Q 1: The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked a bondmaid, "Where is Allah?" She answered, "In heaven."Is this Hadith Sahih (authentic) or Da`if (weak)? What is the ruling on asking about where Allah is? Please support the answer with evidence from the Qur'an or a Hadith?

A: The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked a bondmaid: Where is Allah? She answered: In heaven. He asked: Who am I? She replied: The Messenger of Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said: Set her free, (Part No. 2; Page No. 354) for she is a believer. This Hadith is Sahih and it was reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud, and Al-Nasa'y on the authority of Mu`awiyah ibn Al-Hakam (may Allah be pleased with him).This Hadith and other evidence pertaining to the same meaning and taken from the Qur'an and Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) prove the Attribute of Highness for Allah (Exalted be He) and that He (Glorified be He) is in heaven. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Do you feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allâh) "in the heaven" denotes highness and means that He (Glorified be He) is over everything and over the `Arsh (Allah's Throne), which is the roof of creation. Allah (Glorified be He) says: The Most Gracious (Allâh) rose over (Istawâ) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). He (Glorified be He) also 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). The Prophet (peace be upon him) found the bondmaid's answer sufficient to prove her Iman (belief); this indicates that Iman and attesting that the person professing Iman is a believer depend on outward evidence. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the bondmaid apparently professed Iman and applied the apparent rulings to this assumption. An opposite case is to profess Iman but commit an action that takes out of the pale of Iman. (Part No. 2; Page No. 355) That was why the Prophet (peace be upon him) treated the hypocrites according to what they professed, and used to apply to them the rulings applied to other believers. Furthermore, when one of them died, he (peace be upon him) used to offer Janazah (Funeral) Prayer. He was only prohibited from offering Janazah Prayer over the person whose hypocrisy was assured. Otherwise, he would have searched the people's inner selves and known what they were hiding; something which cannot be done by any person.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.