Q: I have heard a seeker of knowledge while speaking about Allah's Names and Attributes to have attributed to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) the description of having two Hands. He also added the description: Both Hand sides of His are right. What is meant by this statement? Please, provide evidence.

A: It is obligatory to attribute to Allah the description of having two Hands as stated by the Qur'an and Sunnah texts. In this regard, Allah (Exalted be He) says in Surah Al-Ma'idah: Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills. He (Glorified be He) also says in Surah Sad addressing Iblis (Satan): What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. Moreover, there are many Hadiths mentioning Allah's two Hands, which are widely recognized in the compilations of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream). For example, `Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`As (may Allah be pleased with both of them) is authentically reported to have reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying: The just will be with Allah on pulpits of light on the right Hand of the Most Merciful (the Exalted and Glorified), and both His Hands are right – those who are just in their judgment and are fair with their families and those of whom they are in charge. (Part No. 2; Page No. 375)  Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah's belief regarding Allah's Names and Attributes is that they absolutely believe in all those Attributes stated in the Qur'an and those authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) without Ta'wil (allegorical interpretation), Tashbih (comparison), Tahrif (distortion of the meaning) or Ta`til (denial). Moreover, they believe that no attribute of imperfection is attributed to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). Below is an explanation of the statement: Both Hand sides of His are right. It is reported by Al-Baghawy from Al-Khattaby (may Allah be merciful with both of them) that such an Attribute is included under Tawqif (a religious text and not personal opinion). Therefore, we understand it in the literal sense without drawing any comparison stopping our minds where the Qur'an and authentically narrated Hadith stop them. Such is the belief of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah. Some scholars are of the view that "and both His Hands are right" means that they are equally meritorious even if one of them is called the left Hand as stated in the Hadith recorded on the authority of Ibn `Umar in Sahih Muslim. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.