Fatwa #356036 May 2016Pakistan
Creation as the shadow of Allah?
Question
I've heard some people describe creation as a shadow of Allah (SWT). From my understanding such a statement goes against the oneness of Allah (SWT) because even a shadow is representation, resemblance, likeness and Allah (SWT) says there is nothing like him. Allah (SWT) is totally and perfectly separate, distinct and different from his creation so nothing can be even his shadow.
If the statement is said from the perspective that true existence belongs to Allah (SWT) alone and that all creation is totally and utterly dependent on Him for their existence and stability, then I believe it be absolute truth. Please clarify which meaning is to be understood for the above referred statement.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is incorrect to attribute shadow in its literal meaning to Allah. Indeed Allah is free from form and shape and he has no shadow. The creation of Allah is really a manifestation of the power of Allah and not a shadow of Allah.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Syed Haneef Ahmed
Student Darul Iftaa
New York, U.S.A۔
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
التوحيد للماتريدي (ص: 38)
قَالَ الشَّيْخ أَبُو مَنْصُور رَحمَه الله ثمَّ القَوْل بالجسم يخرج على وَجْهَيْن أَحدهمَا فِي مائية الْجِسْم فِي الشَّاهِد أَنه اسْم ذِي الْجِهَات أَو اسْم مُحْتَمل النهايات أَو اسْم ذِي الأبعاد الثَّلَاثَة فَغير جَائِز القَوْل بِهِ فِي الله سُبْحَانَهُ على تَحْقِيق ذَلِك لما هِيَ أَدِلَّة الْخلق وإمارة الْحَدث إِذْ ذَلِك معنى الْأَجْزَاء وَالْحُدُود الَّتِي هن آيَات الْحَدث وَقد بَينا أَن لَيْسَ كمثله شَيْء
شرح الطحاوية - ط الأوقاف السعودية (ص: 52)
قَوْلُهُ: (وَلَا شَيْءَ مِثْلُهُ).
اتَّفَقَ أَهْلُ السُّنَّةِ عَلَى أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ، لَا فِي ذَاتِهِ، وَلَا فِي صِفَاتِهِ، وَلَا فِي أَفْعَالِهِ
شرح الطحاوية - ط الأوقاف السعودية (ص: 53)
وَلَا يُمَاثِلُهُ شَيْءٌ مِنَ الْمَخْلُوقَاتِ فِي شَيْءٍ مِنْ صِفَاتِهِ: {لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ}
Al-Fiqh al-Akbar pg.71