Ta‘ṭīl

termPage.definition

Denying Allah's affirmed attributes — the error of the Jahmiyyah and Mu‘tazila who negated the attributes entirely, and the Ash‘arīs and Māturīdīs who denied most of them. The opposite extreme is tashbīh (likening Him to creation). Ahl us-Sunnah affirm the attributes without ta‘ṭīl or tashbīh.

termPage.pronunciation ta‘-ṬĪL

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From the root ع-ط-ل (‘-ṭ-l), meaning 'to render void, to disable.' Ta‘ṭīl is to empty Allah of what He affirmed for Himself.

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The Salaf described ta‘ṭīl as more dangerous than tashbīh — for the mushabbih affirms a deity (albeit incorrectly), while the mu‘aṭṭil ends up worshipping nothing.

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Modern reinterpretive theology often presents itself as defending Allah's transcendence. In reality, denying His affirmed attributes is denying part of who He revealed Himself to be.

termPage.practicalApplication

Memorise the texts of attributes (e.g. Āyat al-Kursī, the last verses of al-Ḥashr) and let them shape your conception of Allah — not philosophical abstractions.

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