Did Imam Malik’s statement to the man who asked him about istiwaa', “I do not see you as anything but an innovator,” refer to his delving into this matter, or to his asking about the modality?
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The questioner : O Shaykh
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Asking about the modality...?
The Shaykh : No, the apparent indication is that the innovation lies in asking about the modality. This is clear from the context, because the man asked about the modality. As for delving into the chapter of the names and attributes, the Companions sometimes asked the Messenger of Allah about the names and attributes of Allah. For example, they said,Sahih Ibn Hibban 62:4 And Abu Wadi’ al-Uqayli said, ... They asked about this matter, but they did not ask about the modality or about what cannot be comprehended.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, he said, “I do not see you as anything but an innovator.”
The questioner : ... You are an innovator.
The Shaykh : He said, “I do not see you as anything but an innovator,” because this was the habit of the people of innovation in the time of Malik and the Imams. The people of innovation would approach the scholars and then seek ... such a doubt. That was their habit.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : It can be said that he tested him in other matters ... which is greater than asking this question.
The Shaykh : No, they ask such questions. The people of innovation approach people and say, for example, “How is such and such?” and “How is such and such?” in order to cast doubt on their beliefs or to try to lead them away from these beliefs to what these people believe. That was their habit, and this is what Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Asking about the modality...?
The Shaykh : No, the apparent indication is that the innovation lies in asking about the modality. This is clear from the context, because the man asked about the modality. As for delving into the chapter of the names and attributes, the Companions sometimes asked the Messenger of Allah about the names and attributes of Allah. For example, they said,
Where was our Lord before He created the heavens and the earth?
أين كان ربنا قبل أن يخلق السماوات والأرضO Messenger of Allah, how will Allah the Exalted judge us when we are many and He is One?
يا رسول الله كيف يحاسبنا الله تعالى ونحن جميع وهو واحدThe questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, he said, “I do not see you as anything but an innovator.”
The questioner : ... You are an innovator.
The Shaykh : He said, “I do not see you as anything but an innovator,” because this was the habit of the people of innovation in the time of Malik and the Imams. The people of innovation would approach the scholars and then seek ... such a doubt. That was their habit.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : It can be said that he tested him in other matters ... which is greater than asking this question.
The Shaykh : No, they ask such questions. The people of innovation approach people and say, for example, “How is such and such?” and “How is such and such?” in order to cast doubt on their beliefs or to try to lead them away from these beliefs to what these people believe. That was their habit, and this is what Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned.