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The Arabic phraseBila Kayf, also pronounced asBila Kayfa, (Arabic:بلا كيف,romanized: bi-lā kayfa,lit. 'with-no (without) how') is roughly translated as "without asking how", "without knowing how",[1] or "without modality"[2] and refers to the belief that the verses of theQur'an with an "unapparent meaning" should be accepted as they have come without saying how they are meant or what is meant, i.e. not attributing a specific meaning to them.[3] Literally, the phrase is translated as "without how" but figuratively as "in a manner that suits His majesty and transcendence".[4]
An example of a use of this approach is with regards to verses in theQuran and inhadith that use anthropomorphic and corporeal language to describe God. The attribution, in such texts, of a "hand" or "face" of God have been approached by some in a manner that seeks to accept such statements but without applying any consideration about what they may mean,Bila Kayf.[8][9][10] In this context,Al-Ash'ari, the founder of theAsh'arism, originated the use of the term and concept ofBila Kayf in formulating his approach to such statements.[11][7]
Another source creditsAhmad ibn Hanbal, founder of theHanbali school offiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) as the original creator of the doctrine.[12]
