Does Allah Have Hands Like Created Beings?

 Title: Does Allah Have Hands Like Created Beings? An Analytical Examination of Islamic Texts

Author: Dr. Maxwell Shimba

Published by: Max Shimba Ministries Org.

Date: August 3, 2015

Introduction
This paper explores a provocative theological inquiry: Does Allah, as depicted in Islamic scripture and tradition, possess hands and eyes similar to those of created beings? By examining select Qur'anic verses and Hadith narrations, and juxtaposing them with Islamic theological positions, this study seeks to critically analyze whether the anthropomorphic descriptions in Islamic texts imply a corporeal deity.

Qur'anic Passages Referencing the Hands of Allah
One of the primary passages frequently cited is:

Az-Zumar (39:67):
"They did not appraise Allah with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be within His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him."

Additionally, Al-Ma'idah (5:64) states:
"The Jews say, 'Allah's hand is chained.' Chained are their hands, and cursed are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended; He spends however He wills."

Other relevant verses include:

Yasin (36:83): "So exalted is He in whose hand is the realm of all things, and to Him you will be returned."

Ali 'Imran (3:26): "Say, 'O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.'"

Sad (38:75): "[Allah] said, 'O Iblis, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands? Are you arrogant, or are you among the exalted?'"

Hadith Evidence
According to narrations in Sunni compilations, Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet Muhammad said:

"Allah created Adam with His own hands and wrote the Torah for Moses with His own hands."

Another hadith states:
"Allah descends to the nearest heaven and stretches out His two hands, saying…"

Theological Commentary
Islamic theologians from various schools—Ash'ari, Maturidi, Hanbali, and others—have engaged extensively with these anthropomorphic expressions. The traditional Sunni creed acknowledges Allah’s 'hands' and 'face' as mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah but asserts that these attributes are unique to Allah and bear no resemblance to human characteristics.

A popular theological analogy explains: A table and a person both have 'legs,' but the nature of these legs differs. Similarly, Allah's 'hands' are befitting His majesty and beyond human comprehension.

Additional Qur'anic Descriptions: Eyes of Allah
The Qur'an also references Allah's 'eyes':

Hud (11:37): "And construct the ship under Our eyes and Our revelation…"

Another hadith states:
"The Dajjal is one-eyed, and your Lord is not one-eyed."

These descriptions, like those of Allah's 'hands,' are interpreted by theologians within the framework of bilā kayf (without asking how) and tanzīh (declaring Allah's incomparability).

Do These Attributes Imply Corporeality?
Max Shimba Ministries contends that anthropomorphic language, if taken literally, challenges Islamic claims of Allah's absolute transcendence. If Allah possesses 'hands' and 'eyes' in any form comparable to creation, this could imply corporeality.

Conclusion
This analysis reveals significant anthropomorphic language within the Qur’an and Hadith. Traditional Islamic theology resolves this tension through principles of tanzīh and bilā kayf, affirming the attributes without likening them to human attributes. However, literalist interpretations risk portraying Allah as a corporeal being, conflicting with Islamic assertions of divine incomparability.

References

1. The Qur'an: Az-Zumar (39:67), Al-Ma'idah (5:64), Yasin (36:83), Ali 'Imran (3:26), Sad (38:75), Hud (11:37)

2. Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim compilations of hadith via Abu Huraira

3. Al-Ash'ari, Kitab al-Luma' (The Book of Flashes)

4. Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmu' al-Fatawa

5. Al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulum al-Din

About the Author
Dr. Maxwell Shimba is the founder of Max Shimba Ministries Org., a theologian and religious commentator focusing on comparative religion, biblical theology, and critical Islamic studies.

© 2015 Max Shimba Ministries Org. All rights reserved.
Permission is granted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document for non-commercial use only.