Being a small risalah (treatise) by Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi (d. 463H, rahimahullah) containing foundational principles regarding the Attributs of Allaah. Taught by Abu Iyaad Amjad Rafiq.

Response To A Question on the Attributes

Response to a question on the Attributes - Exp. Abu Iyaad

Some of the matters or points covered:

- Introductory words about the treatise.
- A look at the history of sects that appeared.
- Mention of some ayaat (verses in the Qur’an) in relation to Allah either freeing Himself from false, incorrect, ascriptions, or affirmation of His lofty attributes, and the need to accept and believe the khabar (reports) of the Prophets and Messengers regarding the Names and Attributes.
- Schisms and separations was the way of previous nations, with some texts provided.
- The dire need to acquire sound knowledge and principles.
- Brief summary of the first four sects to appear; 1) Khawarij 2) Raafidah 3) Qadariyyah and 4) Murji’ah, and the topics they went astray in.
- In the second century, some people delved into the Names and Attributes – disputing and philosophizing. These kalaam groups are mentioned with a brief description of them.

Supplementary material:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/khatib-sifat-text-translation.pdf

The following 2 page PDF contains the visual diagram above along with brief descriptions of the sects mentioned:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sects-diagram.pdf

Response To A Question on the Attributes - Lesson 1

Some matters or points covered:

- Biography of the author, Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi (rahimahullah) including; his birth place, his travels, his acquiring of knowledge at a young age, the Islamic sciences he excelled at, the scholars praise of him and some of his virtuous works.
- Introduction to the authors reply to a question put to him about the Attributes of Allaah, wherein four important and mighty principles are mentioned and laid down.
- Four ways of categorizing Allah’s attributes with terms such as Sifaat as-Salbiyyah, ath-Thubootiyyah, adh-Dhahiriyyah and Fi’liyyah mentioned.
- What is the root through which we come to know Allaah’s attributes?
- What obligates you to acquire knowledge? The Texts or aql?

Supplementary material:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/khatib-sifat-text-translation.pdf

The following 2 page PDF contains the visual diagram above along with brief descriptions of the sects mentioned:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sects-diagram.pdf

Response To A Question on the Attributes - Lesson 2

Some of the matters or points covered:

- Mention of Sifaat Dhaatiyah and Sifaat Fi’liyah.
- Important Principles regarding Attributes of Allaah:

1) Intellect alone cannot lead to understanding of Allah’s attributes and actions. Point for reflection: Would you be punished if you didn’t know Allaah by using ‘aql, or by using revelation (texts in Qur’an and Sunnah)?

2) When speak about Allaah, not possible to go beyond or exceed the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah. Names and Attributes are from the affairs of the Ghaib (unseen). Only khabar (report) depended upon, tafseel (detail) can only come from revelation.

3) Names and Attributes can come from Ahad hadith as long as reported by trustworthy, upright ones. Salaf don’t distinguish between Mutawatir and Ahad hadith i.e. both are accepted and relied upon. The rejection of Ahad hadith was innovated by the Mu’tazilah, it is not the way of the Salafus-Salih. Innovated principle: don’t accept Ahad reports in Aqeedah but do so in Fiqh, Mu’amamalat, etc. Mu’tazilah invented this, Hizbut Tahrir believe in the same.

Supplementary material:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/khatib-sifat-text-translation.pdf

The following 2 page PDF contains the visual diagram above along with brief descriptions of the sects mentioned:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sects-diagram.pdf

Response To A Question on the Attributes - Lesson 3

Some of the matters or points covered:

- A very important principle, the most important one, which is to affirm the Attributes upon what is apparent (upon the language of the Arabs), which is extracted from this part of the text “…and to carry them upon their apparent meanings…”
- Misguidance and deviation of Ahlul-Kalaam in that they believe Rahmah (mercy) refers to Allaah’s intent to reward. We know the meaning of mercy. If the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) meant something else he would have mentioned it.
- Also, Mu’tazilah said Istiwaa (to ascend/rise/go above) means Istawlaa (to conquer something) as they wanted to negate Allaah rising because according to Greek philosophy there can’t be motion.
- Likewise, misguidance of belief of Hand meaning Power. Why didn’t the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) explain istiwaa means Istawlaa and Hand means Power? He didn’t do this because Arabs knew what he meant.
- We distinguish between the ma’na (meaning) and the haqiqah (reality). Example of the soul, we know it exists but don’t know what the soul is made of. It has a true and real existence. The soul ascends, can see, speak, etc. We don’t know the reality of it, it has attributes. Meaning of seeing and hearing known. Reality is something else.
- Mu’tazilah rejected Mizaan (The Scale) as couldn’t comprehend how actions could be weighed.

Supplementary material:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/khatib-sifat-text-translation.pdf

The following 2 page PDF contains the visual diagram above along with brief descriptions of the sects mentioned:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sects-diagram.pdf

Response To A Question on the Attributes - Lesson 4

Some of the matters or points covered:

- Whatever has come from the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah, we must accept it and this includes the Names and Attributes of Allaah. We take them (the text) upon the dhaahir (apparent) meaning. If didn’t do so then there would be mass confusion and chaos.
- Discussion of fourth important principle: negating kaifiyyah and resemblance for Allaah. Khabar is greatest and highest report, that from Allaah and His Messenger, it must be meaningful and understandable.
- Elaboration on what is meant by kaifiyyah with examples given e.g. we believe in the angels but do we understanding everything about the angels or the reality of the angels? Same with Paradise and Hellfire. Don’t know reality of them but doesn’t make our belief in them any deficient.
- A mention of several texts from the Qur’an negating knowledge of the how with regards to Allaah’s Names and Attributes. Whole of the Qur’an is to be reflected upon and this would include the Names and Attributes of Allaah. The meanings are known but the realities are unknown.
- Statements from the Sahaba, Ibn Masood (رضي الله عنه) on meaning of as-Samad and Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) on meaning of verse in Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:55).
- Mention of the well-known statements from Salafus Saalih like Rabi’ah Ibn Abi Abdir-Rahman and Imaam Maalik Ibn Anas (rahimahumullaah) regarding Istiwaa.
- Some statements from the likes of Imaam Ibn Battah and As-Sijzi (rahimahumullaah) containing clarity on issue of creed and belief in Allah’s Names and Attributes.
- Important point: We don’t deny that there is a kaifiyyah, we can’t comprehend the reality of Allaah’s Attributes and Actions, just like for example the soul.

Supplementary material:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/khatib-sifat-text-translation.pdf

The following 2 page PDF contains the visual diagram above along with brief descriptions of the sects mentioned:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sects-diagram.pdf

Response To A Question on the Attributes - Lesson 5

The treatise of Al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi was finished in the last lesson. The treatise provided a nice and concise treatment of Allah’s Names and Attributes, covering many different issues. It was a nice primer for this subject.

To seal everything off, 20 or so principles regarding the attributes will be mentioned, serving as a reminder and also to add a bit more detail to what has already been learned. The first 7 of these principles are mentioned in this lesson with the other principles to be covered in subsequent lessons, inshaa’Allaah.

Supplementary material:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/khatib-sifat-text-translation.pdf

The following 2 page PDF contains the visual diagram above along with brief descriptions of the sects mentioned:
https://islamtees.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sects-diagram.pdf

Response To A Question on the Attributes - Lesson 9

Calling to the correct understanding of Islam, the Qur'an and Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salafus-Saalih (Pious Predecessors).

Response To A Question on the Attributes - Lesson 9

Islam Tees