The Creed of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him

The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa ‘aalihi wa sallam) said: “O Allah, You are the first: there is nothing before You; and You are the last: there is nothing after You. You are the Manifest (adh-Dhahir): there is nothing above You. You are the Hidden (al-Batin): there is nothing below You” (Sahih Muslim).

Imam al-Bayhaqi: “What was mentioned towards the end of the hadith is an indication of denying Allah has a place and denying the slave is alike to Allah, wherever he was, in proximity or remoteness. Allah, the Exalted, is adh-Dhahir – hence, it is valid to know about Him by proofs. Allah is al-Batin – hence, it is invalid that He would be in a place….Therefore, if there is nothing above Him and nothing underneath Him, He is not in a place” (Imam al-Bayhaqi…