Translation: Dispelling the Delusions of the Kalamists Regarding their corruption of Imam Malik’s Statement: “Al-Istiwa’ is Known”
Abu ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abdelbarr al-Maliki [RA] said:
"Exalted is Allah ﷻ above addressing his servants except with what the Arabs understand
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Abu ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abdelbarr al-Maliki [RA] said:
"Exalted is Allah ﷻ above addressing his servants except with what the Arabs understand
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in their customary modes of speech, such that its meaning is clear to the listeners. Al-Istiwa is known and understood in the language; it means elevation, rising above something, settling and establishing upon it. Abu Ubaydah said regarding His saying, {[He] Istawa}: 'He rose.'"
And he also said, may Allah have mercy on him:
"As for the statement of the Prophet ﷺ in this hadith: 'Our Lord, blessed and exalted be He, descends to the lowest heaven,' much dispute has arisen among people concerning it. However, the majority of the Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah
"As for the statement of the Prophet ﷺ in this hadith: 'Our Lord, blessed and exalted be He, descends to the lowest heaven,' much dispute has arisen among people concerning it. However, the majority of the Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah
hold that He descends as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, affirming this hadith without delving into its modality. The position on the modality of descent is similar to the position on the modality of (Istiwa) and coming forth (al-maji') and the argument for [all of] that is one."
[Al-Tamhid, 5/141, 155]
Here are a few important issues:
1. Exalting Allah from Addressing His Servants with What They Do Not Understand: Allah revealed the Qur’an in clear, articulate Arabic; thus, there is no riddle or confusion in the Book of Allah.
Here are a few important issues:
1. Exalting Allah from Addressing His Servants with What They Do Not Understand: Allah revealed the Qur’an in clear, articulate Arabic; thus, there is no riddle or confusion in the Book of Allah.
2. Ibn ‘Abdelbarr Explicitly Stated that Imam Malik’s reference to the knowability of al-Istiwa’ pertains to its meaning in the language. The Kalamists, however, all they can do is manipulate Imam Malik’s words to fit their interpretations, which is a form of arbitrariness.
3. Al-Istiwa’ is Known in Its Linguistic Meaning, referring to elevation, rising, settling, and establishing, which forms the basis of affirmation. As for the distinction between the seven attributes and the transmitted attributes (ṣifāt khabariyya) in terms of
Hukm / understanding, it is an innovative division that is not binding on the Salaf, and this will be clarified.
4. Affirming the Hadith and Negating Modality is the stance of the majority of Ahl al-Sunnah. Affirmation pertains to meanings,
4. Affirming the Hadith and Negating Modality is the stance of the majority of Ahl al-Sunnah. Affirmation pertains to meanings,
not merely the occurrence of words, for the latter is empty verbiage and foreign to the Arabic language.
5. Ibn ‘Abdelbarr Explicitly Stated that the position on certain attributes is similar to the position on others; which is a principle consistently found in the writings of Ahl al-Sunnah. Therefore, any general distinction does not affect the ruling on affirming the attributes.
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