Is "al-harawalah" (a brisk walk) established for Allah Almighty, and if so, why is shade not attributed to Him, despite His having attributed it to Himself?
The belief of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah is to affirm what Allah has affirmed for Himself, or what His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, has affirmed for Him. Disagreements may arise in understanding texts, such as "هرولة" (hurrying/scurrying) in the Hadith Qudsi, which might be understood as swift recompense rather than actual scurrying. This is a valid interpretation due to a clear sensory and rational indication: that the servant's drawing near is not in the form of physical movement. Nevertheless, interpreting the hadith as actual scurrying is not impossible, but it is not the apparent meaning of the context.
As for the intended meaning of "الظل" (shade/shadow) in the hadith "Seven will be shaded by Allah in His shade," it refers to the shade of the Throne, as other hadiths have stated this, and the shade of deeds is also established. And the shade of Allah is not the shade of His Essence, exalted be He, because that would imply the sun being above Him, exalted is Allah far above that.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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