TL;DR
- There are certain words, such as “Wajh” (وَجْهُ), “Yadullah” (يَدُ ٱللَّهِ), and “A’ini” (عَيْنِىٓ), meaning “the face,” “the hand of Allah,” and “my eye,” which the Quran uses when mentioning Allah. However, scholars state that the exact meaning of these words is known only to Allah Himself.
- Although there is no exact image of Allah in the Quran or hadith, there are verses that help Muslims understand their Lord.
- It is impermissible for a Muslim to imagine Allah. Instead of focusing on his appearance, one should try to grow closer to him by his attributes (Asma al-Husna)
- Allah is far beyond anything a human mind can imagine. There is nothing like him. This is why it is essential for a Muslim to practice the principle of Bila Kayfa (accepting without asking) to protect their faith and to stay away from the whispers of Shaytan.
- It is narrated from the Prophet PBUH that the righteous will be able to see Allah on the Day of Resurrection and in Paradise.
Human curiosity is one of the most magnificent things to exist. It has been the driving force behind many of the world’s great wonders. From questioning the little things happening in daily life to pondering upon the events taking place in the skies, human curiosity knows no bounds. The same can be said of religion. Specifically Islam. The religion that reframed the laws of the world and its inhabitants. The religion, which was uniquely different. The religion that doesn’t have a physical representation of the One to be worshipped.
Why This Is The Right Question To Ask
“What does Allah look like?” is a question many Muslims have asked themselves at some point during their lives. Children ask it due to sheer curiosity, while adults ask it to grow closer to their deen. The question isn’t disrespectful. Because how is a human supposed to love and obey someone they can’t see? This is where the question needs to be reframed.
A Muslim may not be able to see their creator, but they can feel his mercy and love all around them. How? In the answered du’as. In the solved problems. In the blessings that come out of nowhere. In the small, quiet moments where the world seems to stand still, and it feels like one is the center of the universe. Just because there isn’t a physical description doesn’t mean Allah is beyond reach.
Allah Has No Physical Form: What The Quran Says
Allah is way beyond human comprehension. However, several verses in the Quran describe Allah and help Muslims understand Him.
Surah Al-An’am, Verse 103
Vision comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth (all) vision. He is the Subtile, the Aware.
The vision here refers to the creations of Allah. The Quran states that creation cannot see Him, but He sees all of creation. He is subtle, bringing forth all things and being aware of their places and positions. Not even an ant moves on this earth, but he knows about its movement.
Abu Musa RA reported from the Prophet PBUH:
“Verily the Mighty and Exalted doesn’t sleep. It doesn’t befit Allah to sleep. He lowers the scales and raises them. The deeds in the night are taken to Him before the deeds in the day and vice versa. His veil is the light, and if he withdraws it, the splendor of His countenance will consume the creation as far as his sight reaches.
In the hadith narrated by Abu Bakr RA, instead of the word “light,” the word “fire” is used.
This hadith puts into perspective the supreme nature of the creator. The inability to see him is due to the fact that his creation doesn’t possess the ability to encompass him. Meaning to perfectly see Allah as He is is not possible for humans, angels, or anything else created.
Surah Ash-Shura, Verse 11
The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He hath made for you pairs of yourselves and of the cattle also pairs, whereby He multiplieth you. Naught is as His likeness, and He is the Hearer, the Seer.
This verse emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Allah by stating that He is the only one who created the heavens, the earth, and everything in between. Whether it is a mustard seed or the highest mountain in the world, He is the creator of it all. Furthermore, this surah emphasizes His blessings for His creation. He created pairs of humans (males and females), and he also made mates for cattle so that humans could have sustenance.
He created generation after generation of living beings, sustaining them without any assistance. He provided for them from places they didn’t even know existed. He was aware of their needs and fulfilled each of them. There is no one like Him. He hears and sees everything that crosses the lips and that which remains in the heart. He knows what is inside each one.
Surah 112
Say: He is Allah, the One! Allah, the eternally Besought of all! He begetteth not nor was begotten. He begetteth not nor was begotten.
Surah Ikhlas (The Sincerity) is one of the most comprehensive surahs in the Quran. It has only 4 ayahs but contains so much knowledge that reciting it is regarded as reciting ⅓ of the Quran. Not only does this surah discuss tawheed (the oneness of Allah), but it also explores the non-comparability of Allah. It was revealed when an idolater asked the Prophet PBUH to tell him about the lineage of Allah. So the creator revealed this surah, in which He stated that He is One; there is no one like Him. He is Al-Ahad (The Only One)
He doesn’t have a spouse. He is As-Samad (The Eternal), needed by all. He wasn’t born, and there isn’t anyone who is like him in his universe and in the unseen one. He begets not, nor was He begotten, meaning that he has no offspring and was not one. He created all things, and He is unique, alone, and above all of them.
Does Allah Have A Face, Hands, and Eyes? The Bila Kayfa Principle
“Wajh” (وَجْهُ), “Yadullah” (يَدُ ٱللَّهِ), and “A’ini” (عَيْنِىٓ) are words that occur in verses of the Quran. In the English translation, these words have the meaning of “the face,” “the hand of Allah,” and “my eye,” respectively. The scholars of Kalam (Asharia and Maturidiah) have the opinion that the exact meaning of these words is known only by Allah. The understanding of Muslims with regard to hands, eyes, or faces is limited only to that which Allah has created, and Allah is above everything He has created.
Moreover, this topic is so sensitive that Imam Hasan Basri and many other great scholars have not even allowed these words to be translated into any language other than the one in which they were revealed: Arabic. This is where the Bila Kayfa principle (accepting without questioning) comes in. Instead of focusing on the how or why, a Muslim should understand that their Lord has decreed the best for them. To protect oneself from unnecessary doubt and uncertainty, one should abandon this kind of thinking and focus on what one can do to strengthen one’s relationship with one’s Lord.
Tanzih: the Islamic concept of Allah’s incomparability
The word “tanzih” is derived from Arabic and means “purifying or cleaning something” or “talking about someone’s purity.” This word is a synonym for “tasbih,“ which means “declaring the purity of Allah.” The one who does tasbih of the creator is also doing tanzih. They are acknowledging the absolute uniqueness of the Lord. That he is unlike anything in this whole universe.
This concept is, in some terms, related to tawheed (the oneness of Allah). The core belief that he is the only One. This is why anthropomorphism is rejected. Because Allah SWT is above all His creation, whatever crosses the mind of a Muslim, Allah is far greater than that, unlike anything He has created.
Is It Haram To Imagine What Allah Looks Like?
Mufti Ebrahim Desai states,
“It is impermissible to imagine Allah as a shape or figure.”
The imagination of a human is limited only to the creations they have seen on this earth. Allah is unlike any of these creations. He is the One, and there is nothing like Allah, which exists in the universe. Imagining Allah is considered a very grave sin.
Mufit Siraj Desai states,
“Our understanding of hands, face, and limbs is limited only to what has been created. It will be the height of Kufr to compare Allah to anything He has created.”
It is clear from the above opinions of scholars that it is not permissible for a Muslim to imagine their lord. If one persists in this kind of thinking, it poses a significant risk to their religion. One should try to repel these thoughts to the best of their ability and, instead of focusing on Allah’s physical appearance, develop a relationship with Him through voluntary worship, reading the Quran, and engaging in dhikr.
Why Islam Prohibits Pictures Or Depictions Of Allah
Pictures of any kind, whether that be humans or animals, are strictly forbidden in Islam. Especially when it comes to religious figures. There are numerous fatwas, based on authentic hadiths, which state that nobody is allowed to draw pictures of the prophets, their companions, angels, and their wives. They are one of the most perfect beings ever created, and any depiction of them will not be able to live up to their noble ranks. If there are such strict laws about the depiction of humans Allah has created, then how can one even think about depicting the creator of the universe? The One whom no eye has seen?
Furthermore, drawing physical representations of religious figures, such as Jesus in Christianity, and then worshipping them is idolatry. When Islam came, it explicitly rejected idols and based its worship on the unseen. Muslims are supposed to worship Allah and follow His messenger without ever being able to see them.
Knowing Allah Through His 99 Names (Asma ul Husna)
Allah’s are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them.
Instead of focusing on the appearance of Allah SWT, one should strive to know him through his attributes. The 99 names of Allah (Asma ul Hasna) help one understand Allah and the way in which he deals with his servants. Names such as Ar-Rahman (The Beneficient) and Ar-Rahim (The Merciful) highlight his mercy; Al-Basit (The Extender), Ar-Razaq (The Total Provider), and Al-Wa’sai (The All-Pervading One) emphasize his greatness over his creation; and An-Nur (The Prime Light), Al-Azim (The Magnificent One), and Al-Wadud (The Most Loving) help one understand his magnificence.
Studying his name pivots the question from “What does he look like?” to “Who is he?” Focusing on the latter brings one peace in times of hardship and difficulty by affirming that even though He is not visible, a Muslim can reach Him through His names.
Will Believers See Allah? Ru’yatullah In The Hereafter
Ru’yatullah is an Arabic term that means “the vision of Allah” or “believes in attaining the honor of seeing Allah.” This concept is emphasized by several authentic hadiths that state that Muslims will have the opportunity to see Allah in the hereafter.
While the people of Paradise are enjoying their rewards, a light will shine on them. They will look up and see Allah, who will greet them with the words, “Peace be upon you, O people of paradise.” This is the meaning of the verse: “Peace—a word from the Merciful Lord.” They will be so captivated by the sight of Allah that they will forget about all the pleasures of paradise and will focus only on Him until He veils Himself from them. His light and blessings will continue to fill them even after He screens Himself.
Abu Hurairah reported the people asked Prophet PBUH about seeing Allah on the Day of Resurrection. Hearing this, the Prophet PBUH questioned, “Do you have any trouble seeing the full moon at night?” The people replied in negative. He questioned again, “Do you have any trouble seeing the sun when it is cloudless?” The people replied in negative. Then, the Prophet PBUH said, “Verily, you would see Him just like you see the sun and the moon.”
Even though in this world no human can see Allah, He will bless the righteous with His presence in the hereafter.
Conclusion
It is human nature to wonder about different things, and, therefore, wondering, ‘What does Allah look like?’ might come as a natural question. Although there is nothing wrong with wondering about it, spending too much time thinking about this question may lead them down a dangerous path. This can plant unwanted doubt and weaken one’s faith. In times like these, it is essential to remember that Shaytan uses many tricks to sway the believers, and this might be one of them. Instead of pondering over Allah’s appearance, one should turn to him in times like these and have firm faith that they will see him in the hereafter.
FAQs
Allah is way beyond human comprehension. The Quran and Hadith encourage a Muslim to grow closer to Allah through His attributes rather than by pondering His appearance.
The Quran focuses on Allah’s attributes rather than his appearance. Although certain verses mention features such as the hand and the face, the scholars of Kalam (Ash’ariyah and Maturidiyyah) hold that the exact meaning of this word is known only to Allah.
The word “Wajh” (وَجْهُ) is used in the Quran. Although the word translates to “the face,” the scholars of Kalam (Asharia and Maturidiah) have the opinion that the exact meaning of this word is known only by Allah.
Yes. Mufti Ebrahim Desai: “It is impermissible to imagine Allah as a shape or figure.”
There are 99 attributes of Allah. Such as, Ar-Rahman (The Beneficient), Ar-Rahim (The Merciful), An-Nur (The Prime Light), Al-Azim (The Magnificent One), and Al-Wadud (The Most Loving)
Yes, there are several authentic hadiths that state Allah will reveal Himself to the people of paradise.
No. Jesus (Esa AS) is a prophet of Allah, and Allah is his lord.
Jazak Allahu Khayran blog post is really great! This post helped me understand it much better. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!