On Allaah's Rising

Suffiency in Creed

By: Imaam Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisee (rahimahullaah)
Sharh by: Muhammad Saalih Ibn 'Uthaymin (rahimahullaah)
Pgs. 70-72 

Imam Malik Ibn Anas (rahimahullaah) was questioned o­nce, and it was said to him:  "O Abu Abdillaah! (Allaah says):  'The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.'How does he rise?  So he (rahimahullaah) responded: "The Rising (Al-Istiwaa) is not something unknown.  How (it is done) is incomprehensible.  Believing in it is an obligation.  And asking concerning it is an innovation."  Then he put someone in charge of the man he was thrown out. #

Footnote: #

Athaar Saheeh: 

This is an authentic narration reported by Ibn Qudaamah in Al-'Uluww (104), Adh-Dhahabee in Al-'Uluww (pg. 141-142), Abu Nu'aim in Al-Hilyah (6/325-326), 'Uthman bin Sa'eed ad Daarimee in Ar-Raadd 'alal-Jahmiyah (55), Al-Laalikaa'ee in Sharh Usool 'Iti'qaad Ahl-is-Sunnah (664), Abu 'Uthmaan in 'Aqeedat-us-Salaaf (24-26) and Al-Bayhaqee in Al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (pg. 408) through paths of narration that strengthens o­ne another.  Adh-Dhahabee authenticated it in Al'Uluww and likewise, Al-Albanee strengthend it in his abridgement to Al-'Uluww.  Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajr (rahimahullah) said in Fath-ul-Baree (13/406-407 ):  "Al-Bayhaqee transmitted it with a good chain from Abdillah Ibn Wahb." And then he mentioned it.  Shaykh-us-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in his Majmoo-ul-Fatawwa (5/365) after quoting the saying of Malik:  "A similar answer to this o­ne is authentically reported from Rabee', the Shaykh of Malik."

The Explanation: (By Shaykh ibn 'Uthaymin rahimahullaah)

He is the Imam, Malik ibn Anas bin Malik.  His father was not the Sahaabi (Companion) Anas bin Malik (radiallah anhu), but rather someone else.  However, the grandfather of Malik was o­ne of the seniors amongst the Tabi'een and the father of his grandfather was from among the Sahabah.  Malik was born in the year 93H in Madinah and died in the same place in the year 179H.  He was alive during the era of the Tabi'ee at-Tabi'een.

He (rahimahullaah) was asked:  "O Abu Abdillaah! (Allaah says:)  'The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.' How does He rise?

So he (rahimahullaah) responded:  "The rising (Al-Istiwaa) is not something unknown." This means that it's understanding was known and it is:  The elevating and settling (of Allah over the Throne).

"How (it is done) is incomprehensible." This means the manner in which the Rising occurs cannot be grasped by the intellect, since Allaah is too grand and majestic to have any intellect be able to grasp the manner of His Attributes.

"Believing in it" means the Rising (Al-Istiwaa).

"Is an obligation" due to what has been mentioned concerning it in the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.

"And asking concerning it" meaning asking o­n it's manner (i.e. how it is done).

"Is an innovation" This is since asking about it's matter was not done during the lifetime of the Prophet (alayhi salatul wasalaam) and his Companions.

Then he entrusted someone with the questioner and he was cast out from the masjid. This was done out of fear that he would put the people to trial with regard to their Creed and in order to punish him by preventing him from sitting in the gatherings of knowledge.