What is the difference between the revealing attribute and the restrictive attribute?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, in the previous lesson, the revealing attribute...
The Shaykh : Yes, yes. The difference between the revealing attribute and the restrictive attribute is that the revealing one indicates that this description is essential and that it cannot be used to exclude others. For example, Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:21] [Al-Baqarah 2:21] Do we say that His saying [Al-Baqarah 2:21] is a restrictive attribute or a revealing one?
The student: Revealing.
The Shaykh : Yes
The student: Revealing.
The Shaykh : It is a revealing attribute, because if you said it was restrictive, we would have two Lords: a Lord who is the Creator and a Lord who is not the Creator. So, if an attribute has a concept, it is restrictive; and if it does not have a concept, it is revealing, meaning it clarifies the reality. The Lord is the Creator. Similarly, Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nur 24:33] Do we say that its concept is that if they do not desire to seek protection, then you do not force them?
The student: No.
The Shaykh : No, but this is a revealing attribute, meaning that they desire to seek protection, and you are forcing them into prostitution. This is not befitting.
The Shaykh : Yes, yes. The difference between the revealing attribute and the restrictive attribute is that the revealing one indicates that this description is essential and that it cannot be used to exclude others. For example, Allah the Exalted said:
O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you
يا أيها الناس اعبدوا ربكم الذي خلقكم والذين من قبلكمworship your Lord, who created you and those before you
اعبدوا ربكم الذي خلقكم والذين من قبلكمwho created you and those before you
الذي خلقكم والذين من قبلكمThe student: Revealing.
The Shaykh : Yes
The student: Revealing.
The Shaykh : It is a revealing attribute, because if you said it was restrictive, we would have two Lords: a Lord who is the Creator and a Lord who is not the Creator. So, if an attribute has a concept, it is restrictive; and if it does not have a concept, it is revealing, meaning it clarifies the reality. The Lord is the Creator. Similarly, Allah the Exalted said:
And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity
ولا تكرهوا فتياتكم على البغاء إن أردن تحصناThe student: No.
The Shaykh : No, but this is a revealing attribute, meaning that they desire to seek protection, and you are forcing them into prostitution. This is not befitting.