Belief In Allah Ta’ala

QUESTION:

The Salafis say that Allah Ta’ala is, “on His throne”.  How do we respond to this and what is the correct Aqeedah to have regarding their statement?

ANSWER:

One of the fundamental beliefs we should have regarding Allah Ta’ala is that there is no creation similar to Him. If Allah Ta’ala is described as being similar to His creation, then that would constitute Kufr (disbelief).
Imam Tahawi Rahimahullah has stated:

وَمَنْ وَصَفَ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى بـِمَعْنَىً مِنْ مَعَانِي البَشَرِ فَقَدْ كَفَرَ،

“Anyone who describes Allah as being the same as a human being in any way, has become a Kafir (unbeliever)” (Aqidah Al-Tahawi)

It is an established belief of the Muslims that Allah Ta’ala is not contained in a place or time.

Allamah Taftazani Rahimahullah has stated:

ولا يتمكن في مكان

“And He (Allah Ta’ala) does not occupy space”
(Sharh Al-Aqaaid, pg 40)

Allah Ta’ala is the creator of time and space. If we limit Allah Ta’ala to time or space, then this would imply that we resemble Him to his creation, because the one who exists in a place would, by nature, be a body; thus attributing a body to Allah Ta’ala.

If one were to say that Allah Ta’ala is everywhere, then this is wrong, as ‘everywhere’ is limited and ends somewhere, whereas Allah Ta’ala is not limited.

Imam Tahawi Rahimahullah has stated:

وتعالى عن الحدود والغايات والأركان والأعضاء والأدوات لا تحويه الجهات الست كسائر المبتدعات

“He (Allah) is beyond having limits placed on Him, or being restricted, or having parts or limbs. Nor is He contained by six directions as all created things are.”

مُحيطٌ بـِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَبـِما فَوْقَهُ، قَدْ أَعْجَزَ عَنِ الإِحاطَةِ خَلْقَهُ.

“He encompasses all things and that which is above it, and what He has created is incapable of encompassing Him”

Similarly, to say that Allah Ta’ala is on earth, sky, moon, sun, throne, etc., is also wrong, as all these things are limited-and to limit Allah Ta’ala to any created thing is Kufr. Imam Tahawi states:

وَهُوَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مُسْتَغْنٍ عَنِ العَرْشِ وَما دونَهُ،
“He is independent of the Throne and that which is beneath it.”

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

كان الله ولم يكن شيء غيره

“Allah Ta’ala existed eternally and there was nothing else”
(Bukhari, #3019)

This Hadith proves that Allah Ta’ala was alone before creating any of the creation. There was nothing with Him: no place, no space, no sky, no light, and no darkness. It is our belief that Allah Ta’ala does not change. Hence, it is impossible that after having existed without a place, He would later be confined to space, like the throne. The simple question is, where was Allah Ta’ala before Allah Ta’ala created His throne? Therefore, Allah Ta’ala cannot be confined to His throne.

Allah Ta’ala is not a body, nor is He a matter that has a mass and occupies space. Allah Ta’ala is The Creator of mass, matter, bodies and physics. Attributing Allah Ta’ala with a body or similar to a body or limb is Kufr.
In brief, it is incorrect to say that Allah Ta’ala is “on His throne”, literally. “Throne” is a restricted entity. Allah Ta’ala is the creator of Makaan (place) and the creator of Makaan (place) cannot be contained within His creation, i.e., place. (RE:Fatawa Al-Mahmoodiyya, vol 1, pg 244)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Ahmed Saeed

Date: 15 Muharram 1448 / 30 June 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb