Anthropomorphism in Islam
Anthropomorphism – The assignment of human physical attributes to God, an idea that is strongly forbidden by the Quran according to orthodox Muslims. This theological stance is grounded in the belief that God, or Allah (الله), is utterly unique (transcendent) and incomparably greater than His creation.
Etymology and Translations
- Etymology: The term arises from the Greek words ἄνθρωπος, anthropos (“human”) and μορφή, morphē (“form”).
- Arabic: تشبيه (Tashbih)
- Turkish: Teşbih
Theological Stance on Anthropomorphism
In Islam, any anthropomorphic description of God is rejected as it implicitly suggests similarities between the Creator and the created, which contradicts the principle of Tawhid (توحيد), the oneness of Allah.
Quranic Interpretation
Quranic references to God’s attributes, such as His hands or face, are generally interpreted metaphorically to deepen understanding of His nature through the human experience. The Ash‘ari and Maturidi schools of theology, two prominent Sunni theological schools, interpret these references metaphorically, stressing that these attributes should not be understood literally.
Metaphorical Use in Sufism
Sufis, or Islamic mystics, extensively use metaphors and allegories to describe their ethereal relationship with God. This mystical approach—for instance, perceiving God as the “Beloved”—aims to transcend literalism and embrace a more intimate and expressive form of devotion.
Attributes of God
Islamic theology traditionally lists seven divine attributes:
- Knowledge (علم, `ilm)
- Power (قدرة, qudra)
- Life (حياة, haya)
- Will (إرادة, `irada)
- Speech (كلام, kalam)
- Hearing (سمع, sam`a)
- Sight (بصر, basar)
Theological Controversy
The primary theological debate centers on whether God’s essence (dhat ذاته) and His attributes (sifat صفات) are identical and eternal or if the attributes are separate and distinct. This forms a significant aspect of theological discussions particularly amongst scholars belonging to Ash‘ari, Maturidi, and Hanbali traditions.
Books for Further Reading
- “Deliverance from Error” by Al-Ghazali – A cornerstone text exploring Islamic theology and philosophy.
- “The Incoherence of Philosophers” by Al-Ghazali – Discusses theological issues including the attributes of God.
- “Creed of the Sepharids” by `Ibn Taimiyyah – Defends traditionalist theology against rationalist philosophy.
- “Principles of Islamic Theology” by Al-Nasafi – Provides a comprehensive treatment of Islamic beliefs and doctrines.
Takeaways and Conclusion
Anthropomorphism is deemed incompatible with the belief structure of Islam due to the absolute transcendence and incomparability of God. Understanding God’s attributes through metaphorical lenses allows adherents to appreciate the devotional and spiritual connection without falling into anthropomorphic pitfalls. Within Islamic thought, there remains a respectful tension and deep inquiry into how best to conceptualize and relate to the divine.
Conclusion: The eschewal of anthropomorphism in Islam underscores its commitment to preserving the transcendence and absolute unity of God, which is central to the concept of Tawhid.
By structuring our entry this way, we enable a keen understanding of anthropomorphism within Islam, extending from theological stances to mystical interpretations, supplemented by recommendations for deeper study.
