Hamzah Yusuf
Hamzah Yusuf says: “In Judaism there is some anthropomorphism where you begin to describe God as human having hands and feet and limbs and things like that which is haraam to do that. You cannot do that. … Ghazali says that the word in Arabic for hands has 17 meanings yet which one are you going to choose that God meant? In other words do not interpret that. Leave it the way it is but we know it does not mean this with absolute certainty. We [know] that when God says hand of Allah, He is not talking about something like this (holds up hand). We know that. There is a universal, there is nothing like God and therefore it is not like this because if I said that I am saying that God is like His creation which is impossible.”
Anthropomorphism? What’s that?
Well, let’s not discuss anthropomorphism at this time. Let’s talk about Allah’s Hands. Here is a direct response to what Hamzah Yusuf claims here about Allah’s Hands. Let’s study the Quran, ayat (Quranic statements) 38:71-6.
Allah said in the Quran, {(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Truly, I am going to create man from clay”. So, when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.” So, the angels prostrated themselves, all of them, Except Iblîs (Satan), he was proud and was one of the disbelievers.}
Allah orders the Shaitan, the devil, Satan, to prostrate before Adam. The Shaitan refuses. Allah chastises the Shaitan for refusing to fulfill His command, {(Allâh) said: “O, Iblîs (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. Are you too proud (to prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?”}
Did the devil say to Allah, “You don’t have hands, so what’s the deal”?
Did the devil say to Allah, “’Hand’ has 17 meanings, so which one are we talking about here”?
Did the devil say to Allah, “You don’t have a one hand, let alone two”?
Did the devil argue about the significance of Allah creating Adam with Both His Hands, while Allah has no Hands?
Or, did the devil acknowledge Allah’s Hands, since he knows that Allah has two Hands?
The devil went on to mention why he refused to prostrate before Adam as Allah commanded, {[Iblîs (Satan)] said: “I am better than he. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.”}
So, even the devil didn’t think of this one!