Exemplary Foundations Concerning the
Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allaah
Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen
Exemplary Foundations Concerning the
Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allaah
Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (d.1421H)
Translation by Maaz Qureshi
Version 1.0
The Commendation of Imaam ’Abdul-’Azeez Ibn Baaz:
Shaykhul-Islaam ’Abdul-’Azeez Ibn ’Abdullaah Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) – rahimahullaah – said,
“The praise is for Allaah and may the peace and greetings be upon the Messenger of Allaah
and upon his Family and whosoever is guided by his guidance. To proceed:
So indeed, I have reviewed the valuable book that was written by the possessor of
excellence, our brother, al-’Allaamah, Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen
concerning the Names and Attributes. He named it al-Qawaa’idul-Muthlaa fee Sifaatillaahi
wa Asmaa‘ihil-Husnaa. I have listened to it from its beginning to its end, so he wrote an
illustrious book. Indeed, it contains a clarification of the creed of the Salafus-Saalih in the
Names and Attributes. Likewise, it comprises of great foundations and collective benefits
concerning the topic of the Names and Attributes.
He clarified the meaning of al-Ma’iyyah (Allaah’s being with His creation in knowledge,
whilst being above His Throne in His Essence) that is mentioned in the Book of Allaah the
Mighty and Majestic in a specific and general sense according to Ahlus-Sunnah wal-
Jamaa’ah. Verily it is the truth in reality, it does not require a blend or mixture of the two
creations. Rather, He is the One free from all imperfections, above His Throne, as He has
informed about Himself, and as is connected to His Majesty. It only necessitates His
knowledge, congnizance and acquaintance with them, and that He listens to their
statements and movements, and He sees their conditions and situations, and He preserves
and watches over His Messengers and His believing awliyaa‘ (close allies), and He grants
them victory and success to other than that from whatever relates to the general and
particular ma’iyyah. It contains sublime meanings and realities that Allaah the Glorified
has affirmed for Himself.
Likewise, this book comprises of an opposition to the statement of the people of ta’teel
(denial), tashbeeh (resemblance) and tamtheel (likening), and the people of al-Hulool wal-
Ittihaad (incarnation and union between Allaah and His creation).
Exemplary Foundations Concerning the
Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allaah
Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen
2
So may Allaah increase him in goodness and increase him and us in knowledge, guidance
and success. May Allaah benefit all of the Muslims by reading his book. Verily He is the
best Disposer for that and well-capable of it. So may the peace and greetings of Allaah be
upon our Prophet Muhammad and His Family and His Companions.
Stated by the one needy of Allaah the Exalted:
’Abdul-’Azeez Ibn ’Abdullaah Ibn Baaz
Head of the Department of Knowledge-Based Research,
Religious Verdicts, Call and Guidance. 5/11/1404H.”
Introduction:
The praise is for Allaah, we praise Him, seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness. We
repent to Him and seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of our selves and from the evils of
our sinful deeds. Whosoever Allaah guides, then none can misguide him; and
whomsoever Allaah allows to be led astray, then there is no guide for him. I testify that
there is no deity worthy of worship besides Allaah alone without any associate; and I testify
that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May the perfect and complete greetings of
Allaah be upon him, his Family, his Companions and whosoever follows him in goodness.
To proceed:
So eemaan (faith) in the Names and Attributes of Allaah is one of the pillars of faith in
Allaah the Exalted, and that consists of faith in the wujood (existence) of Allaah, faith in
His ruboobiyyah (lordship), faith in His uloohiyyah (divinity) and faith in His Names and
Attributes.
THEE SSTATUSS THAT THEE REELLIIGIION HASS GIIVEEN TO KNOWIING THEE NAMEESS AND ATTRIIBUTEESS
OFF ALLLLAAH::1
So Tawheed of the Names and Attributes of Allaah is one of the three categories of
Tawheed, they are: Tawheedur-Ruboobiyyah, Tawheedul-Uloohiyyah and Tawheedul-Asmaa‘ was-
Sifaat. So the status of Tawheedul-Asmaa‘ was-Sifaat in the Religion is uppermost and of the
utmost importance. It is not possible for anyone to worship Allaah in a complete way,
until he has acquired knowledge of the Names and Attributes of Allaah the Exalted, in