It is known that the People of Sunnah do not allegorize the divine attributes, so why did they allegorize Al-Ma'iyyah (the accompanying/being with)?
The Sunnis affirm for Allah what He has affirmed for Himself of attributes, without distortion or anthropomorphism. Among these attributes are the two attributes of ma'iyyah (togetherness) and uluw (transcendence/highness). Allah’s ma'iyyah is of two types: general (e.g., “And He is with you wherever you are”), and specific (e.g., “Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him”). Ma'iyyah does not negate uluw; for Allah is high in His closeness and close in His highness. Ma'iyyah does not necessitate indwelling by His essence or mixing with creation; for Allah is above His heavens, distinct from His creation, and His ma'iyyah is one of encompassing knowledge, power, authority, and governance. Its implications vary according to the context (such as the help and support given to prophets and saints). The statement that Allah is with His essence everywhere is false both scripturally and rationally, as it would necessitate multiplicity and fragmentation, and would not absolve Allah from being in impure places.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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