All praise is due to Allah, and may blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
The fatwa does not permit applying “the Manager of the Universe” to Allah, whether by adopting “the Manager” as a name for Him or by using the expression as a statement about Him. This is because it may suggest being assigned duties, being subordinate, or being held accountable—meanings from which Allah is exalted above. The appropriate expression is: “Allah is the Creator, Owner, and Governor of the universe.”
Allah is the Creator, Owner, and Governor of the universe
All dominion belongs to Allah. In His Hand is the governance of all His creation’s affairs. There is no one above Him who commands Him or holds Him accountable, and He derives His authority from no one.
Allah says:
“Say: In whose Hand is the dominion of all things, who grants protection while none can grant protection against Him, if you know? They will say: Allah’s. Say: How, then, are you deluded?” [Al-Muʾminūn 23:88–89]
He also says:
“So exalted is He in whose Hand is the dominion of all things, and to Him you will be returned.” [Yā Sīn 36:83]
And He says:
“Blessed is He in whose Hand is dominion, and He has power over all things.” [Al-Mulk 67:1]
These texts establish the perfection of His ownership, power, and authority. Saying that He is the Creator, Owner, and Governor of the universe conveys the intended meaning in words befitting His majesty.
Why should the expression “the Manager of the Universe” not be used?
The fatwa explains its prohibition by noting that, in human affairs, “manager” is used for someone who manages a company or institution. Such a person may have been appointed by someone else or may be subject to an authority that supervises them and holds them accountable.
These meanings do not befit Allah. He is the One who commands and forbids, assigns duties to His servants, and holds them accountable. He is not subject to anyone’s commands or judgment. He says:
“He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.” [Al-Anbiyāʾ 21:23]
The issue is therefore not the speaker’s intention to affirm that Allah governs the universe, which is a correct meaning. It concerns choosing a word that may suggest meanings incompatible with Allah’s perfection and greatness.
For the same reason, the fatwa does not permit saying “the President of the Universe.” Moving to a higher-ranking human title does not remove the possible implication of imperfection in this type of expression.
The difference between naming Allah and making statements about Him
Allah’s names are established only through revelation: they are known from the Qur’an and Sunnah. We therefore name Allah only with names He has given Himself or that His Messenger, blessings and peace be upon him, has given Him. “The Manager” is not one of His Most Beautiful Names.
As for using this expression as a statement about Him, it is not enough for the speaker to say: “I do not intend to adopt it as a name for Allah; I only mean to describe His governance.” The meaning of the word and what it may suggest must still be considered.
The fatwa therefore combines two rulings: “the Manager” is not to be affirmed as a name of Allah, and “the Manager of the Universe” is not to be used as a statement about Him, because it considers the expression inadequate to convey His perfection appropriately.
Choosing words befitting the reverence due to Allah
Allah must be exalted and revered. One should avoid contrived expressions that may carry meanings unbefitting Him. Allah says:
“There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” [Al-Shūrā 42:11]
He has also forbidden speaking about Him without knowledge, saying:
“And that you say about Allah what you do not know.” [Al-Aʿrāf 7:33]
Anyone wishing to express Allah’s governance of the world’s affairs should therefore say: “Allah is the Creator, Owner, and Governor of the universe.” This expression clearly conveys the intended meaning.
Conclusion
“The Manager” is not one of Allah’s names. The fatwa also prohibits describing Him as “the Manager of the Universe” or “the President of the Universe,” because these expressions may suggest imperfection and subordination. The correct meaning can be expressed by saying: “Allah is the Creator, Owner, and Governor of the universe.”
And Allah knows best.