Erros of Ta’Teel and Tamtheel

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Each of the Two Groups of Ta’teel and Tamtheel Actually Combine Between Both Ta’teel and Tamtheel

A Mua’ttil (one who makes Ta’teel) is one who denies anything of Allaah’s Names or Attributes such as the Jahmiyyah, the Mu’tazilah, the Asha’riyyah, and others like them.

A Mumaththil (one who makes Tamtheel) is one who affirms the Attributes to Allaah that are equal or similar to His creation such as the earlier Raafidhah (Extreme Shee’ahs) and those like them.

The reality of the issue is that every Mua’ttil is a Mumaththil, and every Mumaththil is a Mua’ttil.

As for the Mua’ttil, his Ta’teel is obvious. As for his making tamtheel, it is because he only makes Ta’teel-the denying Allaah’s Attributes- in the first place due to his incorrect belief that affirming the Attributes would require making Tashbeeh- declaring something to be similar to Allaah. Thus, he denies Allaah’s Attributes to avoid declaring anything to be similar to Him. By that, he first makes Tamtheel (in his mind by believing that Allaah is like His creation so much so that if He has Attributes, then that must mean He is like His creation) and then he makes Ta’teel (by absolutely denying Allaah’s Attributes to avoid Tamtheel).

As for the Mumaththil, his Tamtheel is obvious. As for his making Ta’teel, it is from three aspects:

Firstly: He denies the text itself, which affirms the Attribute by changing what it means and proves. Yet, the text only proves the affirmation of an attribute that befits Allah, not that Allaah is similar to His creation.

Secondly: If he declares Allaah to be similar to His creation, then he has already denied every text that negates any resemblance of Allaah to His creation, such as His (subhannahu wa ta ala) statement,

“There is nothing like Him” (42:11)

And His saying,

“And there is nothing equal to Him.” (112:4)

Thirdly: If he believes Allaah to be similar to His creation, he denies the perfection that He deserves in that he considers the Lord, perfect in every way, to be similar to the deficient and flawed creation.

False Accusation against Way of Salaf

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Some Statements of Modern Authors Against the Methodology of the Salaf

Some of the modern authors have said, “The methodology of the Salaf regarding the Attributes is taking the texts as they come, yet believing that their apparent meanings are not actually intended.”

This statement, if taken unconditionally, contains a point of scrutiny. The wording, “their apparent meanings” is somewhat vague and needs clarification.

If what is intended by “their aparent meanings” is what is evident from the texts of the attributes befitting Allaah without making Tashbeeh, then this is exactly what is intended. Whoever say that this is not intended meaning then he is misguided if he actually believes, that and he is a liar or mistaken if he attributes this meaning to the Salaf.

If what is intended by “their apparent meanings” is what is evident to some of the people in that the apparent meaning is to make Tashbeeh of Allaah with His creation, then this is definitely not true and it is not the apparent meaning of the texts because the similarity of Allaah to His creation is something impossible. And, the apparent meaning of the Qur’aan and Sunnah, would never be something impossible. Whoever thinks this is what is meant by “their apparent meanings,” then his mistake is to be clarified to him. It is to be clarified that the apparent meaning as well as the detailed meaning is to affirm the Attributes in a manner that befits Allaah and is specific to Him.

In this way, we would be giving the texts their right in wording and meaning, and Allaah knows best.

(Explanation of a Summary of al-‘Aqeedatul-Hamawiyyah of Ibn taymiyyah (rahimahullah) explained by Imaam Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) )

Falsehood of Denying Attributes

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The Methodology of Those Who Deny Allaah’s Attributes

Those who deny (some or all of) the attributes are in agreement upon affirming only to Allaah the attributes which their itnellects accept, and denying those which their intellects feel should be negated whether the Qur’aan and Sunnah agrees with this or not. So their way of affirming or negating Attributes to Allaah is based solely on the itnellect.

They then differ regarding the Attributes that the intellect cannot reason an affirmation or denial for them. So most of them simply negate them and explain whatever Attributes are reported as being metaphorical in meaning. Some of them, however, withhold from taking a stance and entrust their meaning to Allaah while, in fact, negating what the Attributes actually indicate of characteristics.

They claim that their methodology is the middle path between the proofs of the intellect and those wthat are reported (in the texts). However, they lie because the proofs of the intellect and those that are reported both agree upon affirming Attributes of perfection to Allaah. None of Allaah’s Attributes that have come in the Qur’aan or Sunnah contradicts the intellect, although the intellect may not be able to comprehend and perceive the exact details of them.
The way of these people who deny the Attributes is similar to the way of those whom Allaah spoke of when He subhannahu wa ta ala says:

“Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer legislation to the Taaghoot (false judges, etc) while they are commandd to disbelieve in them. But Shaytaan wishes to lead them far astray. And when it is said to them, “Come to what Allaah has revealed, and to the Messenger,” You see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion. So how (will it be) when disaster strikes them because of what their hands have put forth and they come to you swearing by Allaah, “We intended nothing but good and conciliation.” (4:60-62)
They are similar to those spoken of in this Aayah in many ways. Some of the simillarities are as follows:

Firstly: Each of the two groups claim they are believers in what was revealed to the Prophet (salalahu alayhi wa salam), yet neither accept all of what he came with.

Secondly: These people who deny the Attributes, if they are called to what the Qur’aan and Sunnah have come with of affirming Attributes of perfection to Allaah, they turn away and refuse just like those hypocrites did when it was said to them, “Come to what Allaah has revealed, and to the Messenger.” They also turned away and refused.

Thirdly: These people who deny the Attributes have Taaghoot (those who are pleased with the people worshipping them or following them rather than the legislation of Allaah) that they blindly follow, preferring them to what the Messengers (alayhum salam) have come with. They wish to refer judgment of disputes over to them, not to the Qur’aan and Sunnah. In the same way, the hypocrites wanted to refer judgment to the Taaghoot while they were ordered to disbelieve in them.

Fourthly: Those who deny Allaah’s Attributes claim they only intend good by their methodology and the conciliation between the intellect and the legislation just like the hypocrites swear they intended nothing but good and conciliation.

Any liar and follower of falsehood that disguises himself and his falsehood while pretending to follow the truth, outwardly showing itl he will sooner or later come with deceptive calls that spread, yet expose, his falsehood. Although, whomever Allaah bestows knowledge, understanding, and wisdom on him while he has good intentions, then he will not be deceived by falsehood or the spread of these deceptive calls, and Allaah is the One from whom help is sought.

(Explanation of a Summary of al-‘Aqeedatul-Hamawiyyah of Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) Explained by Imaam Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) )

Methodology of Those who Deny Attributes

The Methodology of Those Who Deny Allaah’s Attributes

The methodology of those who deny Allaah’s Attributes indicate and necessitate many false allegations against the sources of Islaam and its people. From these allegations are the following:

Firstly: This methodology alleges that the Qur’an and Sunnah both have explicitly come with kufr (disbelief) and openly call to it. This is because they are both full of affirmations and proof of Allaah’s Attributes-those very attributes that these people claim that by affirming them, one is making Tashbeeh (declaring that Allah is similar to something else) and kufr.

Secondly: Their methodology alleges that neither the Qur’aan nor the Sunnah clarified the truth because the truth, as they understand it, is the negation of the attributes and there is no text or apparent meaning withing the Qur’aan or sunnah that negates the Attributes of perfection from Allah.

Most of those who pretend to have knowledge from these people derive and reason out their claim based upon proofs such as Allaah’s statement,

“Do you know any similarity to Him?” (19:65)

And His Statement (Subhanahu wa ta ala)
“And there is nothing equal to Him” (112:4)

And it is well-known to anyone with an intellect that what is meant by the likes of these texts is the affirmation of the perfection of Allaah, and there is nothing similar to Him regarding His Attributes. And there is no way they could indicate a negation of His Attributes. No doubt, that whoever tries to prove to people the negation of Allaah’s Attributes with the likeness of this speech; then it is either, vague, deceitful, or incapable of clarifying the true meaning. All of these are impossible regarding the speech of Allah (aza wa jal) or the Messenger (Salalahu alayhi wa salam). Both of their speech is comprised of the most eloquent of clarity and intention. There is no agenda within it to misguide the creation and confuse them with obscurities.

Thirdly: This methodology also alleges that the first and foremost predec essors from the Muhaajiroon, Ansaar, and those who followed them in righteousness all used to propagate falsehood while concealing the truth, or they were all ignorant of the truth. This is because so many chains have reported the belief of affirming the Attributes of perfection to Allaah from them. It is this very belief that these deniers claim to be falsehood. None of them (the salaf) have ever said a single statement in support of negating the attributes- the very belief these deniers claim to be the truth. This allegation is unthinkable regarding the best generation and the best of this Ummah.

Fourthly: Another false allegation of these deniers is that if Allaah is not described with attributes of perfection, then He must be described with those deficiency, for everything present must have charactersitics. Therefore, the matter is turned against these deniers as they fall into a greater evil than that which they flee from.
(Explanation of a Summary of Al-‘Aqeedatul-Hamawiyyah of Ibn taymiyah rahimahullah by Imaam Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen rahimahullah