04-05-2004, 09:37 PM
As for proof that Allah is above us and on his throne and what salaf said about the issue here is an article about that :
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Understanding verse 20.5
<b>Ar-RaHmaanu `alaa-l-`arshi istawaa (Qur'aan, 20:5)</b>
"Why this Subject: Whoever believes that Allaah is everywhere [and not above His Arsh, except by His knowledge] is a disbeliever (Kafir) - "
<b>Imaam Bukhaaree</b>
Explanation of the Qur'aanic verse:
From Tafseer Ibn Katheer:
There are numerous ways of interpreting this aayah. This is not the place to mention them all. However, while explaning this aayah, we follow the way of As-Salaf (our righteous ancestors), like Maalik, Awzaa'i, Ath-Thawri, Al-Layth ibn Sa'ad, Ash-Shaafi'ee, Ahmad, Ishaq bin Raahawaih and other imaams of Muslims of old and new. Their way is to affirm it as it is without interpretation, assimilation (to attributes of the creation), or distortion. The claim that the settling (Al-Istiwaa') is in resemblance to that of the creation, is rejected concerning Allah.
Nothing is like unto Allah. Allah said (what translated means):
<b><i>There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. </i></b>[42:11]
We confirm what the Imaams, like al-Bukhaari's teacher, Na'im ibn Hammad, said. He said: 'Whoever assimilates Allah with His creation has committed Kufr (disbelief). Whoever denies Allah's description of Himself has committed Kufr. Assimilation to (the creation) cannot be understood from the description of Allah by Allah, or His Messanger (salaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam). Whoever confirms the Attributes, mentioned in the clear aayaat (verses of the Qur'aan) and authentic hadeeths, believing that these Attributes are in a manner befitting to Allah's Majesty, and denying all ill descriptions of Allah; he has followed the way of guidance.'
<b>Statements of some of our scholars and predecessors: </b>
Ibn Khuzaymah said: "Whoever does not affirm that Allah is above His heavens, upon His Throne and that He is distinct from His creation; must be forced to repent. If he does not repent, then he must be beheaded and then thrown in a garbage dump, so that Ahlul-Qiblah (Muslim), and Ahluth-Thimmah (Christians and Jews living among Muslims) would not suffer from his stinking smell."
(Al-Haakim in Al-Ma`rifah)
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Ibn Wahb said that a man came to Imaam Maalik and said: <b>"O Abu `Abdillah, The Ever-Merciful Istawaa upon the Throne; how did He Istawaa?" </b>
Maalik looked down and (started to sweat) (out of anger). Then he raised his head and said: "Ar-Rahmaan (The Ever-Merciful) Istawaa as He described Himself. How, is not valid here. How, is irrelevant about Him. You are an innovator, take him out."
[Ath-Thahabee in Al-`Uluw]
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Ibn Abdul Quddus says "All of Allah's creatures are to believe in
all His Names and Attributes without ANY description, comparison,
nullification, or distortion. Unfortunately, there are many Muslims who commit one or the other; or any combination; or all of the above crimes against Allah. If anyone continues these crimes after it has been clearly and politely explained to them and they have not ceased doing it, they have entered KUFR (capitals used in the text). Among the several attributes that people play with are Allah's Face, His Laughter, His Amazement, His Descending and His Transcendency."
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Mutee al-Balakhee asked Abu Haneefa his opinion of a person who says he does not know whether his Lord is in the heavens or on the earth. Abu Haneefa replied, 'He has disbelieved, because Allah says 'The Most Merciful is above the Throne (20:5)', and his Throne is above His seven heavens'.
He (al-Balakhee) then said, "What if he said that He is above the Throne, but he does not know whether the Throne is in the heavens or on the earth?
He (Abu Haneefa) replied, "He has disbelieved because he has denied that He (Allah) is above the heavens and whoever denies that He is above the Heavens has disbelieved.
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P.S. Words that our scholars used are very severe - in accordance with the importance of having the right `aqeedah, gaining authentic knowledge, not saying about Allaah that which we do not know and not following our guesses when it comes to tauheed. This is why some of our greatest `ulamaa have condemned Ibn `Arabi and some others to kufr (even). While some still call him ash shaikh al akbar. May Allaah make us fear him as He should be feared. Aameen.
Taken from:
http://www.uh.edu/campus/msa
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