Ibn Taymiyya’s books—may Allah have mercy on him—are filled with denunciations of those who liken Allah to His creation and equate Him with it. Yet this proponent of falsehood insists on accusing him of doing precisely that.
May Allah have mercy on Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, who said: “We know, even before demanding an answer, that if all the Jahmīs on the face of the earth were to gather together, they could answer it only with obstinate denial and by vilifying those who affirm the divine attributes with accusations of corporealism and abuse. Such is the practice of every proponent of falsehood against whom Allah Most High’s proof has been established”1.
I say: You have spoken the truth—may Allah have mercy on you—for we have seen them do nothing else. This writer is but one of hundreds of examples bearing out your words.
- The writer says on p. 17:
“Ibn al-Qayyim also affirmed that Allah has a side—exalted is He above what he says!! He inferred this from the words of Allah Most High: ‘Alas for my neglect of my duty towards Allah!’ 2 In al-Sawā‘iq al-Mursala (1/250) and al-Mawsilī’s Mukhtasar al-Sawā‘iq (1/33), the following appears: ‘Suppose that the Quran indicates the affirmation of a side as an attribute. Where, then, do you find in its apparent or hidden meaning any indication that it is a single side and a single flank? It is well known that such unrestricted wording does not indicate that it is a single flank, just as the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said to Imrān ibn Husayn: “Pray standing; if you cannot, then sitting; and if you cannot, then lying on your side.” This does not indicate that a person has only one side.’ End quote.
I say: Is it valid to draw an analogy between Allah—glorified and exalted is He—and Imrān ibn Husayn, and to liken Him to him?! Does anyone who affirms Allah’s oneness say that Allah has a side?!
By Allah, making such statements is nothing but a return to the paganism of old. So, ‘Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Might, far above what they ascribe to Him’!!!!”