What is the difference between the essence and attributes of Allah?

The essence and attributes of something are not distinct externally. For example, a human may have the attribute of sight, but we cannot say “here is the human, and here is his attribute of sight,” as if they can be separated from each other. However, what is understood from the two terms are distinct. By saying “human” we are referring to the physical reality of the entity. By saying “sight” we are referring to the entity’s ability to see.

When referring to Allah and his attributes, it is understood as one entity, externally, but distinct in what we understand from these attributes.

This is what is meant by the famous statement of the scholars:

[1] لا هو صفاته ولا هي غيره

“The attributes are not Him, nor are they distinct to Him.”

In other words, they are not Him in how they are understood, because the meaning of each attribute differs from one another. For example, the attributes of sight and power are distinct from each other. If attributes were the same as Allah in how they are understood, it would entail that sight equals Him and power equals Him, which would then mean that sight equals power, and this is clearly incorrect.

Nor are they distinct to Him externally. Meaning, if Allah didn’t have these attributes, He wouldn’t be considered God.

Thus, by “essence” we mean the very existence of Allah as a pre-eternal uncreated, independent, real being, and by “attributes” we mean, what is understood about Allah. And when we say “Allah” it is in reference to both: His existence, and all that we understand of it.

And Allah knows best.

Written by Umar Elhashimi

April 14, 2025

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