Q: I recently heard an Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) in a Masjid (mosque) mentioning the merits of the Qur'an. He said that the Qur'an was created by Allah. That is what he said. However, during my study of Tawhid (monotheism), I learned that Al-Mu`tazilah were those who claimed that the Qur'an is created; whereas Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) refuted their claims, as they believe that the Qur'an is not created, but is the actual Speech of Allah which was revealed by Him to Muhammad (peace be upon him). I do not know whether the shaykh had another intention when he made this statement. What is your opinion regarding this statement of the Imam of the Masjid? Please advise.

A: If the case is as you have mentioned, that you believe that the Qur'an is the actual Words of Allah which were revealed by Him to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), your `Aqidah (creed) concerning the Speech of Allah is correct and is consistent with the opinion of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah. As for the opinion of the Imam, that the Qur'an was created by Allah, it is false, as it contradicts the texts of the Qur'an, the Sunnah and the way the Salaf (righteous predecessors) understood it. You should advise him, as this might have been (Part No. 3; Page No. 209) an unintentional slip of tongue, and he merely needs to be corrected. If you discover in your conversation with him that he really believes that Qur'an is created, and insists on his opinion, you should guide him to the truth if you can. Otherwise, you can give him the book entitled Al-`Aqidah Al-Wasitiyyah by Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be merciful to him), Al-Tadmuriyyah also by him, and Sharh Al-Tahawiyyah by Shaykh Ibn Abu Al-`Ezz (may Allah be merciful to him). You can inform him about these books so that he can be introduced to the correct `Aqidah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.