The Attribute of Coming in the Qur’an:
Allaah (Ta’ala) states in the Qur’an that He (Ta’ala) will come on the Day of Resurrection to pass Judgment.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Baqarah (2:210):
هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ ٱلْغَمَامِ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَقُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُۚ
“Do they then wait for anything other than that Allaah should come to them in the shadows of the clouds and the angels? (Then) the case would be already judged.”
Allaah (Ta’ala) also says in Surat Al-An’aam (6:158):
هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ أَوْ يَأْتِىَ رَبُّكَ أَوْ يَأْتِىَ بَعْضُ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّكَۗ يَوْمَ يَأْتِى بَعْضُ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّكَ
“Do they then wait for anything other than that the angels should come to them, or that your Lord should come, or that some of the Signs of your Lord should come (i.e. portents of the Hour e.g., arising of the sun from the west)! The day that some of the Signs of your Lord do come.”
He (Ta’ala) also says in Surat Al-Fajr (89:21-22):
كَلَّآ إِذَا دُكَّتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ دَكًّا دَكًّا
“Nay! When the earth is ground to powder,”
وَجَآءَ رَبُّكَ وَٱلْمَلَكُ صَفًّا صَفًّا
“And your Lord comes with the angels in rows.”
The Attribute of (the) Coming of Allaah in the Sunnah
Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentions regarding the believers seeing their Lord on the Day of Resurrection: “…. Then the All-Mighty will come to them in a form other than the one which they saw the first time, and He will say: ‘I am your Lord…'” [Al-Bukhaari no. 7439 and Muslim no. 183] [In Muslim, it says: “The Lord of the Universe, Glorified and Exalted, would come to them in a form recognizable to them….]
It is narrated from Ibn Mas’oud (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah will gather together the first and the last for an appointed time, forty years, when they will be looking up at the heavens, waiting for judgment to be passed, and Allaah will come in the shadows of clouds from the Throne to the Kursiy.” [Narrated by Ibn Mandah and Adh-Dhahabi said its Isnaad is Hasan. Al-Hakim, Al-Mundhiri and Al-Haithami graded it Saheeh]
The linguistic meaning of Ityaan and Majee’
Al-Ityaan is Majee’ which is coming in ease. Also, Al-Ityaan pertains to ‘come’ personally (by the Essence), by the command and by managing. It is used for good and evil and with regards to a person(s) or things. As for Al-Majee’: It is like Al-Ityaan, but it is more general. [Al-Mufradat]
The meaning of Al-Ityaan and Al-Majee’ with regards to Allaah (Ta’ala)
Al-Ityaan and Al-Majee’ (the Coming) are attributed to Allaah (Ta’ala) in a way that suits His Majesty and Grandeur. These are two practical Attributes of Allaah, which He does according to His will. In other words, the belief of Ahl-As-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah with regards to these two Attributes of Allaah is based on the fact that they are real and are remote from misinterpretation which is considered Ilhaad (deviation) and Ta’teel (denial). I.e. they are to be believed in without giving them any description or resemblance (to the creation).
Explanation of the evidences
The first verse mentions that Allaah (Ta’ala) comes on the Day of Resurrection to Judge the early and latter creations. Allaah shall then reward each according to his or her deeds, and whoever does good shall see it, and whoever does evil shall see it.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said:
“This is a stern warning and threat that makes the heart tremble. Here Allaah (Ta’ala) is saying: ‘Are those who strive to spread mischief in the land, who follow in the footsteps of the Shaytaan, who ignore the commands of Allaah, waiting for anything but the Day of Recompense for their deeds, which is filled with horrors, hardships and terrifying scenes that will shake the hearts of the evildoers when the bad consequences of evil deeds will be inevitable for the evildoers?’ That is because Allaah (Ta’ala) will roll up the heavens and the earth, the stars will be scattered, the sun and moon will be folded up, the noble angels will descend and surround all creatures, and the Creator (Ta’ala) will descend (in the shadows of the clouds), to judge with justice among His slaves. The Balance will be set up and the records will be spread out; the faces of those who are blessed will be brightened whilst the faces of those who are doomed will be darkened. Those who were doers of good will be distinguished from those who were doers of evil, and each will be requited for his deeds. Then the wrongdoer will bite his hands when he realizes what his situation really is.
This verse and others like it provide evidence for the view of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, who affirm the divine attributes such as Rising above, Descending, Coming and other attributes that Allaah (Ta’ala) has affirmed for Himself, or that His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has told us of. They affirm them in a manner that is befitting to the Majesty and Greatness of Allaah, without likening Him to His creation or misinterpreting or denying any attribute. This is unlike the various groups who deny the divine attributes, such as the Jahamis, Mutazilites, Ash’aris and others of their like. As a result of that, they deny the divine attributes and interpret these verses in a manner for which they have no proof; rather their misinterpretation undermines what is stated in the Qur’an and what was stated by the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and they claim that their view is the correct one.”
The second verse: Allaah (Ta’ala) sternly threatens the disbelievers, those who defy His Messengers, deny His Signs and hinder from His path. Allaah (Ta’ala) says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Do they then wait for anything other than that the angels should come to them (to take their souls), or that your Lord (Allaah) should come (on the Day of Resurrection for passing judgment on them), or that some of the Signs of your Lord should come (such as the rising of the sun from the west)!”
Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said: “Allaah (Ta’ala) mentions these three states because when the angels come to take their (the disbelievers) souls, repentance will not avail them at that time, nor will it avail them when the sun rises from the west. The third state is the time of recompense and receiving the fruits of their deeds; so they (the disbelievers) will not be able to rid (themselves) of what they did in that state.” [Sharh Al-Aqeedah al-Wasitiyah]
The third verse: Allaah (Ta’ala) informs of the great horrors that will happen on the Day of Judgment. He (Ta’ala) says (interpretation of the meaning): “Nay (meaning, truly) when the earth is flattened Dakkan; Dakkan (i.e. the earth and the mountains will be flattened, leveled and made even, and the creatures will rise from their graves for their Lord). And your Lord comes (for the session of Judgment between His Creation) as He wills, and the angels will also come, lined up in rows upon rows before Him.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said:
“Ahl-As-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah affirm what Allaah has affirmed to His Noble Self of Attributes because Allaah (Ta’ala) has mentioned that about His Noble Self. He (Ta’ala) knows best about His Self and He is the Truest in speech than others and His speech is the best speech. His speech consists of the perfect knowledge, truth, clarification and will. Allaah (Ta’ala) wills to show us clearly the Truth and He is All-Knowing and the Truest and best in speech. No one knows the description of Allaah’s Coming. This is because He (Ta’ala) informed us that He comes and did not tell us how He would come. And because the description is not realized except by seeing and witnessing or seeing a peer for it or having a true news about it, and all these are not existing with regards to the attributes of Allaah. Also, because if one ignores the Essence then one ignores the attributes i.e. their description. We believe that Allaah really comes and in a way that suits Him which is not known to us.” [Sharh Al-Aqeedah al-Wasitiyah]
Impact of believing in these two Attributes of Allaah
From the fruits of believing in these attributes is fear of the state and great scene in which the Lord (Azza wa Jall) will come to judge between His servants, and the angels will descend. One will have only the Lord (Azza wa Jall) and all the creation in front of him. If one had done good, then he will be requited with good accordingly and if one did evil, he will be requited accordingly.
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “There will be none amongst you but will be talked to by Allaah on the Day of Resurrection, without there being an interpreter between him and Allaah (Ta’ala). He will look and see nothing ahead of him, and then he will look (again for the second time) in front of him, and the (Hell) Fire will confront him. So, whoever among you can save himself from the Fire, should do so, even with half of a date (to give in charity).” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6539]
Undoubtedly such belief creates fear of Allaah (Ta’ala) in the person and causes him uprightness on the Religion.
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said that Al-Ityaan and Al-Majee’ (the Coming) of Allaah (Ta’ala) is of two kinds:
1- Restricted Coming
2- Unrestricted Coming
The restricted one means He (Ta’ala) comes with mercy or with torment, as it is mentioned in the Hadeeth reported by An-Nasaa’i that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
فَقَدْ جَاءَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِالْخَيْرِ
“Verily, Allaah, the All-Mighty and Sublime has bestowed plenty upon us…”
Also, Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-A’raaf (7:52):
وَلَقَدْ جِئْنَٰهُم بِكِتَٰبٍ فَصَّلْنَٰهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ
“Certainly, We have brought to them a Book (the Qur’an) which We have explained in detail with knowledge.”
Also, Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Mu’minun (23:71):
بَلْ أَتَيْنَٰهُم بِذِكْرِهِمْ
“Nay, We have brought them their reminder.”
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “…. O Allaah, no one brings good things except You…” [Abu Dawoud no. 3919 and Al-Arna’oot graded it Hasan Ligairihi]
Also, from the restricted coming is what Allaah (Ta’ala) mentioned in Surat An-Nahl (16:26):
فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنْيَٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقَوَاعِدِ
“but Allaah struck at the foundation of their building.”
And in Surat Al-Hashr (59:2), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَخْرَجَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مِن دِيَٰرِهِمْ لِأَوَّلِ ٱلْحَشْرِۚ مَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ۖ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُم مَّانِعَتُهُمْ حُصُونُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ فَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَمْ يَحْتَسِبُوا۟ۖ وَقَذَفَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلرُّعْبَۚ
“He it is Who drove out the disbelievers among the people of the Scripture (i.e. the Jews of the tribe of Bani An-Nadir) from their homes at the first gathering. You did not think that they would get out. And they thought that their fortresses would defend them from Allaah! But Allaah’s (Torment) reached them from a place whereof they expected it not, and He cast terror into their hearts.”
This is a restricted coming specific to certain people to whom He sent His Punishment.” [End quote- Mukhtasar al-Sawa’iq al-Mursalah 2/427]
The Second type: The Unrestricted Coming
In Surat Al-Fajr (89:22):
وَجَآءَ رَبُّكَ وَٱلْمَلَكُ صَفًّا صَفًّا
“And your Lord comes with the angels in rows.”
In Surat Al-Baqarah (2:210):
هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ ٱلْغَمَامِ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ
“Do they then wait for anything other than that Allaah should come to them in the shadows of the clouds and the angels?”
These are all clear evidences for His Coming (Ta’ala) by His Essence.
And in the Hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah (Ta’ala) says: ‘I am just as my slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am Able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if he remembers Me… and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him, and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I… and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running…'” [Al-Bukhaari no. 7405]
In the Hadeeth reported by Muslim: “…and when he draws near to Me by the space (covered by) two hands, I go in a hurry towards him.” [Muslim no. 2675c]
Sources:
Sharh Al-Aqeedah al-Wasitiyah by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen
At-Ta’liq Al-‘Ula fee Sharh Asmaa’ u-Allaahu al-Husna wa Sifatihi Al-‘Ula
Tafseer Ibn Katheer
Tafseer Al-Kareem
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