*Chapter 18: Affirmation of Image (As-Sūrah) for Allah: “Verily Allah Created Ādam Upon His Image” By Abu Ismā’īl Al-Harawee (d. 481H)*
The following are chapters from Shaikhul-Islām Abu Ismā`īl Al-Harawī’s: *“The Book Of Forty Narrations In The Evidences Of Tawhīd”* (Born 396H and died 481H -rahimahullāh)Screenshot 2015-12-08 10.27.51 This compilation is an amazing series of narrations in the establishment of the Tawhīd of Allāh, the Mighty and Majestic, especially in the arena of the Names and Attributes that has left the Jahmiyyah and their offspring such as the Ashā`irah and Māturīdīs dumbstruck just as Allāh has said:
وَقُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ ۚ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا
*“And say: ‘The Truth has come and falsehood has been vanquished. Surely! Falsehood is ever bound to be wiped out.’”* (Al-Israa 17:81)
*Chapter 18: Affirming Image for Allāh, the Mighty and Majestic:*
_Abu Ismā’īl Al-Harawī (481H) with his narration to Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) who said that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:_
خَلَقَ اللَّهُ آدَمَ عَلَى صُورَتِهِ، طُولُهُ سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعًا
_“Allah’s created Ādam (‘alaihis-salām) upon His Image; Adam’s height was 60 cubits.”_
Reported by Muslim (4/2184, no. 28) Bukhāri, Fathul-Bāri (6/362 no. 3326)
*Notes:*
In a narration of Muslim (2612), the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:
إِذَا قَاتَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَخَاهُ فَلْيَجْتَنِبِ الْوَجْهَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ آدَمَ عَلَى صُورَتِهِ
*“If anyone of you [ends up] fighting with his brother, he should avoid his face for indeed Allah created Adam in His image.”*
It is upon a Muslim to submit and have imān whatever is established from the Messenger of Allah (salallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in establishing the Attributes and Qualities of Allah:
1. Without any resemblance to the creation (tashbeeh).
2. Without denying the Attribute (ta’teel).
3. Without explaining it away with metaphors (tahreef).
4. Without saying “how” the Attribute is (takyeef).
5. Without likening the Attribute to the creation (tamtheel).
Rather the Attribute is affirmed upon the basis of this verse: *“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.”*
The great Imām of the Salaf, Ibn Khuzaymah (rahimahullah) has discussed this hadeeth stating the pronoun ‘His’ refers to Allah Himself. And this is supported by the wording, “If anyone of you [ends up] fighting with his brother, he should avoid his face for indeed Allah created Adam in His own image.” (Muslim, 2612). And there are other wordings that he narrates from the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) such as, “If one of you strikes [his brother], avoid the face, and do not say: ‘May Allah disfigure your face,’ [your brother’s] face resembles your face — and indeed Allah created Ādam on His image (Sūrah).” Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamā’ah affirm for Allah what He has affirmed for Himself and whatever the Messenger (salallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has affirmed for Him in a manner that befits His Majesty without denial (ta’teel), without saying “how” (takyeef), and without resemblance (tashbeeh) — alhamdulillāh.