Allah's Attributes mentioned in 'Samir Al-Mu'minin'

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Q 1: It is mentioned in the book of "Samir Al-Mu'minin fi Al-Mawa`izh Wal-Hikam Wal-Qasas" by Muhammad Al-Hajjar, (fifth edition, published by Dar Al-Nafis in 1406 A.H./pp. 171-172): "... And that Allah (Exalted be He) has twenty Attributes, which are all affirmed by the Qur'an, Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), and Ijma` (consensus of scholars). Scholars of Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah) divided such Attributes into four categories:1- Sifah Nafsiyyah (Attribute of Allah's Essence or Being): which is His Existence.2- Sifat Salbiyyah (negating attributes of imperfection and asserting their opposites): Oneness, Eternity, Permanence without beginning, Absolute Independence, Dissimilarity to creation.3- Sifat Al-Ma`any (Abstract Attributes): Knowledge, Will, Power, Hearing, Seeing, Speech, and Life. (Part No. 2; Page No. 350) 4- Sifat Ma`nawiyyah (Attributes derived from ideas): Allah is Knowing, Willful, Powerful, Hearing, Seeing, Speaking, and Living."My question is whether is it true that Allah's Attributes are only twenty? Is such a division correct and proven by the Qur'an, Sunnah, and Ijma`?

A: It is untrue to confine Allah's Attributes to a certain number; be it twenty or any other number. This is because Allah has many Attributes that no one can count except Him (Exalted be He). All Allah's Attributes are Perfect and we have to believe in all the Attributes which are mentioned in the Qur'an or Sunnah. Such Attributes are divided into Sifat Dhat (Attributes of Allah's Self) and Sifat Af`al (Attributes of Allah's Actions). Sifat Dhat are such as the Face, the Hands, Hearing, and Seeing while Sifat Af`al are such as Rising over the `Arsh (Allah’s Throne), Descending to the heavens of the world during the last third of every night, and (the acts of) Speaking, Creating, Providing, Giving life, and Causing death.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.