Is It Permissible to Describe Allah as “Al-Qadim” and “Existing”? What Is the Ruling on Saying “Allah Is a Thing”?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.

First: Is “Al-Qadim” one of the Names and Attributes of Allah?

The term “Al-Qadim” is not among the established Names of Allah, nor is it affirmed as one of His attributes in the technical sense. However, it may be used when speaking about Allah if the intended meaning is that He preceded all existence and that His existence has no beginning.

Scholars have established that the category of statements used to describe or report about Allah is broader than the category of His Names and Attributes. Not every expression that may correctly be used to speak about Allah necessarily becomes one of His Beautiful Names.

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

“What falls under the category of reporting about Him, Most High, is broader than what falls under the category of His Names and Attributes; such as ‘thing,’ ‘existing,’ and ‘self-subsisting,’ for He may be described using these expressions, but they do not constitute His Beautiful Names and sublime Attributes.”

As for the hadith containing:

“I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, by His Noble Face and His ancient authority, from the accursed Satan,”
narrated by Abu Dawud (466), authenticated by al-Albani,

the word “ancient” in this hadith describes “authority”, rather than directly describing Allah Himself. The meaning is: the ancient authority of Allah.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymin رحمه الله explained that “ancient” in this hadith describes the authority and is not a Name of Allah.

Second: Is “the thing” one of the Names of Allah?

The term “thing” may be used when speaking about Allah, but it is not one of His Beautiful Names.

The Qur’an indicates that this term may be used in reference to Allah. Allah says:

“Say: What thing is greatest in testimony? Say: Allah is Witness between you and me.”
[Al-An'am: 19]

For this reason, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله explained that expressions such as “thing,” “essence,” and “existing” may be used in statements about Allah, without considering them among the Beautiful Names of Allah.

The principle here is that there is a distinction between a Name by which Allah is invoked and an expression that may correctly be used when speaking about Him.

Third: Is it permissible to say “Allah exists”?

Yes, it is permissible to say: “Allah exists.” Indeed, the existence of Allah is an established and certain truth.

Muslims unanimously affirm that Allah exists, and that His existence is unlike the existence of created beings. His existence is befitting His majesty, and He is the First, before whom there was nothing.

Allah تعالى says:

“Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all.”
[Al-Baqarah: 255]

And He says:

“Is there any doubt about Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth?”
[Ibrahim: 10]

Thus, Allah’s existence is certain, and it is correct to describe Him as existing, but “Al-Mawjud” (the Existing) is not among the established Beautiful Names of Allah by which He is invoked.

It is important here to distinguish between two matters:

• Reporting: It is permissible to say: “Allah exists.”
• Naming: One should not say that “Al-Mawjud” is one of Allah’s Beautiful Names merely because it is correct to describe Him as existing.

Fourth: Is “Al-Qadim” the best expression for Allah’s pre-eternity?

The intended meaning—that Allah is without beginning—is correct. However, the expressions established in the Qur’an and Sunnah are more appropriate and precise.

It is authentically reported in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“You are the First, so there is nothing before You; and You are the Last, so there is nothing after You...”
Narrated by Muslim.

Therefore, it is preferable to use expressions established in revelation, such as “the First,” rather than treating “Al-Qadim” as a Name of Allah.

Fifth: What about “Al-Haqw” in the hadith concerning kinship?

As for the hadith of Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:

“Allah created the creation, and when He finished creating it, the womb stood up and took hold of the haqw of the Most Merciful...”
Narrated by al-Bukhari (4830),

scholars have differed regarding its indication.

Some scholars considered it among the hadiths concerning divine attributes and affirmed what is mentioned in it in a manner befitting Allah, without likening Him to His creation or asking how.

Others held that the hadith uses an Arabic expression intended to emphasize the importance of kinship and the greatness of its rights, without intending to establish an independent attribute of Allah.

This is a matter concerning the interpretation of the indication of the text, and scholars have differed regarding it.

In all cases, one must believe in what has been authentically transmitted from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while declaring Allah free from resembling His creation. Allah تعالى says:

“There is nothing whatsoever like Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.”
[Al-Shura: 11]

Conclusion

• “Al-Qadim” is not one of the established Beautiful Names of Allah. It may be used when speaking about Allah to mean that He is eternal and has no beginning, although the expressions established in revelation are preferable.
• “Thing” may be used when speaking about Allah, but it is not one of His Beautiful Names.
• “Existing” may be used: Allah exists, because His existence is certain; however, “Al-Mawjud” is not one of the established Beautiful Names of Allah.
• Regarding the hadith “the womb took hold of the haqw of the Most Merciful,” scholars have differed in its meaning. Some affirmed what it indicates concerning divine attributes, while others understood it as a figurative expression emphasizing the great status of kinship.
• The important principle is: the category of reporting about Allah is broader than the category of His Names and Attributes. Thus, the correctness of using an expression when speaking about Allah does not necessarily mean that the expression is one of His Beautiful Names.

And Allah knows best.