❓ Question
🏛️ HanafiWhat does 'Mufawwidah' mean?
📗 Ruling
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AI-Assisted Islamic Jurisprudence ReviewThis answer is compiled via AI research referencing authentic Sunni fiqh literature and Diyanet standards. For binding personal legal verdicts, please consult official Islamic authorities.
Dear brother, wa alaykum assalam.
Linguistically, Mufawwidah means those who delegate or surrender a matter and a subject. As a scholarly term, it refers to the methodology of scholars who hold that regarding the attributes of Allah (such as texts mentioning the hand, face, oristiwa), the apparent literal meaning is not intended, but rather they consign (tafwid) the true meaning to Allah and refrain from engaging in rational speculation or figurative interpretation (ta'wil) regarding them.
Imam Abu Hanifa, the founder of the Hanafi school, and the Maturidi tradition adopted a sound path in this regard. The attributes mentioned in the verses and hadiths are accepted precisely as narrated; however, expressions like "the hand of Allah" or "His istiwa (rising/establishing)" are never likened to the characteristics of created beings (He is exalted above resemblance and comparison).
Pointing to this truth, the Holy Quran states: "There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing." (Surah Ash-Shura, 11)
In summary, the Mufawwidah is a moderate and Ahlus-Sunnah stance that consigns the meaning of the verses and hadiths concerning the attributes of Allah to Allah Himself, avoiding mental excessiveness while trying to comprehend them.
May Allah keep our minds and hearts steadfast upon the truth. I await your prayers.
✓ Scholarly Islamic Sources & Editorial Verification📅 Scholarly Verification Date: November 2026
Jurisprudential Methodology & Sources: This ruling is derived in accordance with authentic Quranic verses, Sahih Hadith collections, classical fiqh authorities (al-Mabsut, al-Hidayah, al-Umm, Radd al-Muhtar), and reputable international Islamic scholarly consensus, followed by thorough editorial review.
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