encompassment (الْإِحَاطَة)

encompassment (الْإِحَاطَة)


العقيدة

التعريف :


This is an attribute of God, mighty and exalted, as suits his majesty. It does not include that his creation, or some of them, fully comprehend his nature.

المعنى الاصطلاحي :


Realizing the reality of something in full, both the inner and outer parts of it.

الشرح المختصر :


"Ihātah" (grasping) is to understand the reality of something from all perspectives. The one who encompasses something is the one who is aware of its existence, characteristic, and nature, and none can do this except Allah, the Almighty. Categories of "ihātah": 1. Negated "ihātah": It is when the creation grasps something. Human beings cannot fully grasp the inner or outer aspects of Allah's attributes, actions, and essence. They cannot physically or intellectually grasp Allah. In other words, visions cannot perceive Him, and this negates the physical grasping with the senses. Also, they cannot fully grasp the nature of Allah, and this negates the ability of grasping Him intellectually. This is because there is nothing like unto Allah, and He is all-Encompassing and Most Great. When man looks at his Lord in the Hereafter, this does not entitle him to realize or grasp Allah in His essence. 2. Affirmed "ihātah": It is the Creator's "ihātah" of everything. This is an attribute of Allah, the Almighty. It implies that Allah grasps the natures of the creation by His knowledge and encompasses them by His power, so the creation is subjugated by His greatness, grandeur, and sovereignty. Indeed, Allah, the Almighty, encompasses and is above everything.

التعريف اللغوي المختصر :


"Ihātah": encircling something from all directions. Original meaning: joining the ends and sides of something and placing it in the center. Other meanings: reaching the end of something.