What is the meaning of the Hadith: "Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image," and does it imply anthropomorphism? And why are not all verses about attributes interpreted allegorically if this one is?
Allah Almighty is described by what He has described Himself with, or what His Messenger has described Him with, without any resemblance or similitude, for He says: "There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer" (Quran 42:11). And the hadith: "Indeed, Allah created Adam in His image" is authentically established in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, and it does not necessitate resemblance. Its meaning is that Allah created Adam with hearing, sight, speech, a face, hands, and feet, and this is Allah Almighty's description. However, His attributes, glory be to Him, are perfect and befit His majesty, differing from the attributes of creation. And His statement: "Indeed, the first group to enter Paradise will be in the image of the moon on the night it is full" indicates that "in His image" does not imply a complete resemblance of the image to the image.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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