Tanzih
Encyclopedia
Tanzih is an Islamic religious concept meaning transcendence
. In Islamic theology
, two opposite terms are attributed to Allah
: tanzih and tashbih
.
The latter means 'nearness, closeness, accessibility'.
However, the fuller meaning of tanzih is 'declaring incomparibility', i.e. affirming Allah's transcendent distance from humanity. This concept is eternally juxtaposed with Allah's tashbih (closeness, or 'affirming similarity').
The literal meaning of the word is "to declare something pure and free of something else". This definition affirms that Allah cannot be likened to anything: "Nothing is like Him." (Sura 42:11) and reinforces the fundamental, underlying Islamic belief in tawhid
.
The two opposing aspects affect every aspect of a Muslim's belief, action and relationship with Allah. Tanzih is associated with Allah's Left Hand (wrath) in contrast to tashbih being associated with his Right Hand (mercy
).
The Divine Names of Allah associated with tanzih are those that indicate distance, transcendence, awe and fear: King, Avenger, Knowing, Praiseworthy, Slayer, Strong, Abaser and Independent.
Transcendence (religion)
In religion transcendence refers to the aspect of God's nature which is wholly independent of the physical universe. This is contrasted with immanence where God is fully present in the physical world and thus accessible to creatures in various ways...
. In Islamic theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, two opposite terms are attributed to Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
: tanzih and tashbih
Tashbih
Tashbih is an Islamic religious concept meaning closeness. In Islamic theology, two opposite terms are attributed to Allah: tashbih and tanzih . The latter means 'distance, transcendence'....
.
The latter means 'nearness, closeness, accessibility'.
However, the fuller meaning of tanzih is 'declaring incomparibility', i.e. affirming Allah's transcendent distance from humanity. This concept is eternally juxtaposed with Allah's tashbih (closeness, or 'affirming similarity').
The literal meaning of the word is "to declare something pure and free of something else". This definition affirms that Allah cannot be likened to anything: "Nothing is like Him." (Sura 42:11) and reinforces the fundamental, underlying Islamic belief in tawhid
Tawhid
Tawhid is the concept of monotheism in Islam. It is the religion's most fundamental concept and holds God is one and unique ....
.
The two opposing aspects affect every aspect of a Muslim's belief, action and relationship with Allah. Tanzih is associated with Allah's Left Hand (wrath) in contrast to tashbih being associated with his Right Hand (mercy
Mercy
Mercy is broad term that refers to benevolence, forgiveness and kindness in a variety of ethical, religious, social and legal contexts.The concept of a "Merciful God" appears in various religions from Christianity to...
).
The Divine Names of Allah associated with tanzih are those that indicate distance, transcendence, awe and fear: King, Avenger, Knowing, Praiseworthy, Slayer, Strong, Abaser and Independent.