Q 1: How do we refute those who claim that Allah is everywhere (Exalted be He)? What is the ruling on a person who claims this?

A: First, the 'Aqidah (creed) of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) entails that Allah (Exalted be He) Himself is above His Throne; He is not inside the world, but a separate entity from it. He is omniscient, and nothing is hidden from Him on earth or the heavens, as Allah says, Indeed, your Lord is Allâh, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawâ) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). Allah also says, The Most Gracious (Allâh) rose over (Istawâ) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). Allah also says, Then He (Istawâ ) rose over the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). The Most Gracious (Allâh)! Ask Him (O Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم , concerning His Qualities: His rising over His Throne, His creations, etc.), as He is Al-Khabîr (The All-Knower of everything i.e. Allâh). Allah also says, Allâh it is He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them in six Days. Then He rose over (Istawâ) the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). Allah also says, And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water The evidence on His being above His creatures is that the Qur'an descended (was revealed) from Him; descent can only be downwards, as Allah says, And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Book (this Qur’ân) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). (Part No. 3; Page No. 217) Allah also says, Hâ-Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings]. The revelation of the Book (this Qur’ân) is from Allâh, the All-Mighty, the All-Knower. Allah also says, Hâ-Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings]. A revelation from (Allâh), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. There are many other Ayahs which attribute Highness to Allah (Exalted be He). In the Hadith reported by Mu`awiyah ibn Al-Hakam Al-Sulamy he said, I had a slave-girl who used to tend the sheep by Uhud and Al-Guwwaniyyah. I went there one day and I found that a wolf had eaten one of the sheep. I am an ordinary human being who gets angry, so I hit her. She went to complain to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), so I felt irritated about it, and I asked him, "O, Messenger of Allah! Shall I set her free?" He said, "Bring her to me." He asked her, "Where is Allah?" She said, "In the heavens." He asked her, "Who am I?" She said, "You are the Messenger of Allah." He said to me, "Set her free, for she is a Mu'minah (believer)." Related by Muslim , Abu Dawud , Al-Nasa'y and others. It is mentioned in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim), in the Hadith narrated from Abu Sa`id Al-Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said, "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, Do you not trust me though I am the trustworthy man of the One in the Heavens, and I receive the news of Heaven (i.e. Divine Revelation) both in the morning and in the evening? " (Part No. 3; Page No. 218)  Second, a person who believes that Allah is everywhere is in fact a believer in Hulul (a Sufi term meaning indwelling). Such people are answered with the previously mentioned evidences, that Allah is in the heavens, above the Throne, separate from His creatures. If they comply with the Ijma' (consensus) of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, it will be fine. Otherwise, they are considered Kafirs (disbelievers) and apostates.As for Allah's saying, And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be. , this means that according to Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah He is omniscient and aware of their conditions. As for Allah's saying, And He is Allâh (to be worshipped Alone) in the heavens and on the earth; He knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn (good or bad). (See V.43:84) , it means that Allah is the One Who is worshipped by the people in the heavens and the people of the Earth. As for Allah's saying, It is He (Allâh) Who is the only Ilâh (God to be worshipped) in the heaven and the only Ilâh (God to be worshipped) on the earth. , it means that Allah (Exalted be He) is the Ilah (god) of the people of the heavens and the people of the earth; and that there is no one who truly deserves to be worshipped but Him. This is how the Ayahs and the Hadiths narrated regarding this issue relate, according to the people who follow the truth.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.