One who denies what Allah has described Himself with falls into two categories: a category that results in disbelief, and a category that does not result in disbelief.
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The Shaykh : Know that one who denies what Allah has described Himself with is of two types. The first is that his denial is one of refutation; there is no doubt in his disbelief. For example, if someone says regarding the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Taha 20:5], "Allah did not rise above the Throne," this person is a disbeliever because he is refuting Allah. The second is that his denial is one of figurative interpretation, where he says, "He is established on His Throne, but the meaning of rising is such and such." This does not make him a disbeliever except in some cases. If someone asks, "What if one says that Allah does not have a hand?" The answer is: You must fill your mouths with this; he is a disbeliever. Why? Because he is denying it with a denial of refutation.
If he says, "He has a hand, but what is meant by it is such and such," this does not make him a disbeliever, except that he may be considered a disbeliever in some matters where figurative interpretation is not possible, in which case it is not accepted from him.
He said: "And what Allah has described Himself with, and what His Messenger has described Him with, is not likening Allah to creation". He spoke the truth, may Allah be pleased with him and have mercy on him. There is no likening Allah to creation in what He has described Himself with, or in what His Messenger has described Him with. Rather, it is the truth in its reality, without asking how an attribute is or comparing Allah to creation, as is the rule among the people of the Sunnah. And praise be to Allah. "And it is known that one who refutes falsehood must not make the apparent meaning of the speech of Allah the Exalted and the speech of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) likening Allah to creation or disbelief, or a suggestion thereof". There is no problem with this. It is not possible to make the apparent meaning of the speech of Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) disbelief. Nor is the apparent meaning of the speech of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) disbelief. For Allah the Exalted has only clarified the guidance and made it clear, and He intended for the servants to follow the guidance and not be led astray. How can it be said that the apparent meaning of the Qur'an and the Sunnah is disbelief? Those who say that the apparent meaning of these texts is likening Allah to creation and that we must interpret them, claiming that their apparent meaning is disbelief and misguidance—seek refuge in Allah from that.
The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.
الرحمن على العرش استوىIf he says, "He has a hand, but what is meant by it is such and such," this does not make him a disbeliever, except that he may be considered a disbeliever in some matters where figurative interpretation is not possible, in which case it is not accepted from him.
He said: "And what Allah has described Himself with, and what His Messenger has described Him with, is not likening Allah to creation". He spoke the truth, may Allah be pleased with him and have mercy on him. There is no likening Allah to creation in what He has described Himself with, or in what His Messenger has described Him with. Rather, it is the truth in its reality, without asking how an attribute is or comparing Allah to creation, as is the rule among the people of the Sunnah. And praise be to Allah. "And it is known that one who refutes falsehood must not make the apparent meaning of the speech of Allah the Exalted and the speech of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) likening Allah to creation or disbelief, or a suggestion thereof". There is no problem with this. It is not possible to make the apparent meaning of the speech of Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) disbelief. Nor is the apparent meaning of the speech of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) disbelief. For Allah the Exalted has only clarified the guidance and made it clear, and He intended for the servants to follow the guidance and not be led astray. How can it be said that the apparent meaning of the Qur'an and the Sunnah is disbelief? Those who say that the apparent meaning of these texts is likening Allah to creation and that we must interpret them, claiming that their apparent meaning is disbelief and misguidance—seek refuge in Allah from that.