What is the ruling on swearing by the attributes (*Sifat*) of Allah, such as His Power or Knowledge?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Oaths
Primary text
Attributes that are inherent to the essence of Allah and admit no other reference—such as the Glory (*'Izzah*), Majesty (*'Adhamah*), Grandeur (*Jalal*), and Speech—are binding for an oath by unanimous agreement. This is supported by Al-Shafi'i and the scholars of *Al-Ra'y*, citing textual evidence like the verse in Surah Sad regarding Allah's Glory (Quran 38:82) and narrations regarding the inhabitants of Hellfire swearing by His Glory.
Supporting text
For attributes that describe the Essence but are also used metaphorically for created things, such as Knowledge (*'Ilm*) and Power (*Qudrah*), Al-Shafi'i holds it is a binding oath. Abu Hanifa disagrees concerning 'By the Knowledge of Allah,' arguing it could refer to the known object. However, if one intends the oath by the metaphorical meaning (the known object or the created capacity), it might not constitute a binding oath, according to some Shafi'i scholars. Conversely, Ahmad narrated that it is always a binding oath, irrespective of intent otherwise, because the term is fundamentally established for the Divine Attribute.