Is It Kufr to Wish for Allah’s Own Attributes, Such as Knowing the Unseen?
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
If someone deliberately wishes and desires to have exactly Allah’s attributes, such as the absolute ability to see the unseen, resurrect the dead, heal, or even grant other people’s wants and wishes, is this kufr? Such as saying “I wish I had the exact attribute of Allah to see the unseen,” but still acknowledging it belongs only to Him and this is wrong? Give me the possible scenarios: when exactly would it be considered kufr? What if they want these powers independently of God? This happens to a lot of Muslims who are accustomed to watching movies and become desensitized, so I want to know when it is a major sin and when it is kufr, so that I can protect myself and have correct aqida.
Answer
In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-Merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all beings, and may peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad.
I pray you are well.
No, this action is not an act of disbelief. However, it is inappropriate for a believer to wish for this. This is similar to asking for or praying for something that is impossible, which is not permissible. [Tahtawi, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]
It’s important to realize that Allah Most High is a being of such perfection that we are completely unable to even grasp any limited aspect of it, let alone all of it. Everything He does is steeped in wisdom. Everything He chooses is beneficial for the believer.
By our nature, we are slaves. By our nature, our perfection lies in realizing we have none of His perfections and that we are in absolute need of Him.
For example, absolute knowledge of the future would cripple a person, as our perspective is a limited, finite, four-dimensional perspective. Being granted something beyond what our minds can perceive would be extremely detrimental.
Next time this thought comes to you, turn it aside by asking Allah to be able to understand some of His wisdom in what He has decreed and to be granted all the qualities of slavery to Allah.
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Related Answers
One. Is It Shirk to Watch Superhero Movies or Play Games That Involve Magic? — Ustadha Shazia Ahmad: Watching fictional powers is not shirk unless one believes in them; counsels weaning oneself off such entertainment.
Two. Is It Halal To Make Dua For Superpowers? — Imam Yama Niazi: Miracles are given to guide, not for worldly aims; turns the wish toward the prayers that matter.
Three. What Are the Various Aspects of Divine Oneness (Tawhid)? — Shaykh Yusuf Weltch: Oneness in essence, attributes, and acts; His attributes are not shared by any creation.
Four. Could You Provide Definitions of Minor Shirk and Minor Kufr? — Mawlana Ilyas Patel: Defines shirk as ascribing partners in divinity, attributes, or actions, and separates major from minor.
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began studying Arabic Grammar and Morphology whilst studying for a degree in English and History. After graduating, He traveled to Damascus and studied Arabic, Hanafi Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, and Logic with Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahman Arjan al-Binsawi, Shaykh Husayn Darwish, Shaykh Muhammad Darwish, the late Shaykh Rashad Shams, and others. He then moved to Amman to continue his studies in those fields, as well as in Tafsir, Quranic Sciences, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Prophetic Biography, Prophetic Perfections and Traits, Rhetoric, Arabic Literature, and Tajwid. His teachers include Shaykh Ali Hani, Dr. Hamza al-Bakri, Dr Salah Abu al-Hajj, Dr Mansur Abu Zina, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Shaykh Ahmad Jammal, and others.
