Lesson 5 : The Attributes of God

The scholars said that it is obligatory upon every mukallaf to know thirteen Attributes of Allah. They are: Existence, Oneness, Eternity, Everlastingness, Non-neediness of others, Power, Will, Knowledge, Hearing, Sight, Life, Speech, and Non-resemblance to the creation. The explanation of these attributes is as follows:

1. Existence: It is obligatory to believe that Allah exists and that there is no doubt in His Existence. He exists without a place. Time does not lapse on Allah.

2. Oneness: Allah is One without any partners. He is One in His Self, His Attributes, and His Actions.

3. Eternity: Allah is Eternal; there is no beginning to His Existence. He has existed since before the creation.

4. Everlastingness: Allah is Everlasting; His existence does not come to an end. He does not perish.

5. Non-neediness of others: Allah does not need any of His creations and they are all in need of Him.

6. Power: Allah has Power over everything.

7. Will: Everything that occurs in this world is by the Will of Allah.

8. Knowledge: Allah knows about all things before they occur.

9. Hearing: Allah hears all what is hearable, without an ear or any other organ.

10. Sight: Allah sees all what is seeable, without a pupil or any other organ.

11. Life: Allah is alive without a soul, skin, or heart. His Life is not similar to ours. He is alive and does not die.

12. Speech: Allah’s Speech is without a tongue or lip. His Speech is not in a language, Arabic or anything else. His Speech does not resemble the speech of the humans.

13. Non-resemblance to the creations: Allah does not resemble the creations.

Questions:

1. How many Attributes of Allah is the mukallaf obligated to know?

2. List the Attributes of Allah that every mukallaf must know.

3. Tell what you have learned about Allah’s Attributes of Existence, and Oneness.

4. Tell what you have learned about Allah’s Attributes of Eternity, Everlastingness, and Non-neediness of others.

5. Tell what you have learned about Allah’s Attributes of Power, Will, and Knowledge.

6. Tell what you have learned about Allah’s Attributes of Hearing, Sight, and Life.

7. Tell what you have learned about Allah’s Attributes of Speech, and Non-resemblance to the creation.