Nearness (Qurab) to Allah
Meaning of nearness to Allah
This article is based on the book - Ibn Taymiyyah Expounds on Islam and explains the concept of Nearness to Allah (Qurb) as explained and clarified by Ibn Taymiyyah. His discussion on this topic is deeply rooted in Quranic verses and prophetic traditions, providing a clear understanding of what it means for man to draw close to Allah and how Allah responds to human efforts in seeking Him. Ibn Taymiyyah addresses different interpretations of this concept and evaluates the perspectives of various theological groups. His explanation emphasizes both spiritual transformation and divine response, presenting Nearness as an active reality rather than a mere metaphor.
Understanding Nearness to Allah
Ibn Taymiyyah explains that man draws near to Allah through knowledge, worship, and righteous actions. He cites various Quranic verses and hadiths to illustrate this. The verse instructing believers to bow down and draw closer to Allah shows that worship plays a central role in attaining this nearness.
“But prostrate and draw near [to Allāh].” - Quran (Surah Al-Alaq:19)
Another verse commands believers to fear Allah and seek means to reach Him, reinforcing the idea that devotion and obedience serve as the pathway to divine closeness.
“O you who have believed, fear Allāh and seek the means [of nearness] to Him.” - Quran (Surah Al-Maidhah: 35)
He also references a hadith in which Allah declares that when a servant comes closer to Him by even a small measure, Allah draws even nearer in response: "When one comes a span closer to Me, I go an arm’s length closer to him."
One of the key means of attaining Nearness is through fulfilling obligatory duties and engaging in voluntary acts of worship. Ibn Taymiyyah highlights another hadith where Allah states that the most beloved way for a servant to come close to Him is through the duties He has mandated. "The best that My servant can do to come close to Me is to perform the duties I have obligated on him. And he comes closer to Me through supererogatory acts, till I love him..." This foundational level of closeness can be further strengthened through voluntary acts of worship until Allah grants His love to that servant. This idea emphasizes a dynamic process in which obedience and devotion result in increasing proximity to Allah.
The Meaning of Nearness in Islamic Thought
Ibn Taymiyyah acknowledges that different theological groups have interpreted Nearness in various ways. Philosophers argue that Nearness refers to purifying the soul from vices and adorning it with noble qualities. According to them, one comes close to Allah by imitating His attributes and embodying virtues. They maintain that the soul itself does not move but rather undergoes a transformation of state. "They say that one comes near to God in the sense that one purifies oneself from evils and vices and adorns oneself with noble virtues, so that one comes close to God in the sense of imitating Him in some inner qualities."
Some theologians take a different stance, claiming that Nearness is connected to physical spaces rather than a change in state. They argue that drawing close to Allah means moving to places that He has blessed, such as the heavens, mosques, and sacred sites. This interpretation links divine proximity with specific locations rather than personal transformation. They also explain the Prophet’s ascension as a journey toward divine knowledge rather than a literal movement closer to Allah. In his book he states that, "They say that the statement that a person comes nearer to God means nothing more than that he moves from one holy place to another which God has blessed."
Ibn Taymiyyah critiques both of these views for limiting the understanding of Nearness. While he agrees that purification of the soul is essential, he argues that Nearness is not restricted to moral and intellectual refinement. He also challenges the idea that it is solely about physical movement to holy places. Instead, he presents a more comprehensive view that includes both spiritual movement and divine response.
The Position of Ahl-as-Sunnah wa-al Jama'ah
According to Ibn Taymiyyah, the most correct view is that held by Ahl as Sunnah wa al Jama'ah. They believe that Allah is on His Throne and that those closest to Him include the bearers of the Throne and the angels of the highest heavens. They affirm that when the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) ascended to the heavens, he was moving closer to Allah Himself rather than merely gaining knowledge about creation. "The bearers of the Throne are closer to Him than anyone else, that the angels of the farthest heaven are closer to Him than those of the second heaven, that in ascending to the heavens the Prophet went nearer to His Lord, that his ascension was to God and not to any of His created beings."
This group also believes that the soul of a person in prayer draws near to Allah, particularly in prostration. Although the person places his forehead on the ground, his soul attains a higher level of closeness to Allah. This suggests that nearness is not confined to physical location but involves an active relationship between the worshiper and his Lord. The more sincere and devoted a person is in their prayers and actions, the nearer they become to Allah.
The Divine Response to Human Nearness
Ibn Taymiyyah explores whether Allah’s closeness to man is simply a result of human movement toward Him, similar to how an object appears nearer when a person moves toward it, or if Allah actively comes closer in response. He explains that among Ahl as Sunnah, there are two views on this matter. Some believe that Allah’s closeness is a result of man’s actions, meaning that divine nearness is a reward given to those who seek Him. Others believe that Allah Himself moves toward His servant in response to that servant’s devotion.
He references a narration where Prophet Musa asks Allah where he can find Him, and Allah responds that He is near to weak and humble souls who lower themselves in sincerity. "Lord, where can I reach you? The answer was, 'Near weak souls who humble themselves for Me. I come a span nearer to them every day; otherwise, they would have burned.'"
Conclusion
Ibn Taymiyyah’s explanation of Nearness to Allah presents a holistic view that integrates worship, devotion, divine response, and the reality of movement in drawing close to Allah. He refutes the philosophers who reduce Nearness to intellectual enlightenment and challenges theologians who restrict it to physical places. Instead, he asserts that true Nearness is achieved through sincere devotion and that Allah actively responds by drawing near to His servant.
The concept of Nearness, as explained by Ibn Taymiyyah, serves as a reminder that seeking Allah requires both knowledge and action. Worship, sincerity, and humility bring a servant closer to Allah, and in return, Allah bestows His love and closeness upon that servant. This dynamic relationship highlights the depth of divine mercy and the significance of striving toward Allah in every aspect of life.