If it is said that the Qur’an mentions that Allah has a face, an eye, a
side, and the like, the reply to them is as follows:
First: These verses mentioning the face, eye, and so on do not prove
that Allah has literal bodily parts (jawarih). This is because neither we
nor they can take these verses literally. For example:
· Allah’s statement: “That you may be brought up under My Eye”
(20:39), and “It sails under Our Eyes” (54:14). If taken literally, it
would mean that Moses was created on top of Allah’s eye, or that the
ship sailed on His eye or because of His eye — which is factually
impossible and meaningless, a notion neither we nor they hold.
· Similarly, His statement: “No one has at him any favor to be
rewarded, except seeking the Face of his Lord, the Most High” (92:19–
20); “And there remains the Face of your Lord, full of Majesty and
Honor” (55:27); “Everything will perish except His Face” (28:88). If
taken literally, worship would be only for the Face, and Allah’s Essence
would perish while only His Face remains — which is absurd.
· Likewise, His statement: “O my regret for what I neglected
concerning the Side of Allah” (39:56). If taken literally, it would mean
the disbeliever injured, pierced, or broke a bone of Allah’s side —
something no one, neither we nor they, has ever claimed.
· And His statement: “Have they not seen that We have created for
them, from what Our Hands have made, livestock which they own?”
(36:71). If taken literally, it would mean Allah has hands in the private
parts of she-camels, cows, ewes, and goats — contrary to reality and
claimed by no one.
· And His statement: “Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you are
only pledging allegiance to Allah. The Hand of Allah is above their
hands” (48:10). If taken literally, they would have felt it at the time of
the pledge and known it — making the report pointless. Rather, it
means the covenant with the Prophet (peace be upon him) is a
covenant with Allah.
· And His statement: “Rather, His Hands are outstretched” (5:64) is a
response to the Jews’ saying, “Allah’s Hand is chained” (5:64), by which
they meant stinginess. Allah responded by metaphorically indicating
generosity. Hence He says afterward, “He spends however He wills”
(5:64). There is no connection between literal outstretching and
spending. Similarly, His saying: “Do not make your hand chained to
your neck, nor stretch it completely” (17:29) — meaning do not be
stingy nor extravagant — cannot be taken literally, for the Prophet
never had his hand literally chained.
Thus, since none of these verses — concerning eye, face, side, hands —
can be taken literally, and both we and they must interpret them, they
cannot use these verses as proof. Their interpretation is not more
valid than ours. Our interpretation is supported by rational proofs and
the Qur’an itself, such as: “There is nothing like unto Him” (42:11). If
He literally had a face, hands, eyes, and a side, He would have a
likeness, necessitating anthropomorphism. Rational arguments have
already been presented.
— Al-Qawl al-Sadīd by al-Sayyid al-‘Allamah al-Hujjah al-Husayn ibn
Yahya al-Mutahhar (may Allah have mercy on him)