Wahdatul Wujood
Posted: 11 Safar 1424, 13 April 2003
| Q.) I have been reading articles on the subject of Wahdatul Wujood, and have been very confused. In the Qur’an, Allah says He is above his throne… Allah fawq al-‘Arsh. HE IS ABOVE HIS THRONE. This literally means He is above his throne, however he sees all. How come the Deobandis say that Allah Ta’la is actually and physically everywhere? Allah can see everything, but is He physically everywhere? This doesn’t make sense. Please answer with evidence from Qur’an and Sunnah, so I can also tell my friends. Jazak’Allahu Khayr and may Allah Ta’la preserve you Ameen. [Owais Saab] |
A.) Saadu-deen Taftazani has explained the aspect of ‘Where is Allah?’ in the following words: ‘And He is not at any place’. (Sharh Aqaaid)
Imam Malik was asked about the Ayat in Surah Taha, ‘Allah is above His Ársh’, he answered: ‘Being above (Istawaa) is known but the reality is unknown and – questioning that – is innovation.’ Jaaluddin Suyyuti also comments on the Ayat saying, ‘Istawa (being above) according to whatever is appropriate for Allah. (Jalaalayn vol. 2 p. 260).
However, the verse does not speak about the Zat (Person) of Allah being on the Ársh but it is to indicate the establishment and control of the Kingdom of Allah by Himself.
The Ulama of Deoband do not say that Allah Ta’ala is physically present everywhere. And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best