The Shaykh’s review of the previous discussion on the attribute of knowledge
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : We are going to repeat the discussion on knowledge a second time. First: in general terms, what do you say?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, Allah is All-Knowing of everything, in general and in detail. Does this include what concerns the actions of the servant? It does. Good. Second:
The student: Allah’s knowledge concerns the servant and other than the servant.The Shaykh : Good, that is correct, we are done with that. Do we need more?
The student: Allah’s knowledge is eternal and everlasting.
The Shaykh : Allah’s knowledge is eternal and everlasting. What do we mean when we say it is eternal?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, eternal means it precedes, and everlasting means it is in the future, and forgetfulness does not overtake it. Allah’s knowledge was not preceded by ignorance, and forgetfulness does not overtake it. No, this is a detail. Now, Salim, speak.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : What is the evidence?
The student:[Taha 20:52].
The Shaykh : Well done. As far as we know, no one has denied Allah’s (Glorified and Exalted is He) knowledge of everything except the extremists of the Qadariyyah. The extremists of the Qadariyyah denied Allah’s knowledge of what the creation does, saying that Allah does not know what the creation does until it happens. That is, He does not know it by knowledge of the unseen, but only by knowledge of observation. When it happens, Allah knows it, but before that, He does not know it. However, the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “This is the statement of the extremists of the Qadariyyah in the past, and today, few deny it”. In his time (may Allah have mercy on him), few denied it, meaning few denied the degree of knowledge and writing.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, Allah is All-Knowing of everything, in general and in detail. Does this include what concerns the actions of the servant? It does. Good. Second:
The student: Allah’s knowledge concerns the servant and other than the servant.The Shaykh : Good, that is correct, we are done with that. Do we need more?
The student: Allah’s knowledge is eternal and everlasting.
The Shaykh : Allah’s knowledge is eternal and everlasting. What do we mean when we say it is eternal?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, eternal means it precedes, and everlasting means it is in the future, and forgetfulness does not overtake it. Allah’s knowledge was not preceded by ignorance, and forgetfulness does not overtake it. No, this is a detail. Now, Salim, speak.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : What is the evidence?
The student:
The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."
علمه في كتاب لا يضل ربي ولا ينسىThe Shaykh : Well done. As far as we know, no one has denied Allah’s (Glorified and Exalted is He) knowledge of everything except the extremists of the Qadariyyah. The extremists of the Qadariyyah denied Allah’s knowledge of what the creation does, saying that Allah does not know what the creation does until it happens. That is, He does not know it by knowledge of the unseen, but only by knowledge of observation. When it happens, Allah knows it, but before that, He does not know it. However, the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “This is the statement of the extremists of the Qadariyyah in the past, and today, few deny it”. In his time (may Allah have mercy on him), few denied it, meaning few denied the degree of knowledge and writing.