What is meant by "hesitation" in His – the Most High's – saying in the Hadith Qudsi: "I do not hesitate about anything I am to do as I hesitate about taking the soul of a believer, for he dislikes death and I dislike to displease him"? And is it considered an attribute of Allah Almighty, and is it an attribute of meaning or otherwise?
The hesitation in taking the soul of a believer is an actual, descriptive attribute affirmed for Allah Almighty, befitting Him, as stated in the of Abu Hurayrah. Ibn Taymiyyah expounded upon this, clarifying that Allah's hesitation does not stem from ignorance of consequences, but rather from His dislike of causing distress to His believing servant through death, at the very moment He willed it according to His wisdom and decree. Ibn Uthaymeen agreed that applying the description of "hesitation" to Allah is impermissible in an absolute sense; rather, it is restricted to this specific issue. It is not due to doubt regarding benefit or capability, but out of His mercy for His believing servant.
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Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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