What is the meaning of: {Then He rose above the Throne}?
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Question:
The first message in this episode is a message that reached the program from the Syrian Arab Republic, Hama. The sender of the message is our brother, the listener Anwar al-Husayn. He says: I hope you will be kind enough to explain the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Furqan: 59]. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon whoever follows his guidance.
This verse is among the verses of the attributes. So Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) clarified in it, and in others, that He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and what is between them. He is the Creator, the All-Knowing of every thing. There is no Creator other than Him, and no Lord other than Him. Allah the Exalted said: [Az-Zumar: 62], and He the Exalted said: [Al-Furqan: 2]. And His saying: [Al-Furqan: 59], this is a description of Himself that He rose above the Throne. This occurs in seven places in the Qur'an. He (Exalted and Majestic is He) said in Surat Ta-Ha: [Ta-Ha: 5], and in Surat Al-A'raf: [Al-A'raf: 54].
This great verse and what came in its meaning in all seven places indicate the affirmation of istiwaa' (rising above the Throne), and that Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) rose above the Throne in a manner befitting His majesty and greatness, not resembling His creation in any of His attributes. Rather, He (Glorified and Exalted is He) has specific attributes befitting Him in the most perfect and best way, as He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Surat al-Shura: 11], He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Surat al-Ikhlas: 4], He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [Surat Maryam: 65], He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Surat al-Nahl: 74].
So the rising above the Throne is being above and being high. That is: He rose above the Throne and was high above the Throne in a height befitting His Majesty. He does not resemble His creation in their rising above their surfaces, or on their ships, or on their cars. No, it is a rising befitting Him, and a height befitting Him. He does not resemble His creation in any of His attributes. But it is being above. For this reason, it is said: He rose above the ship, meaning: he became above it. He rose above the roof; he became above it. He rose above the mount; he became above it. So the rising above a thing is being above it and being high above it. But the rising of the Lord is befitting Him. He does not resemble the created beings in their rising.
And so it is with the rest of the attributes. Mercy is a mercy befitting Allah. So He is [Al-Fatihah: 3]. His mercy is specific and general, encompassing all created beings. And His mercy is specific to the believers, singling them out. [Al-Ahzab: 43], [At-Tawbah: 117].
So the point is: that mercy is a specific attribute, distinct from will. Some of the people of knowledge interpret it, saying: Ar-Rahman means: the will to bestow favor, and mercy is the will to bestow favor. This is an error. This is figurative interpretation. And the correct view according to the people of the Sunnah and the community is that mercy is distinct from will. Will is an independent attribute. He the Exalted has two wills: a decreed will and a legislative will.
So the decreed will is like His saying (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Ya-Sin: 82] And like His saying (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Al-An'am: 125].
And there is a legislative will, like His saying (Exalted and Majestic is He): [An-Nisa: 26] [Al-Ahzab: 33]. This is a legislative will. That is: Allah willed legislatively to purify the household of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and He willed legislatively to make clear to the people the rulings of their religion and to make them understand it. But some people understand and learn, and some people turn away. Not all of them are guided.
As for the qadar (divine decree) will, it is effective and nothing prevents it, as He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [Surat Ya-Sin: 82]. This is an effective qadar will. And so is His saying (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Surat al-An'am: 125]. This is a cosmic will. If Allah wills to guide a servant with a cosmic will, He opens his chest to Islam and bestows acceptance upon him until he is guided.
And so it is with anger. It is a specific attribute befitting Allah. Some scholars say: it is the will for retribution. And this is an error. Will is distinct from retribution. Will is one thing, and anger is another thing. And anger is attributed to Allah as He (Exalted and Majestic is He) said: [An-Nisa: 93]. Meaning: he who fights the soul.
So the point is: that anger is an attribute of Allah. He becomes angry with His enemies. [Al-Fatihah: 7]. Among the Jews and the Christians and the disbelievers, upon whom is the anger. The anger of Allah is an attribute befitting Allah. He does not resemble the creation in it. Like satisfaction, and like mercy, and like will, and others. It is an independent attribute. So He is Merciful to the believers, Merciful to the people. And He becomes angry with whoever disobeys Him and contradicts His command. And His anger is befitting Him. He does not resemble the created beings in their anger. Just as His satisfaction does not resemble the satisfaction of the created beings. And so is His rising above the Throne. And so is His love. And so is His mercy. They are all true attributes. They do not resemble the attributes of the created beings according to the people of the Sunnah and the community. Because Allah the Exalted says: [Ash-Shura: 11]. He the Exalted is Ar-Rahman, and He is Ar-Rahim, described with mercy. An attribute befitting Allah. He does not resemble His creation in it (Exalted and Majestic is He). He becomes angry with whoever disobeys Him with an anger befitting Allah. He does not resemble His creation in their anger.
And so is His will. And so is His hand. And so is His hearing, and His sight. They are all attributes befitting Allah. He does not resemble His creation in any of His attributes (Exalted and Majestic is He). Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Among the questions that our brother asks about this noble verse is a question that says: Are the days mentioned in this noble verse like our days, or is the day a thousand years as in some noble verses?
The Shaykh : Allah knows best, but the apparent meaning of the absolute statement of the Lord (Exalted and Majestic is He) is that they are like our days, meaning: He spoke absolutely regarding the six days, and it is possible that each day is a thousand years as He (Exalted and Majestic is He) said: [Al-Hajj:47], but His absolute statement in the verses indicates that they are like our days. He, Glorified and Exalted is He, is capable of creating everything in an instant, "Be, and it is," but He (Exalted and Majestic is He) created them in days so that He might teach His servants to organize their affairs and their works so that they do not rush. So He is capable of creating them in an instant, and yet He created them in six days, and He is capable of creating them in less than that (Exalted and Majestic is He) to teach His servants and direct them to care for affairs and not to rush in matters, so that they place things and establish them in the manner that befits, yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
The first message in this episode is a message that reached the program from the Syrian Arab Republic, Hama. The sender of the message is our brother, the listener Anwar al-Husayn. He says: I hope you will be kind enough to explain the saying of Allah the Exalted:
He who created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six days and then established Himself above the Throne - the Most Merciful, so ask about Him one well informed.
الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ الرَّحْمَنُ فَاسْأَلْ بِهِ خَبِيرًاAnswer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon whoever follows his guidance.
This verse is among the verses of the attributes. So Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) clarified in it, and in others, that He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and what is between them. He is the Creator, the All-Knowing of every thing. There is no Creator other than Him, and no Lord other than Him. Allah the Exalted said:
Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs.
اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌand has created each thing and determined it with [precise] determination.
وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَقَدَّرَهُ تَقْدِيرًاThen He rose above the Throne, the Most Merciful.
ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ الرَّحْمَنُThe Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.
الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىIndeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِThis great verse and what came in its meaning in all seven places indicate the affirmation of istiwaa' (rising above the Throne), and that Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) rose above the Throne in a manner befitting His majesty and greatness, not resembling His creation in any of His attributes. Rather, He (Glorified and Exalted is He) has specific attributes befitting Him in the most perfect and best way, as He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said:
There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُNor is there to Him any equivalent."
وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌDo you know of any similarity to Him?"
هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُ سَمِيًّاSo do not assert similarities to Allah. Indeed, Allah knows and you do not know.
فَلا تَضْرِبُوا لِلَّهِ الأَمْثَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَSo the rising above the Throne is being above and being high. That is: He rose above the Throne and was high above the Throne in a height befitting His Majesty. He does not resemble His creation in their rising above their surfaces, or on their ships, or on their cars. No, it is a rising befitting Him, and a height befitting Him. He does not resemble His creation in any of His attributes. But it is being above. For this reason, it is said: He rose above the ship, meaning: he became above it. He rose above the roof; he became above it. He rose above the mount; he became above it. So the rising above a thing is being above it and being high above it. But the rising of the Lord is befitting Him. He does not resemble the created beings in their rising.
And so it is with the rest of the attributes. Mercy is a mercy befitting Allah. So He is
the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِAnd ever is He, to the believers, Merciful.
وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًاIndeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.
إِنَّهُ بِهِمْ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌSo the point is: that mercy is a specific attribute, distinct from will. Some of the people of knowledge interpret it, saying: Ar-Rahman means: the will to bestow favor, and mercy is the will to bestow favor. This is an error. This is figurative interpretation. And the correct view according to the people of the Sunnah and the community is that mercy is distinct from will. Will is an independent attribute. He the Exalted has two wills: a decreed will and a legislative will.
So the decreed will is like His saying (Exalted and Majestic is He):
His command is only when He intends a thing that He says to it, "Be," and it is.
إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ شَيْئًا أَنْ يَقُولَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُSo whoever Allah wants to guide - He expands his breast to [contain] Islam
فَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَهدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلإِسْلامِAnd there is a legislative will, like His saying (Exalted and Majestic is He):
Allah wants to make clear to you [the lawful from the unlawful] and guide you to the [good] practices of those before you and to accept your repentance
يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَيَهْدِيَكُمْ سُنَنَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ وَيَتُوبَ عَلَيْكُمْAllah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification.
إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًاAs for the qadar (divine decree) will, it is effective and nothing prevents it, as He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
His command is only when He intends a thing that He says to it, "Be," and it is.
إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ شَيْئًا أَنْ يَقُولَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُSo whoever Allah wants to guide - He expands his breast to [contain] Islam
فَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَهدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلإِسْلامِAnd so it is with anger. It is a specific attribute befitting Allah. Some scholars say: it is the will for retribution. And this is an error. Will is distinct from retribution. Will is one thing, and anger is another thing. And anger is attributed to Allah as He (Exalted and Majestic is He) said:
and Allah has become angry with him
وَغَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِSo the point is: that anger is an attribute of Allah. He becomes angry with His enemies.
not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.
غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا الضَّالِّينَThere is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُAnd so is His will. And so is His hand. And so is His hearing, and His sight. They are all attributes befitting Allah. He does not resemble His creation in any of His attributes (Exalted and Majestic is He). Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Among the questions that our brother asks about this noble verse is a question that says: Are the days mentioned in this noble verse like our days, or is the day a thousand years as in some noble verses?
The Shaykh : Allah knows best, but the apparent meaning of the absolute statement of the Lord (Exalted and Majestic is He) is that they are like our days, meaning: He spoke absolutely regarding the six days, and it is possible that each day is a thousand years as He (Exalted and Majestic is He) said:
And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of those which you count.
وَإِنَّ يَوْمًا عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ كَأَلْفِ سَنَةٍ مِمَّا تَعُدُّونَThe presenter : May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.