Do the qualified attributes imply absolute perfection?
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The questioner : Oh Shaykh...
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : The attributes of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) are not described as either perfect or deficient.
The Shaykh : How are they not described as either perfect or deficient?
The questioner : We do not say...
The Shaykh : It is not that it is known that every attribute by which Allah is described is perfect; rather, it is what it is, perfect, indeed the most perfect, because Allah said[An-Nahl 16:60], meaning the highest description. As for deception, trickery, mockery, and plotting, these are perfection in their proper context. Therefore, Allah is not described with them absolutely; He is described with them in contrast to those who dealt with Allah in that manner. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said [Al-Anfal 8:30], so their being [such] means His being more deceptive than them. This is a quality of perfection now. And to Allah belongs the highest example. If your enemy plotted against you and you were greater in plotting than he, that is perfection; otherwise, it is deficiency. This is perfection. Therefore, it is said: "War"
The student: A trick.
The Shaykh :"A trick", and they mentioned that when 'Ali ibn Abi Talib wanted to duel 'Amr ibn Wad in the single combat, do you know this? When the two lines met, some would call out to others: who will duel? This is to break the hearts of the defeated in the duel before the war begins. So 'Amr ibn Wad duelled with him. When 'Amr ibn Wad came out of his line, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib shouted: "I did not come out to duel two men, I did not come out to duel two men". So 'Amr ibn Wad thought that he had another man with him, that another of his soldiers had followed him. He turned around, and there was the sword at his neck. Yes, this is plotting, or is it not plotting?
The student: Yes, it is plotting.
The Shaykh : It is plotting, but it is praiseworthy plotting, because 'Amr ibn Wad did not come out except to kill 'Ali ibn Abi Talib. Did you understand?[At-Tariq 86:15]
The student: And certainly plotting.
The Shaykh : Yes
The student: And certainly.
The Shaykh : in contrast [Al-Baqarah 2:11] what?
The student: Allah mocks.
The Shaykh :[Al-Baqarah 2:15] because they mock the faith in Allah. Did you know?
The student: And He deceives them.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : The attributes of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) are not described as either perfect or deficient.
The Shaykh : How are they not described as either perfect or deficient?
The questioner : We do not say...
The Shaykh : It is not that it is known that every attribute by which Allah is described is perfect; rather, it is what it is, perfect, indeed the most perfect, because Allah said
and for Allah is the highest attribute
ولله المثل الأعلىBut they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.
ويمكرون ويمكر الله والله خير الماكرينThe student: A trick.
The Shaykh :"A trick", and they mentioned that when 'Ali ibn Abi Talib wanted to duel 'Amr ibn Wad in the single combat, do you know this? When the two lines met, some would call out to others: who will duel? This is to break the hearts of the defeated in the duel before the war begins. So 'Amr ibn Wad duelled with him. When 'Amr ibn Wad came out of his line, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib shouted: "I did not come out to duel two men, I did not come out to duel two men". So 'Amr ibn Wad thought that he had another man with him, that another of his soldiers had followed him. He turned around, and there was the sword at his neck. Yes, this is plotting, or is it not plotting?
The student: Yes, it is plotting.
The Shaykh : It is plotting, but it is praiseworthy plotting, because 'Amr ibn Wad did not come out except to kill 'Ali ibn Abi Talib. Did you understand?
Indeed, they are planning a plan,
إنهم يكيدون كيداThe student: And certainly plotting.
The Shaykh : Yes
The student: And certainly.
The Shaykh :
and I plot a plot
وأكيد كيداAnd when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers."
قالوا إنما نحن مستهزئونThe student: Allah mocks.
The Shaykh :
[But] Allah mocks them
الله يستهزيء بهمThey deceive Allah.
يخادعون اللهThe student: And He deceives them.