Does Allah’s attributes have a modality, and what is the evidence?
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The reader: In the name of Allah, and may prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and companions, and whoever follows them. After that, the author (may Allah preserve him) says: "The seventh rule: The attributes of Allah the Exalted are based on revelation; there is no place for reason in them. Therefore, we do not attribute to Allah the Exalted any attribute except what the Book and the Sunnah indicate as being established. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said:"
The Shaykh : No, we have not reached that point. As for reason...
The reader: "As for reason: because the modality of a thing’s attributes is not known except after knowing the modality of its essence, or knowing its equal counterpart, or through a truthful report about it. All these means are negated regarding the modality of the attributes of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Therefore, the modality of His attributes is invalid."
The Shaykh : Correct. In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions. Does the attributes of Allah have a modality, O Abdullah? They have a modality, but we do not know it. What is the evidence that they have a modality? Is it rational or textual?
The student: His saying, the Exalted:[Ash-Shuraa 42:11].
The Shaykh : What is the indication?
The student: Did He negate it from His attributes, or did He negate...
The Shaykh : The negation of likeness indicates the establishment of the original attribute. Otherwise, the negation of likeness would not be valid. This is a rational explanation, is it?
The student: It can be said: if the difference between the essence and the essence... the modality of all the attributes.
The Shaykh : Have you reviewed it? Yes, Muhammad?
The student: That every existing thing does not have a modality.
The Shaykh : This is a rational explanation that it must have a modality. Good, you have done well.
The Shaykh : No, we have not reached that point. As for reason...
The reader: "As for reason: because the modality of a thing’s attributes is not known except after knowing the modality of its essence, or knowing its equal counterpart, or through a truthful report about it. All these means are negated regarding the modality of the attributes of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Therefore, the modality of His attributes is invalid."
The Shaykh : Correct. In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions. Does the attributes of Allah have a modality, O Abdullah? They have a modality, but we do not know it. What is the evidence that they have a modality? Is it rational or textual?
The student: His saying, the Exalted:
There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
ليس كمثله شيء وهو السميع البصيرThe Shaykh : What is the indication?
The student: Did He negate it from His attributes, or did He negate...
The Shaykh : The negation of likeness indicates the establishment of the original attribute. Otherwise, the negation of likeness would not be valid. This is a rational explanation, is it?
The student: It can be said: if the difference between the essence and the essence... the modality of all the attributes.
The Shaykh : Have you reviewed it? Yes, Muhammad?
The student: That every existing thing does not have a modality.
The Shaykh : This is a rational explanation that it must have a modality. Good, you have done well.