Hanbali approach to Sifat

Case Study in Hanbali Creed: How the Hanbalis Approach the Divine Attributes (al-Sifat) through the Example of Istiwaaʾ

Among the clearest articulations of the classical Hanbali method is the passage below. It exemplifies how the Hanbalis handle verses and reports concerning the attributes of Allah—affirmation without interpretation and consignment of the true meaning to Allah (tafwid al-maʿna).

 In Nihayat al-Mubtadiʾin, Ibn Hamdan al-Hanbali (d. 695 AH) said,

“We affirm that He—glorified and exalted be He—is fī al-samāʾ (beyond the heavens), and that He istiwāʾ ʿalā al-ʿArsh (istiwāʾ over the Throne).

Without modality (kayf), in a manner befitting Him in all of that.

We do not interpret it figuratively (taʾwīl), nor explain it linguistically (tafsīr), nor define its modality (takyīf).

We do not imagine it, conceive it, specify it, negate it, or reject it.

Rather, we entrust its knowledge to Allah the Exalted and negate—with full conviction—anthropomorphism (tashbīh), corporeality (tajsīm), and every possible deficiency.

This is the ruling concerning all of the divine attributes (al-ṣifāt):

the Qur’anic verses regarding them and the sound, explicit reports concerning them.

Aḥmad said: 'We believe that Allah is ʿalā al-ʿArsh as He wills—without ḥadd (limit) and without ṣifah (quality) understood by anyone who seeks to qualify or limit Him.’”

Written by: John Starling