A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
Manifestations of venerating the Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes of Allah.
A servant ought to couple his knowledge and study of the Names and Attributes of Allah with his veneration of them.
Among the manifestations of this veneration are the following:
First, that one should not swear an oath—if one must swear—except by Allah, His Names, or His Attributes.
This is because swearing an oath involves venerating that by which one swears, and all greatness belongs to Allah alone.
Furthermore, part of venerating Allah through swearing by Him, His Names, and His Attributes,
is that one must not swear by them to support a lie or to commit a sin.
One should also fulfill one’s oath, unless the oath was to commit a sin.
In that case, the true veneration and righteousness lie in breaking the oath and offering the prescribed expiation.
It is better for the servant to avoid swearing oaths as much as possible, even if he is truthful.
This is so that his swearing does not become a pretext for falling into falsehood,
or into something he is unable to fulfill.
Allah the Exalted has said:
Likewise, it is appropriate for the person to whom an oath is made by Allah the Almighty or one of His Attributes,
to accept and believe the one who has sworn.
This is because doing so is part of venerating Allah the Almighty, His Names, and His Attributes.
This applies unless the person swearing is known for lying and wickedness,
or if the person to whom the oath is made is certain of the swearer’s falsehood or error.
In such a case, there is no blame upon the person to whom the oath is made for not believing the swearer.
Nor does he fall under the warning mentioned in the hadith that summarizes the matter of swearing oaths.
This is the statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him:
"Do not swear by your fathers."
"Whoever swears by Allah, let him be truthful."
"Whoever is sworn to by Allah, let him be satisfied."
"And whoever is not satisfied with Allah, then he is not of Allah."
Narrated by Ibn Majah.
Al-Albani classified it as hasan in Sahih al-Targhib.
The beginning of it is in al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Second:
One should not turn away anyone who asks of him by Allah or by one of His Attributes.
One should grant refuge to anyone who seeks refuge by them,
unless it is for an unlawful act or the abandonment of an obligatory duty,
or if it involves violating one of the limits set by Allah.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
"Whoever seeks refuge by Allah, grant him refuge."
"And whoever asks by Allah, give to him."
Narrated by Abu Dawud and authenticated by al-Albani.
Third:
No one should be named with a name that is exclusive to Allah the Exalted,
such as:
Allah,
al-Rahman (The Most Merciful),
Rabb al-'Alamin (Lord of the Worlds).
Fourth:
Exalting the Names of Allah,
by keeping them away—when written in newspapers, magazines,
or academic textbooks,
and so forth—
from degraded or unclean places.
In our time, this has occurred:
a lack of concern regarding this matter by many people.
A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.