mushabbihah

Mushabbihah is a term used in Islamic theology to describe those who believe that God has a physical form or is similar to created beings. This belief is considered anthropomorphism and is generally rejected by mainstream Islamic scholars. The Quran emphasizes God's transcendence and uniqueness, stating that nothing is like Him. Therefore, attributing physical characteristics or resemblance to creation for God is seen as a deviation from orthodox Islamic doctrine.

The term itself, mushabbihah, derives from the Arabic word "shabah," meaning resemblance or likeness. Those who hold these views are often referred to as Mushabbiha. They may interpret certain Quranic verses or hadith literally, attributing human-like attributes to God, such as having a body, hands, or a face in a physical sense. This contrasts with the orthodox understanding which interprets such descriptions metaphorically or symbolically, or asserts that their true nature is beyond human comprehension.

Mainstream Islamic theology, including Ash'ari and Maturidi schools of thought, strongly condemns anthropomorphism. They emphasize God's absolute difference from creation (tanzih) and affirm that God is without form, body, or any resemblance to His creatures. While acknowledging that God has attributes, these are understood as being unique and unlike any created attribute. The rejection of mushabbihah is a fundamental aspect of Islamic monotheism, upholding the concept of Tawhid, the oneness and uniqueness of God.