On the Quality al-Qidam
Some passionate Muslims have contested the use of the term “pre-eternity” (Ar. Qidam) by many Muslim theologians, claiming it’s not a designated name of God and hence inappropriate because God’s names are specified by revelation.
This objection is weak for two reasons:
- Hadith Evidence: Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As reported a hadith where the Prophet Muhammad, upon entering the mosque, would say,
قال أعوذ بالله العظيم وبوجهه الكريم وسلطانه القديم من الشيطان الرجيم
“I seek refuge with Allah the Great, with His Noble Face, and His Eternal Dominion from the accursed devil.”
This hadith, which mentions God’s “Eternal Dominion,” signifies an attribute without beginning, applicable not just to God’s dominion but essentially to God Himself.
- Theological Clarification: The term “pre-eternity” is not claimed to be one of God’s names that would require textual specification (tawqifiyya); rather, it’s an attribute. There’s no issue in attributing this quality to God as long as it doesn’t imply imperfection and is agreed upon by Muslims in its meaning.
- The flexibility in using qualities to describe God was practiced by some of the Salaf (early generations of Muslims). Imam al-Tahawi, about a thousand years ago, articulated in his creed about Allah:
قَدِيمٌ بِلَا ابْتِدَاءٍ دَائِمٌ بِلَا انْتِهَاءٍ
“He is pre-eternal without beginning, everlasting without end.”
Thus, Imam al-Tahawi utilized these descriptions without any notable objection
