The ‘Aqeedah Of Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee (D. 463H)

Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee (d. 463) said:

“As for the speech about the Attributes of Allaah, that which is authentically related about them in the sunnah, then the way of the Salaf, may Allaah be pleased with them all, was to affirm them as they are ‘alaa dhaahir (upon their apparent meaning), negating any tashbeeh (resemblance) to Allaah (1) and not asking how they are (2).

We do not say that Al-Yad (the Hand of Allaah) means ‘His Power’ nor that As-Sam’ (Allaah’s Hearing) and Al-Basr (Allaah’s Seeing) means ‘His Knowledge’, nor do we say that He has jawaarih (limbs) (3).” (4)

Footnotes:

(1) So we don’t say Allaah’s Hand is like our hand, but we say Allaah’s Hand is unlike our hand.

(2) see this post for more info.

(3) Know this last point very well, as the ash’ariyyah love to try and confuse you via this channel, by saying that by affirming Allaah has a Hand, Face etc. you are saying He has limbs.

(4) Al-Kalaam ‘Alas Sifaat, of Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee, Pp. 19-20