What is the ruling on describing Allah as "understands"?

The names and attributes of Allah are tawqifiyyah (restricted to what is revealed); it is not permissible to describe Allah except with what He has described Himself, or what His Messenger has described Him with. The attribute of "understanding" (al-fahm) has not been mentioned in relation to Allah in the Qur'an or Sunnah, so Allah should not be described with it.

While the scope of reporting about Allah ( bab al-ikhbar an Allah) is broader than that of His names and attributes, one must be cautious and refrain from using any expression that might imply a deficiency in Allah, such as describing Him with "understanding," which could suggest a renewed acquisition of knowledge on His part. It is more appropriate to report about Him using what has been revealed in the Book and Sunnah, such as that He "knows and hears languages."