Affirming The Attributes of Perfection of Allah Almighty
Selections from the Book The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (19)
The Holy Quran describes Allah with attributes of perfection and asserts that He alone possesses these qualities. Allah Almighty says: {Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One, (1) Allah, the Eternal Refuge. (2) He neither begets nor is born, (3) Nor is there to Him any equivalent." (4)} [Al-Ikhlas: 1-4]. In this surah, Allah describes Himself as the One and the Eternal Refuge, indicating His absolute perfection. The term "Eternal Refuge" means that He is self-sufficient and independent, while everyone else is in need of Him.
This description of the Eternal Refuge points to both affirmation and purification. The affirmation is that He is the one to whom all matters are referred, as He possesses all attributes of perfection. He is capable of everything, active in whatever He wills, and has control over creation, command, and recompense. No power exists for others except under His dominion. He can sustain it or withdraw it as He wishes. Thus, He is the ultimate reference and return.
As for purification; Allah describing Himself as free from all need means that He lacks any form of dependence—neither in His existence, as He is the First with no likeness and He neither begets nor is born, nor in His perpetuity, as He feeds and is not fed, nor in His actions, as He has no partners or supporters. The description of Allah as "One" and "Eternal Refuge" also indicates His absolute perfection. Additionally, the terms "One" and "Eternal Refuge" imply that Allah Almighty is without birth or generation. The term "Eternal Refuge" has been interpreted to mean that He has no interior or organs, so He neither eats nor drinks. As stated in the Holy Quran: {Say, "Is it other than Allah I should take as a protector, Creator of the heavens and earth, while it is He who feeds and is not fed?" Say, [O Muhammad], "Indeed, I have been commanded to be the first [among you] who submit [to Allah] and [was commanded], 'Do not ever be of the polytheists."} [Al-An'am: 14].
Allah Almighty says: {And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (56) I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me. (57) Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm possessor of strength. (58)} [Adh-Dhariyat: 56-57].
The "One" is the one who has no equal or counterpart, and it is impossible for Him to have a partner. Generation occurs only from two entities:
Allah Almighty says: {[He is] Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He does not have a companion [i.e., wife] and He created all things? And He is, of all things, Knowing.} [Al-An'am: 101]. Also, in His statement: {Nor is there to Him any equivalent."} [Al-Ikhlas: 4]. This implies the negation of any equal or counterpart to the Creator. Similarly, Allah Almighty says: {[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light. Then those who disbelieve equate [others] with their Lord.} [Al-An'am: 1]. This means they associate equals and counterparts with Him, attributing to Him rivals among His creation. Allah Almighty also says:{Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them - so worship Him and have patience for His worship. Do you know of any similarity to Him?"} [Maryam: 65]. This means there is nothing comparable to Him—no rival, no equal, and no counterpart. Thus, it is evident that His purification from flaws and deficiencies is intrinsic and necessary, as affirmed by Surah Al-Ikhlas.
{Exalted is your Lord, the Lord of might, above what they describe. (180) And peace upon the messengers. (181) And praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds. (182)} [As-Saffat: 180-182].
Episode references:
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 146-149.
- Proof of Allah’s aboveness over His creation, Abu al-Hasan Khojali Ibrahim, p. 28. Adapted. No further information available.
- Approximation of Refinement, Ahmad bin Ali bin Hajar al-Asqalani, edited by Muhammad Awameh, Dar al-Rashid, Syria, 1st ed., 1986, 20/245.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
