A teacher of the Arabic language says that the names and attributes of Allah are on the pattern of fa'il, which is one of the forms of exaggeration. Is this correct?
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The questioner : This listener, O honorable Shaykh, is from al-Bahah and has used the letters 'A, D as a code for her name. She says: O honorable Shaykh, a teacher of the Arabic language says that the names and attributes of Allah are on the pattern of fa'il, which is one of the forms of exaggeration. Is this correct? And is it correct to say that the names and attributes of Allah are among the forms of exaggeration? We ask for advice and guidance in this matter. May you be rewarded.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, his Companions, and those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment. The names of Allah the Exalted and His attributes, which came in the Qur'an and other than the Qur'an, include what is a "shabihah" attribute. By a "shabihah" attribute, scholars mean an attribute that is essential to the one described and from which He does not separate. This is like al-Aziz (the Mighty), al-Hakim (the Wise), al-Sami' (the All-Hearing), al-Basir (the All-Seeing), and the like. This is a "shabihah" attribute in the sense that it is an essential attribute that does not separate from Allah Mighty and Majestic. Among the names of Allah, some are in the form of exaggeration. The meaning of the form of exaggeration is that it indicates abundance. The meaning is not that He is exaggerated in it without intending the truth, like al-Razzaq (the Provider). Al-Razzaq is among the names of Allah Blessed and Exalted, and it came in this form to indicate the abundance of those whom Allah Mighty and Majestic provides for. Indeed, there is no creature on the earth but that its provision is upon Allah, and because of the abundance of His provision which He Blessed and Exalted gives to whom He wills, as He the Exalted said:[Ar-Ra'd 13:26] Perhaps the student understood from the teacher's saying "form of exaggeration" that it is a form that is exaggerated in and does not mean the truth. This is not what is intended. Rather, what scholars intend by their saying "form of exaggeration" is that it indicates abundance. With this detail and this explanation of the meaning of exaggeration, the issue is resolved. If we say, for example, that al-Razzaq is among the names of Allah and it is a form of exaggeration, its meaning is not that He Blessed and Exalted does not provide, but rather that He is abundant in provision. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, his Companions, and those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment. The names of Allah the Exalted and His attributes, which came in the Qur'an and other than the Qur'an, include what is a "shabihah" attribute. By a "shabihah" attribute, scholars mean an attribute that is essential to the one described and from which He does not separate. This is like al-Aziz (the Mighty), al-Hakim (the Wise), al-Sami' (the All-Hearing), al-Basir (the All-Seeing), and the like. This is a "shabihah" attribute in the sense that it is an essential attribute that does not separate from Allah Mighty and Majestic. Among the names of Allah, some are in the form of exaggeration. The meaning of the form of exaggeration is that it indicates abundance. The meaning is not that He is exaggerated in it without intending the truth, like al-Razzaq (the Provider). Al-Razzaq is among the names of Allah Blessed and Exalted, and it came in this form to indicate the abundance of those whom Allah Mighty and Majestic provides for. Indeed, there is no creature on the earth but that its provision is upon Allah, and because of the abundance of His provision which He Blessed and Exalted gives to whom He wills, as He the Exalted said:
Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it].
اللَّهَ يَبسُطُ الرِّزقَ لِمَن يَشاءُ وَيَقدِرُThe questioner : May Allah bless you.