Is Allah in the lowest heaven all the time?
The concept of Allah's presence in the lowest heaven is addressed in various hadith, which describe His descent during specific times rather than implying that He resides there permanently. For example, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned: Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, saying: 'Who calls upon Me that I may answer him? Who asks Me that I may give him? Who seeks My forgiveness that I may forgive him?'
Sunan Abu Dawud 5:66.
Similarly, another narration states: Allah descends to the lowest heaven every night after the first third of the night passes and says: 'I am the King, I am the King. Who is calling upon Me that I may respond to him?'
Sahih Muslim 6:202. These narrations indicate that Allah's descent occurs at specific times, particularly during the night, and does not suggest a continuous presence in the lowest heaven.
In the context of knowledge and awareness, the Qur'an emphasizes that Allah is always aware of all things, stating, He knoweth both your secret and your utterance, and He knoweth what ye earn
6:3. This reinforces the understanding that while Allah may descend to the lowest heaven at certain times, His knowledge and presence encompass all things at all times.
Sources
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6:3 · Al-An'aam
6:3 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَهُوَ ٱللَّهُ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يَعْلَمُ سِرَّكُمْ وَجَهْرَكُمْ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُونَ
He is Allah in the heavens and in the earth. He knoweth both your secret and your utterance, and He knoweth what ye earn.
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Sunan Abu Dawud 5:66
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 5, Hadith 66 · Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, saying: 'Who calls upon Me that I may answer him? Who asks Me that I may give him? Who seeks My forgiveness that I may forgive him?'"
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Sahih Muslim 6:202
Sahih Muslim · Book 6, Hadith 202 · Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah descends to the lowest heaven every night after the first third of the night passes and says: 'I am the King, I am the King. Who is calling upon Me that I may respond to him? Who is asking Me that I may grant him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?' He continues this until the dawn breaks."
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