In Islamic theology, “Tashbih” refers to the concept of likening or drawing comparisons between Allah and His creation. It involves using human terms or attributes to describe aspects of the divine. However, it’s important to note that Tashbih in Islamic discourse does not imply literal anthropomorphism—where God is given human form or characteristics—but rather involves using metaphorical language to facilitate better human understanding of God’s attributes, while maintaining His transcendence. 

Here are key aspects of Tashbih:

1. Balance with Tanzih: Tashbih is often discussed alongside “Tanzih,” which emphasizes Allah’s transcendence and absolute incomparability. While Tanzih highlights that nothing is like Allah, Tashbih helps believers relate to God’s attributes in a way that is meaningful through metaphorical language.
2. Quranic Language: The Quran uses expressions that describe Allah in ways relatable to human understanding, such as references to Allah’s “Hand,” “Face,” or “Sight.” These are understood metaphorically, reflecting His power, presence, and omniscience.
3. Purpose of Tashbih: The use of metaphorical descriptions allows finite humans to grasp elements of the divine nature, building a bridge between God’s inaccessibility and human comprehension, without compromising His unique nature.
4. Theological Interpretation: Islamic scholars interpret these metaphorical expressions carefully. They ensure that these descriptions do not lead to misconceptions about Allah’s nature. Literal interpretations are generally avoided to prevent any association of physicality or temporality with God.
5. Avoidance of Literal Anthropomorphism: While Tashbih involves metaphorical descriptions, Islamic theology strictly avoids literal anthropomorphism, where God is thought of possessing human form or limitations. Such interpretations are seen as contrary to Islamic principles of monotheism and divine transcendence.
6. Diverse Islamic Perspectives: Different Islamic theological schools, such as Ash’ari, Maturidi, and Salafi, have developed nuanced interpretations of Tashbih, contributing to various discussions on how best to comprehend and articulate God’s attributes while upholding Tawhid (the oneness of Allah).

In summary, Tashbih in Islamic theology facilitates understanding of God by employing metaphorical language to describe divine attributes. It is balanced by Tanzih, emphasizing the need to respect Allah’s incomparable nature while allowing believers to relate to Him in their spiritual journey.

Written by AI. A more correct, God given, explanation can be found here.