What is the ruling on one who points to their hand when explaining the attribute of the Hand of Allah Almighty, to clarify the meaning, not the modality, while believing that His Hand Almighty does not resemble the hands of creatures?
Conclusion:
If a Muslim recites the verses of the Attributes (Ayat al-Sifat) and points with his hand to emphasize the meaning established in the Book of Allah, then this is permissible if the speaker is confident that the listeners will not fall into anthropomorphism (tashbeeh), and if the speaker himself does not hold the principle of anthropomorphism. If one of these two conditions is not met, then it is not permissible.
Those who permitted this have cited as evidence the from Al-Bayhaqi that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said from the minbar: "Indeed, Allah is good in what He admonishes you with: 'Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing,'" and he pointed to his hearing and sight.
As for those who disliked this, they cited as evidence the action of Imam Ahmad when a man gestured with his hand after reciting the verse: {And they did not appraise Allah with His true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be in His grasp on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens folded in His right hand}. Imam Ahmad responded to him by saying: "May Allah cut it off, may Allah cut it off, may Allah cut it off."
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- Original fatwa ID
- 87592
- Imported
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- Source text, unreviewed
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