47- Ruling on believing that "Allah is everywhere"
Q: A questioner from Sudan asks: "Your Eminence, Shaykh, it is known that believing in Allah's Names, and Attributes, like Istiwa` (Allah's rising over the Throne in a manner that befits Him), is one of the conditions of sound Islamic Aqidah (creed), but there are some people in some countries who believe that "Allah is everywhere". Can you give them a word of advice? Also, are they rendered Kafirs (disbelievers) if they die holding such belief? Please provide us with a detailed Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar)! May Allah reward you well!
A: This issue is of great importance. Muslims should pay much attention to it. It is elaborated, and made clear by Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) in the Holy Qur`an that one should believe in Allah's being in the heavens, and in Istiwa' (Allah's rising over the Throne in a manner that befits Him). There are seven Ayahs (Qur`anic verses) that give evidence for Allah's (Glorified and Exalted be He) Istiwa' in a manner which befits His Majesty and Greatness: this manner does not resemble any of His Creatures. Allah says in Surah Al-'A`raf: "Indeed your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawa) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the `Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!" In Surah Taha, Allah (Exalted be He) says: "The Most Gracious (Allah) rose over (Istawa) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty)." - So, Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) believe in what is mentioned in these Ayahs, namely, Allah's Istiwa' and loftiness in a manner that befits His Majesty, and Greatness. Allah (Exalted be He) says: "So the judgement is only with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great!" Also, He (Glorified be He) says "and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." And: "The angels and the Ruh [Jibril (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years." And: "To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allah unless and until they are followed by good deeds)" These are but a few of so many Ayahs which give evidence for Allah's 'Istiwa', and His Loftiness in the heavens above all His creations. This is saying adopted by Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah. It is also what is brought forth by all prophet's (peace be upon them). Moreover, as mentioned above, the Noble Qur`an, the Prophet's Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), and the Ijma` (consensus of scholars) of the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) and scholars support this. A person who claims that Allah is everywhere is considered to be a Kafir, because of the denying the statement of Allah and that of His Messenger. Moreover, it is against the `Aqidah of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah. They should repent to Allah from this major sin and cease doing it, and believe in Allah's (Glorified be He) Istiwa`, and His Loftiness above all His creation (without intermingling with them).
[Vol. 1, Page No. 140-141]