12.1 FIRSTLY THE SHAYKH POINTS OUT A BENEFICIAL
POINT:
(Mentioned by the author of al- 'Aql wan- Naql p.43- 4 vol.1):
If there is a contradiction between two proofs, then there are three possibilities:
12.1.1 A CONTRADICTION BETWEEN TWO DEFINITE [QAT'I]
PROOFS.
- i.e. even the mind can definitely affirm their meanings.
12.1.1.1 Hence there can be no contradiction
Because if there was a contradiction, then one of them
would have to be eliminated, but the Qat'i proof must be accepted. And if both
are accepted, then this too is absurd - if they do contradict - as it leads to accepting two contradictory things.
- Hence there can be no contradiction.
12.1.1.2 Hence if it is thought that there's a
contradiction: then it's
Because in reality one or both are not Qat'i.
Or because there is no contradiction, in that either of them can be interpreted in another way.
12.1.1.3 And there's no contradiction between an
abrogated text and the abrogating text:
- As the abrogated text no longer exists and is not valid.
- And nothing can oppose the abrogating text.
12.1.2 A CONTRADICTION BETWEEN TWO LESS DEFINITE
[DHANEE] PROOFS
- i.e. they are Dhanee in their meaning [Dhalaalah] and/or their authenticity [Thuboot].
Hence the stronger one is sought and it will take precedence.
12.1.3 A CONTRADICTION BETWEEN A QAT'I PROOF AND A
DHANEE PROOF
The Qat'i proof takes precedence.
12.2 IN THIS CASE BOTH SETS OF TEXTS ARE
QAT'I
- The texts affirming His 'Uloow and those affirming His Ma'eeyah are Qat'i in meaning and authenticity.
12.3 AND ALLAAH HAS COMBINED THESE TWO
ATTRIBUTES IN THE VERY SAME AAYAH:
- Qur'aan (57):4
Hence there can be no contradiction, for several reasons.
12.3.1 THE TEXTS THEMSELVES HAVE COMBINED THE
TWO!
- See above verse.
And the texts would never produce something contradictory and absurd.
12.3.2 AL MA'EEYAH DOES NOT NECESSARILY IMPLY MIXING
OR BEING INCORPORATED IN A PLACE.
- See previous chapter: for something can be above and
with us;
- e.g. "We continued to travel while the moon was with
us."
And this phrase makes perfect sense - even though the moon is in the sky and not on the earth next to the travellers.
- Hence if we can combine 'Uloow and Ma'eeyah concerning the creation; then it's all the more permitted concerning the Creator.
12.3.3 EVEN IF WE ASSUMED
THERE WAS A CONTRADICTION
i.e. between the 'Uloow and Ma'eeyah of the creation. Then this does not mean the same applies to the Creator.
- As there is nothing like Him in all His Attributes.
So His 'Uloow and Ma'eeyah need not be like that of the creation.
12.4 SIMILARLY WE CAN COMBINE THE TEXTS
AFFIRMING HIS 'ULOOW AND HIS BEING INFRONT OF THE ONE WHO IS
PRAYING.
12.4.1 THE TEXTS THEMSELVES HAVE COMBINED
THEM.
And the texts would never produce contradictions and absurdity.
12.4.2 BEING HIGH NEED NOT CONTRADICT BEING
INFRONT.
- e.g. "The Sun is in front of my face" [while a man looks at it rising]
And this phrase is correct in the language and makes sense.
Hence if we can combine these two concerning the creation, then we can, all the more, do so concerning the Creator.
12.4.3 EVEN IF WE ASSUMED THERE WAS A
CONTRADICTION:
- i.e. between being "high" and being
"infront" concerning the creation.
Then the same need not be the case for the Creator.
- There is nothing like Him in all of His Attributes. So His Being High and Infront need not be like that of the creation.
Creed of Hamawiyyah - Chapter 12 : Concerning the Texts that Affirm Allaah's Uluww (Being Above the Creation) and Allaah's Ma'eeyah (Being With the Creation)