The doctrine followed by Ahl-us-Sunnah w-al-Jama‘ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) is to follow the righteous predecessors in relation to the Names and Attributes of Allah. This doctrine states that the Beautiful Names and Exalted Attributes of Allah, the Almighty, are those evidenced by His Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet without any Tahrif (distortion of the meaning), Ta‘til (negation of the meaning or function of Allah's Attributes), Takyif (descriptive designation of Allah's Attributes), or Tamthil (likening Allah's Attributes to those of His Creation).

Ma‘iyyat Allah (the Company of Allah) is one of Allah’s Attributes stated in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah and means that Allah is with us in a way that befits His Majesty. Allah, the Almighty, says: {There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.} [Quran 42: 11] It is also stated and confirmed that Allah rises over His Throne in the manner that befits His Majesty.

The root of Ma‘yyiah in the linguistic sense is the noun “Ma‘a,” which means companionship, company, assembly, and gathering of two things. However, the word “Ma‘a” does not linguistically entail any mixing, mingling, or connection, as some people claimed, but it means companionship and company in the general sense. For example, the moon accompanies the traveler and other people while it is so high and distant and does not mix or mingle with them.

In addition, the word “Ma‘iyyah” indicates knowledge and may mean support, if the context indicates this meaning. Ibn Al-Jawzi said, “The word ‘Ma‘a’ has five meanings: company, as stated in the saying of Allah, the Almighty: {Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.} [Quran 48: 29]” Ibn ‘Ashour said, “The word ‘Ma‘ahu’ means full companionship with obedience and support.”

This word may also indicate advocacy, as in the saying of Allah, the Almighty: {…when they were in the cave and he [i.e., Muhammad ()] said to his companion, ‘Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.’} [Quran 9: 40] As-Sa‘di said, “This means by Allah’s help, advocacy, and support.” This word may also indicate knowledge, as stated in the saying of Allah, the Almighty: {…and no less than that and no more except that He is with them [in knowledge] wherever they are.} [Quran 58: 7] As-Sa‘di said: “This ‘Ma‘iyyah’ indicates knowledge and awareness, and ‘Inda (with), as stated in the saying of Allah, the Almighty: {And believe in what I have sent down confirming that which is [already] with you…} [Quran 2: 41] Ibn Kathir and others said, “This is because the name of Muhammad,  is written in the Torah and the Bible.” The word ‘Ma‘a’ also means “on,” as stated in the saying of Allah, the Almighty: {So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down on him—it is those who will be the successful.} [Quran 7: 157] Ash-Shawkani said, “This verse means that they followed the Quran which was revealed to him when he was sent as a Prophet.”

Types of Ma‘iyyat Allah Stated in the Quran:

This word is mentioned in eighteen verses in the Quran, indicating that Allah is in the company of His Angels, the elite of His creation from among His Prophets, the Awliya’ (pious people), honest believers, and people in general. More than one scholar said that these Quranic texts indicate that Ma‘iyyat Allah has two meanings:

General Ma‘iyyah: This type of Ma‘iyyah indicates that Allah is with all His creation with His knowledge, i.e., His knowledge encompasses all His creation. He is aware of all His creation, witnesses them, and knows all about them. It is general because it includes all of Allah’s creation and is mentioned in many verses in the Quran, as the previous verse stated in Surah Al-Mujadilah.

Private Ma‘iyyah: It indicates awareness, advocacy, support, and granting of success, and is considered private because it is concerned with Allah’s Prophets and Awlia’ only. It is mentioned in the Quran in many verses, such as: {O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.} [Quran 2: 153] This means that Allah is with the patient, helping and granting them success and guidance.

The Impacts of Belief in this Ma‘iyyah:

Both types of Ma‘iyyah (general and private) have great impacts. The most important impacts of general Ma‘iyyah are as follows:

·        Stirring in people’s souls a sense of awe at this Great Deity, Who knows the secrets and hidden matters.

·        Hastening to obey Allah and abstain from acts of disobedience because Allah is fully Aware of His creation.

The impacts of belief in private Ma‘iyyah are as follows:

·        Whoever is in the company of Allah will not be overcome by anyone or affected by anything, as he is connected with the source of power: Allah, the Predominant over His affairs, the Subjugator over His servants.

·        The person who is in Ma‘iyyat Allah will not feel lonely because Allah is with him, putting him at ease, making him steadfast, and strengthening him.

·        The person who is in Ma‘iyyat Allah will feel satisfied, reassured, and calm, as Prophet Mosa said with full confidence and pride when he was surrounded by Pharaoh and his soldiers: {Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.} [Quran 26: 62]

After briefly clarifying the meaning of Ma‘iyyat Allah through the Quranic verses, it becomes clear to us that it is either general Ma‘iyyah, which encompasses all people and indicates knowledge, hearing, sight, awareness, ability, and dominance, although Allah is above His Throne, or private Ma‘iyyah with His elected servants, and this indicates advocacy, kindness, and support.