Aqeedah

Answers Midterm Study Questions

Where was Ibn Qudaamah born and in what school of Islamic Law (mathhab)
did he study?
Answer: Born Jammaaeel in Nablus, Palestine, Hambali Mathab
What is obligatory regarding the texts of the Quraan and Sunah in relationship
to the meanings of Allahs Names and Attributes?
Answer: It is obligatory to keep the implications of names and attributes (Allah) in
accordance with their obvious meanings (or linguistic meaning) without any change [ any
change other than that would be speaking Allah without knowledge which is forbidden].
Explain what is meant by the statement, All of Allahs Names are Beautiful,?
Answer: all of them contain the perfect attributes of Allah, free from any deficiency in any
respect
How many Names does Allah have and how are they determined?
Answer: Allah names are not limited to any specific number and they are determined by
revelation
Briefly discuss what Allahs Names refer to and what is meant by their effects.
Answer: Every one of Allahs names refers to Allahs essence, to the attribute it contains
and to the effect (some of the names result in effect on the creation e.g Al Rahman) resulting
from it if it is transitive.
Clarify what is meant by the statement: All of Allahs Attributes are attributes
of perfection.
Answer: They are all perfect because if the attribute represents deficiency without any
element of perfection, then it is absolutely inapplicable to Allah. For example, death,
ignorance, inability, deafness, blindness, etc.
What is to be done with an attribute that represents deficiency without any
element of perfection or an attribute represents perfection from one aspect and
imperfection from another?
Answer: If an attribute represents deficiency without any element of perfection, such
attribute is rejected at all. However if an attribute represents perfection from one aspect and
imperfection from another, it will be affirmed to Allah when it represents perfection and
rejected when it represents imperfection. For example, plotting, deception etc.
Explain the meaning of the positive and negative attributes of Allah.
Answer: The positive (affirmative) attributes are those affirmed for Himself (e.g. life,
knowledge, nobility etc) and they must be affirmed in the way appropriate for Him. The
negative attributes are those that Allah negated from himself, like oppression. They must be
negated from Allah because He negated them from Himself,
Briefly discuss the difference between personal and consequential affirmative
attributes of Allah.
Answer: The difference between them is the affirmative personal (thaatiyyah)) attributes are
those which remain always attributed to Allah, e.g. Hearing, Seeing. As for the consequential
(filiyyah )attributes they are those related to Allahs will. So if Allah wishes He does them

and if He does not wish, He does not do them, like His settling above the throne, or His
coming.
Is it possible to describe the hows about Allahs Attributes?
Answer: No, it is not possible nor even permissible to describe hows Allahs Attributes are,
[Their knowledge cannot encompass Him, surah Dhaha]
Summarize the four ways to refute those who deny or misinterpret Allahs
Names and Attributes.
Answer: These deniers are as Muattilites also referred to as the Interpreters (alMuawwilah). Their claim is refuted as:
They contradict the obvious meanings of the texts. Example the term istiwaa (settling
above) interpreted as isteelaa (taking possession of something).
They contradict the methodology of the Salaf who used to avoid innovation Bida in
their interpretation
They do not have any authentic evidence to support their claims.
In the case of some attributes there may be a fourth principle or more principles for
refutation. This refutation is applicable each one of all attributes of Allah in general.
What is the evidence for beginning every act with the Basmalah?
Answer: The Hadith is not authentic though the prophet recommended uttering before
starting every action
Why did Ibn Qudaamah mention in his introduction that Allahs knowledge is
everywhere?
Answer: Is to refute the deviant sect who claimed Allah is physically everywhere.
Explain which of Allahs attributes is affirmed by denying that Allah can become
too busy.
Answer: Allahs Ability negates that He busy.
Clarify the difference between the Names ar-Rahmaan and ar-Raheem.
Answer: Ar-Rahmaan is the mercy which encompasses all His creation (all creation) .ArRaheem is the mercy which Allah bestows to His believers only.
Briefly discuss how Allahs wisdom is manifest in His creatures.
Answer: Whether humans realize the divine infinite wisdom in creation or not, it is there.
This wisdom demands that there be purpose to life and that the Creator reveal that purpose to
His creatures. Doing things without purpose is unwise and unintelligent, likewise to create
with purpose but not inform the creatures of their purpose would also be unreasonable and
unfair.
Why are human minds unable to imagine Allahs essence when human
imagination is capable of imagining virtually anything?
Answer: The human mind cannot imagine Allah because it depends on data from the senses.
What is the correct position regarding Allahs Attributes mentioned in the
Quran and authentic sunnah?
Answer: They must be believed in, submitted to and accepted. Contradicting it by rejection,
interpretation, drawing resemblance or similitude, must be abandoned. Whatever is difficult
to grasp [among the attributes] must be affirmed literally, and delving into its meaning
should be avoided.
Identify and briefly explain the three main rules concerning interpretation
(taweel) of AllahsNames and Attributes.

Answer: There are three fundamental ruling regarding interpretation (taweel):

The First: That it be the product of genuine ijtihaad and good intentions. Whereby, if the
truth is made clear he would abandon his interpretation. In this case, he is excused as it is his
utmost ability and Allah Most High has stated: He does not burden a soul beyond its
ability. (Soorah al-Baqarah, (2): 286)
The Second: That it be the product of vain desires and fanaticism and it has a basis from an
Arabic linguistic perspective. In such a case it is sin, but not disbelief, as long as it does not
contain [the attribution of] deficiency or flaw to Allah, in which case it would be disbelief.
The Third: That it be the product of vain desires and fanaticism without having any basis in
the Arabic language. In this case it is [an act of] disbelief because it is, in reality, denial [of a
Quraanic text] without any linguistic basis. (Sharh Lumah, pp. 34)
Explain the two categories into which texts from the Quraan and Sunnah
addressing the Divine Attributes may be divided.
Answer: Clearly obvious and problematically obscured. The Clear are those whose
expression and meanings are clear. In such cases, it is obligatory to believe in its expression
and to affirm its real meaning without rejection or interpretation, and without drawing
similitude with the creation or understanding it in human terms. As for the obscure verses,
they are those whose meanings are not clear due to their general implications or limitations
in the understanding of the reader.
Discuss the relative nature of clarity and obscurity regarding Shareeah texts.
Answer: Clarity and obscurity with regard to texts of the Shareeah is something relative and
it varies from one person to the next depending on their knowledge and understanding. Thus,
what may be obscure to one person may be clear to another. What is obligatory, where one
finds obscurity, is to refrain from delving in to it and fumbling about with its meanings.
Who was Ahmad ibn Hambal and what was his significance regarding Tawheed
al-Asmaa was-Sifaat?
Answer: Imaam Ahmad ibn Hambal ash-Shaybaanee was born in Baghdad in the year 778
CE. He became one of the greatest memorizers and narrators of Hadeeth of his time Imaam
Ahmad went through a series of persecutions
under the caliphs of his time due to their adoption of Mutazilite philosophy. He was jailed
and beaten for two
years by order of Caliph al-Mamoon (ruled 813-842 CE), because of his rejection of the
philosophical concept
that the Quraan was created. Later set free, he continued teaching in Baghdad.
What was the position of Imaam ash-Shaafiee regarding one who rejected
Allahs Names and Attributes after evidence was given?
Answer: He becomes a disbeliever.
Identify what the Prophet (r) instructed his followers to bite on to firmly with
their molars and explain what was meant by his instruction.
Answer: Means that we should follow the Sunnah of the Prophet and the rightly guided
Khulahah firmly
Who was Umar ibn Abdul-Azeez and what are three three things that he was
know for in Islamic history?
Answer: Umar ibn Abdul-Azeez (720-681CE), s the grandson of Umayyad caliph
Marwan ibn al-Hakam. His caliphate lasted only two and a half years during which he

became a paragon of virtue and justice. Often referred to as the fifth of the Righteous Caliphs
due to his resemblance to the Four Righteous Caliphs,
To avoid spreading the invented Hadiths, he ordered the leading scholars of his time
to compile the traditions of the Prophet (r).
Abolished taxes, distributed zakah, etc
Abolished luxury at the point of asking his wife to choose between wealth or staying
with him. She has finally chosen him by taking all her jewelers to the State Treasury.

Explain the meanings of the underlined words and phrases in his statement:
Stop where the people stopped, for they stopped based on knowledge
Answer: means to refrain from delving into certain areas, and to avoid speculation about
them. This phrase indicates that their silence about issues was based on knowledge and fear
of Allah, not inability and weakness.
Who was Imaam al-Awzaaee where was he from and why did his Mathhab
disappear?
Answer: He was born in Balabek in the year 708 CE. He became known as one of the major
scholars of hadeeth of the eighth century CE and was opposed to the excessive use of qiyaas
and other forms of reasoning in cases where clear texts from the Quraan and/or Sunnah were
available. He spent most of his life in Beirut, eventually dying there in the year 774 CE. His
mathhab became widespread in Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon as well as in Spain.
Aboo Zarah Muhammad ibn Uthmaan of the Shaafiee mathhab was appointed judge of
Damascus. This judge prized 100 dinars the student who memorized the the book, Mukhtasr
al-Muzanee, (a basic book of Shaafiee Fiqh). Subsequently Shaafi students dominated the
area which led the disappearance of Imaam al-Awzaa Mathhab.
What was meant by his warning, Beware of peoples opinions even if they
beautify them with speech,?
Answer: That is, do not turn away from the Sunnah because someone has beautified his
opinion with words and expressions. Instead, adhere to the Sunnah and those who promote it
even if they are not able to beautify their narrations. Because the scale of judgment is [the
degree of] following; whoever follows is successful and whoever innovates is destroyed
may Allah protect us from the paths of destruction.
Who was al-Athramee and what was meant by his question, Did Allahs
Messenger (r), Aboo Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan and Alee know [what you are
claiming] or not?
Answer: His name is actually Aboo Abdir-Rahmaan Abdullaah ibn Muhammad alAthramee. He was a reliable narrator of hadeeths which he narrated from the likes of Ibn
Uyainah and Wakee and which were narrated from him by Aboo Daawood and anNasaaee. When the issue of the Quran was created was raised, he rejected it as it wasnt said
by Allahs Messenger (r), Aboo Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan and Alee Bin Abu Dhalib.
Explain whether the Divine Attributes of face, hands, self, coming, pleasure,
loving, and anger, are Sifaat Thaatiyyah or Filiyyah and why.
Answer: Allahs attributes can be divided into two basic categories:

Sifaat Thaatiyyah: face, hands, self, are attributes of essence which cannot be
separated from the one described by them (i.e. he cannot be described by them at
some times and not at others)
Sifaat Filiyyah coming, pleasure, loving, and anger are attributes of action.
Discuss how the Asharites and Mutazilites interpret the attributes of pleasure
and anger.
Answer: The Asharites interpret pleasure as a desire to bless and angeras a wish to
punish. As for the Mutazilites and the Jahmites, they sometimes interpret the Divine Name
or Attribute as referring to the creature. For example,Allahs pleasure is interpreted as
those whom He is pleased with; Allahs forgiveness is those whom He has forgiven.
How do the Asharites and others reconcile authentic hadeeths which mention
Allahs descent, laughter, etc.?
Answer: They deny and so they the Hadiths not authentic (Ahaad narrations and not
Thawattur[ three or more narrators]
With regard to the hadeeth Your Lord is amazed at a young man without the
desires of youth, how do scholars interpret this Divine Attribute which implies
the unexpected?
Answer: There are two types of amazement.
Unexpected amazement or a wonder, it cannot be applied to Allah as it is nothing is
hidden from Him.
Out of the norm amazement , this type is an appreciation and it can be attributed to
Allah,
Is the attribute in the verse, Nothing is similar to Him, a positive or negative
attribute and what does it affirm?
Answer: This attribute is one of His negative attributes and affirms His perfection as nothing
is similar to Him.
What are the two meanings of the Attribute All-Hearing (as-Samee) and
which of them is appropriate for Allah.
Answer: The All-Hearing has two meanings: Firstly, is the one who answers or responds
Indeed my Lord hears supplication.Secondly, the one who hears a sound. This has a
number of aspects:
Hearing referring to Allahs general awareness of all sounds
Hearing referring to help and support
Hearing referring to warning and threatening
Explain the common interpretation of the Attribute settling on (istawaa) the
throne and prove why it is false.
Answer: Because the term istiwaa (settling above the throne)is interpreted as isteelaa (taking
possession of something).
To prove that it is false is :it has no proof in the Quran and Sunnah; it implies that the throne
had belonged to someone else before the creation.
Who was Imaam Maalik ibn Anas and why did he expel the questioner who
asked about settling on the throne from his circle of learning?
Answer: He was one of the greats scholars of Medina. Many of his students such as ShafI
were among his circle. The Imaam expelled the questioner, so the fear that he may cause

confusion among the students. So the Imaam said settling above is known in the Arabic
language, how it took place is unknown and asking about it is bidah (innovation).

Clarify whether the Divine Attribute of Speech is an Sifaat Thaatiyyah or

Filiyyah and explain why?
Answer: It is a Sifaat Filiyyah as it depends Allahs will.
Discuss the position of the Mutazilites and Asharites regarding the Divine
Attribute of Speech.
Answer: The Mutazilites claim that Allahs Speech is one of His creations which He created
in the air or places from which it is heard. The Asharites, on the other hand, claimed that
Allahs speech is a meaning existing within Him not linked to His wish. Furthermore, these
letters and audible sounds are created [in the air] to express the
meaning existing within Allah
Explain the significance of the various positions relative to the Quraan itself.
Answer: The significance of Quran whether was created or not Imaam Ahmed Ibn Hanbali
suffered as he affirmed that the Quran is a Speech of Allah thus His attribute.
Mention three of the six evidences used by Ibn Qudaamah to prove that the
Quraan is not Allahs eternal speech which exists as a meaning within Allah.
Answer: These are:
Quraan consists of letters and words as a refutation of those who claim that the
Quraan is actually Allahs eternal speech
Allah challenged the disbelievers with creating something similar to it.
Only that which consists of letters and words can be recited
Identify the evidence used by those who claim that Allah cannot be seen in either
this life or the next, give its interpretation and support your explanation with
evidence from the Quraan and Sunnah.
Answer: Seeing Allah in this life is impossible, based on Allahs statement to Prophet Moses
when he requested that Allah allow him to see Him. It implies not in this life, but other
verses clarify the matter, such as Some faces will be radiant on that day, gazing at their
Lord. (Soorah al-Qiyaamah, (75): 22-3)
Refute the argument against the hadeeth of the Moon which claims its
inauthenticity because it compares Allah to the full moon.
Answer: The comparison here is seeing of the moon and not the moon compared to Allah.
There is nothing similar to Him. (Soorah ash-Shooraa, (42): 11).
Which sects of the past and present denied that Allah would be seen in Paradise?
Answer: These are the Shia and the Mutazilate.
Identify one proof that Prophet Muhammad (r) did not see Allah during his
ascension.
Answer:The statement of Aisha Bint Abu Bakar is the proof
Explain the difference between the terms: Qadaa and Qadar.
Answer: Qadaa linguistically means hukm (ruling; judgement) and Qadr means taqdeer
(measurement). Qadaa is what Allah decides concerning His creatures regarding their
creation, annihilation or transformation. Thus, Qadr precedes Qadaa. When Qadaa and Qadr
mentioned in the place, their meaning is different and when they in different places, they
have the same meaning.

 Briefly explain the four components of Qadar.

Answer: The four components are:
Belief that Allah knows everything in general and in detail by His prior knowledge
That Allah wrote in the Lawh al-Mahfooz the destiny of everything
Everything in the heavens and earth is by Allahs will and wish, between His mercy
and wisdom.
Everything in the heavens and earth are creations of Allah Most High and there is no
other creator besides Him or Lord except Him
Identify are the two main groups among Muslims that erred regarding Qadar,
link them to their Greek antecedents.
Answer: They are Jabrites and Qadrites. The Jabrites claimed that the creature is forced to
do its acts without any choice on its part. Their Greek descendents are Stoic. The Qadrites
who claim that the creature is independent in its actions and that Allah has no will or power
or creation in it. Their Greek descendents are Epicurean.
In what group did Christian theologians fall and why?
Answer: The Christian theologians follow Stoic philosophy or Jabrites. In their belief
salvation is for only of those who heard Jesus who died for their sin. To defend this
approach, they use destiny as responsible factor for the salvation.
Why is it said that Allahs wisdom rejects that He would create anything
completely evil from all aspects?
Answer: His wisdom rejects that. Creation may be evil and corruptive from some respects,
yet in it are benefits, wisdom, and greater considerations than its corrupt aspects. Existence
of evil is limited to that. It is not possible from the Lords perspective for Him to want
something which is corrupt in all respects, there being absolutely no benefit in its creation.
For good is in Allahs hand and evil is not His, instead all that is His is good. Pure evil, on
the other hand, is a result of human activity. Humans think evil and, if Allah permits it, they
do evil. However, if Allah permits them to do evil, there must be a beneficial side to it
known to Allah. This is the wisdom that evil takes place.
Identify the two types of Divine Will, explain the difference between the two and
discuss human acts in which both Wills operate and those in which only one
operates.
Answer: The two types of Divine Will are: Legal Wish meaning that He wishes for humans
Islam However, He also
gives humans the ability to accept His wish or reject it. The Creational Will, meaning that
what takes place is by his permission alone. In the case of the Creational Will, what is willed
must happen, but it is not necessarily pleasing to Allah. While in the case of the Legal Wish,
what is wished must be pleasing to Allah, but it does not have to take place. Humans may go
against Allahs Legal Wish but not His Creational Will
Explain how Allah can will and desire what is displeasing to Himself.
Answer: He does that for greater purpose so in the end it is pleasing Him.
Why did Allah create Iblees when He knew before creating Iblees that he would
disobey Him and misguide Adam and Eve?
Answer: He does so that for greater purpose (all Allah attribute have manifested) so in the
end it is pleasing Him.
Summarize 5 benefits from belief in Qadar.

Answer: The Benefits of Belief in Qadr are

Qadr is from the completion of Eemaan and Eemaan is incomplete without it.
It is from the completion of Eemaan in Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah, because Allahs destiny
and pre-determination are among his actions.
It involves humans referring their affairs to their Lord. Because humans know that everything
is according to Allahs destiny, they will turn to Him in times of difficulty to repel and
remove it from them, and they will attribute their times of good to Allah and know that it is a
favor from Him.
It allows humans to know their true status [in relationship to God] and to not be proud when
they do good.
Calamities become easier to deal with when humans know that they are ultimately from
Allah, as He said

Give 5 evidences that Qadar cannot be used to justify sin.

Answer: They are:

Allah attributes peoples actions to themselves and made it their earning:

Allah commanded people and prohibited them and did not burden them beyond their capacity
Everyone understands the difference between a chosen act and a forced act and that the
former he can escape from doing.
Before doing an act, the sinful person does not know what is destined for him and it is within
his ability to do or not do it.
Allah informed that He sent messengers to prevent this evidence being used as justification

What are three characteristics of the moral character which Qadar builds?
Answer: The character that belief in Divine Decree builds is:

A patient personality
A contented personality
A stable personality