Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen (rahimahullah)
The Status Of Knowledge Pertaining To The Names And Attributes Of Allah Sub’hanahu Wa Ta’ala
Stated Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen (rahimahullah) in the forward of his book:
Verily, belief in the names and attributes of allah is one of the pillars of faith in Allah the exalted. They are,
1. belief in the existence of Allah
2. belief in His Lordship (Ruboobiyyah)
3. belief in His sole Right to all forms of worship (Uloohiyyah)
4. belief in His Names and Attributes (Asmaa’ was-Sifaat)
Furthermore, it is one of the three categories of Tawheed:
1. belief in His Lordship (Ruboobiyyah)
2. belief in His sole Right to all forms of worship (Uloohiyyah)
3. belief in His Names and Attributes (al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat)
So, the status of the Tawheed of al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat in the Religion is very high and of the utmost importance. It is not possible for anyone to worship Allah in a complete way , until he has acquired the knowledge of the Names and Attributes of Allah the Exalted, in order to worship him upon clarity.
Allah the Exalted has said,
And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allâh, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do. (Sooratul-A’raaf,7:180)
Calling upon Allah with his Names and Attributes is to be done when requesting something specific , and also when one calls upon Allah only to praise him.
When one calls upon Allah to request something, he mentions Allah’s Names that are suitable for the occasion. For example, you say, “O Ghafoor (the All-Forgiver)! forgive me! O Raheem (the All-Merciful)! Have Mercy on me O Hafeedh (the All-Protecting One) Protect me!” and the likes.
And when one calls upon Allah simply to praise him, he worships Allah with the implication of these Names. For example, you repent to Allah since He is at-Tawwaab (the Acceptor of Repentance), you mention him upon your tongue since he is as-Samee’ (the All-Hearing), you worship him with your body parts since He is al-Baseer (the All-Seeing), you fear him in secret since He is al-Lateef (the Sublime), al-Khabeer (the All-Informed), etc.
So due to the status of Tawheedul-Asmaa’ was-sifaat, and due to the people speaking about it with truth in some occasions, and with falsehood from either ignorance or bigotry in other occasions, I was inclined to author some principles concerning it, hoping that Allah the Exalted would make this action of mine a sincere effort seeking His Face, being in agreement with what He is pleased with, and that it is beneficial for His servants.
I have named it al-Qawaa’idul-Muthlaa fee Sifaatillaahi Ta’aalaa wa Asmaa’ihil-Husnaa