Tamtheel (resemblance): This is the same as tashbeeh, which is to resemble the Attributes of Allaah to the creation. The Believer must stick to His, the Most High’s, saying: "There is nothing like Him." (42:11) which means that there is nothing whatsoever similar to Him.

This encapsulates the creed of the Salaf as regards the Attributes of Allaah. They describe Allaah, the Most High, with whatever He has described Himself, whilst:

• avoiding any distortion of the Attribute;
• avoiding the negation of the Attribute;
• not asking how the Attribute is; and
• remaining clear from resembling His Attributes to the creation.

What is there in this approach that Kabbani finds so unpalatable?

Ibn Katheer writes:

"Indeed, the path we traverse in this issue is to follow the way of the Pious Predecessors, such as Maalik, al-Awzaa’ee, ath-Thawree, Layth ibn Sa’d, ash-Shaafi’ee, Ahmad, Ishaaq ibn Raahawaih and others from the scholars of the Muslims, both past and present. Their way is to recite them as they are, without takyeef, tashbeeh nor ta’teel."

(Tafseer Qur’aan al-Adheem 2/230 of ibn Katheer)