What is the correct interpretation of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image"?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : What is the correct interpretation of the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih Muslim 2612e?
The Shaykh : This has two interpretations. The first interpretation is that the hadith is to be taken at its apparent meaning: that Allah created Adam in His image, but without likeness, for it is not necessary that something being "in the image of" something else means it is identical to it. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said in His Book:[Ash-Shuraa 42:11] and He said: [An-Nahl 16:74] The evidence that it is not necessary for something to be identical to another just because it is in its image is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us that the first group to enter Paradise will be in the image of the full moon on the night of its fullness. It is known that they do not resemble the full moon, but in terms of beauty and splendor, they will be in the image of the moon. So we say: for something to be in the image of something else does not necessitate likeness. We believe in the Book and the Sunnah, so we say: "There is nothing like unto Him," even if something is in His image. We say: Allah created Adam in His image, and there is no contradiction.
Some scholars said regarding the second interpretation of the hadith: that Allah created him in an image that He chose and selected for Adam. Thus, the meaning of the possessive construction is honor and distinction, as in the saying of the Exalted:[Al-Hajj 22:26] It is known that the Ka'bah is not the house of Allah in which He resides, but rather it is the house that is honored. And as He, the Exalted, said: [Ash-Shams 91:13] It is known that this she-camel is not the she-camel of Allah that He, Glorified and Exalted is He, rides—far be it from Him from such a thing—but rather Salih attributed it to his Lord for the sake of honor, meaning: honoring this she-camel and magnifying it. Both interpretations are correct, but the first interpretation is safer, because the first interpretation—that Allah created Adam in an image without likeness—is further from figurative interpretation and follows the apparent text of the evidence. Yes.
for Allah created Adam in His own image
إن الله خلق آدم على صورتهThe Shaykh : This has two interpretations. The first interpretation is that the hadith is to be taken at its apparent meaning: that Allah created Adam in His image, but without likeness, for it is not necessary that something being "in the image of" something else means it is identical to it. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said in His Book:
There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
ليس كمثله شيء وهو السميع البصيرSo do not assert similarities to Allah. Indeed, Allah knows and you do not know.
فلا تضربوا لله الأمثال إن الله يعلم وأنتم لا تعلمونSome scholars said regarding the second interpretation of the hadith: that Allah created him in an image that He chose and selected for Adam. Thus, the meaning of the possessive construction is honor and distinction, as in the saying of the Exalted: