The question "Where is Allah?" has been clearly answered in the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah. The belief of the Salaf is that Allah is above His Throne ('Arsh), which is above the seven heavens. However, some groups claim that "Allah is everywhere" or that "Allah exists within His creation."
Qur'anic Evidence, Allah is Above His Throne
Allah is Above the Throne
"The Most Merciful is established above the Throne."(Surah Ta-Ha 20:5)
"Then He rose over the Throne." (Surah Al-A'raf 7:54, Surah Yunus 10:3, Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:2, Surah Furqan 25:59, Surah As-Sajdah 32:4, Surah Hadid 57:4)
Allah is Above His Creation
"They (the angels) fear their Lord who is above them."(Surah An-Nahl 16:50)
"Do you feel secure that He who is above the heavens will not cause the earth to swallow you?"(Surah Al-Mulk 67:16)
Hadith Evidence, Allah is Above the Heavens
The Slave Girl Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ asked a slave girl: "Where is Allah?"
She replied: "Above the heavens."
The Prophet ﷺ then asked: "Who am I?"
She said: "You are the Messenger of Allah."
The Prophet ﷺ then said: "Set her free, for she is a believer."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 537)
The Mi'raj Incident (Ascension to the Heavens)
During the Night Journey (Isra wa Mi'raj), the Prophet ﷺ ascended through the seven heavens until he reached Sidratul Muntaha near Allah's Throne. This event itself proves that Allah is above His creation.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 349, 351, 7517)
Raising Hands in Du'a
The Prophet ﷺ used to raise his hands towards the heavens while making supplications. If Allah were everywhere, why would the Prophet ﷺ always direct his supplications upwards?
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 896)
Refuting the "Allah is Everywhere" Argument
Who Holds This Belief?
Ash'aris, Maturidis, some Sufis, and philosophers claim that "Allah is everywhere" or that "Allah exists within His creation."
Their argument is primarily based on philosophy, speculative theology (Ilm al-Kalam), and metaphorical interpretations, rather than direct Qur'anic and Hadith evidence.
Their Arguments and Refutations
Argument: "Allah is with you wherever you are"
"And He is with you wherever you are."(Surah Al-Hadid 57:4)
Refutation
Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله) explains:
"This means Allah's knowledge, sight, and hearing encompass everything, not that He is physically present everywhere."
Argument: "Allah is closer than the jugular vein"
"And We are closer to him than his jugular vein."(Surah Qaf 50:16)
Refutation
Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) clarifies:
"This refers to Allah's knowledge and His angels being near, not that Allah Himself is within creation."
Argument: "Allah and creation are one (Wahdatul Wujud)"
Refutation
The Qur'an says:
"There is nothing like unto Him."(Surah Ash-Shura 42:11)
If Allah were inside His creation, He would resemble creation, which is an act of Shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Statements of the Salaf, Allah is Above His Throne
Statements of the Sahabah
Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) said:
"Whoever thinks that Allah is everywhere and not above His Throne is misguided."
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه) said:
"The Throne is above the water, and Allah is above the Throne, and He knows everything."
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No. 4723 - Hasan)
Statements of the Early Scholars
Imam Malik (رحمه الله) said:
"Allah is above the Throne, and how He is above is unknown to us."
(Al-Istiwa, Al-Bayhaqi 10/145)
Imam Al-Awza'i (رحمه الله) said:
"We and the Tabi'un say: Allah is above His Throne, and we do not deny His attributes."
(Al-Uluw Lil-Aliyy Al-Ghaffar, Ad-Dhahabi, 276)
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) said:
"Allah is above His Throne, separate from His creation."
(Majmu' Al-Fatawa 5/226)
Conclusion
Based on clear Qur'anic verses, authentic Hadith, and statements of the Salaf, it is evident that Allah is above His Throne, separate from creation.
The belief that "Allah is everywhere" contradicts the Qur'an, Sunnah, and the consensus of the Salaf.
The correct belief is
Allah is above His Throne, but His knowledge, power, and authority encompass everything.
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