the belief that Allah the Exalted is High by His essence, above everything. But you must know that Allah does not need the Throne or any other creation. Rather, He (Exalted and Majestic is He) is above everything. The sky does not carry Him, nor does the Throne carry Him. Rather, He (Exalted and Majestic is He) is self-sufficient regarding all His creation, and all of His creation are in need of Him.
And to the questions, because there are no questions after the prayer, considering that your brother has an appointment at the Islamic University, a lecture appointment, if Allah wills. Yes, may Allah grant health to everyone.
The questioner : In the name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and may the prayers and peace be upon the best of Allah's creation, our master and our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and upon his family and his companions. This questioner says: "Honorable Shaykh, why is it said that congregational prayer is obligatory, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
If one of you prays in his home and then comes to the mosque for the congregation, let him pray with them, for it will be a voluntary prayer for him.
إذا صلى أحدكم في رحله ثم أتى مسجد جماعة فليصل معهم فإنها له نافلةThe Shaykh : Yes, we answer: The mu'adhdhin and the mu'adhdhin calls for attendance at the congregation.
The student: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
The student: This is lost...
The Shaykh : O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad. O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and this established prayer, grant Muhammad the intercession and the virtue, and raise him to the praised station which You have promised him. Indeed, You do not break Your promise.
The student: Do you advise me to leave now, O Shaykh, so that I can catch the university, or...?
The Shaykh : It will not happen.
The questioner : He says:The questioner : Why is it said that congregational prayer is obligatory?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : May Allah welcome you with good. And Allah is the best.
The student: I say, may Allah reward you...
The Shaykh : There is a question I mentioned...