Title: Symbols of Reverence & Respect toward God Question: Is it shirk to call people by the names of Allah (SWT), e.g. some people might call a person named Abdul Some people say that one should not leave shoes turned over or that one should not lie on one's stomach because then the bottom of your shoe or your backside is facing Allah (SWT). If this is so, then is Allah (SWT) above us, i.e. can Allah (SWT) be "located"? Usman Khokhar Pakistan Answer: None of these 'signs' of respect are promoted by the Shari`ah . As I have stated in one of my earlier responses (Reference is to "Can we Point our Feet toward the Ka`bah ?"), the symbols adopted by people for showing reverence and respect may be different from one culture and another and between one time and another. Thus, in all such cases, an individual's actions can be greatly influenced by the concepts and traditions of his particular society. Such symbols of reverence and respect should neither be considered as incorrect, unless they entail anything, which is expressly prohibited by the Shari`ah , nor should they be considered as obligatory. Furthermore, when a person shows respect toward another in a particular way, he does so either according to his personal view regarding that phenomenon or according to the generally held concepts relating to that phenomenon. Even those people, who, from a philosophical perspective, believe God to be omnipresent, can ascribe to the concept of "God, residing in the Heaven's above". This concept, even though it may seem incorrect, from a strictly logical perspective, seems to have emanated from the "highly elevated" view regarding God. Such concepts should not, in my opinion, be judged from a 'purely logical' perspective, but should be seen in the light of the spirit out of which they have emanated. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad September 11, 2001