I hear people using the Attributes of Allah for the creation such as al-ʿAzeez, al-ʿAdheem, al-Kareem and so on. Is this something that contradicts the ʿAqeedah, or is it permissible? (Imām Ibn Bāz)

Question: I hear people using the Attributes of Allah for the creation such as al-ʿAzeez, al-ʿAdheem, al-Kareem and so on. Is this something that contradicts the ʿAqeedah, or is it permissible?

Answer by Imām Ibn Bāz (rahimahullāh): There is no harm in using these attributes—they are used for Allah and can be used for the creation also. So, it said: “Allah is al-ʿAdheem, al-ʿAzeez and al-Hakeem.” And it can also be said: so-and-so is ʿadheem, ʿazeez, kareem, jawād and so on. From that is the saying of Allah (the Mighty and Majestic):

قَالَتِ امْرَأَةُ الْعَزِيزِ

“The wife of al-ʿAzeez said…” (Yusuf: 51) And he (the ʿazeez) was a minister of Egypt. So the point is that this word can be used for Allah and for other than Him. However, the qualities and attributes of Allah are absolute in perfection, He is the Most Perfect, the Exalted and free of all imperfections, the Most High. As for the descriptions of the creation, then their descriptions befit them, such as honour (ʿizzah) which befits them, nobility (karam) which befits them, and greatness/power (ʿadhamah) which befits them. From that is the saying of Allah in describing Bilqees (the Queen of Sheba):

وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ

“She possessed a mighty throne.” (an-Naml: 23) And His saying:

رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

“The Lord of the Mighty Throne.” (an-Naml: 26). And the Quranic reciters (of the Salaf) regarded the Throne as being the thing described as al-ʿadheem (mighty or great). Likewise, is the saying of Allah:

رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ

“The Lord of Noble Throne.” (al-Mu’minūn: 116)

So, what is understood, therefore, is that the description of al-kareem and al-ʿadheem (and so on) can be applied to the creation, from the children of Adam, and to others, and in accordance with what befits them. And for Allah is what befits Him and that is the utmost and absolute perfection ― and for the creation, there is that which befits them from the descriptions of might (al-ʿadhamah), nobility (al-karam), honour (al-ʿizzah), and so on such as the hearer (as-sameeʿ), the seer (al-baseer) and the wise one (al-hakeem).

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