Is what is attributed to Ibn Taymiyyah regarding anthropomorphism correct, based on his statements mentioned in "Bayan Talbis al-Jahmiyyah" and "Darʾ Taʿaruḍ al-ʿAql wa an-Naql," and inferred from the responses of scholars of his era such as Taqi al-Din al-Subki, and his saying about the Prophet sitting on the Throne and the annihilation of Hellfire?
Those who deny God's established attributes use the specious argument of negating composition and anthropomorphism, and they accuse those who affirm them of anthropomorphism. This is refuted by evidence. The imams of Ahl al-Sunnah do not use terms not found in the Qur'an and Sunnah; rather, they seek clarification about their meanings. The term "anthropomorphism" (tajseem) is one of the innovated terms. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah held that the terms "body" (jism) and "accident" (arad) are technical terms that the Salaf neither affirmed nor denied. Rather, they condemned the Jahmiyyah and the Mushabbihah (anthropomorphists) because these terms are prone to ambiguity. Ibn Taymiyyah's statement does not intend to affirm corporeality for God, but rather to avoid denying established attributes under the pretext of anthropomorphism. As for "likening" (tashbeeh), a distinction is made between representation (tamtheel), which is negated in the Qur'an, and that which has a sound basis. His statement "dependency on a part is not impossible" does not imply material composition, but rather that the existence of a thing necessitates the existence of its parts. Ibn Taymiyyah did not go beyond the methodology of the Salaf in affirming attributes, and [he maintained] that there is nothing like unto God. His statement that the Qur'an is "muhdath" (originated/brought into existence) means that God speaks by His will and power, and that His speech is recent and the best of speech, not created. His statement about the "succession of events" applies to types, not to specific entities, and does not imply the eternity of the world. The attribution of the saying "the Prophet sitting on the Throne with God" to him is denied; rather, he quoted it from some of the Salaf, and it is not valid unless supported by revelation. The attribution of the saying about the "annihilation of Hellfire" to him is also denied, as clarified by scholars.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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