What Is the Relationship Between Allah and His Attributes?

Question: Are Allah’s attributes identical with His own being, or are they separate?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Allah’s divine attributes are neither identical nor other than His own essence. [Jawharat al-Tawhid, Laqqani]

Allah’s power is not a physical part of Him that could be cut off and exist before, after, or in any way separate from him. It is like cutting the squareness off from a square: it is impossible because it does not make any sense.

Similarly, Allah is not His knowledge, nor is His knowledge something other than Allah. Allah knows and has the attribute of knowledge. That is it.

Please also see:

https://seekersguidance.org/courses/absolute-essentials-of-islam-hanafi-getting-started-with-your-belief-and-practice/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid Dingle

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.