The highest description

Question 21200

This is a question which is often asked, “Who has the highest description?” Answers vary as much as people do. There are some who say, “Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)” and others who say, “My father,” and so on. What is your view of this question? How does it relate to the aayah from Soorat al-Nahl (interpretation of the meaning):
“For those who believe not in the Hereafter is an evil description, and for Allaah is the highest description. And He is the All Mighty, the All Wise” [al-Nahl 16:60]
and the aayah from Soorat al-Room (interpretation of the meaning):
“And He it is Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it (after it has been perished); and this is easier for Him. His is the highest description (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He, and there is nothing comparable unto Him) in the heavens and in the earth. And He is the All Mighty, the All Wise” [al-Room 30:27]??
Please advise us, may Allaah reward you.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

The meaning that you have referred to varies. If you mean who is most deserving of being described as the highest, then the answer is that this is Allaah alone, because He is the One Who has the highest description in every sense; He is Perfect in His essence, His Attributes and His Deeds, with no peer, equal or rival. This is what is meant in the two aayahs you quoted in your question. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: ‘I seek refuge with (Allaah) the Lord of mankind,

The King of mankind —

The Ilaah (God) of mankind,

From the evil of the whisperer (devil who whispers evil in the hearts of men) who withdraws (from his whispering in one’s heart after one remembers Allaah’”

[al-Ikhlaas 112:1-4]

“There is nothing like Him, and He is the All Hearer, the All Seer” [al-Shoora 42:11]

But if you mean, who is the highest example in character and attitude, then the answer is, the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), because he is the most perfect of mankind in guidance, living, word and deed, and he is the highest example for the believers in their life, actions, jihaad, patience and other virtuous characteristics, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day, and remembers Allaah much”

[al-Ahzaab 33:21]

And Allaah says describing His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) (interpretation of the meaning):

“And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted (standard of) character”

[al-Qalam 68:4]

‘Aa’ishah said: “His (standard of) character was the Qur’aan.” What this means is that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to act in accordance with the commands of the Qur’aan and heed its prohibitions, and that he had the characteristics for which people are praised in the Qur’aan and he avoided the characteristics for which people are condemned in the Qur’aan. And Allaah is the Source of strength

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Question 21200

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