Allaah’s affirmed Attributes are divided into two categories – those that relate to His Self and those that relate to His Actions. As for the Attributes of the former category, Allaah has and continues to be described by them. Examples of such Attributes are Knowledge, Ability, Hearing, Sight, Almightiness, Wisdom, Loftiness, and Greatness. Also, within this category are His features, such as His Face, His Hands, and His two Eyes. Attributes that involve His actions are linked to His will: If He wills, He performs those actions, and if He wills, He does not perform those actions. Two examples of such Attributes are His Rising above His Throne and His Descending to the lowest heaven. Some Attributes, from one perspective, relate to Allaah’s Self, while, from another perspective, relate to His Actions.
An example is His Attribute of Speech. As an overall Attribute, it relates to Allaah’s Self. This is because Allaah has Spoken and continues to Speak. However, from the perspective of individual sayings of Allaah, His Speech is an Attribute which relates to His Actions. This is because His Speech is linked to His will; He Speaks whenever and whatever He wills. Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ شَيْئًا أَن يَقُولَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ
“Verily, His command, when He intends a thing, is only that he says to it, ‘Be!’ – and it is!” [Surah Ya-Seen (36:82)]
Every Attribute which relates to Allaah’s will is a consequence of Allaah’s Wisdom.
Allaah (Ta’ala) speaks when He wills, in the manner He wills, and with what He wills. His Speech does not resemble the speech of any of His creatures. Allaah speaks to some of His creatures and they speak to Him, such as the Prophet of Allaah, Musa [Moses (‘Alayhis-salaam)], as mentioned in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:164):
وَكَلَّمَ اللَّهُ مُوسَىٰ تَكْلِيمًا
“And to Musa, Allaah spoke directly.”
The word “تكليما” is an affirmative infinitive verb which indicates that Allaah’s Speech is real.
In Surat Al-A’raaf (7:143), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
وَلَمَّا جَاءَ مُوسَىٰ لِمِيقَاتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُ رَبُّهُ
“And when Musa came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord (Allaah) spoke to Him.”
This verse is evidence that Allaah’s Speech is linked to His will. This is because this conversation occurred when Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) came at the time and place appointed by Allaah and not prior to that.
Allaah mentioned the dialogue that took place between Him and Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) in verses 143-144:
وَلَمَّا جَاءَ مُوسَىٰ لِمِيقَاتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُ رَبُّهُ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِي أَنظُرْ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ لَن تَرَانِي وَلَٰكِنِ انظُرْ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ فَإِنِ اسْتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُ فَسَوْفَ تَرَانِي ۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلَّىٰ رَبُّهُ لِلْجَبَلِ جَعَلَهُ دَكًّا وَخَرَّ مُوسَىٰ صَعِقًا ۚ فَلَمَّا أَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُؤْمِنِين
And when Musa (Moses) came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord spoke to him, he said: “O my Lord! Show me (Yourself), that I may look upon You.” Allaah said: “You cannot see Me, but look upon the mountain if it stands still in its place then you shall see Me.” So when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He made it collapse to dust, and Musa (Moses) fell down unconscious. Then when he recovered his senses he said: “Glory be to You, I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers.”
قَالَ يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي اصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِرِسَالَاتِي وَبِكَلَامِي فَخُذْ مَا آتَيْتُكَ وَكُن مِّنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ
(Allaah) said: “O Musa (Moses) I have chosen you above men by My Messages, and by My speaking (to you). So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful.”
Allaah’s speaking to Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) was a real speech, with voice and words, which Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) heard. This is how the dialogue occurred between them, as is also mentioned in Surat Ta-Ha.
Allaah (Ta’ala) also says in Surat Maryam (19:52) about Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam):
وَنَادَيْنَاهُ مِن جَانِبِ الطُّورِ الْأَيْمَنِ وَقَرَّبْنَاهُ نَجِيًّا
“And We called him from the right side of the Mount and made him draw near to Us for a talk with him [Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam)].”
Allaah (Ta’ala) called unto Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) as is indicated by the word “وَنَادَيْنَاهُ” and conversed with him in private as is indicated by the word “نَجِيًّا”.
The difference between Munaadaat and Munaajaat is that Munaadaat is calling in a loud voice from a far distance whilst Munaajaat is talking with the one who is near in a soft voice, and both are forms of speech. This indicates that Allaah speaks in a manner that He wills, whether it is calling aloud (Munaadaat) or talking in private (Munaajaat).
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “This affirms that Allaah possesses the Attribute of Speech of various kinds, calling aloud and conversing in private, as is the view of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, in contrast to those who deny that such as the Jahamis, Mu’tazilites, and those who followed a similar path.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
Allaah (Ta’ala) mentions that He will talk to ‘Eesa [Jesus (‘Alayhis-salaam)] on the Day of Resurrection in Surat Al-Ma’idah (5:116):
وَإِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ
“And (remember) when Allaah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): ‘O ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)!’”
This indicates that Allaah Speaks, and His saying is heard, which entails it being with a voice and consisting of words and sentences. Allaah speaks with a voice that does not resemble the voice of any of His creatures at all. This is because Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Ash-Shura (42:11):
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ ۖ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.”
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah will say: ‘O Adam!’ Adam will say: ‘At your service.’ Then a loud voice will call out: ‘Allaah commands you to send forth from your progeny, those who are to be sent to Hell.’” [Al-Bukhaari no. 7483]
On the Day of Resurrection, Allaah (Ta’ala) will speak to His angels, as in Surat Saba’ (34:40-41); and He will rebuke the disbelievers and the deniers of the truth, as in Surat An-Naml (27:83-84); and He (Ta’ala) will greet the people of Paradise with Salaam as in Surat Ya-Seen (36:58), and He will speak to them as mentioned in the following Hadeeth:
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah will say to the people of Paradise: ‘O the people of Paradise!’ They will say: ‘Labbaik, O our Lord, and Sa’daik, and all the good is in Your Hands!’ Allaah will say: ‘Are you satisfied?’ They will say: ‘Why shouldn’t we be satisfied, O our Lord as You have given us what You have not given to any of Your created beings?’ He will say: ‘Shall I not give you something better than that?’ They will say: ‘O our Lord! What else could be better than that?’ He will say: ‘I bestow My Pleasure on you and will never be angry with you after that.’” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari no. 7518]
Allaah (Ta’ala) spoke to Adam (‘Alayhis-salaam) and Hawwa’ (Eve), as mentioned in Surat Al-A’raaf (7:22):
وَنَادَاهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا أَلَمْ أَنْهَكُمَا عَن تِلْكُمَا الشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُل لَّكُمَا إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمَا عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
“And their Lord called out to them (saying): ‘Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaytaan (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?’”
This verse affirms that Allaah (Ta’ala) forbade Adam and his wife from a tree and spoke to them about it before. This indicates that Allaah (Ta’ala) speaks with words and a voice, and that it is linked to His will, because He (Ta’ala) said to Adam (‘Alayhis-salaam):
أَلَمْ أَنْهَكُمَا
“Did I not forbid you?”
And this Statement is said after the prohibition; therefore, it is linked to the will of Allaah.
The Speech of Allaah is also affirmed in the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
It is narrated that Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When Allaah, the All-Glorious, All-High, loves a slave, He calls out to Jibreel [Gabriel (‘Alayhis-salaam)]: ‘Verily Allaah loves so and so, so love him.’ Then Jibreel loves him and calls out to the people of heaven: ‘Verily Allaah loves so and so, so love him.’ Then the people of heaven love him and Allaah causes him to find acceptance among the people of the earth.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 7485]
The angels hear their Lord when He speaks. Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When Allaah decrees a matter in the heaven, the angels beat their wings in submission to His decree (with a sound like) a chain striking a rock. When fear is banished from their hearts, they say: ‘What is it that your Lord has said?’ They say: ‘The truth, and He is the Most-High, the Great.’” [Al-Bukhaari no.7481]
This Hadeeth is narrated by Al-Bukhaari to explain the verse:
وَلَا تَنفَعُ الشَّفَاعَةُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فُزِّعَ عَن قُلُوبِهِمْ قَالُوا مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا الْحَقَّ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْكَبِيرُ
“Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits. So much so that when fear is banished from their [Angels’] hearts, they say: ‘What is it that your Lord has said?’ They say: ‘The truth. And He is the Most-High, the Most-Great.’” [Surat Saba’ (34:23)]
‘Abdullaah ibn Unays (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say: “Allaah will gather His slaves and will call them with a voice which will be heard from afar as clearly as it will be heard from up close: ‘I am the Sovereign, I am the Judge.’” [Al-Bukhaari]
Al-Bukhaari commented on this Hadeeth in his book ‘Khalq Af’aal Al-‘Ibaad’ (The creation of the deeds of Allaah’s slaves). He said: “This proves that the voice of Allaah does not resemble the voices of His creation, because the voice of Allaah can be heard from afar as clearly as it can be heard from nearby, and the angels swoon from His voice.” [Khalq Af’aal Al-‘Ibaad, page 149]
The Description of Allaah’s Speech
1) The Speech of Allaah is truthful and just
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:87):
وَمَنْ أَصْدَقُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَدِيثًا
“And who is truer in statement than Allaah?”
And in Surat An-Nisaa’ [4:122]:
وَمَنْ أَصْدَقُ مِنَ اللَّهِ قِيلًا
“And whose words can be truer than those of Allaah?”
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “Allaah (Ta’ala) tells us that His word is the highest level of truth. Anything that is said concerning belief, knowledge, and deeds that is contrary to what Allaah has told us is false because it goes against the true and certain text, hence it cannot be true.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
He (Rahimahullaah) said in his interpretation of verse (122) [After Allaah has mentioned His promise for the believers who have believed and did righteous deeds with reward of Paradise through which rivers flow]: “This is a true promise from Allaah and who is truer in word than Allaah? Allaah, the Almighty, speaks the truth and His words and statements are of utmost truthfulness, because His word is true and what it indicates is exactly what will happen; all that is indicated by His words will inevitably come to pass. The same is true for the words of His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), because he does not say anything except by His command and he does not utter anything except by His inspiration.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
Allaah (Ta’ala) also describes His Words in Surat Al-An’am (6:115)]:
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا ۚ لَّا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His words. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.”
Ibn Katheer (Rahimahullaah) said: “Qatadah commented: ‘In truth concerning what He stated and in justice concerning what He decided.’ Surely whatever Allaah says is the truth and He is Most Just in what He commands. All of Allaah’s Statements are true, there is no doubt or cause for speculation about this fact, and all His commandments are pure justice, besides which there is no justice. All that He forbade is evil for He only forbids what brings about evil consequences. Allaah said in another verse:
يأمرهم بالمعروف وينهاهم عن المنكر
‘He commands them with good, and forbids them from evil.’ [Surat Al-A’raaf (7:157)] until the end of the verse.
لا مبدل لكلماته
‘None can change His words’ meaning, none can avert Allaah’s judgment, whether in this life or the Hereafter.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
2) There is no limit to the Words of Allaah
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Kahf (18:109):
قُل لَّوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَاتُ رَبِّي وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِ مَدَدًا
“Say [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to mankind]: ‘If the sea were ink (for writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid.’”
“This is by way of making the matter easier to understand, because these things are created, and all created things will cease to be. As for the Words of Allaah, they are among His Attributes, and His Attributes are not created, and they have no limit and no end. Whatever greatness and vastness people can imagine, Allaah is above that, and the same applies to all the Attributes of Allaah, such as His Knowledge, His Wisdom, His Power, and His Mercy. If all the knowledge of created beings, from the first to the last, the inhabitants of the heavens and the inhabitants of the earth were put together, in comparison to the knowledge of the Almighty, it would be less than the amount of water picked up by a bird that came to the shore and dipped its beak in the ocean, in comparison to the amount of water contained in that ocean. Allaah is the Possessor of great and perfect Attributes.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَامٌ وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ مَّا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَاتُ اللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
“And if all the trees on the earth were pens and the sea [were ink wherewith to write] with seven seas behind it added to its [supply], yet the Words of Allaah would not be exhausted.” [Surat Luqman (31:27)]
Ibn Katheer said in his Tafseer of this verse: “Here Allaah (Ta’ala) refers to His Might, Pride, Majesty, Beautiful Names, Sublime Attributes, and Perfect Words which none can encompass, and whose nature and essence none can know, as the master of mankind [the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] said: ‘I cannot praise You sufficiently; You are as You have praised Yourself.’ [Muslim no. 486]
Allaah (Ta’ala) says: ‘And if all the trees on earth were pens..’ meaning, even if all the trees on earth were made into pens, and the seas were made into ink, and seven times as many seas were provided along with that, to write down the words of Allaah indicating His Might, Attributes and Majesty, the pens would break and the sea would run dry, even if more seas were brought.
Hasan Al-Basri said: ‘If the trees of the earth were made into pens and the sea was made into ink, and Allaah (Ta’ala) were to say: “My decree is such-and such, My decree is such-and-such,” the sea would run dry and the pens would break. Allaah (Ta’ala) indeed spoke the truth when He said:
وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
‘…And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little.’
[Surat Al-Isra’ (17:85)].”
Sources:
Belief in Allaah by Shaikh ‘Umar Al-Ashqar
Sharh Al-Aqeedah Al-Wasitiyyah by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah)
Tafseer Ibn Katheer
Tayseer Al-Kareem by Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah)
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