Is al-Sami' (the All-Hearing) an attribute of essence?
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The student: ...
The Shaykh : Al-Sami' (the All-Hearing) is an attribute of essence, but what occurs is the thing heard. As for hearing, Allah has always been and will always be All-Hearing; it is not contingent upon His will. If you wish to know the difference, if it is possible for Allah to relinquish this attribute, then it is an attribute of action; if it is not possible, then it is an attribute of essence. It is known that it is not possible for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) to relinquish the attribute of hearing and become deaf, for Allah is free of that. But what occurs is the thing heard.
The Shaykh : Al-Sami' (the All-Hearing) is an attribute of essence, but what occurs is the thing heard. As for hearing, Allah has always been and will always be All-Hearing; it is not contingent upon His will. If you wish to know the difference, if it is possible for Allah to relinquish this attribute, then it is an attribute of action; if it is not possible, then it is an attribute of essence. It is known that it is not possible for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) to relinquish the attribute of hearing and become deaf, for Allah is free of that. But what occurs is the thing heard.