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Islam: A Scientific View of God's Message to Humanity
By Hassan Ali El-Najjar
Table of Contents
I. Introduction: Basic Information
1.
Islam:
A Brief Introduction
2.
Three
Levels of Faith: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan
3.
The
Scientific Evidence That God Exists and the Holy Qur'an Is His Message to
Humanity
4.
Creation and Evolution in the Holy Qur'an
5.
Humans,
As God's Caliphs on Earth
6.
Adam's
Contest With the Angels, and Getting Out of Paradise
7.
Worshippers By Choice Or Forced Slaves?
8.
The
Relationship Between the Spiritual and the Physical Aspects of Islamic
Teachings
9.
Spirit, Soul, Mind, Self, and Happiness, from
an Islamic Perspective
10.
Heart-Mind Relationship in the Holy Qur'an
II. Islam: The Five Pillars of the Faith Structure
11.
Islamic
Proclamation of Faith
12.
Performing Islamic Prayers
14.
Fasting
and Ramadhan, Great Gifts from Allah to Muslims
15.
Haj,
Pilgrimage, the Fifth Pillar of Islam
III. Iman: Allah, His Angels, Messengers, Messages,
Latter Day, and Qadar
16.
Allah,
As He Described Himself in the Holy Quran
17.
Angels
18.
Noo'h,
Noah, in the Holy Quran
19.
Ibrahim, Abraham, in the Holy Quran
20.
Moussa,
Moses, in the Holy Quran
21.
'Eissa, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Quran
22.
Muhammed in the Holy Quran
23.
Prophet
Muhammed's Night Journey and Ascent to Heavens, Al-Issra Wal Mi'raj
24.
The Last Day: The Hour, Resurrection, Reckoning, and
Judgment
25.
God's Precise Measurement and His Just Decree, Al-Qadar
Wal Qadha
IV. I'hsan: Watching Allah in Speech and Deeds
2. The No (La) Commands
3. The Imperative Commands
***
Articles with Islamic Perspective:
Health
Care Crisis in the US: An Islamic Perspective
"Terrorism" & "Islamo-Fascism" Propaganda Campaigns:
An Interactive Lecture
Six
Questions About Islam, Muslims and Jews
Five
Islamic Issues: Predestination and choice, position toward other
religions, angels, and the End of Days
Are
Muslim women second-class citizens
The
French Ban on Islamic Headscarf, an Interview with
Links
to Islamic Topics 2007-2010
Food
Islamic Rules and Teachings
|
Islam: A Scientific View of God's Message to Humanity 16 Allah, Praise to Him in His Highness As He Described Himself in the Holy Quran By Hassan Ali El-Najjar 1st Day of Jumada Al-Thani, 1442, December 16, 2020 Çááåõ ÓõÈúÍóÇäóåõ æóÊóÚóÇáóì ßóãóÇ æóÕóÝó äóÝúÓóåõ Ýöí ÇáúÞõÑúÂäö ÇáúßóÑöíãö ÊÃáíÝ ÍÓä Úáí ÇáäÌÇÑ ÇáÃæá ãä ÔåÑ ÌãÇÏì ÇáËÇäí 1442 ¡ ÇáãæÇÝÞ ááÓÇÏÓ ÚÔÑ ãä ÏíÓãÈÑ 2020
ÃÚæÐõ ÈÇááåö ãäó ÇáÔíØÇäö ÇáÑÌíã ÈöÓۡãö ٱááåö ٱáÑøóÍۡãóÜٰäö ٱáÑøóÍöíãö
A'oudhu Billahi Minashaytan irrajeem Bismillah irra'hman irra'heem
I seek refuge with Allah from
the stoned Shaytan
Introduction This Chapter is About Allah, Praise to Him in His Highness (Sub’hanahu wa Ta'ala), as He has described Himself in the Holy Quran. It attempts to provide information about Who He is and what He wants for us, humans. It is divided into seven sections. The first includes explanations for the meanings of the most cited Good Names of God. The second section addresses God’s physical features, which He has mentioned in the Holy Quran. In the third section, there is an attempt to explain why Allah has created humans, on Earth, and what He wants for them. The fourth section is the largest in this chapter, as it lists the Good Names of Allah, which are mentioned literally and directly in Holy Quran, with verse references and explanation of each Name, and how its meanings can be applied to our everyday life. The fifth section includes some of the attributes of Allah, which have been mentioned by other authors, who considered them, incorrectly, as Good Names of Allah, on the basis of deduction from the Holy Quran and the Sunna. This is followed by the sixth section, which provides a table containing the 159 listed Good Names of Allah mentioned in the fourth section. Finally, the seventh section is provided as a table, which contains the 99 Good Names of Allah, as selected by this author in response to the Prophet’s call to Muslims. This list is selected from the larger list mentioned in the fourth and sixth sections, after the exclusion of other Names, which are derivatives of the same verb. This author is solely responsible for both the specific translation of verse meanings and the summary translation of verse interpretations, which are attributed to the cited Islamic scholars.
First,
the most cited Good Names of
Allah In Verse 98 of Surat Al-Na'hl (Chapter 16) of the Holy
Quran, Allah praise to Him instructs Muslims to "seek refuge
with Him from the Stoned Shaytan (Cursed and expelled
Satan)" whenever they start reciting the Holy Book. This
also applies to prayers, before starting the recitation of
the first Chapter of the Holy Quran, and at the start of any
action, to be shielded against the evil of the Shaytan
whispering. In addition, the description of the Shaytan
(Satan) as "Stoned" is a reference to the story of Ibrahim
(Abraham), peace be upon him, who threw stones at the
Shaytan, when he tried to dissuade him away from obedience
to Allah, as we learn from the ‘Hadith.
[1] ÃÚõæÐõ
ÈÇááåö ãöäó ÇáÔøóíúØóÇäö ÇáÑøóÌöíãö I seek refuge with Allah from the stoned Shaytan One of the best ways to know about Allah is by studying His Good Name, which He has mentioned in His Book and final Message to humanity, the Holy Quran. The most cited of these Names among Muslims is "Allah, followed by Ar-Ra'hman, Ar-Ra'heem, Rabbul-'Aalameen, Al-A'had, As-Samad, Al-'hayyu, Al-Qayyoom, and Nooru as-samawati wal ardhi. 1. Allah: The God Çááå "Allah" is the name which the Great Creator, praise to Him, has described Himself with in three verses of the Holy Quran. In Verse 14 of Surat Taha (Chapter 20), He declares that there is no other god but Him. Therefore, His creations have to worship Him, particularly by establishing prayers, in which His name is constantly mentioned. In Verse 9 of Surat Al-Naml (Chapter 27), He follows His name “Allah” with two other Good Names of His, the Exalted in Might and the Wise. In Verse 30 of Surat Al-Qassas (Chapter 28), He declares that He is Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, which means that He is the Educator, the Guardian, and the Source of Sustenance for His creations. As a result, He is worthy of being worshipped by His creations as an expression of gratitude for His blessings, which include life, care, provision, and the promise of everlasting life in the hereafter for the human and jinni righteous believers among them. Åöäøóäöí ÃóäóÇ ÇááøóÜåõ áóÇ ÅöáóÜٰåó ÅöáøóÇ ÃóäóÇ ÝóÇÚúÈõÏúäöí æóÃóÞöãö ÇáÕøóáóÇÉó áöÐößúÑöí (Øå ¡ 20: 14). * íóÇ ãõæÓóìٰ Åöäøóåõ ÃóäóÇ ÇááøóÜåõ ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÍóßöíãõ (Çáäãá ¡ 27: 9). íóÇ ãõæÓóìٰ Åöäöøí ÃóäóÇ ÇááøóÜåõ ÑóÈøõ ÇáúÚóÇáóãöíäó (ÇáÞÕÕ ¡ 28: 30). Indeed, I am Allah. There is no other god except Me. So, worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance (Ta Ha, 20: 14). O Moussa (Moses), indeed, I am Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise (Al-Naml, 27: 9). O Moussa (Moses), indeed I am Allah, Lord of the worlds (Al-Qassas, 28: 30). ***
Allah, Praise to Him in His Highness, has created humans and
Jinn to worship Him, as stated in Verse 56 of Surat Al-Dhariyat
(Chapter 51). Though He does not need them to worship Him
(51: 57, 35: 15, and 22: 37). Rather, He has commanded them
to do so for their own benefit, as individuals, groups, and
societies, as stated in many verses of the Holy Quran, such
as 2: 271-272, 17: 7, 22: 37 and 62: 9. Allah, Praise to Him in His Highness, is so loving and caring for His human and jinn creations that He sent them messages, to show them how they can be happy during their first (lower) life and in the Hereafter. Basically, He told them to be good to themselves, to their families and relatives, to their society, and to the world. That is the essence of worshipping Him through proclaiming the faith, performing prayers, giving charity, fasting Ramadan, making the pilgrimage, and doing as many good deeds to each other as they can. By worshipping their Creator, they enjoy happiness in this life, in addition to pleasing their loving and caring Creator, Who has promised to reward them an everlasting life in Paradise, in the Hereafter (More on the benefits of these ways of worshipping God can be found in Chapter I. 8, "The Relationship Between the Spiritual and the Physical in Islamic Teachings." The word "Allah" means "the God," or "Al-Ilah." In addressing God, a Muslim may say in Arabic "Ilahi" (my God). However, Muslims usually refer to God with the definite article, Al, contracted with the noun it defines, to become Allah, thus addressing Him with "Ya Allah," which means "O Allah." [2] 2. Al-Ra'hman, Al-Ra'heem: The Beneficent, The Merciful ÇáÑøóÍúãóÜٰäõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ These two Good Names of Allah are mentioned in the first Verse of Chapter 1 (Surat Al-Fati'ha), known as "Al-Basmala," and in many other verses throughout the Holy Quran. "Al-Ra'hman, Al-Ra'heem" are pronounced as arra'hman, arra'heem, as the definite article "Al" is contracted with the noun, deleting the letter ( l ) and replacing it with the first letter of the defined noun, ( r ). Adding an apostrophe before the letter h indicates an Arabic glottal sound, which has no equivalence in English. The renowned Islamic scholars, Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Katheer, [3] related explanations of these two Good Names of Allah from Abu Ali Al-Farisi and Al-'Arzami, may Allah be pleased with them, who said that Al-Ra'hman (The the Beneficent) is a reference to God's mercy to all of His creations, as expressed in providing them with what they need and enabling them to enjoy His provisions. However, Al-Ra'heem (The Merciful) is a reference to God's extra mercy to the believers. While most translators of the Holy Quran agreed on the translation of "Al-Raheem" as "The Merciful," they differed in translating "Al-Rahman." The two most used translations are "The Beneficent," and "The Compassionate." This author has found that "The Beneficent" is a more accurate translation on the basis of the above-mentioned interpretation from the cited Islamic scholars. ÃÚæÐõ ÈÇááå ãä ÇáÔíØÇä ÇáÑÌíã ÈÓã Çááå ÇáÑÍãä ÇáÑÍíã ÇáÑøóÍúãóÜٰäõ ﴿١﴾ Úóáøóãó ÇáúÞõÑúÂäó ﴿٢﴾ ÎóáóÞó ÇáúÅöäÓóÇäó ﴿٣﴾ Úóáøóãóåõ ÇáúÈóíóÇäó ﴿٤﴾ (ÓæÑÉ ÇáÑÍãä ¡ 55: 1- 4). * I seek refuge with Allah from the
stoned Shaytan Ibn Katheer interpreted the first four verses of
Surat Al-Rahman (55:1- 4), as a statement from Allah, the
Beneficent, Praise to Him in His Highness, that He descended
the Holy Quran to His worshipper Muhammed, peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him (pbbuh), and made it easy to
memorize and understand by believers. Al-Dhahak and Qutada,
may Allah be pleased with them, added that He made the Holy
Quran easy to be taught to believers so that they use it in
telling the truth, enjoining the good, and preaching against
the wrongdoing. Al-Hassan, may Allah be pleased with him,
interpreted it as enabling believers to pronounce its
letters correctly, so that they can recite it in the best
and most beautiful ways. 3. Rabbul-'Aalameen: The Lord of the Worlds ÑóÈøõ ÇáúÚóÇáóãöíäó This Good Name of God is written as Rab Al-'Aalameen but it maybe pronounced as rabbul 'aalameen, rabbil 'aalameen, or rabbal 'aalameen, depending on its relationship to other words in a sentence, according to the Arabic grammatical rules. Adding an apostrophe before the letter "a" indicates an Arabic glottal sound, which has no equivalence in English. [5] This Good Name of Allah, Rabbul-'Aalameen, was first mentioned in the second verse of Surat Al-Fati’ha (1: 2). Verses 75-82 of Surat Al-Shu’ara (Chapter 26) of the Holy Quran explaining the word “Rab” as the One Who guides, feeds, waters, heals, and resurrects people after death. Verses 26: 23-24 tell us about the meaning of the word Al-‘Aalameen as the worlds of the heavens, the Earth, as well as (that which is) between them. ÞóÇáó ÝöÑúÚóæúäõ æóãóÇ ÑóÈøõ ÇáúÚóÇáóãöíäó ý﴿٢٣﴾þ ÞóÇáó ÑóÈøõ ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö æóãóÇ ÈóíúäóåõãóÇ ۖ Åöä ßõäÊõã ãøõæÞöäöíäó ý﴿٢٤﴾ (ÇáÔÚÑÇÁ ¡ 26: 23-24). Said Pharaoh, "And what is the Lord of the worlds?" (23) (Moussa, Moses) said, "The Lord of the heavens and the Earth, and that (which is) between them, if you should be convinced." (24) (Al-Shu’ara, 26: 23-24). Thus, “Rabbul 'Aalameen” is the Lord of all these worlds where angels, humans, Jinn, and other creations live, with His care, compassion, and kindness. 4. Al-A'had, Al-Samad: The One in the Beginning and in the End, The Ultimate Provider ÃóáÃÍóÏõ ¡ ٱáÕøóãóÏõ These two Good Names of Allah are mentioned in Verses 1-2 of Chapter 112 (Surat Al-Ikhlas), of the Holy Quran. ÓõæۡÑóÉõ ÇáÇٕÎáÇÕ ÃÚæÐõ ÈÇááåö ãäó ÇáÔíØÇäö ÇáÑÌíã ÈöÓۡãö ٱááåö ٱáÑøóÍۡãóÜٰäö ٱáÑøóÍöíãö
Þõáú åõæó ٱááøóåõ
ÃóÍóÏñ
(١)
ٱááøóåõ
ٱáÕøóãóÏõ
(٢)
áóãۡ íóáöÏۡ æóáóãۡ íõæáóÏۡ
(٣)
æóáóãۡ íóßõä áøóåõ ۥ ڪõÝõæðÇ ÃóÍóÏõۢ
(٤)
I seek refuge with Allah from the stoned Shaytan
Say: He is Allah, (the) One;
(1)
Allah, the Eternal;
(2)
He did not beget (give birth) and He was not begotten (given
birth to);
(3)
And there has never been anyone equal to Him.
(4) Verses 3-4 of Surat Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) of the Holy Quran explain the meaning of the first Good Name of Allah, mentioned in the first verse, Al-A'had, as the One Who had nobody else with Him at the beginning, nobody else is partner with Him in His dominium, nobody gave birth to Him and He did not give birth to anybody. Nothing is similar or equal to Him, praise to Him in His Highness. Al-Samad (pronounced as As-Samad) is mentioned as a Good Name of Allah, in the second verse of Surat Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) of the Holy Quran. It means that He is the source of help, provision, and guidance for those who ask for them. It also means that He is the Ultimate Judge over His creations on the Last Day. Whoever wants to get part of this divine characteristic needs to fast as much as possible following the path of the Prophet, pbbuh (i.e. several days every month, in addition to the month of Ramadhan), or to eat, drink, and speak as less as possible. He/she also needs to mention this characteristic of God, Al-Samad, as many times as possible during his/her day. This empowers his/her spiritual side and keeps the body desires under control (Surat Al-Ikhlas, Chapter 112, verse 2). ***
5.
Al-'Hayyu, Al-Qayyoom:
The Eternally Living, The Sustainer of the Universe
ÇáúÍóíøõ
¡
ÇáúÞóíøõæãõ These two Good Names of Allah are mentioned in Verse 255 of Chapter 2 (Surat Al-Baqara) of the Holy Quran, known as "Ayatul Kursi" (Verse of the Chair).
ÃÚæÐõ ÈÇááåö ãäó ÇáÔíØÇäö ÇáÑÌíã ÈöÓۡãö ٱááåö ٱáÑøóÍۡãóÜٰäö ٱáÑøóÍöíãö Çááøóåõ áÇ Åöáóåó ÅöáÇ åõæó ÇáúÍóíøõ ÇáúÞóíøõæãõ áÇ ÊóÃúÎõÐõåõ ÓöäóÉñ æóáÇ äóæúãñ áóåõ ãóÇ Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóãóÇ Ýöí ÇáÃóÑúÖö ãóäú ÐóÇ ÇáøóÐöí íóÔúÝóÚõ ÚöäúÏóåõ ÅöáÇ ÈöÅöÐúäöåö íóÚúáóãõ ãóÇ Èóíúäó ÃóíúÏöíåöãú æóãóÇ ÎóáúÝóåõãú æóáÇ íõÍöíØõæäó ÈöÔóíúÁò ãöäú Úöáúãöåö ÅöáÇ ÈöãóÇ ÔóÇÁó æóÓöÚó ßõÑúÓöíøõåõ ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáÃóÑúÖó æóáÇ íóÆõæÏõåõ ÍöÝúÙõåõãóÇ æóåõæó ÇáúÚóáöíøõ ÇáúÚóÙöíãõ (ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 255).
I seek refuge with Allah from
the stoned Shaytan
Allah! There is no (other) god but He,
the Eternally Living, the
Maintainer (in charge of all things).
Neither slumber
nor sleep seizes Him. His
is whatsoever in the Heavens and
the Earth.
Who is that who intercedes
in His presence, except by His
permission!
(Nobody does).
He knows what is between their hands and what is behind them. And they do not surround a thing of His knowledge except whatever He wills. His Chair encompasses the heavens and the Earth, and it does not fatigue Him to preserve both of them (the Heavens and the Earth), and He is the High, the Great (Al-Baqara, 2: 255). *** Ibn Katheer, may Allah reward him for his great work,
mentioned that the Prophet, pbbuh, said that the Verse
of the Chair (2: 255) is the greatest verse of the Holy
Quran, because it includes the greatest Name of Allah,
Al-‘Hayyu, Al-Qayyoom.
[6] In
addition to Verse 2: 255, these two greatest Names of
Allah are also mentioned together in two other verses of
the Holy Quran (Al-‘Imran, 3: 2 and Taha, 20: 111).
Without relation to specific verses, “Al-‘Hayyu” means
"The Living," and “Al-Qayyoom” means "The Standing."
However, within the context of Verse 2: 255, the two
Good Names of Allah are complimentary to each-other,
meaning the Eternally Living, Who is Standing, in
permanent control of and care for His creations. While the Name of “Allah” and the Name of “Al-Qayyoom” were the only Names mentioned in these three verses, the Name of “Al-‘Hayyu” alone was mentioned in two other verses: 25: 58 and 40: 65, as follows: æóÊóæóßøóáú Úóáóì ÇáúÍóíøö ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ íóãõæÊõ æóÓóÈøöÍú ÈöÍóãúÏöåö ۚ (ÇáÝÑÞÇä ¡ 25: 58). åõæó
ÇáúÍóíøõ áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ÝóÇÏúÚõæåõ ãõÎúáöÕöíäó
áóåõ ÇáÏøöíäó ۗ (ÛÇÝÑ ¡
40: 65). And rely upon the
Eternally-Living, who does not die, and exalt Him with
His praise (Al-Furqan, 25: 58). He is the
Eternally-Living, there is no deity except Him. So, call
upon Him, (while being) sincere to Him in religion (Ghafir,
40: 65). Al-Qurtubi mentioned that the greatest Name of God could be “Al-‘Hayyu.” However, it is more likely to be either “Allah” or “Al-Qayyoom,” because these two Names were included in the meaning of the ‘Hadith, in its reference to the three mentioned verses. In addition, “Al-‘Hayyu” was mentioned alone in two other verses, and Allah knows better.
***
Further, “Al-Qayyoom” means that He is Eternally Awake
and in control of His universal system, including His
Throne, Chair, the Seven Heavens, and the Seven Earths.
He takes care of His creations living in them, providing
them with the needed life requirements and sustenance.
“Al-‘Hayyu” means the “Source and Giver of Life.” He was
the First, before Whom there was nothing and nobody. He
is and will be the Last, the Eternally Living, Who does
not die, while each one of His creations has its life
span, at the end of which he/she dies and his/her record
is completed, as discussed in Chapter 9: “Mind,
Self, Soul, Spirit, and Happiness from an Islamic
Perspective.”
Al-Qurtubi mentioned that the Greatest of God’s
Names is “Al-‘Hayyu.” However, by looking at the three
verses mentioned in the ‘Hadith, it is more likely to be
“Al-Qayyoom,” as “Al-‘Hayyu” was mentioned in two more
verses, not mentioned in the ‘Hadith, and Allah knows
better. *** Allah! There
is no (other) god but He, (means that He is the only God
for all creations to worship). Neither slumber nor sleep seizes
Him, which means that He is the Maintainer of the
Universe and the Sustainer of all His creations. He
neither sleeps nor even slumbers for a moment. Thus, He
knows everything, and He is in control of the heavens,
Earth, and that which is in between, at all times. Whatsoever in the Heavens and the Earth belongs to Him.
This means that He alone, without any partners, owns and
controls everything and everyone in the Heavens and on
the Earth, all are under His power, and all should
worship Him alone. Who is that who intercedes in His
presence, except by His permission! This means that
nobody dares to intercede for others, that is, to plead
with God on behalf of His creations, who will be waiting
in suffering for reckoning, on the Day of Judgment,
unless Allah permits him/her to do so. Al-Qurtubi
mentioned that Allah, praise to Him in His Highness,
will permit intersession by the Prophets, scholars,
those who fight for His sake (Mujahidoon), and angels,
as a way to honor them on the Day of Judgment. He will
also allow good believers to intercede for other
believers, as they prayed and fasted together in this
life. A child may also be allowed to intercede for
his/her parents. The greatest intercession will be
permitted only to Prophet Muhammed, pbbuh. He will make
a long Sujood (prostration) until Allah tells him to
lift his head and ask, and his call will be answered.
The Prophet, pbbuh, then asks Allah to quicken
reckoning, in order to relieve the believers from
suffering under the heat of the son. The Prophet will be
asked to do this job of intercession by all of the
Messengers of God who preceded him, as they know that
Allah loves him most.
[7] He
knows what is between their hands and what is behind
them. This means that, as an example of God's
omniscience and His circumventing (complete) knowledge,
He knows what His creations (angels, humans, and jinn)
show and what they hide, what they do at their present
and what they did in the past, what happens to them in
this life and what will happen to them in the hereafter. And they do not surround a thing of His knowledge,
except that whichever He wills. This means that while
Allah has complete knowledge about His creations, they
do not know anything about His knowledge, except that
which He wills for some of them, such as His messages
revealed to humans through His Messengers. And it does not fatigue Him to preserve
both of them (the heavens and the Earth). This means
that it does not tire or fatigue Him to preserve the
systems of Heavens and the Earth, including taking care
of their structures, functioning, whoever lives on and
between them. And He is the High, the Great. This means that Allah, praise to Him in His Highness (sub’hanahu wa ta’ala), is higher than all of His creations, including His Throne, His Chair, the systems of Heavens and Earths. He is the Great, in bringing His creations to existence, preserving them, as well as caring and providing sustenance to all who live in them.
6.
Nooru as-Samawati wal ardhi:
Light of the Heavens and the Earth
äõæÑõ ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáÃóÑúÖö This Good Name of Allah is mentioned in Verse 35 of Chapter 24 (Surat Al-Noor) of the Holy Quran, known as “Ayatun Nour” (Verse of The Light). ÃÚæÐõ ÈÇááå ãä ÇáÔíØÇä ÇáÑÌíã ÈÓã Çááå ÇáÑÍãä ÇáÑÍíã
I seek refuge with Allah from
the stoned Shaytan
Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth. The similitude of His Light is as a Niche, within which is a Lamp. The Lamp is in a glass (container). The glass (container) is like a bright planet. The light (of the lamp) is produced by fire from a blessed olive tree (oil), which is neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost illuminate, without being touched by fire. Light Upon Light! Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allah gives examples for people (as illustration), and Allah is Knowledgeable of everything (Al-Noor, 24: 35).
*** Interpretation of Ayatun Nour (The Verse of The Light):
Allah is the Light of the
Heavens
and the
Earth:
Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth and the
Guidance for those who dwell in or on them. The Prophet,
pbbuh, also told us about this
Good Name of Allah. He was asked if He saw Allah when he
ascended above the Seventh Heaven, during his Night
Journey. He answered: "I saw Light").
[9] The
similitude of His Light is as a
Niche,
within
which is a Lamp:
The example of God's Light is
like a lamp in a niche, a recess in a wall,
which keeps its light concentrated, not dispersed.
The Lamp
is in
a
glass
(container):
The glass container allows seeing the
lamp light, focuses it, and protects it from being
extinguished by wind. It is noteworthy that the current
electric lamps are also covered with glass containers.
The glass (container)
is like a bright
planet:
The glass containing the lamp appears as a bright
planet, as its atmosphere reflects the sun light. So, we
see it glittering. (The light of the lamp) is produced by fire from a blessed olive tree: The olive tree has been honored by being mentioned here in verse 24: 35 and in 5 other verses of the Holy Quran. It is a blessed tree for the many benefits it provides people with, such as oil for cooking, lighting, messaging skin, and feeding hair roots. Its beans are also delicious after processing. Finally, the bean seeds are used as firewood for cooking and heating purposes. [10] which is neither of the east nor of the west: This means that the blessed tree is growing in the best location of the oil grove. It is in the middle, in a clear distance from other trees. This provides it with several benefits, such as sun light all day, sufficient quantities of air, and enough nutrients from the soil. Consequently, these benefits enable it from producing the best of oil. If it were located at the eastern or western sides of the grove, it would not have been enjoying these benefits, and as a result, would not have been able to produce the best of oil. whose oil would almost illuminate, without being touched by fire: Due to its ideal location and the related benefits it gets therein, this blessed tree produces the purest of oil, which almost illuminates, even without being touched by fire. Light Upon Light: This is a reference to the light of the fire and the light of the oil together, as interpreted by Mujahid and Al-Suddi, mAbpwt both. However, other interpreters added that it is guidance from Allah upon the effort from the believer to learn the Holy Quran and apply it. Allah guides to His Light whom He wills: His Light is His Message of Islam to humanity, which was revealed through His Messengers and was completed by the Holy Quran, through the Seal of all Messengers of Allah, Muhammed, pbbuh. Allah, praise to Him, guides to His Light whom He wills, particularly those who believe in Him and do good deeds, follow His commands, and turn back to Him. He will guide them, illuminating their path with His Light. However, He does not guide the wrongdoers, those who are disobedient to Him, disbelievers, and those who insist on their disbelief of Him. [11] And Allah gives examples for people (as illustration). So, they can understand, and Allah is knowledgeable of everything (Al-Noor, 24: 35). *** The whole verse can be interpreted as the Light of God, as Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said, or as the Light of the believer, as the four scholars also mentioned. Thus, God's Light is guidance to the believers, assuring them and reinforcing their faith to worship Him. It is like a lamp in a niche. The lamp here is the heart of the believer, which has been lighted with faith, and with learning the Holy Quran and the Sunna. These represent the sources of guidance to faith in God for the believer, just like the good, pure oil as the source for the lamp light. Al-Qurtubi added that Allah, praise to Him, described the Holy Quran as a "Clear Light" in Verse 174 of Surat Al-Nissa (Chapter 4). He also described Prophet Muhammed, pbbuh, as "Light" in Verse 15 of Surat Al-Maeda (Chapter 5). Thus, the believer is guided by the Light of the Holy Quran and the Light of the Prophet Muhammed, pbbuh, (his Sunna). He further said that the Light of God in the heart of the believer is like the pure oil, which is about to illuminate (give light) even without fire touching it. As the believer learns the truth from the Holy Quran, his/her faith is reinforced, like the light of the olive oil when it is touched by fire; hence, "Light Upon Light." In interpreting "Light Upon Light," Ibn 'Abbas said that it is a reference to good deeds of the believer, reflecting his/her faith in God. Mujahid and Al-Suddi, mAbpwt both, said that it means the Light of God and the light of the lamp, or the light of fire and the light of the oil, or the light of the Holy Quran and the light of faith together. Ubay Ibn Ka'b, mAbpwh, interpreted it as light in the believer's speech, deeds, death, and resurrection, as mentioned by Ibn Katheer. In conclusion, Allah, praise to Him, is “Light Upon Light.” He is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth. He is also the “Light” of guidance for His worshippers, through His Messages to them, which He completed by revealing the Holy Quran, through the Seal of His Messengers, Muhammed, pbbuh. *** ***
Second,
God's Physical
Features ÝóÇØöÑõ ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۚ ÌóÚóáó áóßõã ãöøäú ÃóäÝõÓößõãú ÃóÒúæóÇÌðÇ æóãöäó ÇáúÃóäúÚóÇãö ÃóÒúæóÇÌðÇ ۖ íóÐúÑóÄõßõãú Ýöíåö ۚ áóíúÓó ßóãöËúáöåö ÔóíúÁñ ۖ æóåõæó ÇáÓøóãöíÚõ ÇáúÈóÕöíÑõ (ÇáÔæÑì ¡ 42: 11). The Originator of the Heavens and the Earth, (Allah), has made pairs for you from yourselves, and pairs of cattle, thereby multiplying (in the wombs of females). There is nothing like Him. He is The Hearer, The Seer (Al-Shoura, 42: 11). With that stated, several verses of the Holy Quran mention some physical features of Allah. Al-Tabari mentioned that the tradition of early Muslim scholars is to mention these physical features of God, as described in the Holy Quran and the 'Hadith, without trying to equate them with the physical features of humans. Here are some of them: [12] 1. Allah, Praise to Him in His Highness, has a Face, which illuminates (gives light to) the Throne, as interpreted by scholars, in Ayatul Kursi (The Verse of the Chair) above. Believers direct their prayers and good deeds to the Face of Allah, as in verses 2: 115, 2: 272, 30: 38, 30: 39, and 76: 9 of the Holy Quran. æóáöáøóÜåö ÇáúãóÔúÑöÞõ æóÇáúãóÛúÑöÈõ ۚ ÝóÃóíúäóãóÇ ÊõæóáøõæÇ ÝóËóãøó æóÌúåõ ÇááøóÜåö Åöäøó ÇááøóÜåó æóÇÓöÚñ Úóáöíãñ (ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 115). ÝóÂÊö ÐóÇ ÇáúÞõÑúÈóì ÍóÞøóåõ æóÇáúãöÓúßöíäó æóÇÈúäó ÇáÓøóÈöíáö Ðóáößó ÎóíúÑñ áöáøóÐöíäó íõÑöíÏõæäó æóÌúåó Çááøóåö æóÃõæáóÆößó åõãõ ÇáúãõÝúáöÍõæäó (ÇáÑæã ¡ 30: 38). æóãóÇ ÂÊóíúÊõãú ãöäú ÒóßóÇÉò ÊõÑöíÏõæäó æóÌúåó Çááøóåö ÝóÃõæáóÆößó åõãõ ÇáúãõÖúÚöÝõæäó (ÇáÑæã ¡ 30: 39). ÅöäøóãóÇ äõØúÚöãõßõãú áöæóÌúåö Çááøóåö áóÇ äõÑöíÏõ ãöäúßõãú ÌóÒóÇÁð æóáóÇ ÔõßõæÑðÇ (ÇáÅäÓÇä ¡ 76: 9).
To
Allah belong (the directions of) the sunrise and the
sunset. Whichever
(direction) you turn to, there is the
Face of Allah.
Indeed, Allah is
Vast (and) Knowledgeable
(Al-Baqara, 2: 115).
Whatever good you spend is for yourselves, (provided that) you give it seeking the Face of Allah. And whatever good you spend shall be repaid to you (in full), you shall not be treated unjustly (Al-Baqara, 2: 272). And give to the kinsman his due, and to the needy, and to the destitute traveler. That is best for those who want the Face of Allah, and those are the winners (Al-Room, 30: 38) That which you give in Zakat (charity), wanting the Face of Allah, those (amounts) will be multiplied many times (for you in rewards) (Al-Room, 30: 39). 'We feed you for the Face of Allah, we neither want a reward from you nor gratitude (Al-Inssan, 76: 9). 2. Some verses of the Holy Quran mention that Allah, Praise to Him in His Highness, has a Throne to sit on, as follows; Åöäøó ÑóÈøóßõãõ ÇááøóÜåõ ÇáøóÐöí ÎóáóÞó ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖó Ýöí ÓöÊøóÉö ÃóíøóÇãò Ëõãøó ÇÓúÊóæóìٰ Úóáóì ÇáúÚóÑúÔö ۖ (ÇáÃÚÑÇÝ ¡ 7: 54 ). Åöäøó ÑóÈøóßõãõ ÇááøóÜåõ ÇáøóÐöí ÎóáóÞó ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖó Ýöí ÓöÊøóÉö ÃóíøóÇãò Ëõãøó ÇÓúÊóæóìٰ Úóáóì ÇáúÚóÑúÔö ۖ íõÏóÈöøÑõ ÇáúÃóãúÑó ۖ ãóÇ ãöä ÔóÝöíÚò ÅöáøóÇ ãöä ÈóÚúÏö ÅöÐúäöåö ۚ Ðóٰáößõãõ ÇááøóÜåõ ÑóÈøõßõãú ÝóÇÚúÈõÏõæåõ ۚ ÃóÝóáóÇ ÊóÐóßøóÑõæäó (íæäÓ ¡ 10: 3).
Surely your Lord is Allah,
who created the Heavens and the Earth in six
days, then sat on the Throne (Al-A'araf, 7: 54).
3. The Verse of the Chair (2: 255), mentioned above, tells us that Allah, praise to Him in His Highness, has a Chair to put His Feet on, as was also mentioned in the authentic 'Hadith. [13] 4. The following verses tell us that Allah, praise to Him, has Hands, extending them with provision for His creations and with support for those who believe in Him. With His Hands, He gives or denies that which He wills for whom He wills. He has power over all things.
Åäøó ÇáúÝóÖúáó
ÈöíóÏö ÇááøóÜåö
íõÄúÊöíåö ãóä íóÔóÇÁõ æóÇááøóÜåõ æóÇÓöÚñ Úóáöíãñ ﴿Âá
ÚãÑÇä ¡ 3: 73﴾.
æóÞóÇáóÊö ÇáúíóåõæÏõ
íóÏõ ÇááøóÜåö
ãóÛúáõæáóÉñ ÛõáøóÊú ÃóíúÏöíåöãú æóáõÚöäõæÇ ÈöãóÇ
ÞóÇáõæÇ Èóáú
íóÏóÇåõ
ãóÈúÓõæØóÊóÇäö íõäÝöÞõ ßóíúÝó íóÔóÇÁõ (ÇáãÇÆÏÉ
¡ 5: 64).
æóãóä íõÑúÓöáõ ÇáÑöøíóÇÍó ÈõÔúÑðÇ
Èóíúäó íóÏóíú ÑóÍúãóÊöåö (
Çáäãá ¡ 27: 63).
ÊóÈóÇÑóßó ÇáøóÐöí
ÈöíóÏöåö Çáúãõáúßõ
æóåõæó Úóáóìٰ ßõáöø ÔóíúÁò ÞóÏöíÑñ (Ãáãõáúß
¡ 67: 1).
Þõáö ÇááøóÜåõãøó ãóÇáößó Çáúãõáúßö ÊõÄúÊöí Çáúãõáúßó ãóä
ÊóÔóÇÁõ æóÊóäÒöÚõ Çáúãõáúßó ãöãøóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ æóÊõÚöÒøõ ãóä
ÊóÔóÇÁõ æóÊõÐöáøõ ãóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ ÈöíóÏößó
ÇáúÎóíúÑõ Åöäøóßó
Úóáóìٰ ßõáöø ÔóíúÁò ÞóÏöíÑñ
(Âá
ÚãÑÇä ¡ 3: 26).
The bounty is in the
Hand of Allah, He gives it to whomsoever He wills.
Allah is Vast, Knowledgeable (Al-'Imran, 3: 73).
The Jews said: "The
Hand of Allah is chained." It is their hands, which
are chained, and they were cursed for what they said.
Rather, His both Hands
are extended (with provision), He spends as He wills
(Al-Maeda, 5: 64).
And Who sends the winds bearing glad tidings between
Both
Hands of His Mercy
(Al-Naml, 27: 63).
Blessed be He in
whose Hand is the Kingdom, He is powerful
over all things (Al-Mulk,
67: 1).
Say: 'O Allah, Owner of the Sovereignty (Power). You give
the governance to whom You will and take the governance away
from whom You will. You exalt whom You will and debase whom
You will.
In
Your Hand is good. You have power over all
things (Al-'Imran, 3: 26).
***
The three renowned Muslim scholars related three
interpretations for Verse 3: 26, which mentioned the hand of
Allah, praise to Him, as follows:
The first
interpretation focused on stating that the good, power, and
exaltedness are in the Hand of
Allah.
He gives
or denies them to that which He wills. He took them out of
the Children of Israel because they rejected
God's message, which was delivered to them by Jesus Christ,
peace be upon him. Instead, He exalted His Prophet Muhammed,
pbbuh, by giving him the final and complete Message of God
to Humanity.
The second
interpretation mentioned that the verse was about the
Christians of Najran, in southern Arabia, who worshipped
Jesus Christ as God, just because he showed miracles to the
Children of Israel, to persuade them to believe in him as a
Messenger of God. In this Verse, Allah, Praise to Him in His
Highness, is telling worshippers of Jesus that
only God
can exalt somebody like Jesus to perform such
miracles, as He is powerful over all things. The third interpretation was that the verse was revealed in response to a call by Prophet Muhammed, pbbuh, who asked Allah, praise to Him, to support Muslims in conquering the Persian and Roman empires. The call was answered when the entire Persian empire was conquered by Muslims and the Persian Nation became a Muslim nation contributing to the spread of Islam in Asia. In addition, most of the Roman empire was conquered by Muslims, particularly eastern (Levant), western (Spain), and southern (North African) Mediterranean coasts. Only the northern Mediterranean coasts stayed under the Roman rule until the rise of the Ottoman empire, when Greece and major parts of eastern Europe became under the Muslim Ottoman rule. 5. Many verses of the Holy Quran state that Allah, Praise to Him in His Highness, hears and sees. He is also described as Hearer and Seer, as well as The Hearer and The Seer. There are 47 verses in the Holy Quran, in which Allah is described as Samee' (Hearer)." There are 20 verses which describe Him as Al-Samee'a (The Hearer). There are 42 verses in the Holy Quran, in which Allah is described as "Baseer," (Seer). There are three verses which describe Him as Al-Baseer (The Seer). These are Al-Isra (17 :1), Al-Shoura (42 : 11), and Ghafir (40 : 20). In the following three verses, Allah, praise to Him in His Highness, states that He hears and sees: ÞóÇáó áóÇ ÊóÎóÇÝóÇ ۖ Åöäøóäöí ãóÚóßõãóÇ ÃóÓúãóÚõ æóÃóÑóìٰ (Øå ¡ 20: 46). áøóÞóÏú ÓóãöÚó ÇááøóÜåõ Þóæúáó ÇáøóÐöíäó ÞóÇáõæÇ Åöäøó ÇááøóÜåó ÝóÞöíÑñ æóäóÍúäõ ÃóÛúäöíóÇÁõ ۘ ÓóäóßúÊõÈõ ãóÇ ÞóÇáõæÇ æóÞóÊúáóåõãõ ÇáúÃóäÈöíóÇÁó ÈöÛóíúÑö ÍóÞòø æóäóÞõæáõ ÐõæÞõæÇ ÚóÐóÇÈó ÇáúÍóÑöíÞö ﴿Âá ÚãÑÇä ¡ 3: 181﴾. ÞóÏú ÓóãöÚó ÇááøóÜåõ Þóæúáó ÇáøóÊöí ÊõÌóÇÏöáõßó Ýöí ÒóæúÌöåóÇ æóÊóÔúÊóßöí Åöáóì ÇááøóÜåö æóÇááøóÜåõ íóÓúãóÚõ ÊóÍóÇæõÑóßõãóÇ ۚ Åöäøó ÇááøóÜåó ÓóãöíÚñ ÈóÕöíÑñ (ÇáãÌÇÏáÉ ¡ 58: 1). (Allah) said: Do not fear (the Pharaoh), I am with you: I hear and see (everything) (Ta Ha, 20: 46). Allah has heard the taunt of those who said: "Allah is poor and we are rich!" We shall write (record) what they said and (write) their killing of the prophets without a right (to do so), and We shall say (to them): "Taste the torture of the (Scorching) Fire (Al-'Imran, 3: 181). Allah has heard the saying (statement) of (the woman) who argues with you about her husband; and she complains (in prayer) to Allah; and Allah hears your dialogue. Indeed, Allah is Hearer and Seer (Al-Mujadalah, 58: 1). 6. The human being has a face, eyes, ears, hands, and feet as his/her Creator has His own, which do not necessarily look like those of humans. Thus, Allah, praise to Him, created humans in the best image, as stated in Verse 95: 4. áóÞóÏú ÎóáóÞúäóÇ ÇáúÅöäÓóÇäó Ýöí ÃóÍúÓóäö ÊóÞúæöíãò (ÇáÊíä ¡ 95: 4). Surely We created the human (being) in the Best Image (Al-Teen, 95: 4). Al-Tabari and Ibn Katheer interpreted the last word of
the verse, "Taqweem," as "Soorah," the accurate translation
of which is "image." Al-Qurtubi also interpreted it as image
but added that Allah, Praise to Him in His Highness, created
human beings on His Image,
the Best Image. They have face, eyes, ears,
hands, and feet, as He has. They also have some of His
traits, which are blown into them from His Spirit, such as
justice, mercy, and compassion. He distinguished them from
His other creations on Earth by enabling them of walking
upright, speaking, knowing right and wrong, and having the
capability to choose between them. The same meaning came
also in verse 64: 3, as follows:
ÎóáóÞó ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖó ÈöÇáúÍóÞøö
æóÕóæøóÑóßõãú ÝóÃóÍúÓóäó
ÕõæóÑóßõãú ۖ æóÅöáóíúåö ÇáúãóÕöíÑõ (ÇáÊÛÇÈä ¡ 64:
3).
He created the heavens and the Earth in truth and
made your
images in the best of images, and to Him is the (final)
destination
(Al-Taghabun, 64: 3). ***
***
Third,
why did Allah create humans, on Earth?
In this section, there is an attempt to explain why Allah,
praise to Him, has created humans, in their lower life on
Earth, and what He wants for them.
1.
We learn from the Holy Quran that
Allah has created the Jinn and humans for the sole purpose
of worshipping Him
(51: 56).
He also told us that we
worship Him by performing
the five mandatory ways of
worship (the proclamation of faith, prayers, charity,
fasting, and pilgrimage)
and by practicing righteousness (doing good deeds). Thus,
worshipping Allah aims at benefiting the worshipper first,
then his/her family, community, society, and humanity, in
this lower life and in the hereafter, as was discussed in
the second part of this book.
[14]
He mentioned that He did not create us in vain (23: 115), or
playfully. Rather, the creation of the heavens, the Earth,
and those in between was a serious endeavor (44: 38-39). In
return, He wants His intelligent creations, jinn and humans,
to worship Him by observing His commands, which benefits
them, as we read in the Holy Quran verses and the Prophet’s
‘Hadiths.
[15]
***
Allah, praise to Him, explained
righteousness
(doing
good deeds)
in three terms: Bir, Taqwa, and I’hsan.
Bir
(Righteousness)
is (practiced by the) one who believes in Allah, the Last
Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets, and gives
wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the
needy, the traveler, those who ask (for help), and for
freeing slaves; (and who) establishes prayer and gives
zakat; (those who) fulfill their promise when they promise;
and (those who) are patient in poverty, hardship, and during
battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is
those who are the
Muttaqoon
(righteous)
(Al-Baqara, 2: 177).
Thus, it is noteworthy that in verse 2: 177, the term of
Bir
includes all articles of Iman (faith), two articles
(requirements) of Islam (prayer and giving zakat), and some
aspects of I’hsan (keeping promises, patience, and
truthfulness.). Another observation is that those who do
these “Bir” deeds are also Muttaqoon (righteous).
This
means that the Bir good deeds are also the same Taqwa good
deeds but performed from two different perspectives. Bir is
doing good deeds in obedience to Allah, praise to Him, for
the love of doing them, and for knowing of their benefits
for the individual, family, and society. Taqwa is also doing
the same good deeds, in obedience to Allah, praise to Him,
but to avoid His punishment.
There are many verses in the Holy Quran, which mention this
meaning for the term of Taqwa. It refers to God’s anger and
His punishment (5: 2), avoidance of punishment in the Fire
(3: 131), and avoidance of trials or ordeal (8: 25).
[16]
The third Quran term for doing good deeds (righteousness) is
I’hsan,
which is a derivative of the Arabic verb a’hsana (to
do things better). As
such, it means saying and doing as best as a person can,
which is possible by following God’s commands, avoiding His
prohibitions, and calling for His sake.
The Holy Quran tells us that Allah commands I’hsan (16: 90),
in words and deeds (41: 33), commands good treatment of
parents (17: 23), praises those who practice I’hsan by
declaring His love for them (2: 195), assures them that they
should not be afraid or sad (2: 112), and promises them with
great rewards in His Paradise (5: 85).
[17]
Many verses of the Holy Quran tell us that I’hsan is
represented by spending in the way of Allah and by not
committing self-inflected harm (2: 195), restraint and
forgiveness (3: 134), by not corrupting the Earth and by
calling on Allah, looking for His rewards and for avoidance
of His punishment (7: 56), by being sincere in following
God’s commands and teachings of His Messenger (9: 91), by
patience (11: 115), by practicing Taqwa (22: 37), and by
fighting for His sake ((29: 69).
[18]
The Prophet, pbbuh, provided us with examples on the
practical application of the three terms. In one ‘Hadith, he
said that
I’hsan
“is
to worship Allah as if you are seeing him, and while you do
not see Him, He truly sees you.” Thus, I'hsan is saying and
doing only that which pleases Allah and conforms to His
commands. This is the level of righteousness, perfection, as
well as doing and saying the ultimate good for the sake of
goodness and righteousness, to the person’s best knowledge
and ability.
In another ‘Hadith, he said that
he was sent to
complete (teach people)
“the best of manners.” In a third ‘Hadith, he defined
Taqwa,
as truth of the tongue, purity of the heart from sinning,
transgression, or envy. It is good manners and love of the
latter life more than this lower life. In a fourth ‘Hadith,
he said: “Do not envy, desert (avoid),
hate, plot against each
other, or do ill outbidding. Be worshippers of Allah and
brothers. A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim, he does not
transgress on him, let him down, or despise him. Taqwa is
here (pointing to his chest). Despising a Muslim brother is
an evil act. It is prohibited to violate a Muslim’s blood,
wealth, and honor (women).
[19]
***
2.
If we think about effects of performing the
mandatory ways of worship (‘Ibadat) and doing good deeds (Bir,
Taqwa, and I’hsan) on people, it becomes clear that these are ways
to train humans
to be good beings during their lower life on Earth,
to prepare them
to be better beings in the latter life. Thus, they
become qualified to inhabit God’s universe and lead an
everlasting life in His Paradise, which is as wide as
heavens and Earth, ready to house the righteous ones.
The Holy Quran
tells us that Allah has created heavens and Earth as well as
death and life, to try people and see who is the best in
deeds? (11: 7, 67: 1-2). He made heavens and Earth, day and
night, as well as the sun, the moon, and the stars for the
benefit of humans (35: 13, 16: 12). Further, He encouraged
jinn and humans to travel in space and attempt to enter
regions of heavens (55: 33). He declared that He prepared
Paradise, which is as wide as heavens and Earth, for the
righteous ones, those who practice Taqwa (3: 133). We
are also told that those
who
believe and do good deeds will enter gardens (of Paradise),
leading an everlasting life therein (4: 57). Those are the
best of humans (58: 7-8). However, those who disbelieve in
God's verses (4: 56), and disobey Allah
and His Messenger, will be doomed in the Hellfire, forever
(72: 22-23).
[20]
The Messenger of
Allah, pbbuh, gave us examples about the categories of
people who are going to end up in Paradise or the Fire. He
said that while the weak and the needy will gain the mercy
of Allah and enter His Paradise, the tyrants and the
arrogant ones will gain His discontent and enter the Fire.
In another ‘Hadith, the Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, said that
when believers are cleared from the Fire, they get out to a
bridge between the Fire and Paradise, where they are held
accountable for injustices they commit against each other,
during their lower life. After their refinement and
purification over there, they will be permitted to enter
Paradise. In a third ‘Hadith, the Messenger of Allah, pbbuh,
said that ultimately people will enter Paradise from any of
its eight gates, if they proclaim that there is no other god
but Allah and Muhammed is the worshipper of Allah and His
Messenger, as well as ‘Eissa (Jesus) is the worshipper of
Allah, His Messenger, His Word He threw to Maryam, and a
Spirit of Him.
[21]
***
3.
Thus, by commanding humans to perform the
mandatory ways of worship and doing good deeds, Allah,
praise to Him, wants their good in their lower life and in
the hereafter. While He is in no
need for their worship
(35: 15), He rejoices their righteousness (22: 37),
which is based on their free will (76: 3, 90: 10). He has
known that many humans are going to be good, in words and
deeds, as He told His skeptical angels: “I know that which
you do not know” (2: 30).
Moreover, Allah,
praise to Him, does not like to punish people if they are
grateful and believe in Him (4: 147). He even may not pay
attention to them if they do not call on Him (25: 77). If He
holds people accountable for their wrongdoing during their
lower life, He will destroy them, but He is delaying their
punishment (16: 61). If people disbelieve, after their
belief in Allah, He will replace them with other people who
love Him, and He loves them (5: 54).
[22]
The Messenger of
Allah, pbbuh, told us about some categories of believers,
whom He loves because they have some of His characteristics.
He is generous and giver. He likes high manners and hates
low behaviors. In another ‘Hadith, he said that Allah likes
it for a person to do his/her good deed as perfect as
possible. In a third ‘Hadith, he said that the true good
(rewards for a person’s work) is that of the hereafter (not
that which one receives in the lower life).
[23]
***
4. In conclusion, the
human caliphate
(mandate to rule over Earth) is an
honor bestowed on humans
by their Creator, praise to Him (17: 70). It is also a piece
of evidence that He trusts
them to be responsible and successful in the test of their
lower life (33: 72-73, 11: 61). Such
success leads many of them to become
good beings by choice,
which qualifies them to be able to
inhabit God’s
Paradise, in His
vast universe,
in the hereafter (7: 43).
[24]
To encourage Muslims to be successful in their lower life test, the Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, advised them to lead a life of a stranger or a traveler. He also advised them to do the best of deeds, which would benefit them most in the hereafter. These are a continuing charity, such as an endowment, knowledge which benefits people, and leaving behind good children, who supplicate to Allah to make them of the people of Paradise. The Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, also gave believers the glad tiding that their Lord has prepared for them that which no eye has ever seen, no ear has every heard, and no human has ever been able to imagine about the pleasures of their life in His Paradise. [25]
***
Fourth, the Good (Most Beautiful) Names of Allah (Full List) This section of the Chapter contains a list of the Good Names of Allah, which were identified literally and directly from the Holy Quran. Each name is referenced by citing some of the verses in which it is mentioned. Then, it is explained according to the meanings understood from the verses, including the interpretations of the three renowned Muslim scholars, Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Katheer. Moreover, further explanations of the meanings of the Names were sought from the books of two earlier scholars, Al-Ghazali and Al-Qurtubi, as well as from two contemporary scholars, Al-Sha’rawi and Al-Qaradhawi. Finally, a list of the Good Names of Allah is reached, on the basis of literal description of Allah, praise to Him, of Himself. [26] Some translators translated the "Good Names of Allah" also as the "Most Beautiful Names of Allah." There are many websites in Arabic and English which mention, list, or translate the Good Names of Allah. Some Arabic websites provide citations for the verses which mention them, as well as interpretations and explanations of their meanings. Others just mention one-word translation for each name without interpretations or explanations. Almost all of these websites use the disputed list, which was attached to the ‘Hadith narrated by Abu HUrayrah, mAbpwh. That list combines some of the Good Names of Allah (which are stated clearly in the Holy Quran) with God's Attributes, which are deducted or concluded as a result of mentioning verbs or adjectives related to Him. This author is providing readers with the following list, which is different from the above-mentioned lists, in that it only includes the Names that are mentioned as descriptions of Allah of Himself, clearly and directly in the Holy Quran, with citations for some of the verses they are mentioned in. The following list includes 159 Good Names of Allah, which represent His traits and capabilities, as mentioned directly in Holy Quran, and identified by this author. Some of them are traits of Allah, praise to Him, showing His capabilities and His deeds. Others are variants based on the same verb root, but they are all authentic and directly mentioned in the Holy Quran. Most of them are presented as a singular- word Name, but the list also includes Names composed of several words, as well as compound-word Names. Thus, this list includes more of the Good Names of Allah than the traditional lists. This is followed by a presentation of a shortened list of 99 Good Names of Allah, in response to the ‘Hadith of Prophet Muhammed, pbbuh, in which he encouraged us to search for and study them. The list includes 81 one-word Names and 18 Names composed of several or compound words, as mentioned in the Holy Quran. However, this author does not claim that his list is exclusive. Actually, he encourages other researchers to study this list and to continue the work of finding and studying more of the Good Names of Allah. Allah, praise to Him, mentions His Good Names and invites us in using them on calling upon Him, as in the following four verses: æóáöáóøåö ÇáúÃóÓúãóÇÁõ ÇáúÍõÓúäóì ÝóÇÏúÚõæåõ ÈöåóÇ æóÐóÑõæÇ ÇáóøÐöíäó íõáúÍöÏõæäó Ýöí ÃóÓúãóÇÆöåö ÓóíõÌúÒóæúäó ãóÇ ßóÇäõæÇ íóÚúãóáõæäó (ÇáÃÚÑÇÝ ¡ 7: 180). Þõáö ÇÏúÚõæÇ Çááóøåó Ãóæö ÇÏúÚõæÇ ÇáÑóøÍúãóäó ÃóíðøÇ ãóÇ ÊóÏúÚõæÇ Ýóáóåõ ÇáúÃóÓúãóÇÁõ ÇáúÍõÓúäóì (ÇáÅÓÑÇÁ ¡ 17: 110). Çááóøåõ áóÇ Åöáóåó ÅöáóøÇ åõæó áóåõ ÇáúÃóÓúãóÇÁõ ÇáúÍõÓúäóì (Øå ¡ 20: 8). åõæó Çááóøåõ ÇáúÎóÇáöÞõ ÇáúÈóÇÑöÆõ ÇáúãõÕóæöøÑõ áóåõ ÇáúÃóÓúãóÇÁõ ÇáúÍõÓúäóì ( ÇáÍÔÑ ¡ 59: 24). To Allah belong the Good Names, so call upon Him by them, and keep away from those who distort His names. They will be punished for what they do (Al-A'araf, 7: 180). Say: "Call upon Allah, or call upon Al-Ra'hman (The Beneficent), whatever (name) you call upon Him, to Him belong the Good Names (Al-Issra, 17: 110). Allah! There is no (other) god but He. To Him belong the Good Names (Ta Ha, 20: 8). He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner. To Him belong the Good Names (Al-'Hashr, 59: 24).
***
Likewise, Prophet Muhammed, peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him (pbbuh) told us to use the Good Names of Allah, in
calling upon Him. He added that we only know some of these
Names, which are revealed in the Holy Quran. However, there
are others, which have not been revealed to us.
ÝÚä ÚÈÏ Çááå Èä ãÓÚæÏ ¡ ÑÖí Çááå Úäå ¡ Ãä ÑÓæáó Çááåö ¡
Õáøóì Çááåõ Úáíåö æÓáøóã ¡ ÞÇá : "Çááåã ... ÃÓÃáõß Èßáøö
ÇÓãò åæ áß ¡ ÓóãøóíúÊó Èå äÝÓóß ¡ Ãæ ÃóäúÒóáúÊóå Ýí ßÊÇÈöß ¡
Ãæ ÚóáøóãúÊóå ÃÍÏðÇ ãä ÎóáúÞößó ¡ Ãæ ÇÓÊÃËÑÊ Èå Ýí Úáãö
ÇáÛíÈö ÚäÏß ¡ Ãä ÊóÌÚáó ÇáÞÑÂäó ÑÈíÚó ÞóáÈí ¡ æäæÑó ÕóÏÑí ¡
æÌáÇÁó ÍõÒúäí ¡ æÐóåÇÈó åóãøöí." Companion ‘Abdullah Bin Mass’aud, mAbpwh, said that the Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, said: “O Allah … I’m asking you with every one of your Names, that with which you called Yourself, or You revealed in Your Book, or You taught one of Your Creations, or that which is unknown to us because You kept to Yourself. I’m asking you to make the Quran the spring (pleasure) of my heart, the light of my chest, the end of my sadness, and the going of my negative thinking about the future.” [27] In another 'Hadith narrated by the Prophet's Companion Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him (mAbpwh,), who said, the Prophet, pbbuh, said: To Allah, there are ninety-nine names, one hundred minus one. Whoever studied (and believed in) them would enter Paradise. Allah is One. He likes this witr characteristic (The witr is an odd number, such as ninety-nine - Author's explanation). Úóäú ÃóÈöí åõÑóíúÑóÉó ÑóÖöíó Çááøóåõ Úóäúåõ ¡ Úóäú ÇáäøóÈöíøö ¡ Õóáøóì Çááøóåõ Úóáóíúåö æóÓóáøóãó ¡ ÞóÇáó: "Åöäøó
áöáøóåö ÊöÓúÚóÉð æóÊöÓúÚöíäó ÇÓúãðÇ ¡ ãöÇÆóÉð ÛóíúÑó æóÇÍöÏò
¡ ãóäú ÃóÍúÕóÇåóÇ ÏóÎóáó ÇáúÌóäøóÉó." [28]
Early Islamic scholars, like Ibn Taymiyah, as well as contemporary ones, like Shaikh Mahir Bin Dhafer Al-Qa'htani, commented on the meaning of this Hadith saying that it does not mean that Allah has only ninety-nine Good Names. Rather, the Prophet, pbbuh, wanted to encourage Muslims to study the Holy Quran and the Sunna, searching for the Names of Allah, learning about them, and observing the teachings learned from them. Ibn Taymiyah mentioned that the ‘Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, mAbpwh, which lists the ninety-nine Good Names, was not a Sa’hi’h ‘Hadith. Al-Albani supported this statement by concluding that it is a weak ‘Hadith, when the list is attached to it, but it is a Sa’hi’h ‘Hadith without it. The same reservation on the authenticity of the list was expressed by Al-Ghazali, Al-Qurtubi, Al-Sha’rawi, and Al-Qaradhawai [29] *** A List of the 159 Good Names of Allah, Which Are Mentioned Directly in the Holy Quran The following is a list of the Good Names of Allah, which includes 159 Names this author has identified in the Holy Quran. However, there is no claim by this author that this is an exhaustive list. Other researchers are encouraged to continue the task of finding more of God's Names in the Holy Quran and their meanings, as their predecessors did before them. In this list, each Name was documented by providing some of the verse numbers it was mentioned in. Then, an explanation of the Name meaning was given on the bases of its meaning in the verse context. This was followed by explanations provided by the three renowned interpreters. Finally, explanations were also provided from the formerly referred to books, which explain the Good Names of Allah and His Attributes. It is noteworthy that knowledge about the Good Names of Allah can be applied to our everyday life. One way is calling on Allah by them, another way is being guided in our behaviors by the meanings of each Name, and a third way is including them in the names given to Muslim boys. The word ('abd) is used as a prefix with one of God’s Names. It means "worshipper," as explained in Chapter 7. "Worshippers By Choice Or Forced Slaves? Thus, "Abdullah" means "Worshipper of Allah," and "Abdul Ra'hman" means "Worshipper of The Beneficent" and so on. [30] 1. Allah: Allah (The God) Çááåõ "Allah" is the name which God has chosen for Himself, as stated in Verse 9 of Surat Al-Naml (Chapter 27), Verse 14 of Surat Taha (Chapter 20), and Verse 30 of Surat Al-Qassas (Chapter 28) of the Holy Quran (See the first section above for an extended explanation).
The word "Allah" means "The God," or "Al-Ilah" in Arabic. In addressing God, a Muslim may say in Arabic "Ilahi" (my God). However, Muslims usually refer to God with the definite article, Al, contracted with the noun it defines, to become Allah, thus addressing Him with "Ya Allah," which means "O Allah." This Good Name of God was mentioned in various forms in the Holy Quran 2,669 times. The Name of “Allah,” alone was mentioned 2,247 times in the verses and 113 times in the Basmalas, at the beginning of the Suras (Al-Tawba has no Basmala). It was also mentioned 309 times in other forms, as Allahumma: O Allah (5 times), Lillah: To Allah (143 times), Tallah: By Allah (9), Fallah: And Allah (6), Billah: By Allah (139), Falillah: And To Allah (6), Abillah: Of Allah (1). [31] Here are three verses, which mention the Name of "Allah" (1: 1), “Allahumma” (3: 26), and Lillah (57: 1), as examples:
ÈöÓۡãö ٱááåö ٱáÑøóÍۡãóÜٰäö ٱáÑøóÍöíãö
(ÇáÝÇÊÍÉ ¡ 1: 1).
Þõáö Çááøóåõãøó ãóÇáößó Çáúãõáúßö
(Âá ÚãÑÇä ¡ 3:
26).
ÓóÈøóÍó áöáøóåö ãóÇ Ýöí
ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۖ æóåõæó ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÍóßöíãõ (ÇáÍÏíÏ
¡ 57: 1).
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (Al-Fati’ha,
1: 1).
Say, "O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty” (Al-‘Imran, 3: 26). Whatever is in the heavens and Earth exalts Allah, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise (Al-'Hadeed, 57: 1). Al-Ghazali mentioned that this is the Greatest among all Names of Allah. Al-Qurtubi opined that the Greatest Name of Allah could be “Al-‘Hayyu.” However, he also argued that it could be “Allah.” He said that “Allah” has kept this Name exclusively to Himself and nobody else has been named as such. In addition, all of His other Names are attributes. Therefore, he concluded that the Name “Allah” maybe His Greatest Name. Nonetheless, Ibn Katheer opined that it maybe “Al-Qayyoom.” Al-Sha’rawi defined it as the Name which contains the divine attributes. One way to apply knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is calling on Him, saying “Ya Allah” or “Allahumma” (O, Allah). Another way is the acknowledgement that He is the only deity, Who is worthy of worship, obedience to His commands, and avoidance of His prohibitions. A third way is including this Greatest Name of God in a name given to Muslim boys, “'Abdullah.” The word ('abd) is used as the prefix, meaning "worshipper." Thus, "Abdullah" means "Worshipper of Allah."
It is important to note that nobody should be named "Allah" or any of His divine names, such as creation-related names, or any of His Good Names with the definite article (Al), or His compound names. However, a boy can be named with one of the Good Names of Allah which convey a human capability, but without the definite article (Al), such as Maalik, Kareem, and 'Ali. *** 2. Ilah: God ÅöáóÜٰåñ
"Ilah" means "God."
Al-Ilah (The God) is the Creator (Al-Muminoon, 23: 91), the
Lord (Al-Saffat, 37: 4-5), and the One Who can harm and
benefit (Al-Shu’ara, 26: 72-73).
Whoever knows Him as God, he/she behaves accordingly,
depending on Him, praising Him in good times and running to
Him for support in difficult times. This means that he/she
acknowledges that He is worthy of worship, and he/she does
so, in obedience to His command in verse 21: 25.
æóãóÇ ÃóÑúÓóáúäóÇ ãöä ÞóÈúáößó ãöä ÑøóÓõæáò ÅöáøóÇ
äõæÍöí Åöáóíúåö Ãóäøóåõ áóÇ
Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ
ÃóäóÇ ÝóÇÚúÈõÏõæäö
(ÇáÃäÈíÇÁ ¡
21: 25).
And We sent not before you any messenger except that We
revealed to him that, "There is no God (Ilah)
except Me. So, worship Me"
(Al-Anbiya, 21: 25).
When people recognize Him as
their God, they depend on Him, and turn to Him when they are
afraid or in need.
As a general term, the word “Ilah” (God) is mentioned 97
times, in the singular neutral form, in the Holy Quran. In
17 times, it is mentioned neutrally or as a reference to a
false god.
[32 ]
In 80 times, it is mentioned as a direct description of
Allah or in relation to Him, as in verse 43: 84:
æóåõæó ÇáøóÐöí Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇÁö
Åöáóٰåñ
æóÝöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö Åöáóٰåñ ۚ
æóåõæó ÇáúÍóßöíãõ ÇáúÚóáöíãõ
(ÇáÒÎÑÝ ¡ 43: 84).
And it is Allah who is God (Ilah)
in the heaven, and on the Earth (He is) God (Ilah).
And He is the Wise, the Knowing (Al-Zukhruf, 43: 84).
It is also mentioned 11 times as “Ilahukum” (your God, for
plural addressees), once as “Ilahuna” (our God), and once as
“Ilahaka” (your God, for a singular addressee), as in verses
2: 133, 2: 163, and 29: 46, as follows:
ÞóÇáõæÇ äóÚúÈõÏõ
Åöáóٰåóßó æóÅöáóٰåó
ÂÈóÇÆößó ÅöÈúÑóÇåöíãó æóÅöÓúãóÇÚöíáó æóÅöÓúÍóÇÞó
ÅöáóٰåðÇ
æóÇÍöÏðÇ æóäóÍúäõ áóåõ ãõÓúáöãõæäó
(ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡
2: 133).
æóÅöáóٰåõßõãú Åöáóٰåñ
æóÇÍöÏñ ۖ áøóÇ Åöáóٰåó
ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ
(ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡
2: 163).
æóÅöáóٰåõäóÇ æóÅöáóٰåõßõãú
æóÇÍöÏñ æóäóÍúäõ áóåõ ãõÓúáöãõæäó
(ÇáÚäßÈæÊ ¡
29: 46).
(Children of Ya’coop) said, "We will worship your God (Ilahaka)
and the God (Ilah) of
your fathers, Ibrahim (Abraham), and Isma’il (Ishmael), and
Iss’haq (Isaac) - One God (Ilah).
And we are Muslims (in submission) to Him"
(Al-Baqara, 2: 133).
And your God (Ilahukum)
is One God (Ilah).
There is no (other) God (Ilah)
except Him, the Beneficent, the Merciful (Al-Baqara, 2:
163). And our God (Ilahuna) and your God (Ilahukum) is One; and we are Muslims (in submission) to Him (Al-‘Ankaboot, 29: 46).
Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is
by calling upon Him, with it: “Ya Ilahi” (O, My God), asking
Him to extend His blessings, mercy, and favors to the
caller, in this life and the hereafter. This Good
Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Ilah,”
as the word ('abd) is used as the prefix,
meaning "worshipper." Thus, "Abdul Ilah" means "Worshipper
of the God."
***
La Ilaha Illa Huwa:
No (Other) God But He áóÇ
ÅöáóÜٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó The sentence, "La Ilaha Illa Huwa," means "No (Other) God But He." It was mentioned in 29 verses of the Holy Quran. It includes one of the Good Name of Allah, which is “Ilah” (God), as mentioned above. It also includes the pronoun “Huwa” (He), which refers to another Good Name of Allah, preceding or following it. In 20 of these verses, the pronoun “Huwa” (He) refers to the Name of “Allah,” praise to Him, as in verse 2: 255. However, the pronoun refers to other Names of Allah in the remaining 9 verses, as follow: [33]
Çááøóåõ áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ÇáúÍóíøõ ÇáúÞóíøõæãõ ۚ
(ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 255).
åõæó ÇáúÍóíøõ áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ÝóÇÏúÚõæåõ ãõÎúáöÕöíäó
áóåõ ÇáÏøöíäó ۗ ÇáúÍóãúÏõ áöáøóåö ÑóÈøö ÇáúÚóÇáóãöíäó
(ÛÇÝÑ ¡ 40: 65).
ÑøóÈøõ ÇáúãóÔúÑöÞö æóÇáúãóÛúÑöÈö áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó
ÝóÇÊøóÎöÐúåõ æóßöíáðÇ
(ÇáãÒãá ¡ 73: 9).
ÛóÇÝöÑö ÇáÐøóäÈö æóÞóÇÈöáö ÇáÊøóæúÈö
ÔóÏöíÏö ÇáúÚöÞóÇÈö Ðöí ÇáØøóæúáö ۖ áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ۖ
Åöáóíúåö ÇáúãóÕöíÑõ (ÛÇÝÑ ¡
40: 3).
Allah! There is no (other) God but He, the Eternally Living,
the Maintainer (in charge of all things) (Al-Baqara, 2:
255).
He is the Eternally-Living; there is no
(other) God but He. So,
call upon Him, (being) sincere to Him in religion. (All)
praise is (due) to Allah, Lord of the worlds (Ghafir,
40: 65).
(He is) the Lord of the East and the West; there is no
(other) God but He. So,
take Him as a Disposer of (your) affairs (Al-Muzzammil, 73:
9).
The Forgiver of sin, Acceptor of repentance, Severe in
punishment, Owner of abundance. There is no
(other) God but He;
to Him is the destination (Ghafir,
40: 3).
Thus, the sentence of
"La Ilaha Illa Huwa" itself does not include one of God’s
Good Names. Rather, it refers to a Good Name of Allah
mentioned before or after it. Nonetheless, Al-Qurtubi
listed it as a separate entry in his list of the Good Names
of Allah. He added the calling tool “ya” (O), but without
mentioning which Good Name of Allah it includes. However,
this author saw and heard Sufis in Palestine focusing on “Huwa” (He),
during their dhikr (mentioning Allah) sessions. They
would repeat it together with another Good Name of Allah,
saying: “Allah Hayy, Allah Hu” (Allah ‘Hayyu, Allah Huwa),
which means “Allah is Eternally Living, Allah is He.” *** 3. Ilah Al-Nas (pronounced as illah annas): God of the People ÅöáóÜٰåõ ÇáäóÇÓö "Ilah Al-Nas" means "God of the People."
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in 114: 3. It means that He is the God, Who is
worshipped by the responsible categories of His intelligent
creations, namely angels in heavens, humans on Earth, and
jinn in between, as we read in verses 43: 84, 26: 23-23, and
114: 1-6.
æóåõæó ÇáøóÐöí Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇÁö
Åöáóٰåñ æóÝöí
ÇáúÃóÑúÖö Åöáóٰåñ ۚ
æóåõæó ÇáúÍóßöíãõ ÇáúÚóáöíãõ
(ÇáÒÎÑÝ ¡
43: 84).
ÞóÇáó ÝöÑúÚóæúäõ æóãóÇ ÑóÈøõ
ÇáúÚóÇáóãöíäó
ý﴿٢٣﴾þ
ÞóÇáó ÑóÈøõ ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö æóãóÇ ÈóíúäóåõãóÇ ۖ
Åöä ßõäÊõã ãøõæÞöäöíäó
ý﴿٢٤﴾
(ÇáÔÚÑÇÁ ¡
26: 23-24).
ÈöÓúãö Çááøóåö ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäö ÇáÑøóÍöíãö
Þõáú ÃóÚõæÐõ ÈöÑóÈøö ÇáäøóÇÓö
ý﴿١﴾þ
ãóáößö ÇáäøóÇÓö
ý﴿٢﴾þ
Åöáóٰåö
ÇáäøóÇÓö
ý﴿٣﴾þ
ãöä ÔóÑøö ÇáúæóÓúæóÇÓö ÇáúÎóäøóÇÓö
ý﴿٤﴾þ
ÇáøóÐöí íõæóÓúæöÓõ Ýöí ÕõÏõæÑö ÇáäøóÇÓö
ý﴿٥﴾þ
ãöäó ÇáúÌöäøóÉö æóÇáäøóÇÓö
ý﴿٦﴾þ
(ÇáäÇÓ ¡
114: 1-6).
And it is He Who is )the
only(
God (Ilah)
in the heaven, and on the Earth (the only) God (Ilah).
And He is the Wise, the Knowing (Al-Zukhruf, 43: 84).
Said Pharaoh, "And what is the Lord of the worlds?" (23) (Moussa,
Moses) said, "The Lord of the heavens and the Earth and that
between them, if you should be convinced." (24) (Al-Shu’ara,
26: 23-24).
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say, "I seek refuge with the Lord of the people, (1) The
Sovereign of the people. (2) The God (Ilah)
of the people, (3) From the evil of the retreating whisperer
- (4) Who whispers (evil) into the chests of the people -
(5) From among the jinn and the (human) people." (6) (Al-Nas,
114: 1-6).
Seeking refuge with the Lord of the people, their God,
cancels (does away with) the evil whispers of the Shaytan
(Satan). This is because Allah, praise to Him, has promised
that the Shaytan has no real power over the believers, who
worship their Lord, Allah, and rely on Him, as stated in
verses 17: 65 and 16: 99.
Åöäøó ÚöÈóÇÏöí áóíúÓó áóßó Úóáóíúåöãú ÓõáúØóÇäñ ۚ æóßóÝóìٰ
ÈöÑóÈøößó æóßöíáðÇ (ÇáÅÓÑÇÁ ¡
17: 65).
áóíúÓó áóåõ ÓõáúØóÇäñ Úóáóì ÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇ æóÚóáóìٰ
ÑóÈøöåöãú íóÊóæóßøóáõæäó (ÇáäÍá ¡ 16: 99).
Indeed, over My worshippers, there is for you (the Shaytan)
no authority. And sufficient is your Lord as Disposer of
affairs (Al-Issra, 17: 65).
Indeed, there is for him (the Shaytan) no authority over
those who have believed and rely upon their Lord (Al-Na’hl,
16: 99).
Seeking refuge with Allah (God)
is implemented by saying “ÃÚõæÐõ
ÈÇááåö ãöäó ÇáÔøóíúØóÇäö ÇáÑøóÌöíãö”
(I seek refuge with Allah from the stoned Shaytan) and by
reciting Surat Al-Nas (Chapter 114) of the Holy Quran. This
is in obedience to God’s command in the first verse (114: 1)
and in verse 7: 200,
which states:
æóÅöãøóÇ íóäÒóÛóäøóßó ãöäó ÇáÔøóíúØóÇäö äóÒúÛñ ÝóÇÓúÊóÚöÐú
ÈöÇááøóåö ۚ Åöäøóåõ ÓóãöíÚñ Úóáöíãñ
(ÇáÃÚÑÇÝ ¡
7: 200).
And if an evil whispering comes to you from
the Shaytan (Satan), then seek refuge with Allah.
Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing (Al-A’araf, 7: 200). Finally, part of God’s mercy on His worshippers is that
He forgives them if they think about a Shaytan’s whispering,
as long as they do not speak about it (to others) or act on
it, as the Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, told us in a ‘Hadith.
[34] Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it: “Ya Ilah Innas” (O, God of the People), asking Him to have mercy on or shield the caller from the bad deeds of other people. Part of this Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Ilah,” (Worshipper of the God). However, nobody should be named as "Ilah" (God), with or without the definite article (Al), or “Ilah innas” (God of the People). *** 4. Al-Ra'hman (pronounced ar-ra'hman ): The Beneficent ÇáÑøóÍúãóÜٰäõ "Al-Ra'hman" is one of the divine names of Allah, which indicate His divineness (Godhood). "Al-Ra'hman" is pronounced as "ar-ra'hman," due to the contraction of the definite article "Al" with the noun, deleting the letter (l) and replacing it with the first letter of the defined noun, ( r ). This Good Name of Allah was mentioned 160 times in the Holy Quran, including Al-Basmala at the beginning of each Sura (Chapter). Without the Basmalas, “Al-Ra’hman” was mentioned 45 times in the Book of Allah. [35] It was mentioned three times together with Al-Ra'heem, thus confirming God's mercy to His creations. These are verses 1: 1 (Al-Basmala), 2: 163, and 59: 22, as follows: ÈöÓۡãö ٱááåö ٱáÑøóÍۡãóÜٰäö ٱáÑøóÍöíãö (ÇáÝÇÊÍÉ ¡ 1: 1). æóÅöáóٰåõßõãú Åöáóٰåñ æóÇÍöÏñ ۖ áøóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ (ýÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 163). åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ۖ ÚóÇáöãõ ÇáúÛóíúÈö æóÇáÔøóåóÇÏóÉö ۖ åõæó ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ (ÇáÍÔÑ ¡ 59: 22). In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (Al-Fati'ha, 1: 1). And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Beneficent, the Merciful (Al-Baqara, 2: 163). He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful (Al-'Hashr, 59: 22). Al-Ghazali mentioned that the mercy of Allah is total in nature, meaning that He has willed to provide His creations with what they need, and He did that. It is also general, in the sense that it is covering those who deserve and those who don’t. The three renowned Islamic scholars, Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Katheer, said that “Al-Ra'hman” is a reference to God's mercy to all of His creations, as expressed in providing them with what they need. Ibn Katheer added that “Al-Ra’hman” means that He has extended His mercy to people by descending the Holy Quran on them and teaching them that which they needed to know about, for a successful lower life and a rewarding hereafter. Al-Sha’rawi summarized these meanings, saying: “Al-Ra’hman” is the One Who is Vast in His mercy to His creations, believers and disbelievers, during their lower life and in the hereafter. By looking at verses 20: 5-6 and 25: 59, we find that this Good Name of Allah is mentioned in reference to the creation of the heavens, Earth, and that which is in between them. He is the Creator of angels in heavens, humans on Earth, and the jinn in between them. He showered all these creatures, as well as all living beings, with His mercy, by sustaining and providing for all of them. Thus, He benefits all of His creations. Some translators translated "Al-Rahman" as “The Merciful” or "The Compassionate," both of which convey the correct meaning of His mercy to His creations. However, this author has found that "The Beneficent" is a more accurate translation on the basis of the above-mentioned explanation. ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäõ Úóáóì ÇáúÚóÑúÔö ÇÓúÊóæóìٰ ý﴿٥﴾þ áóåõ ãóÇ Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóãóÇ Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö æóãóÇ ÈóíúäóåõãóÇ æóãóÇ ÊóÍúÊó ÇáËøóÑóìٰ ý﴿٦﴾ (Øå ¡ 20: 5-6). ÇáøóÐöí ÎóáóÞó ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖó æóãóÇ ÈóíúäóåõãóÇ Ýöí ÓöÊøóÉö ÃóíøóÇãò Ëõãøó ÇÓúÊóæóìٰ Úóáóì ÇáúÚóÑúÔö ۚ ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäõ ÝóÇÓúÃóáú Èöåö ÎóÈöíÑðÇ (ÇáÝÑÞÇä ¡ 25: 59). The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established. (5) To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth and what is between them and what is under the soil (6) (Ta-Ha, 20: 5-6). He who created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six days and then established Himself above the Throne - the Most Merciful, so ask about Him one well informed (Al-Furqan, 25: 59). One of the useful applications of knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by providing advice and guidance to those who are playful and disobedient, to return to the “Ra’hman,” so He would extend His mercy to them. It is also beneficial to call upon Him, saying: “Ya Ra’hman” (O, Allah, You are the Beneficent), and asking Him to include the caller and others among those who receive His mercy. This Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to Muslim boys, “Abdul-Ra’hman” (Worshipper of the Beneficent). Girls can also be named as “Ra’hma” (mercy), which conveys a relationship to this Good Name of Allah. However, nobody should be named as "Al-Ra’hman" (the Beneficent), or “Ra’hman” (Beneficent), with or without the definite article (Al) because only Allah has this trait and capability, to benefit all of His creations. *** 5. Al-Ra'heem (pronounced as ar-ra'heem): The Merciful ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ
"Al-Raheem is pronounced as , ar-ra'heem, as the definite article "Al" is contracted with the noun, deleting the letter ( l ) and replacing it with the first letter of the defined noun, ( r ).
This Good Name of Allah was
mentioned 227 times in the Holy Quran,
with the definite article and without it,
including
Al-Basmala at the beginning of each Sura (Chapter). Without
the Basmalas, “Al-Ra’heem” was mentioned 114 times in the
Book of Allah (as Surat Al-Tawba has no Basmala).
This Good Name of Allah, "Al-Ra'heem," means “The Merciful.” It is an expression of God's attribute of mercy, with which He showers His creations, in His vast dominium. This Name also refers to His extra mercy and care to the believers, in this life and in the hereafter, as explained by the renowned Islamic scholars, Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Katheer, and as summarized by Al-Sha'rawi, who said that "Al-Ra'heem" is the giver of rewards which are many times more than the good deeds.
Realizing that He is “Al-Ra’heem” (The Merciful), Muslims
constantly ask Him for His Mercy on themselves, and on the
loved ones, whether living with them or deceased, encouraged
by His statement about that attribute in verse 33: 43, as
follows: åõæó ÇáøóÐöí íõÕóáøöí Úóáóíúßõãú æóãóáóÇÆößóÊõåõ áöíõÎúÑöÌóßõã ãøöäó ÇáÙøõáõãóÇÊö Åöáóì ÇáäøõæÑö ۚ æóßóÇäó ÈöÇáúãõÄúãöäöíäó ÑóÍöíãðÇ (ÇáÃÍÒÇÈ ¡ 33: 43).
It is He who confers blessing upon you, and His Angels pray
(to Him to do so), that He may bring you out from (various
degrees of) darkness into the light. And He is, to the
believers, Merciful (Al-A’hzab, 33:
43).
The Name of “Al-Ra’heem” (The Merciful) is mentioned alone
three times only, in verses 4: 29, 17: 66, and 33: 43.
Otherwise, it is mentioned together with another Good Name
of Allah in each verse, which helps us understand His mercy
to the believers. Thus, the Name of “Al-Ra’heem” (The
Merciful) was mentioned together with “Al-Ra’hman” (The
Beneficent) in each Basmala, which precedes every Sura
(Chapter) of the Holy Quran, as a confirmation of God’s
mercy for His creations. This is conveying to them that the
Holy Quran, which was descended on the Final Messenger,
Muhammed, pbbuh, is God’s Message and Mercy to the Worlds,
as stated in verses 21: 107 and 2: 163. æóãóÇ ÃóÑúÓóáúäóÇßó ÅöáøóÇ ÑóÍúãóÉð áøöáúÚóÇáóãöíäó (ÇáÃäÈíÇÁ ¡ 21: 107).æóÅöáóٰåõßõãú Åöáóٰåñ æóÇÍöÏñ ۖ áøóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ ý (ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 163).
And We have not sent you, (O Muhammad), except as a mercy to
the worlds (Al-Anbiya, 21: 107). And your god is one God. There is
no other god except Him, the Beneficent, the Merciful (Al-Baqara,
2: 163).
The Name of “Al-Ra’heem” (The Merciful) was also mentioned
together with “Al-Ghafoor” (The Forgiving), in verse 15: 49,
to convey the meaning of forgiving sins of believers, as an
expression of mercy to them. Moreover, it came together with
“Al-Tawwab” (The Acceptant of Repentance), in verse 2: 160.
It was mentioned with “Al-Ra-oof” (The Kind) in verse 57: 9,
with “Al-‘Aziz” (The Exalted in Might) in verse30: 5, with
“Al-Barr” (The Source of Goodness) in verse 52: 28, and with
“Al-Wadood” (The Affectionate, The Loving) in verse 11: 90,
as follows:
äóÈøöÆú ÚöÈóÇÏöí Ãóäøöí ÃóäóÇ ÇáúÛóÝõæÑõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ ý (ÇáÍÌÑ ¡ 15: 49).ÅöáøóÇ ÇáøóÐöíäó ÊóÇÈõæÇ æóÃóÕúáóÍõæÇ æóÈóíøóäõæÇ ÝóÃõæáóٰÆößó ÃóÊõæÈõ Úóáóíúåöãú ۚ æóÃóäóÇ ÇáÊøóæøóÇÈõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ (ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 160).åõæó ÇáøóÐöí íõäóÒøöáõ Úóáóìٰ ÚóÈúÏöåö ÂíóÇÊò ÈóíøöäóÇÊò áøöíõÎúÑöÌóßõã ãøöäó ÇáÙøõáõãóÇÊö Åöáóì ÇáäøõæÑö ۚ æóÅöäøó Çááøóåó Èößõãú áóÑóÁõæÝñ ÑøóÍöíãñ (ÇáÍÏíÏ ¡ 57: 9).íóæúãó áóÇ íõÛúäöí ãóæúáðì Úóä ãøóæúáðì ÔóíúÆðÇ æóáóÇ åõãú íõäÕóÑõæäó ý ﴿٤١﴾þ ÅöáøóÇ ãóä ÑøóÍöãó Çááøóåõ ۚ Åöäøóåõ åõæó ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ ý﴿٤٢﴾þ (ÇáÏÎÇä ¡ 44: 42).ÅöäøóÇ ßõäøóÇ ãöä ÞóÈúáõ äóÏúÚõæåõ ۖ Åöäøóåõ åõæó ÇáúÈóÑøõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ (ÇáØæÑ ¡ 52: 28).æóÇÓúÊóÛúÝöÑõæÇ ÑóÈøóßõãú Ëõãøó ÊõæÈõæÇ Åöáóíúåö ۚ Åöäøó ÑóÈøöí ÑóÍöíãñ æóÏõæÏñ (åæÏ ¡ 11: 90).
(O Muhammed), inform My worshippers that I am
the Forgiving, the Merciful
(Al-‘Hijr, 15: 49).
Except for those who repent, and correct themselves, and
make evident (what they concealed). Those, I will accept
their repentance, and I am the
Acceptant of Repentance, the Merciful
(Al-Baqara, 2: 160). It is He, who sends down upon His
worshipper (Muhammad) verses of clear evidence, that He may
bring you out from (the degrees of) darkness into the light.
And indeed, Allah is to you Kind
and Merciful (Al-‘Hadeed,
57: 9).
Except those [believers] on whom Allah has mercy. Indeed, He
is the Exalted in Might, the
Merciful (Al-Dukhan,
44: 42).
Indeed, we used to supplicate to Him
before. Indeed, it is He who is
the Source of Goodness and Kindness, the Merciful"
(Al-Toor, 52: 28).
And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him.
Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and
Affectionate (Loving)
(Hood, 11: 90). Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by showing mercy to others who need it, through providing them with what a person can provide, such as financial assistance, making efforts, or giving advice. It is useful also to call upon Allah, with this Name, addressing him: “Ya Ra’heem” (O, Allah, the Merciful), asking Him to extend His mercy on the caller, and others. This Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Ra’heem” (Worshipper of the Merciful). A boy can also be named as "Ra'heem" (merciful), without the definite article (Al), as humans have the capability of being merciful. Likewise, girls can have this trait in their names. Thus, one of the common female Islamic names in relation to this Good Name of Allah is “Ra’hma” (mercy). Moreover, living up to the meanings of this Name means treating God’s creations with mercy, kindness, and care as possible. This includes humans and animals in general, as well as believers, the weak, and the young, in particular. ***
6.
Ar'hamu Al-Ra'himeen
(pronounced
as
ar'hamur ra'himeen):
The Most Merciful Among the Merciful
ÃóÑúÍóãõ ÇáÑøóÇÍöãöíäó
People may have mercy on each other, but Allah is more
Merciful than any of His Creations. So, for us to supplicate
for His mercy, it is best to invoke His
Good Name of “Ar’hamu Al-Ra’himeen” (The Most Merciful Among
the Merciful). This Name was mentioned four times
in the Holy Quran. In verse 7: 151, Moussa (Moses), peace be
upon him (pbuh), is supplicating to Allah, to admit him and
his brother into His Mercy, and to forgive them. This
happened when Moussa returned to find his people worshipping
the Calf. He was afraid of God’s anger and punishment.
Therefore, he supplicated to Him, using His attribute of
being “Ar’hamu Al-Ra’himeen” (The Most Merciful Among the
Merciful). In verse, 12: 64, Ya’coob (Jacob),
pbuh, is invoking this Good Name of Allah, to get the
maximum mercy and protection to his son, Binyameen. He was
distrustful of his sons who did not protect their brother,
Yousuf (Joseph) before. In verse 12: 92, Yousuf (Joseph), pbuh, is supplicating to Allah, to forgive his brothers, for that which they did to him, as He is “Ar’hamu Al-Ra’himeen.” In verse and 21: 83, Ayoob (Job), pbuh, is supplicating to the “The Most Merciful Among the Merciful,” to heal him of his disease.
ÞóÇáó ÑóÈøö ÇÛúÝöÑú áöí æóáöÃóÎöí æóÃóÏúÎöáúäóÇ Ýöí
ÑóÍúãóÊößó ۖ æóÃóäÊó ÃóÑúÍóãõ ÇáÑøóÇÍöãöíäó
(ÇáÃÚÑÇÝ ¡ 7: 151).
ÞóÇáó åóáú Âãóäõßõãú Úóáóíúåö ÅöáøóÇ ßóãóÇ ÃóãöäÊõßõãú
Úóáóìٰ ÃóÎöíåö ãöä ÞóÈúáõ ۖ ÝóÇááøóåõ ÎóíúÑñ ÍóÇÝöÙðÇ ۖ
æóåõæó ÃóÑúÍóãõ ÇáÑøóÇÍöãöíäó
(íæÓÝ ¡ 12: 64).
ÞóÇáó áóÇ ÊóËúÑöíÈó Úóáóíúßõãõ Çáúíóæúãó ۖ íóÛúÝöÑõ Çááøóåõ
áóßõãú ۖ æóåõæó ÃóÑúÍóãõ ÇáÑøóÇÍöãöíäó
(íæÓÝ ¡ 12: 92).
æóÃóíøõæÈó ÅöÐú äóÇÏóìٰ ÑóÈøóåõ Ãóäøöí ãóÓøóäöíó ÇáÖøõÑøõ
æóÃóäÊó ÃóÑúÍóãõ ÇáÑøóÇÍöãöíäó
(ÇáÃäÈíÇÁ ¡ 21: 83).
(Moses) said, "My Lord, forgive me and my brother and admit
us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the
merciful" (Al-A’araf, 7: 151).
He said, "Should I entrust you with him except [under
coercion] as I entrusted you with his brother before? But
Allah is the best guardian, and He is the most merciful of
the merciful" (Yousuf, 12: 64).
He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will
forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful" (Yousuf,
12: 92).
And (mention) Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed,
adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of
the merciful" (Al-Anbiya, 21: 83).
Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it: "Ya Ar'hamu Ar-Ra'himeen (O, the Most Merciful Among the Merciful), asking Him to extend His mercy on the caller, and others. Nobody should be named with this Good Name of Allah, as only He is the Most Merciful among those of His creations who have this trait. However, part of this Good Name of Allah, “Al- Ra’heem,” can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Ra’heem” (Worshipper of the Merciful). A boy can also be named as "Ra'heem" (merciful), without the definite article (Al), as humans have the capability of being merciful. Likewise, girls can have this trait in their names. Thus, one of the common female Islamic names in relation to this Good Name of Allah is “Ra’hma” (mercy). ***
7.
Khayr
Al-Ra'himeen
(pronounced
as
khayrur
ra'himeen):
The Best Among the Merciful
ÎóíúÑõ
ÇáÑøóÇÍöãöíäó
“Khayr Al-Ra'himeen means “The Best Among the
Merciful.”
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy
Quran, in the same context of Surat Al-Muminoon (Chapter
23), verses 109 and 118.
In verse 23: 109, Allah, praise to Him, tells us that on the
Last Day, there will be a category of believers, who
worshipped Him during their lower life, and who used to call
upon Him for His forgiveness and His mercy, addressing him
as “Khayr Al-Ra'himeen (The Best Among the Merciful).
These will be among the winners of an everlasting life in
His Paradise.
By contrast, there will be a category of the losers, who
will be everlasting in the Hell Fire. This will be their
punishment for their disbelief of Allah as well as for
ridiculing and laughing at the patient believers, who used
to address their Lord as “Khayr Al-Ra'himeen (The
Best Among the Merciful), when they would ask for His
forgiveness and His mercy, as mentioned in verses 23:
103-111).
Then, Allah, praise to Him, concludes the Sura (Chapter)
with a confirmation that believers need to call upon Him for
forgiveness and mercy, with His Good Name of “Khayr
Al-Ra'himeen (The Best Among the Merciful). Åöäøóåõ ßóÇäó ÝóÑöíÞñ ãøöäú ÚöÈóÇÏöí íóÞõæáõæäó ÑóÈøóäóÇ ÂãóäøóÇ ÝóÇÛúÝöÑú áóäóÇ æóÇÑúÍóãúäóÇ æóÃóäÊó ÎóíúÑõ ÇáÑøóÇÍöãöíäó (ÇáãÄãäæä ¡ 23: 109).æóÞõá ÑøóÈøö ÇÛúÝöÑú æóÇÑúÍóãú æóÃóäÊó ÎóíúÑõ ÇáÑøóÇÍöãöíäó (ÇáãÄãäæä ¡ 23: 118).Indeed, there was a party of My worshippers, who said: 'Our Lord, we have believed. So, forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You are the Best of the Merciful' (Al-Muminoon, 23: 109).And (O Muhammed), say, "My Lord, forgive (us) and have mercy (upon us), and You are the Best of the Merciful" (Al-Muminoon, 23: 118).Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it: "Ya Khayru Ar-Ra'himeen (O, the Best Merciful Among the Merciful), asking Him to extend His mercy on the caller, and others. Nobody should be named with this Good Name of Allah, as only He is the Most Merciful among those of His creations who have this trait. However, part of this Good Name of Allah, “Al- Ra’heem,” can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Ra’heem” (Worshipper of the Merciful). A boy can also be named as "Ra'heem" (merciful), without the definite article (Al), as humans have the capability of being merciful. Likewise, girls can have this trait in their names. Thus, one of the common female Islamic names in relation to this Good Name of Allah is “Ra’hma” (mercy).
8. Dhu Al-Ra'hma (pronounced as dhul ra'hma): The Possessor (Source) of Mercy Ðõæ ÇáÑøóÍúãóÉö "Dhu Al-Ra'hma" means the One Who is the Possessor (Source) of Mercy for all of His creations, praise to Him. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned in the Holy Quran twice, with definite article (Al), and once without it. In verse 6: 133, our Lord, praise to Him, says that He is in no need of His creations to worship Him. However, because He is the Possessor (Source) of Mercy, He has not caused the disobedient and oppressive humans to disappear from the face of the Earth, while He is capable of doing that and of replacing them with others. In verse 18: 58, Allah, praise to Him, reminds us that due to His forgiveness and mercy, He has not hastened punishment for the obstinate, who refuse the signs of their Lord, in this life. Rather, He has willed to delay their punishment till the Day of Reckoning, giving them the opportunity to believe in Him and to ask for His forgiveness, during this life. In verse, 6: 147, Allah, praise to Him, tells His Messenger, pbbuh, to say to the disbelievers that the mercy of Allah is vast, waiting for them if they believe and ask for it. However, if they insist on their disbelief, they will be inevitably punished, in the hereafter. æóÑóÈøõßó ÇáúÛóäöíøõ Ðõæ ÇáÑøóÍúãóÉö ۚ Åöä íóÔóÃú íõÐúåöÈúßõãú æóíóÓúÊóÎúáöÝú ãöä ÈóÚúÏößõã ãøóÇ íóÔóÇÁõ ßóãóÇ ÃóäÔóÃóßõã ãøöä ÐõÑøöíøóÉö Þóæúãò ÂÎóÑöíäó (ÇáÃäÚÇã ¡ 6: 133). æóÑóÈøõßó ÇáúÛóÝõæÑõ Ðõæ ÇáÑøóÍúãóÉö ۖ áóæú íõÄóÇÎöÐõåõã ÈöãóÇ ßóÓóÈõæÇ áóÚóÌøóáó áóåõãõ ÇáúÚóÐóÇÈó ۚ Èóá áøóåõã ãøóæúÚöÏñ áøóä íóÌöÏõæÇ ãöä Ïõæäöåö ãóæúÆöáðÇ (ÇáßåÝ ¡ 18: 58).ÝóÅöä ßóÐøóÈõæßó ÝóÞõá ÑøóÈøõßõãú Ðõæ ÑóÍúãóÉò æóÇÓöÚóÉò æóáóÇ íõÑóÏøõ ÈóÃúÓõåõ Úóäö ÇáúÞóæúãö ÇáúãõÌúÑöãöíäó (ÇáÃäÚÇã ¡ 6: 147).And your Lord is the Free of need, the Possessor of Mercy. If He wills, he can do away with you and give succession after you to whomever He wills, just as He produced you from the descendants of another people (Al-An’am, 6: 133). And your Lord is the Forgiving, the Possessor of Mercy. If He were to impose blame upon them for what they earned, He would have hastened for them the punishment. Rather, for them is an appointment from which they will never find an escape (Al-Kahf, 18: 58). So, if they disbelieve you, (O Muhammad), say, "Your Lord is a Possessor of Vast Mercy; but His punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals" (Al-An’am, 6: 147). Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it: "Ya Allha Anta Dhur Ra’hma” (O, Allah, You are the Possessor and Source of Mercy), asking Him to extend His mercy on the caller, and the dear others, living and dead. Nobody should be named with this Good Name of Allah, as only He is the Possessor and Source of Mercy. However, part of this Good Name of Allah, “Al- Ra’heem,” can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul- Ra’heem” (Worshipper of the Merciful). A boy can also be named as "Ra'heem" (merciful), without the definite article (Al), as humans have the capability of being merciful. Likewise, girls can have this trait in their names. Thus, one of the common female Islamic names in relation to this Good Name of Allah is “Ra’hma” (mercy). ***
"Al-Malik" means "The King, The Sovereign." It conveys the meaning of the absolute ruler over His kingdom (sovereignty)æ which includes the Heavens, the Earth, what is in between them, the Chair, the Throne, and the creations living in them. He is the King of this life and the King of the Hereafter, as mentioned in verses 67: 1 and 40: 16, as well as in the ‘Hadith of the Prophet, pbbuh. [36]
ÊóÈóÇÑóßó ÇáøóÐöí ÈöíóÏöåö
Çáúãõáúßõ æóåõæó Úóáóìٰ ßõáøö ÔóíúÁò ÞóÏöíÑñ
(Çáúãõáúß ¡
67: 1).
íóæúãó åõã ÈóÇÑöÒõæäó ۖ áóÇ íóÎúÝóìٰ Úóáóì Çááøóåö ãöäúåõãú
ÔóíúÁñ ۚ áøöãóäö Çáúãõáúßõ
Çáúíóæúãó ۖ áöáøóåö ÇáúæóÇÍöÏö ÇáúÞóåøóÇÑö
ý(ÛÇÝÑ
¡
40: 16).
Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the
dominion (of the
Universe), and Who is Capable of (doing) everything (Al-Mulk,
67: 1).
The Day they come forth nothing concerning them will be
concealed from Allah. To whom belongs
Sovereignty this Day? To
Allah, the One, the Subduer (Ghafir, 40: 16).
This Good Name of Allah (The
King, The Sovereign) was mentioned four times in the Holy
Quran, in 20: 114; 23: 116; 59: 23; 62: 1, as follows:
ÝóÊóÚóÇáóì Çááøóåõ
Çáúãóáößõ
ÇáúÍóÞøõ ۗ æóáóÇ ÊóÚúÌóáú ÈöÇáúÞõÑúÂäö ãöä ÞóÈúáö Ãóä
íõÞúÖóìٰ Åöáóíúßó æóÍúíõåõ ۖ æóÞõá ÑøóÈøö ÒöÏúäöí ÚöáúãðÇ
(Øå ¡
20: 114).
ÝóÊóÚóÇáóì Çááøóåõ
Çáúãóáößõ
ÇáúÍóÞøõ ۖ áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ÑóÈøõ ÇáúÚóÑúÔö
ÇáúßóÑöíãö
(ÇáãÄãäæä ¡
23:
59).
åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó
ÅöáøóÇ åõæó
Çáúãóáößõ
ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ
ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ ÇáúãõÊóßóÈøöÑõ ۚ ÓõÈúÍóÇäó Çááøóåö ÚóãøóÇ
íõÔúÑößõæäó
(ÇáÍÔÑ ¡
59: 23).
íõÓóÈøöÍõ áöáøóåö ãóÇ Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóãóÇ Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö
Çáúãóáößö
ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓö ÇáúÚóÒöíÒö ÇáúÍóßöíãö
(ÇáÌãÚÉ ¡
62: 1).
So high (above all) is Allah,
the
King
(Sovereign),
the Truth. And (O Muhammad), do not hasten with (the
recitation of the Quran before its revelation is completed
to you, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge" (Ta-Ha,
20: 114).
So exalted is Allah, the
King
(Sovereign),
the Truth. There is no deity except Him, Lord of the Throne,
the Noble (Al-Muminoon, 23: 59).
He is Allah, other than whom
there is no deity, the
King
(Sovereign),
the Holy, the Peace, the Bestower of Faith, the Dominant,
the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted
is Allah above whatever they associate with Him (Al-‘Hashr,
59: 23).
Whatever is in the heavens and
whatever is on the earth is exalting Allah, the
King
(Sovereign),
the Holy, the Exalted in Might, the Wise (Al-Jumu’a, 62: 1).
In addition, this Good Name of
Allah “Al-Malik”
(The King, the Sovereign) was mentioned as the first Name of
Allah in verse 23 of Surat Al-‘Hashr (Chapter 59) of the
Holy Quran, which is the Sura that includes 19 of the Good
Names of Allah in its three last verses, as follows: åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ۖ ÚóÇáöãõ ÇáúÛóíúÈö æóÇáÔøóåóÇÏóÉö ۖ åõæó ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ ý﴿٢٢﴾þ åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó Çáúãóáößõ ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ ÇáúãõÊóßóÈøöÑõ ۚ ÓõÈúÍóÇäó Çááøóåö ÚóãøóÇ íõÔúÑößõæäó ý﴿٢٣﴾þ åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáúÎóÇáöÞõ ÇáúÈóÇÑöÆõ ÇáúãõÕóæøöÑõ ۖ áóåõ ÇáúÃóÓúãóÇÁõ ÇáúÍõÓúäóìٰ ۚ íõÓóÈøöÍõ áóåõ ãóÇ Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۖ æóåõæó ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÍóßöíãõ ý﴿٢٤﴾þ (ÇáÍÔÑ ¡ 59: 22-24).He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. (22) He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the King (Sovereign), the Holy, the Peace, the Believer, the Dominant, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. (23) He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the Good Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the Earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (24) (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 22-24).Al-Ghazali, may Allah have mercy on his soul, succinctly summarized an application of the meaning of this Good Name of Allah to people. He said that worshippers of Allah can achieve sovereignty in this sense if they do not allow anything else to control their behaviors, other than Allah. They should not allow their lust, anger, or any desires to possess them. In addition, they should be in control of the various organs of their body, particularly their tongues (to speak rightly), eyes (to see what’s allowed), and hands (to use them in doing good deeds). Only then, they may possess the rank of sovereignty in their lower life, which gets them closer to Allah, praise to Him, in the hereafter. Calling on Allah, with this Good Name maybe by saying: "Ya Malik Al-Milook, wa Sa’hib Al-Malakoot" (O, King of kings and Sovereign over the Dominion), and asking Him to extend His protection to the caller and others. This Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Malik” (Worshipper of Allah, the King of this life and the hereafter). Although no Muslim is named as “Malik” (King), a person may become a king over a country or a profession, then they may be called so, as a title, but not a name12.5. Living up to the meanings of this Name means treating subjects or subordinates with kindness and care, as well as ruling over people and between them according to the commands of Allah, praise to Him. *** 10. Al-Maleek: The King, the Vast in Sovereignty Çáúãóáöíßõ"Al-Maleek" is another form of Al-Malik, which means the King, the Sovereign, Who has a vast and mighty kingdom, and Who is capable of doing anything He wills. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in verse 54: 55, which describes where the righteous will be living in the hereafter, as follows: Åöäøó ÇáúãõÊøóÞöíäó Ýöí ÌóäøóÇÊò æóäóåóÑò ý ﴿٥٤﴾þ Ýöí ãóÞúÚóÏö ÕöÏúÞò ÚöäÏó ãóáöíßò ãøõÞúÊóÏöÑò ý﴿٥٥﴾þ (ÇáÞãÑ ¡ 54: 54-55).Indeed, the righteous will be (living) in gardens and (beside) rivers, (54) In a seat of honor, near a King (Sovereign), Perfect in Ability. (55) (Al-Qamar, 54: 55).*** 11. Maalik Yawm Al-Deen" (pronounced as maaliku yawmud deen): The Owner of the Day of Accountability ãóÇáößõ íóæúãö ÇáÏöøíäö
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned in the Holy Quran once,
in verse 1: 4. It comes as the fifth in the sequence of
these Good Names, after Allah, Al-Ra’hman (the Beneficent),
Al-Ra’heem (the Merciful), and Rab Al-‘Alameen (the Lord of
the Worlds).
ÈöÓúãö Çááøóåö ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäö ÇáÑøóÍöíãö
ý﴿١﴾þ
ÇáúÍóãúÏõ áöáøóåö ÑóÈøö ÇáúÚóÇáóãöíäó
ý﴿٢﴾þ
ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäö ÇáÑøóÍöíãö
ý﴿٣﴾þ
ãóÇáößö íóæúãö ÇáÏøöíäö
ý﴿٤﴾þ
(ÇáÝÇÊÍÉ ¡
1: 4).
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. (1)
Praise is (due) to Allah, Lord of the Worlds - (2) The
Beneficent, the Merciful, (3)
Owner (Sovereign) of the Day of Accountability
(4)
(Al-Fati’ha, 1: 1-4).
“Maalik
Yawm Al-Deen"
means that He alone is the Owner of His vast dominium on the
Day of Accountability. His creations may possess different
forms of ownership during their lower life, including
property, wealth, influence, and power. However, they come
on the Day of Accountability helpless, powerless, and
without any form of ownership they used to have, except
their deeds. If their deeds were good, then they will be
rewarded an everlasting life in Paradise, as the Owner of
the Day of Accountability has promised them. But, if they
disbelieved in Allah and His signs during their lower life,
then they will face a humiliating punishment in the Hell
Fire, as stated in verses 22: 56-57.
Çáúãõáúßõ íóæúãóÆöÐò áøöáøóåö íóÍúßõãõ Èóíúäóåõãú ۚ
ÝóÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇ æóÚóãöáõæÇ ÇáÕøóÇáöÍóÇÊö Ýöí ÌóäøóÇÊö
ÇáäøóÚöíãö
ý﴿٥٦﴾þ
æóÇáøóÐöíäó ßóÝóÑõæÇ æóßóÐøóÈõæÇ ÈöÂíóÇÊöäóÇ ÝóÃõæáóٰÆößó
áóåõãú ÚóÐóÇÈñ ãøõåöíäñ
ý﴿٥٧﴾þ
(ÇáÍÌ ¡
22: 56-57).
Ownership (Sovereignty) that Day is for Allah; He will judge
between them. So, they who believed and did good deeds will
be in the Gardens of Pleasure. (56) And they who disbelieved
and denied Our signs - for those there will be a humiliating
punishment. (57) (Al-Haj, 22: 56).
“Yawm Al-Deen" is also the Day of Judgment among humans and
jinn, as well as among angels, about that which they
disputed about during the lower life. They will stand before
the Owner of that Day, Who will judge among them. They will
not be able to speak until they will be permitted to do so
by the “Beneficent.” Even then, they will only say that
which is correct, as stated in verses 22: 17,
11:
19, 39: 75, and 78: 38,
as follows:
Åöäøó ÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇ æóÇáøóÐöíäó åóÇÏõæÇ æóÇáÕøóÇÈöÆöíäó
æóÇáäøóÕóÇÑóìٰ æóÇáúãóÌõæÓó æóÇáøóÐöíäó ÃóÔúÑóßõæÇ Åöäøó
Çááøóåó
íóÝúÕöáõ Èóíúäóåõãú
íóæúãó ÇáúÞöíóÇãóÉö ۚ Åöäøó Çááøóåó Úóáóìٰ ßõáøö ÔóíúÁò
ÔóåöíÏñ
(ÇáÍÌ ¡
22: 17).
... æóÊóãøóÊú ßóáöãóÉõ ÑóÈøößó áóÃóãúáóÃóäøó Ìóåóäøóãó ãöäó
ÇáúÌöäøóÉö æóÇáäøóÇÓö
ÃóÌúãóÚöíäó
(åæÏ ¡ 11: 119).
æóÊóÑóì
ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉó
ÍóÇÝöøíäó ãöäú Íóæúáö ÇáúÚóÑúÔö íõÓóÈöøÍõæäó ÈöÍóãúÏö
ÑóÈöøåöãú ۖ
æóÞõÖöíó Èóíúäóåõã ÈöÇáúÍóÞöø
æóÞöíáó ÇáúÍóãúÏõ áöáøóÜåö ÑóÈöø ÇáúÚóÇáóãöíäó
(ÇáÒãÑ ¡
39:
75).
íóæúãó íóÞõæãõ ÇáÑøõæÍõ æóÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ
ÕóÝøðÇ ۖ
áøóÇ íóÊóßóáøóãõæäó
ÅöáøóÇ ãóäú ÃóÐöäó áóåõ ÇáÑøóÍúãóÜٰäõ æóÞóÇáó ÕóæóÇÈðÇ
(ÇáäÈà ¡
78: 38).
On the Day of Rising, Allah will certainly
judge among those
who believe, and those who became Jews, and Sabaeans, and
Christians, and Magians, and those who associate others with
Allah (in His Divinity). Surely, Allah watches over
everything (Al-Zumar, 39: 75).
… and the word of your Lord is to be fulfilled that, "I will
surely fill Hell with
jinn and humans
all together" (Hood, 11: 119).
And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne, exalting
their Lord with praise. And
it will be judged among them
in truth, and it will be said, "Praise to Allah, Lord of the
Worlds." (75) (Al-Zumar, 39: 75).
The Day that the Spirit (Jibril) and the angels will stand
in rows,
they will not speak,
except for one whom the Beneficent permits, and he will say
(that which is) correct (Al-Naba, 78: 38). Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it: "Ya Maaliku Yawmud Deen" (O, the Owner of the Day of Accountability), asking Him to extend His mercy on the caller, and others, on that Day. Only Allah, praise to Him, is "Maaliku Yawmud Deen" (The Owner of the Day of Accountability). So, nobody should be called as such except Him. However, part of this Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Maalik” (Worshipper of Allah, the Owner of the Day of Accountability). A boy can also be named as "Maalik" (owner), without the definite article (Al), as humans have the capability of being owners of some property during their lower life on Earth. ***
12.
Maalik Al-Mulk:
The Owner of the Dominion
ãóÇáößõ Çáúãõáúßö
Þõáö Çááøóåõãøó
ãóÇáößó Çáúãõáúßö
ÊõÄúÊöí Çáúãõáúßó ãóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ
æóÊóäÒöÚõ Çáúãõáúßó ãöãøóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ æóÊõÚöÒøõ ãóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ
æóÊõÐöáøõ ãóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ ۖ ÈöíóÏößó ÇáúÎóíúÑõ ۖ Åöäøóßó Úóáóìٰ
ßõáøö ÔóíúÁò ÞóÏöíÑñ
ý(Âáö
ÚöãúÑóÇä ¡ 3: 26). Say: "O Allah, Owner of the Dominion, You give sovereignty (on parts of it) to whom You will and You take sovereignty (on parts of it) away from whom You will. You honor whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your hand is (all) good. Indeed, You are Capable over everything (Aal-‘Imran, 3: 26).
In his interpretation of this verse (3: 26), Al-Qurtubi
mentioned the definitions of Mujahid and Al-Zajaj of “Al-Mulk”
(the Dominion), as the Prophethood, dominance, wealth,
people and their possessions, lower life, and the hereafter.
He added that it is a reference to giving the territories of
the Persian and Roman empires to Muslims, to rule them by
God’s commands.
The three interpreters mentioned that it is a reference to
giving the final Message of “Maalik Al-Mulk” (the Owner of
the Dominion), the Holy Quran, to humanity through His final
Messenger, Muhammed, pbbuh. Thus, He denied this greatest
honor to the Children of Israeli, who used to have Messages
of Allah sent through Messengers and Prophets from among
them. This was because of their disobedience, killing
Prophets, and rejection of Eissa (Jesus), peace be upon him.
The word “Mulk” (Dominion) is mentioned four times in the
Holy Quran, in relation to God’s ownership of His vast
Dominion, during the lower life of His creations and in the
hereafter, as mentioned earlier in verses 67: 1 and 40: 16.
It is also mentioned in verse 6: 73, which states God’s
Ownership of the Dominion when the Trumpet is blown, at the
Beginning of the Last Day, as well as in verse 17: 111,
which confirms that He has no partners in His Ownership of
the Dominion.
... æóáóåõ
Çáúãõáúßõ
íóæúãó íõäÝóÎõ Ýöí ÇáÕøõæÑö ۚ ÚóÇáöãõ ÇáúÛóíúÈö
æóÇáÔøóåóÇÏóÉö ۚ æóåõæó ÇáúÍóßöíãõ ÇáúÎóÈöíÑõ
(ÇáÃäÚÇã ¡ 6: 73).
æóÞõáö ÇáúÍóãúÏõ áöáøóåö ÇáøóÐöí áóãú
íóÊøóÎöÐú æóáóÏðÇ æóáóãú íóßõä áøóåõ ÔóÑöíßñ Ýöí
Çáúãõáúßö
æóáóãú íóßõä áøóåõ æóáöíøñ ãøöäó ÇáÐøõáøö ۖ æóßóÈøöÑúåõ
ÊóßúÈöíÑðÇ
ý(ÇáÅÓÑÇÁ
¡ 17: 111).
… and His is the Dominion (on) the Day the Horn is blown. (He is) Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He is the Wise, the Expert (Al-An’am, 6: 73).
And say: "Praise to Allah, who has not taken a son, and has had no partner in the Dominion, and has no protector out of weakness, and glorify Him with (great) glorification" (Al-Issra, 17: 111).Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it, "Ya Maalik Al-Mulk" (O, the Owner of the Dominion), then asking for His blessing in what the caller is attempting to get from this life’s temporary property. More important is learning a lesson from seeing ownership being exchanged among people, as it is being taken from some of them and given to others. Only Allah, praise to Him, is "Maalik Al-Mulk" (The Owner of the Dominion). So, nobody should be called as such except Him. However, part of this Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Maalik” (Worshipper of Allah, the Owner of the Dominion). A boy can also be named as "Maalik" (owner), without the definite article (Al), as humans have the capability of being owners of some property during their lower life on Earth. Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it, "Ya Maalik Al-Mulk" (O, the Owner of the Dominion), then asking for His blessing in what the caller is attempting to get from this life’s temporary property. More important is learning a lesson from seeing ownership being exchanged among people, as it is being taken from some of them and given to others. ***
13. Al-Quddoos: The Holy ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ
“Al-Quddoos” means “The Holy.” It is one of the Good Names
of Allah, which was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran, in
verses 59: 23 and 62: 1, as follows:
åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó
ÅöáøóÇ åõæó Çáúãóáößõ
ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ
ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ
ÇáúãõÊóßóÈøöÑõ ۚ ÓõÈúÍóÇäó Çááøóåö ÚóãøóÇ íõÔúÑößõæäó
(ÇáÍÔÑ ¡
59:
23).ý
íõÓóÈøöÍõ áöáøóåö ãóÇ Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóãóÇ Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö
Çáúãóáößö
ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓö
ÇáúÚóÒöíÒö ÇáúÍóßöíãö (ÇáÌãÚÉ ¡
62: 1). He is Allah, there is no other god than He, the King (Sovereign), the Holy, the Peace, the Believer in His Godhood, the Predominant, the Rare in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 23).
Whatever is in the heavens and
whatever is on the earth is exalting Allah, the
King (Sovereign),
the Holy,
the Exalted in Might, the Wise (Al-Jumu’a, 62: 1). “Al-Quddoos” (The Holy) is the absolute in His perfection, beauty, and majesty. He is impeccable, in the sense that He is the One Who is unattainable by any description, and He is not realized by senses, or imagination, or conscience, or thought, as defined by Al-Ghazali. The three renowned interpreters of the Holy Quran agreed that "Al-Quddoos" (the Holy) also means the Blessed, the Pure in Cleanliness and Perfection, and the One Who is exalted, praised, and glorified by the angels.
In his book, “Al-Asna,” Al-Qurtubi, explained that
"Al-Quddoos" (the Holy) means the Pure and the Blessed,
based on the meaning of the two words “holy” and “blessed”
in verses 5: 21 and 21: 81, as follows:
íóÇ Þóæúãö ÇÏúÎõáõæÇ
ÇáúÃóÑúÖó ÇáúãõÞóÏøóÓóÉó
ÇáøóÊöí ßóÊóÈó Çááøóåõ áóßõãú æóáóÇ ÊóÑúÊóÏøõæÇ Úóáóìٰ
ÃóÏúÈóÇÑößõãú ÝóÊóäÞóáöÈõæÇ ÎóÇÓöÑöíäó
(ÇáãÇÆÏÉ ¡ 5: 21).
æóáöÓõáóíúãóÇäó ÇáÑøöíÍó ÚóÇÕöÝóÉð
ÊóÌúÑöí ÈöÃóãúÑöåö Åöáóì ÇáúÃóÑúÖö ÇáøóÊöí
ÈóÇÑóßúäóÇ ÝöíåóÇ ۚ
æóßõäøóÇ Èößõáøö ÔóíúÁò ÚóÇáöãöíäó
ý(ÇáÃäÈíÇÁ
¡
21:
81).
O my people, enter
the
Holy Land,
which Allah has assigned to you, and do not turn back, and
(thus) become losers" (Al-Ma-ida, 5:
21).
And to Sulayman (Solomon), (We subjected) the wind, blowing
forcefully, proceeding by his command toward
the land which We had blessed.
And We are ever, of all things, Knowing (Al-Anbiya, 21: 81).
Moreover, "Al-Quddoos" (the Holy) is the One Who is exalted,
praised, and glorified by the angels, as an acknowledgement
of Him as their God and Lord, and the God and Lord of all
creations in His vast Dominion, as mentioned in verse 2: 30
and in the above-mentioned verse 62: 1.
æóÅöÐú ÞóÇáó ÑóÈøõßó áöáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö Åöäøöí ÌóÇÚöáñ Ýöí
ÇáúÃóÑúÖö ÎóáöíÝóÉð ۖ ÞóÇáõæÇ ÃóÊóÌúÚóáõ ÝöíåóÇ ãóä íõÝúÓöÏõ
ÝöíåóÇ æóíóÓúÝößõ ÇáÏøöãóÇÁó æóäóÍúäõ
äõÓóÈøöÍõ ÈöÍóãúÏößó æóäõÞóÏøöÓõ áóßó ۖ
ÞóÇáó Åöäøöí ÃóÚúáóãõ ãóÇ áóÇ ÊóÚúáóãõæäó
(ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡
2: 30).
And [mention, O Muhammad], when
your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the
earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place
upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood,
while
we declare Your praise and sanctify You?"
Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know
(Al-Baqara, 2: 30).
in reference to the Senior Angel, Jibril, peace to him. He
is described in the Holy Quran as "Al-Rrou’h Al-Qudus,"
(pronounced as “Arrou’h Al-Qudus"), which means the Holy
Spirit, in reference to his purity and perfection in
conveying the messages of Allah to His human Messengers.
Thus, is a reference to the Holiness, Purity and Perfection
of Allah, praise to him.
“Al-Qudus”
is another variant of "Al-Quddoos," as mentioned in verse
16: 102, which describes the angel Jibril, peace be to him,
“as Rrou’h Al-Qudus" (Spirit of the Holy), and verse 19: 17,
which confirms that he is the Spirit of Allah, praise to
Him.
Þõáú äóÒøóáóåõ
ÑõæÍõ ÇáúÞõÏõÓö
ãöä ÑøóÈøößó ÈöÇáúÍóÞøö áöíõËóÈøöÊó ÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇ
æóåõÏðì æóÈõÔúÑóìٰ áöáúãõÓúáöãöíäó
(ÇáäÍá ¡ 16: 102).
ÝóÇÊøóÎóÐóÊú ãöä Ïõæäöåöãú ÍöÌóÇÈðÇ ÝóÃóÑúÓóáúäóÇ ÅöáóíúåóÇ
ÑõæÍóäóÇ
ÝóÊóãóËøóáó áóåóÇ ÈóÔóÑðÇ ÓóæöíøðÇ
(ãÑíã ¡
19: 17).
Say, (O Muhammad), "The
Spirit of the Holy”
has brought it down from your Lord in truth, to make firm
those who believe, and as guidance, and good tidings to the
Muslims
(Al-Na’hl, 16: 102).
And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then, We sent to her Our Spirit (Jibril), and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man (Maryam, 19: 17). Thus, Allah, praise to Him, is "Al-Quddoos" (the Holy), the absolute in His perfection, beauty, and majesty. He is pure, blessed, exalted, praised, and glorified by all of His intelligent creations, including the angels, humans, and jinn, as an acknowledgement of His Godhood, His countless bounties, and His favors to them. Believers can implement some of meanings contained in this Good Name of Allah by doing their best to make their deeds as perfect, beautiful, dignified, and well-done as possible. They should satisfy their needs within what their Lord, Allah, has allowed. They also need to be thinking all the time about their Creator, His Dominion, and what He has prepared for His creations in the hereafter. They should perform their responsibilities at home, work, and society with at most seriousness, avoiding distraction by entertainment and other time-wasting, aimless activities, following the Prophet’s teachings, pbbuh, who said: “Indeed, Allah, praise to Him, is beautiful and He loves beauty. He (also) loves high manners and hates low behaviors.” [37] A believer can also apply knowledge A believer can also apply knowledge about this Good Name of Allah by calling upon Him, with it, "Ya Quddoos” (O, Holy), and asking Him to extend His blessings and favors on the caller and others, in this world and in the hereafter. Only Allah, praise to Him, is "Al-Quddoos" (The Holy). So, nobody should be called as such except Him. However, this Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Quddoos” (Worshipper of the Holy). ***
14. Al-Salam (pronounced as as-salam): The Peace ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ
"Al-Salam" (pronounced as as-salam) means "The Peace."
Allah, praise to Him, is the Peace and the source of peace
to His creations. His Message of Peace (Islam) has been
conveyed to humanity through his Messengers, peace be upon
them. Following His commands helps His creations to live in
peace and safety during their lower life and to get to His
ultimate House of Peace (Paradise) in the hereafter.
Moreover, "Al-Salam" means that Allah, praise to Him, is
safe from any shortcomings or defects, which warrants His
glorification by His creations in the heavens and the Earth.
It also means that He has promised His creations not to do
injustice to them (Younus, 10: 44). Further, it refers to
His greeting of believers in His Paradise, with the word of
“Peace" (Al-A’hzab, 33: 44).
[38]
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in verse 59: 23.
åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó Çáúãóáößõ
ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ
ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ
ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ
ÇáúãõÊóßóÈøöÑõ ۚ ÓõÈúÍóÇäó Çááøóåö ÚóãøóÇ íõÔúÑößõæäó
(ÇáÍÔÑ ¡
59: 23).ý He is Allah, there is no other god than He, the King (Sovereign), the Holy, the Peace, the Believer in His Godhood, the Predominant, the Rare in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 23).
The word “Al-Salam” (Peace) is also mentioned six more times
in the Holy Quran, showing different aspects of the meaning
of “peace.” Thus, it means greeting people with the word of
“peace” in verse 4: 94, the path of peace (safety) in 5: 16,
Paradise in 6: 127 and 10: 25, blessing in 19: 33, and glad
tiding to the followers of God’s guidance in 20: 47.
æóáóÇ ÊóÞõæáõæÇ áöãóäú
ÃóáúÞóìٰ
Åöáóíúßõãõ
ÇáÓøóáóÇãó
áóÓúÊó ãõÄúãöäðÇ
(ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡
4: 94).
(æóßöÊóÇÈñ ãøõÈöíäñ)
ýíóåúÏöí
Èöåö Çááøóåõ ãóäö ÇÊøóÈóÚó ÑöÖúæóÇäóåõ
ÓõÈõáó ÇáÓøóáóÇãö
æóíõÎúÑöÌõåõã ãøöäó ÇáÙøõáõãóÇÊö Åöáóì ÇáäøõæÑö ÈöÅöÐúäöåö
æóíóåúÏöíåöãú Åöáóìٰ ÕöÑóÇØò ãøõÓúÊóÞöíãò
(ÇáãÇÆÏÉ ¡
5: 16).
áóåõãú
ÏóÇÑõ ÇáÓøóáóÇãö
ÚöäÏó ÑóÈøöåöãú ۖ æóåõæó æóáöíøõåõã ÈöãóÇ ßóÇäõæÇ
íóÚúãóáõæäó
(ÇáÃäÚÇã ¡
6: 127).
æóÇááøóåõ íóÏúÚõæ Åöáóìٰ
ÏóÇÑö ÇáÓøóáóÇãö
æóíóåúÏöí ãóä íóÔóÇÁõ Åöáóìٰ ÕöÑóÇØò ãøõÓúÊóÞöíãò
(íæäÓ ¡
10:
25).
æóÇáÓøóáóÇãõ
Úóáóíøó
íóæúãó æõáöÏÊøõ æóíóæúãó ÃóãõæÊõ æóíóæúãó ÃõÈúÚóËõ ÍóíøðÇ
(ãÑíã ¡
19: 33).
æóÇáÓøóáóÇãõ
Úóáóìٰ
ãóäö ÇÊøóÈóÚó ÇáúåõÏóìٰ (Øå ¡ 20:
47).
… and do not say to one who
gives
you (a greeting of)
peace:
"You are not a believer" (Al-Nissa, 4: 94).
)A
clear Book) By which Allah guides those who pursue His
pleasure to the
ways of peace,
and brings them out from the
(degrees of)
darkness into the light, by His permission, and guides them
to a straight path (Al-Ma-ida, 5: 16).
For them will be the
House of Peace
with their Lord. And He will be their protecting friend
because of what they used to do (Al-An’am, 6: 127).
And Allah invites to the
House of Peace
and guides whom He wills to a straight path
(Younus, 10: 25).
And
peace
is on me
the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am
raised alive (Maryam, 19: 33).
And
peace
will be upon he who follows the guidance (Ta-Ha, 20: 33).
Believers can implement some of the meanings contained in
this Good Name of Allah “Al-Salam” (The Peace) by
struggling to be in internal peace within the “self”
and in external peace with others. The internal peace
develops when the two components of the “self” reconcile
towards solutions which reflect goodness and contentment. It
also develops as the “self” is in a continuous process of
purification, which is attained by getting rid of negative
feelings towards innocent people.
[39]
The external peace with others is reached by a tendency of
not harming them, by tongue or hand, and by not
transgressing on their blood and wealth, as we learn from
the ‘Hadith. The Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, also told us
that good deeds help people enter Paradise, “the House of
Peace.” These include greeting people with “peace,” feeding
the needy, keeping good relations with relatives, and
standing in prayers at night.
[40]
A believer may call upon Allah, praise to Him, with this
Good Name of His,
saying:
"Ya
Allah, Anta As-Salam wa Minka As-Salam” (O Allah, You are
the Peace, and from You comes the peace), and asking Him to
descend His peace on the caller, and others, in this life
and the hereafter. This was how the Prophet, pbbuhh, used to
do, in praising and exalting his Lord.
[41] Only Allah, praise to Him, is "Al-Salam" (The Peace). So, nobody should be called as such, with the definite article (Al), except Him. However, this Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul- Salam” (Worshipper of the Peace). Further, boys and girls can be named as "Salam" (peace), without the definite article (Al), as humans have some of this trait and the capability of being peaceful, during their lower life on Earth. *** 15. Al-Mu.min: The Believer in His Godhood ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ
"Al-Mu.min" (pronounced with a glottal stop between the
vowel u and the consonant m) means "The Believer."
Allah, praise to Him, is "The Believer" in His Godhood. He
stated that clearly in the Holy Quran, saying that He
proclaimed that there is no other god but Him (3: 18).
ÔóåöÏó Çááøóåõ Ãóäøóåõ áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó
æóÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ æóÃõæáõæ ÇáúÚöáúãö ÞóÇÆöãðÇ ÈöÇáúÞöÓúØö ۚ
áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÍóßöíãõ (Âá ÚãÑÇä ¡
3: 18).
Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him,
and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is]
maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except
Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise
(Al-i Imran, 3: 18).
"Al-Mu.min" as a Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the
Holy Quran, in Surat Al-Hashr (59: 23).
åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó Çáúãóáößõ
ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ
ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ
ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ
Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ ÇáúãõÊóßóÈøöÑõ ۚ
ÓõÈúÍóÇäó Çááøóåö ÚóãøóÇ íõÔúÑößõæäó (ÇáÍÔÑ ¡
59: 23).ý He is Allah, there is no other god than He, the King (Sovereign), the Holy, the Peace, the Believer in His Godhood, the Predominant, the Rare in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 23).
Al-Tabari mentioned that “Al-Mu.min” (The Believer),
as one of the Good Names of Allah, means the One Who has
believed that He is the Truth (3: 18). Al-Qurtubi pointed to
the Arabic verb “ammana,” from which the noun “mu.min” came
from, meaning “shielded,” or “safe-guarded,” or “made safe.”
Thus, Allah, praise to Him, is the One Who shielded
(safe-guarded) believers form doing injustice to them or
from causing them to be frightened (106: 4).
The verb “ammana” also means “secured” or “prepared”
something for somebody. So, Allah, praise to Him, secured
(prepared) Paradise for believers, as He promised them (4:
122) and the Hellfire for disbelievers, as He warned them
(9: 68).
Apparently, these meanings of this Good Name of Allah, which
were provided by the three interpreters, have support from
the referenced verses of the Holy Quran above, and as
follows:
Åöäøó Çááøóåó
áóÇ íóÙúáöãõ ÇáäøóÇÓó
ÔóíúÆðÇ æóáóٰßöäøó ÇáäøóÇÓó ÃóäÝõÓóåõãú íóÙúáöãõæäó
(íæäÓ ¡
10: 44).
ÝóáúíóÚúÈõÏõæÇ ÑóÈøó åóٰÐóÇ ÇáúÈóíúÊö
ý﴿٣﴾þ
ÇáøóÐöí ÃóØúÚóãóåõã ãøöä ÌõæÚò
æóÂãóäóåõã ãøöäú ÎóæúÝò
ý﴿٤﴾þ
(ÞÑíÔ ¡
106: 3-4).
æóÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇ æóÚóãöáõæÇ
ÇáÕøóÇáöÍóÇÊö ÓóäõÏúÎöáõåõãú
ÌóäøóÇÊò
ÊóÌúÑöí ãöä ÊóÍúÊöåóÇ ÇáúÃóäúåóÇÑõ ÎóÇáöÏöíäó ÝöíåóÇ ÃóÈóÏðÇ
ۖ
æóÚúÏó Çááøóåö
ÍóÞøðÇ ۚ æóãóäú ÃóÕúÏóÞõ ãöäó Çááøóåö ÞöíáðÇ
ý(ÇáäÓÇÁ
¡
4:
122).
æóÚóÏó Çááøóåõ
ÇáúãõäóÇÝöÞöíäó æóÇáúãõäóÇÝöÞóÇÊö æóÇáúßõÝøóÇÑó äóÇÑó
Ìóåóäøóãó
ÎóÇáöÏöíäó ÝöíåóÇ ۚ åöíó ÍóÓúÈõåõãú ۚ æóáóÚóäóåõãõ Çááøóåõ ۖ
æóáóåõãú ÚóÐóÇÈñ ãøõÞöíãñ (ÇáÊæÈÉ ¡
9: 68).
Indeed, Allah
does not do injustice
to the people at all, but it is
the people who do injustice to themselves
(Younus, 10: 44).
Let them worship the Lord of
this House, (3) Who has fed them, (saving them) from hunger
and
made them safe,
(saving them) from fear (Quraysh, 106: 3-4).
But
the ones who believe
and do righteous deeds - We will admit them to
gardens
beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever.
(It is) the promise of Allah, (which is) truth, and who is
more truthful than Allah in statement (Al-Nissa, 4: 122).
Allah has promised the hypocrite
men and hypocrite women and the
disbelievers
the fire of
Hell,
wherein they will abide eternally. It is sufficient for
them. And Allah has cursed them, and for them is an enduring
punishment (Al-Tawba, 9: 68).
In the ‘Hadith, the meaning of “Al-Mu.min” (the believer) is
the one “who is trusted by believers, not to transgress on
their life and wealth.” Thus, this meaning is in agreement
with the meaning contained in verse 106: 4, mentioned above.
This means that Allah, praise to Him, has secured the
believers (safe-guarded them), that they would not receive
any injustice or scare from Him, as we learn from the
following ‘Hadith:
ÝÚä ÚÈÏö Çááåö Èäö ÚóãÑæ ¡ ÑÕíó Çááåõ
Úäåõ ¡ ÞÇá: ÓãöÚúÊõ ÑÓæáó Çááåö ¡ Õáøóì Çááåõ Úáíå æÓáøóãó ¡
íÞæáõ: "ÊóÏÑæäó ãóä ÇáãõÓáãö¿ ÞÇáæÇ: Çááåõ æÑÓæáõåõ ÃÚáãõ.
ÞÇáó: ãóä Óáöãó ÇáãõÓáãæäó ãöä áöÓÇäöå æíÏöå. ÞÇáó: ÊóÏÑæäó
ãóä
ÇáãÄãäõ¿
ÞÇáæÇ: Çááåõ –íÚäí- æÑÓæáõå ÃÚáãõ. ÞÇá:
ãóä
Ããöäóå ÇáãÄãäæäó
Úáì ÃäÝõÓöåã æÃóãæÇáöåã.
æÇáãõåÇÌöÑõ ãóä åÌóÑó ÇáÓøõæÁó ÝÇÌúÊäóÈóå"
(ÕÍÍå
ÔÚíÈ ÇáÃÑäÇÄæØ Ýí ÊÎÑíÌ ÇáãÓäÏ:
7017).
Companion
Abudllah Bin Amr, mAbpwh, said: “I heard the Messenger of
Allah, pbbuh, saying: Do you know who is a Muslim? They
said: Allah and His Messenger know (better). He said: (He is
the one) from whose tongue and hand Muslims are safe.
(Then, he) said: Do you know who is a Mu.min? They said: Allah and His Messenger know (better). He said: (He is the one) who is trusted by believers not to transgress on their life and wealth. And the immigrant (for the sake of Allah) is the one who leave behind and avoid wrong-doing (authenticated by Shu’aib Al-Arna-aut as a Sa’hi’h Hadith, in Takhreej Al-Musnad: 7017). Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it. Saying: "Allahumma, Anta Al-Mu.min” (You are the Believer that there is no other god but You, and You are the Believer in the faith of those who believe in You). Then, the caller asks Allah to accept his/her faith and good deeds, and to be safeguarded from the evils of this lower life, and from the punishment in the hereafter. In this sense, only Allah, praise to Him, is capable of safeguarding His creations and of caring for them in this life and in the hereafter. Thus, nobody should be called "Al-Mu.min" (The Believer), with the definite article (Al), except Him. However, this Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Mu.min” (Worshipper of the Believer). A boy can also be named as "Mu.min" (believer), without the definite article (Al), as humans have this trait and the capability of being believers in Allah, during their lower life on Earth. A girl can be named as “Mu.mina,” as well. Living up to the meanings of this Name means the belief in Allah and His Messenger, as well as avoiding any harm to the believers caring about their safety. *** 16. Al-Muhaymin: The Dominant Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ
"Al-Muhaymin," as Good Name of Allah, was mentioned once
in the Holy Quran, in verse 59: 23.
åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó
ÅöáøóÇ åõæó Çáúãóáößõ
ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ
ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ
ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ
Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ
ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ ÇáúãõÊóßóÈøöÑõ ۚ ÓõÈúÍóÇäó Çááøóåö
ÚóãøóÇ íõÔúÑößõæäó
(ÇáÍÔÑ ¡
59: 23).ý He is Allah, there is no other god than He, the King (Sovereign), the Holy, the Peace, the Believer in His Godhood, the Predominant, the Rare in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 23).
"Al-Muhaymin," means that Allah, praise to Him, is "The
Dominant" over His creations, including angels, jinn, and
humans, who are helpless before His Power. It also refers to
God's ability to run His Dominion smoothly and perfectly,
including His Throne, Chair, the seven heavens, and seven
earths. In addition, it refers to his ability to watch His
creations and to record their secret and public deeds and
words, in a record that does not leave any behavior out, be
it small or great, as He told us in verse 18: 49. æóæõÖöÚó ÇáúßöÊóÇÈõ ÝóÊóÑóì ÇáúãõÌúÑöãöíäó ãõÔúÝöÞöíäó ãöãøóÇ Ýöíåö æóíóÞõæáõæäó íóÇ æóíúáóÊóäóÇ ãóÇáö åóٰÐóÇ ÇáúßöÊóÇÈö áóÇ íõÛóÇÏöÑõ ÕóÛöíÑóÉð æóáóÇ ßóÈöíÑóÉð ÅöáøóÇ ÃóÍúÕóÇåóÇ ۚ æóæóÌóÏõæÇ ãóÇ ÚóãöáõæÇ ÍóÇÖöÑðÇ ۗ æóáóÇ íóÙúáöãõ ÑóÈøõßó ÃóÍóÏðÇ (ÇáßåÝ ¡ 18: 49).And the record (of deeds) will be placed (open), and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or big except that it has enumerated (included) it?" And they will find what they did present (before them). And your Lord does not do injustice to anyone (Al-Kahf, 18: 49).
The same word "muhaymin" (dominant) was also mentioned
once, as an adjective, in verse 5: 48. It came as a
description of the Holy Quran, in its relationship with the
preceding Scripture. Thus, just like Allah, praise to Him,
is dominant over all of His creations, His Last Message to
humanity, the Holy Quran, is dominant over the preceding
Scriptures. æóÃóäÒóáúäóÇ Åöáóíúßó ÇáúßöÊóÇÈó ÈöÇáúÍóÞøö ãõÕóÏøöÞðÇ áøöãóÇ Èóíúäó íóÏóíúåö ãöäó ÇáúßöÊóÇÈö æóãõåóíúãöäðÇ Úóáóíúåö ۖ ÝóÇÍúßõã Èóíúäóåõã ÈöãóÇ ÃóäÒóáó Çááøóåõ ۖ æóáóÇ ÊóÊøóÈöÚú ÃóåúæóÇÁóåõãú ÚóãøóÇ ÌóÇÁóßó ãöäó ÇáúÍóÞøö ۚ (ÇáãÇÆÏÉ ¡ 5: 48).
And We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), the Book in
truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture
and
dominant
over it. So, judge between them by what Allah has revealed and
do not follow their inclinations, away from what has come to
you of the truth (Al-Ma-ida, 5: 48).
Al-Tabari provided several interpretations, from
his predecessors, for the word "muhaymin" (dominant),
mentioned in verse 5: 48. He wrote that the Holy Quran
confirmed the Books which came before it, provided a
testimony that these were from Allah, and it was a judge on
the content of these Books, as stated by Ibn ‘Abbas.
Al-Qurtubi provided similar interpretations, but
he was clearer in that the word "muhaymin" (dominant) means
“above and higher than them.” Ibn Katheer agreed with them
both, saying that the Holy Quran judges the content of the Books
preceding it.
The
main reason for the Holy Quran dominance over the Books of
Allah, which preceded it, is that Allah has pledged in verse
15: 9 that He is going to preserve it, guarding it against
any corruption. Thus, the Holy Quran is different from the
preceding Books of Allah, some of which were written
hundreds of years after the death of the Messenger, such as
those of the Old Testament, particularly the Torah.
Likewise, the Books of the New Testament went through
successive translations, which affected their content. ‘Eissa
(Jesus), peace be to him, spoke Aramaic. However, his Disciples
wrote the Books of the New Testament in Greek. Then, these
Books were translated to other old languages, and finally to
various modern languages.
[42] ÅöäøóÇ äóÍúäõ äóÒøóáúäóÇ ÇáÐøößúÑó æóÅöäøóÇ áóåõ áóÍóÇÝöÙõæäó (ÇáÍÌÑ 15: 9).
Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran, and indeed, We
will be its preservers (guarding it against any corruption)
(Al-‘Hijr, 15: 9).
Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it, saying: "Allahumma, Ya Muhaymin” (O Allah, the Dominant One). Then, the caller asks Him for protection from the arrogance of power, which may be exacted by the tyrants and oppressors of the world. Only Allah, praise to Him, is "Al-Muhaymin" (The Dominant, the Watchful, Who rules) over all of His creations, in this life and in the hereafter. So, nobody should be called as such, with or without the definite article (Al), except Him. However, this Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Muhaymin” (Worshipper of the Dominant). Living up to the meanings of this Name means that those who assume positions of dominance over others, should not oppress them. Instead, they should rule over them and between them according to the commands of Allah, the Dominant, Lord of the Worlds. ***
17. Al-'Azeez: The Rare in His Honorable Might ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ"Al-‘Azeez" (the Rare in Might) was among the 10 Good Name of Allah, mentioned in verse 59: 23 of the Holy Quran, as follows: åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó Çáúãóáößõ ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ ÇáúãõÊóßóÈøöÑõ ۚ ÓõÈúÍóÇäó Çááøóåö ÚóãøóÇ íõÔúÑößõæäó (ÇáÍÔÑ ¡ 59: 23).ýHe is Allah, there is no other god than He, the King (Sovereign), the Holy, the Peace, the Believer in His Godhood, the Predominant, the Rare in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 23).
The apostrophe before the letter "A" in "Al-'Azeez"
refers to a glottal sound, known as the fifteenth
letter of the Arabic alphabet, 'ayn.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned 88 times in the Holy
Quran, with and without the definite article (Al). In the
vast majority of these times, it came together with another
Good Name of Allah, which helps in its definition and
clarification.
As such, it came together with “Al-‘Hakeem” (the Wise) 29
times, with “Al-Ra’heem” (the Merciful) 13 times, with “Al-‘Aleem”
(the Knower) 6 times, and less than that with other Good
Names, like “Al-Kareem” (the Generous), “Al-‘Hameed” (the
Praised), “Al-Wahhab” (the Bestower), “Al-Ghaffar”
(the Forgiving), “Al-Ghafoor” (the Forgiver), “Al-Qawiy”
(the Powerful), “Al-Jabbar” (the Compeller), as well as
without the definite article, as “Muqtadir” (Competent), and
“Dhu Intiqam” (the Vengeful).
Linguistically, the Name of "Al-'Azeez" is derived from the
Arabic verb /’azza/, which means to be rare, high in
position and rank, and in power. Thus, "Al-'Azeez" means the
Mighty, the Invincible, and the glorious. Examples of these
meanings can be found in the Holy Quran, such as in verses
3: 26, 4: 139, and 63: 8, as follows:
[43] Þõáö Çááøóåõãøó ãóÇáößó Çáúãõáúßö ÊõÄúÊöí Çáúãõáúßó ãóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ æóÊóäÒöÚõ Çáúãõáúßó ãöãøóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ æóÊõÚöÒøõ ãóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ æóÊõÐöáøõ ãóä ÊóÔóÇÁõ ۖ ÈöíóÏößó ÇáúÎóíúÑõ ۖ Åöäøóßó Úóáóìٰ ßõáøö ÔóíúÁò ÞóÏöíÑñ (Âáö ÚöãÑÇä ¡ 3: 26).ÇáøóÐöíäó íóÊøóÎöÐõæäó ÇáúßóÇÝöÑöíäó ÃóæúáöíóÇÁó ãöä Ïõæäö ÇáúãõÄúãöäöíäó ۚ ÃóíóÈúÊóÛõæäó ÚöäÏóåõãõ ÇáúÚöÒøóÉó ÝóÅöäøó ÇáúÚöÒøóÉó áöáøóåö ÌóãöíÚðÇ ý(ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 139).æóáöáøóåö ÇáúÚöÒøóÉõ æóáöÑóÓõæáöåö æóáöáúãõÄúãöäöíäó (ÇáãäÇÝÞæä ¡ 63: 8)
Say, "O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to
whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You
will.
You empower whom You will and You humiliate whom You will.
In Your hand is (all) good. Indeed, You are Capable (of
doing) everything (Al-i-‘Imran, 3: 26).
Those who take disbelievers as allies instead of the
believers. Do they seek with them
power?
But indeed,
(all)
power
(might)
belongs to Allah entirely (Al-Nissa, 4: 139).
And to Allah belongs (all)
power
(might),
and to His Messenger, and to the believers (Al-Munafiqoon,
63: 8).
Ibn Katheer agreed with Al-Tabari on that "Al-'Azeez"
is the Mighty (Powerful), Who is capable of doing anything
He wants. Al-Qurtubi added that "Al-'Azeez" is the
Victorious Who cannot be defeated, and nobody is like Him.
He is the Noble, Majestic, Empowering, and rare in His
existence but He is capable of doing what He wants, unlike
other rare things, which are helpless.
In conclusion, “Al-‘Azeez” is the Mighty, Who is the source
of ultimate power, protection, perfection, and elevation.
Whoever is seeking these traits from anybody other than
Allah, he/she will go astray. However, those who seek these
traits from Allah, they are on His right path, as He is the
source of all honorable power, as mentioned in verse 35: 10. ãóä ßóÇäó íõÑöíÏõ ÇáúÚöÒøóÉó Ýóáöáøóåö ÇáúÚöÒøóÉõ ÌóãöíÚðÇ ۚ (ÝÇØÑ ¡ 35: 10).
Whoever desires honorable power, then to Allah belongs all
honorable power (Fatir, 35: 10). Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it, "Ya ‘Azeez” (O, You, the Rare in His Honorable Might), asking Him to empower the caller to stay on the right path in this life, to be rewarded with the ultimate prize, with life in His Paradise forever, in the hereafter. Only Allah, praise to Him, is "Al-‘Azeez" (The Rare in Might), Who is dominant, more powerful, and more capable than all of His creations. So, nobody should be called as such, with the definite article (Al), except Him. However, this Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-‘Azeez” (Worshipper of the Rare in Might). In addition, boys and girls can be named as "’Azeez" and “’Azeeza,” respectively, without the definite article (Al), as humans have some of these traits of power, capability, and dominance, during their lower life on Earth. So, those who are given some of these characteristics should use them in a way that pleases “Al-‘Azeez,” the Lord of, Source and Bestower of any rare and honorable might. ***
18. Al-Jabbar: The Compeller ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ
“Al-Jabbar” (The Compeller)
is one of the Good Name of Allah. It was mentioned
once in the Holy Quran,
with
the definite article (Al), in verse 59: 23.
åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó Çáúãóáößõ
ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ
ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ
ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ
ÇáúãõÊóßóÈøöÑõ ۚ ÓõÈúÍóÇäó Çááøóåö ÚóãøóÇ íõÔúÑößõæäó
(ÇáÍÔÑ ¡
59:
23). He is Allah, there is no other god than He, the King (Sovereign), the Holy, the Peace, the Believer in His Godhood, the Predominant, the Rare in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 23).
"Al-Jabbar" is derived from the Arabic verb “jabara,” which
means to “compel” broken bones to be straightened up and
healed. It also means to “compel” (force) somebody to do
something. In algebra, it means to substitute a number with
a letter or a symbol.
Thus, "Al-Jabbar" means "The Compeller," who compels
(forces) parts of His dominion to follow His rules and His
creations to follow His commands. So, He is the straightener
(the reformer) of His creations, and the punisher of the
tyrants and the disobedient among them in the hereafter.
The word “jabbar,” in its singular and plural forms, is
mentioned 9 times in the Holy Quran,
without
the definite article (Al), to mean strong, compeller, or
tyrant. It was a description of ancient Palestinians
(in Al-Ma-ida, 5: 22),
of 'Aad, the people of Hood, pbuh, who followed their
obstinate tyrant leaders (in
Hood, 11: 59), of
obstinate tyrants in general )in
Ibrahim, 14: 15(,
Prophet Ya’hya (John the Baptist), pbuh, who was not a
disobedient tyrant )in
Maryam, 19: 14(, the
Messiah, Jesus, pbuh, who was not a wretched tyrant (in
Maryam, 19: 32), Aad, the people of Hood, pbuh, who used to
kill people without the right to do so (in Al-Shu’ara, 26:
130), a reminder by an Egyptian man to Moussa (Moses), pbuh,
to be a reformer, not a corruptor on the land (in Al-Qasas,
28: 19), the one who disputed signs of Allah is an arrogant
tyrant (in Ghafir, 40: 35), and a reminder from
Allah, praise to Him, to His Messenger, pbbuh, that his job
is to teach people with the Holy Quran, not to compel
(force) them to believe, as they have the choice, then they
will be held accountable to their choices in the hereafter
(in Qaf, 50: 45). Rather, only Allah, the Compeller, is capable to force all of His creations to stand before Him for reckoning, on the Last Day, including His Messengers, like ‘Eissa (Jesus) and the closest angels, as we read in verse 4: 172. áøóä íóÓúÊóäßöÝó ÇáúãóÓöíÍõ Ãóä íóßõæäó ÚóÈúÏðÇ áøöáøóåö æóáóÇ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ÇáúãõÞóÑøóÈõæäó ۚ æóãóä íóÓúÊóäßöÝú Úóäú ÚöÈóÇÏóÊöåö æóíóÓúÊóßúÈöÑú ÝóÓóíóÍúÔõÑõåõãú Åöáóíúåö ÌóãöíÚðÇ (ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 172).
The Messiah does not disdain to be a
worshipper of Allah,
nor do the closest angels (to Allah). Whoever
disdains His worship
and is too arrogant (to worship Allah), He
will gather all of them to Him (Al-Nissa, 4: 172). Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it: "Allahumma, Ya Jabbar” (O, Allah, You the Compeller), You are the Exacter of Revenge on the tyrants and the oppressors, on the Day of Reckoning. Shield us of their evils and plots and guide us to Your right path. Only Allah, praise to Him, is "Al-Jabbar" (The Compeller). So, nobody other than Him should be called as such, with the definite article (Al). No Muslim should also be named as “Jabbar,” without the definite article (Al), because it is a description of the obstinate, disobedient, and tyrants. However, this Good Name of Allah can be included in a name given to boys, “Abdul-Jabbar” (Worshipper of the Compeller). Living up to the meanings of this Good Name of Allah means that a believer should not become an obstinate, disobedient, or tyrant, oppressing people. Instead, a believer should be kind and merciful, not only towards family members and relatives, but also towards people in general. In all what he/she says and does, a believer should struggle to please Allah, “Al-Jabbar” (the Compeller), Who will compel His creations to stand for reckoning before Him, on the Day when He will be the only Compeller, praise to Him. *** 19. Al-Mutakabbir: The Superior ÇáúãõÊóßóÈöøÑõ
"Al-Mutakabbir" is a Good Name of Allah, which was
mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in verse 59: 23.
åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó Çáúãóáößõ
ÇáúÞõÏøõæÓõ ÇáÓøóáóÇãõ
ÇáúãõÄúãöäõ Çáúãõåóíúãöäõ
ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÌóÈøóÇÑõ
ÇáúãõÊóßóÈøöÑõ ۚ
ÓõÈúÍóÇäó Çááøóåö ÚóãøóÇ íõÔúÑößõæäó
(ÇáÍÔÑ ¡
59: 23). He is Allah, there is no other god than He, the King (Sovereign), the Holy, the Peace, the Believer in His Godhood, the Predominant, the Rare in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 23).
Linguistically, "Al-Mutakabbir" (The Superior) is an
adjective, derived from the Arabic verb “kabura, which means
to become greater and higher. Thus, when applying it to
Allah, praise to Him, it means “The Superior,” Who is
Greater and Higher in position and capabilities than His
creations, no matter how great or high they become. So, He
deserves to be worshipped by them, with praise and thanks,
due to their creation and the countless blessings He bestows
on them.
In his
interpretation of verse 59: 23, Al-Tabari and Ibn
Katheer mentioned that
"Al-Mutakabbir" is the One Who is greater than everything.
Al-Qurtubi elaborated saying that He is the Great,
the High, Who became Greater by His Lordship (as a God). So,
nothing is like Him. He is also the Elevated above all bad
qualities (people may have).
The word
"Mutakabbir,"
was mentioned in the Holy Quran, as a singular, indefinite
adjective, to mean “an
arrogant
person,”
who does not believe in the Day of Reckoning (Ghafir,
40: 27), and the one who disputes the signs of Allah without
knowledge about them (Ghafir, 40: 35).
The word
"Al-Mutakabbireen,"
was mentioned in the Holy Quran, as a plural, definite
adjective, to refer to the “arrogant
persons,”
who disbelieve in Allah (Ghafir, 40: 72), who do
injustice to themselves (Al-Na’hl, 16: 29), who
disbelieve in the signs of Allah (Al-Zumar, 39: 60), and who
disbelieve in His Messengers (Al-Zumar, 39: 72). Such
categories of people will be punished in the hereafter, for
their arrogance during their lower life. The Prophet, pbbuh,
also told us that such arrogant categories of people will
not enter Paradise.
[44]
As a conclusion, Allah, praise to Him is “The Superior” (Al-Mutakabbir)
because He is Greater and Higher than anything and anyone,
due to being the Creator and the Lord of His dominion, as
well as the Beneficent, who benefits all of His creations. Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by
calling upon Him, with it, saying: "Allahumma, Ya Mutakabbir”
(O, Allah, You the Superior)! You are greater and higher
than any of Your Creations, in status, rank, and capability.
I praise and thank You for Your countless favors,
particularly enabling me to be humble before You and with
your believing worshippers. I ask you to shield me from the
ill intentions of the arrogant ones in this life. Living up to the meanings of this Good Name of Allah means that a believer should not be arrogant, despising people and boasting that he/she is better than them because of body features, genealogy, or wealth. He/she should not do that because we are all God’s creations, descendants of Adam (homo sapiens sapiens), and our possession of wealth is for a very short time, which ends after death. Instead, a believer needs to be a humble person, realizing and acknowledging that the only One Who is truly “Mutakabbir” (Superior) is Allah, for who He is, as the God of His creations, praise to Him. ***
20. Al-Khaliq: The Creator ÇáúÎóÇáöÞõ
This Good Name of Allah contains two sounds, which have no
equivalence in the English alphabet. The underlined letters
"kh" refer to the seventh letter of the Arabic
alphabet. The letter "q" is the closest translation of the
twentieth letter of the Arabic alphabet. “Al-Khaliq” (The Creator) was mentioned once in the Holy Quran with the definite article (Al), in verse 59: 24, and five times without it, as in verse 6: 102. It was also mentioned as the act of creation in three other verses. [45]åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáúÎóÇáöÞõ ÇáúÈóÇÑöÆõ ÇáúãõÕóæøöÑõ ۖ áóåõ ÇáúÃóÓúãóÇÁõ ÇáúÍõÓúäóìٰ ۚ íõÓóÈøöÍõ áóåõ ãóÇ Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۖ æóåõæó ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÍóßöíãõ (ÇáÍÔÑ ¡ 59: 24).
Ðóٰáößõãõ Çááøóåõ ÑóÈøõßõãú ۖ áóÇ
Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ۖ
ÎóÇáöÞõ
ßõáøö ÔóíúÁò ÝóÇÚúÈõÏõæåõ ۚ æóåõæó Úóáóìٰ ßõáøö ÔóíúÁò
æóßöíáñ
(ÇáÃäÚÇã ¡ 6: 102).
He is Allah,
the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to
Him belong the Good Names. Whatever is in the heavens and
the Earth is exalting Him. And He is the Rare in Might, the
Wise (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 24).
That is Allah,
your Lord; there is no deity except Him,
the
Creator of everything, so
worship Him. And He is a Patron of everything (Al-An’am, 6:
102).
***
"Al-Khaliq" (The Creator) is derived from the Arabic
verb “khalaqa,” which means “to bring something from
non-existence to existence.” This meaning does not apply to
anybody else except Allah, praise to Him, Who is the Creator
of something out of nothing, as stated in verse 52: 35, Who
is the Creator of everything (6: 102), including the
creation of the heavens and the Earth (52: 36). Ãóãú ÎõáöÞõæÇ ãöäú ÛóíúÑö ÔóíúÁò Ãóãú åõãõ ÇáúÎóÇáöÞõæäó (ÇáØæÑ ¡ 52: 35).Ãóãú ÎóáóÞõæÇ ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖó ۚ Èóá áøóÇ íõæÞöäõæäó (ÇáØæÑ ¡ 52: 36).Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators (of themselves)? (Al-Tour, 52: 35).
Or did they
create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they
are not certain (Al-Tour, 52: 36).
In his interpretation of verse 59: 24 and other verses about
creation, which mention determination (Al-Furqan, 25: 2),
decreeing (Al-Baqara, 2: 117), the will and the being (Ya-Seen,
36: 82), Al-Tabari mentioned that “the Creator” is
the only deity Who is worthy of worship. Al-Qurtubi
said that the Creator is the determinator. He was followed
by Ibn Katheer, who said that creation is determination.
They both agreed with Al-Tabari on that creation
passes through three stages, starting with the
determination, followed by decreeing (with the word “Be”),
and existence (it is). ... æóÎóáóÞó ßõáøó ÔóíúÁò ÝóÞóÏøóÑóåõ ÊóÞúÏöíÑðÇ (ÇáÝÑÞÇä ¡ 25: 2).ÈóÏöíÚõ ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۖ æóÅöÐóÇ ÞóÖóìٰ ÃóãúÑðÇ ÝóÅöäøóãóÇ íóÞõæáõ áóåõ ßõä Ýóíóßõæäõ (ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 117).ÃóæóáóíúÓó ÇáøóÐöí ÎóáóÞó ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖó ÈöÞóÇÏöÑò Úóáóìٰ Ãóä íóÎúáõÞó ãöËúáóåõã ۚ Èóáóìٰ æóåõæó ÇáúÎóáøóÇÞõ ÇáúÚóáöíãõ ý ﴿٨١﴾þ ÅöäøóãóÇ ÃóãúÑõåõ ÅöÐóÇ ÃóÑóÇÏó ÔóíúÆðÇ Ãóä íóÞõæáó áóåõ ßõä Ýóíóßõæäõ ý﴿٨٢﴾ (íÓ ¡ 36: 81-82).
(He) has
created
each thing by determining it with (precise
and measured) determination (Al-Furqan, 25: 2).
Originator of the heavens and the Earth. When He
decrees
a
matter, He says to it,
"Be," and it is
(Al-Baqara, 2: 117).
Is (it) not, (that He) Who
created the heavens and
the Earth able to create the likes of them? Yes, (it
is so), and He is the Constant Creator, the Knowing.
(81) His command is only when He wants a thing that
He says to it, "Be," and it is. (82) (Ya-Seen, 38:
81-82).
Al-Tabari interpreted the verb “qadha,” in
verse 2: 117, to mean “determined” (or ruled), and the verb
“kun” (be), as an imperative, commanding a non-existent
thing to exist. This means that Allah, praise to Him, is
knowledgeable of every existent thing before its existence.
In other words, He commands things to come out from the
state of non-existence to the state of existence, as a
result of His knowledge of it in its state of non-existence.
Al-Qurtubi interpreted the verb “qadha,” to
mean “created,” in verse 41: 12, which states: “And He
created them as seven heavens within two days and inspired
in each heaven its command” (Fussilat, 41: 12). Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it: "Allahumma, Ya Khaliq” (O, Allah, You are the Creator of everything). We praise and thank You for creating us and for giving us life. We ask You to make these two favors as blessings for us, by guiding us to your right path of worship and good deeds in this life, so we can gain Your contentment and Your Paradise, in the hereafter. No person, whether it is an angel, a jinni, or a human being, can be named as “Al-Khaliq” (the Creator), as only Allah, praise to Him, is the only One Who brings out non-existent things to existence, like He did to the heavens, the Earth, and those who exist in and between them. However, a boy can be named as “’Abdul-Khaliq” (Worshipper of the Creator), which is an appreciation for this great and exclusive capability of Allah and a recognition of His divinity and Lordship over all of His creations. It’s noteworthy that there are several other Good Names of Allah, which are related to His capability of creation. These are Al-Khallaq, A’hsanul Khaliqeen, Al-Bari’, Al-Fatir, Al-Badee’u, Al-Musawwiru (The Constant Creator, the Best of Creators, the Maker, the First Creator, the originator, the Fashioner).***
21.
Al-Khallaq:
The
Creative
and Constant Creator
ÇáúÎóáøóÇÞõ
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran with the definite article (Al), in verses 15: 86 and 36: 81, as follows: Åöäøó ÑóÈøóßó åõæó ÇáúÎóáøóÇÞõ ÇáúÚóáöíãõ (ÇáÍÌÑ ¡ 15: 86).ÃóæóáóíúÓó ÇáøóÐöí ÎóáóÞó ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖó ÈöÞóÇÏöÑò Úóáóìٰ Ãóä íóÎúáõÞó ãöËúáóåõã ۚ Èóáóìٰ æóåõæó ÇáúÎóáøóÇÞõ ÇáúÚóáöíãõ ý﴿٨١﴾þ ÅöäøóãóÇ ÃóãúÑõåõ ÅöÐóÇ ÃóÑóÇÏó ÔóíúÆðÇ Ãóä íóÞõæáó áóåõ ßõä Ýóíóßõæäõ ý ﴿٨٢﴾þ (íÓ ¡ 36: 81).
Indeed, your Lord is
the
Creative Creator,
the Knowing (Al-‘Hijr, 15: 86).
Is not He who created the heavens and the Earth able to
create the likes of them? Yes, ([it is so), and He is
the Creative Creator,
the Knowing. (81) His command is only when He wants a thing
that He says to it, "Be," and it is. (82) (Ya-Seen, 36: 81).
Linguistically, “Al-Khallaq” means the creative and
the inventor. Al-Tabari mentioned that it means the
One Who creates whatever He wills and the doer of whatever
He wants.
Al-Qurtubi said that it is an intensive (magnifying)
form of “Al-Khaliq” (the Creator), as He creates one
creation after another. It also means that He is the
determiner of creation, the One Who does creation.
Ibn Katheer pointed to the same meaning, saying that “Al-Khallaq”
is a reference to God’s capability to recreate His creation.
He is also capable of starting the Hour (the first event of
the Last Day). He can create whatever He wills.
Thus, “Al-Khallaq” is a trait of Allah, praise to
Him, which refers to His constant (continuous) ability to
create new creations and recreate past creations, like the
heavens and the Earth as well as those who lived in and on
them, whenever and wherever He wants. Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it: "Allahumma, Ya Khallaq, Ya ‘Aleem” (O, Allah, You are the Creative and Constant Creator, You know what to create and when), I am asking You to give me the best of this life and the best of the hereafter. No person, whether it is an angel, a jinni, or a human being, can be named as “Al-Khallaq”, as only Allah, praise to Him, is the only One Who is capable of constant and creative creation, bringing out non-existent things to existence, like He did to the heavens, the Earth, and those who exist in and between them. However, a boy can be named as “’Abdul-Khallaq,” which is an appreciation for this great and exclusive capability of Allah and a recognition of His divinity and Lordship over all of His creations, though this author is unaware of naming a person as such. ***
22.
A'hsan
Al-Khaliqeen
(pronounced
as
A'hsanul
Khaliqeen):
The Best of Creators
This Good Name of Allah, "A'hsanul Khaliqeen" (The
Best of Creators), is a derivative of the same root verb /khalaqa/,
from which "Al-Khaliq," listed above, was also derived. It
was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran, in verses 23: 14 and
37: 125, as follows: Ëõãøó ÎóáóÞúäóÇ ÇáäøõØúÝóÉó ÚóáóÞóÉð ÝóÎóáóÞúäóÇ ÇáúÚóáóÞóÉó ãõÖúÛóÉð ÝóÎóáóÞúäóÇ ÇáúãõÖúÛóÉó ÚöÙóÇãðÇ ÝóßóÓóæúäóÇ ÇáúÚöÙóÇãó áóÍúãðÇ Ëõãøó ÃóäÔóÃúäóÇåõ ÎóáúÞðÇ ÂÎóÑó ۚ ÝóÊóÈóÇÑóßó Çááøóåõ ÃóÍúÓóäõ ÇáúÎóÇáöÞöíäó (ÇáãÄãäæä ¡ 23: 14).æóÅöäøó ÅöáúíóÇÓó áóãöäó ÇáúãõÑúÓóáöíäó ý ﴿١٢٣﴾þ ÅöÐú ÞóÇáó áöÞóæúãöåö ÃóáóÇ ÊóÊøóÞõæäó ý﴿١٢٤﴾þ ÃóÊóÏúÚõæäó ÈóÚúáðÇ æóÊóÐóÑõæäó ÃóÍúÓóäó ÇáúÎóÇáöÞöíäó ý﴿١٢٥﴾ (ÇáÕÇÝÇÊ ¡ 37: 125).
Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We
made the clot into a lump (of flesh), and We made (from) the
lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh. Then, We
developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah,
the Best of Creators
(Al-Muminoon, 23: 14).
And indeed, Elyas was from among the Messengers, (123) When
he said to his people, "Will you not avoid (God’s
punishment)? (124) Do you call upon Ba'l and leave
the Best of Creators
- (125) (Al-Saffat, 37: 125).
In his interpretation of verse 23: 14, Al-Tabari
mentioned Mujahid’s explanation that Arabs used to describe
makers as creators. So, people make things and Allah makes
things, but Allah is the best of the makers, in the way He
determines, measures, and executes that which He wants to
create.
An example of applying the concept of creation to people is
how a carpenter makes a piece of furniture. He may measure
the wood, estimating the needed lengths and widths, then He
cuts the wood. He may also cut the wood first, as he wishes,
then he may modify it as he wishes.
Further, Allah, praise to Him, is the Best of Creators, in
comparison with His worshipper, ‘Eissa (Jesus), pbuh, who
used to design from clay that which is like the form of a
bird, then he would breathe into it, and it becomes a bird
“by permission of Allah”
(Al-i-‘Imran, 3: 49).
Moreover, in his interpretation of verse 37: 125, Al-Tabari mentioned the story of Prophet Elyas, who advised the Israelites to worship Allah, the Best of Creators, instead of statue of the fake deity, Ba’l, who was neither capable to harm them nor benefit them. Al-Qurtubi added to that which was mentioned by Al-Tabari, saying that "A'hsanul Khaliqeen" (The Best of Creators) is different from other makers, including ‘Eissa (Jesus), pbuh, in that He makes (creates) a thing out of nothing (He brings out a thing from non-existence to existence, while they only make things out of existent things). This Good Name also means that Allah, praise to Him, is the best in perfecting what He makes (creates), as mentioned in verse 27: 88. æóÊóÑóì ÇáúÌöÈóÇáó ÊóÍúÓóÈõåóÇ ÌóÇãöÏóÉð æóåöíó ÊóãõÑøõ ãóÑøó ÇáÓøóÍóÇÈö ۚ ÕõäúÚó Çááøóåö ÇáøóÐöí ÃóÊúÞóäó ßõáøó ÔóíúÁò ۚ Åöäøóåõ ÎóÈöíÑñ ÈöãóÇ ÊóÝúÚóáõæäó (ÇáäÌã ¡ 27: 88). And you see the mountains, thinking them rigid, while they will pass as the passing of clouds.(It is) the work of Allah, who perfected everything (He made). Indeed, He is Acquainted with that which you do (Al-Najm, 27: 88). Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it, "Ya A'hsanul Khaliqeen" (O, You, the Best of Creators). You are the only One Who is capable of bringing out non-existent things to existence, while others create from that which you created before. I am asking You to give me the best of this life and the best of the hereafter. As such, no person, whether it is an angel, a jinni, or a human being, can be named as "A'hsanul Khaliqeen" (the Best Creator), as this capability is an exclusive trait of Allah, praise to Him. However, a boy can be named as “’Abdul-Khaliq” (worshipper of the Creator), which is an appreciation for this great of Allah and a recognition of His divinity and Lordship over all of His creations. ***
23.
Al-Bari'u:
The Maker, The Inventor, The The Curer
ÇáúÈóÇÑöÆõ
Al-Bari'u (the apostrophe between the letters "i" and u
refers to a glottal stop) means "The Maker who makes one
distinct thing from another." Allah, praise to Him, created
every living thing from water and He created humans from
clay.
This Good Name of Allah, "Al-Bari'u" (The Maker, The
Inventor) is mentioned once in the Holy Quran, with the
definite article (Al), in verses 59: 24, and twice without
it in verse 2: 54, as follows:
åõæó Çááøóåõ ÇáúÎóÇáöÞõ ÇáúÈóÇÑöÆõ ÇáúãõÕóæøöÑõ ۖ áóåõ ÇáúÃóÓúãóÇÁõ ÇáúÍõÓúäóìٰ ۚ íõÓóÈøöÍõ áóåõ ãóÇ Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۖ æóåõæó ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÍóßöíãõ (ÇáÍÔÑ ¡ 59: 24).
æóÅöÐú ÞóÇáó ãõæÓóìٰ áöÞóæúãöåö íóÇ Þóæúãö Åöäøóßõãú
ÙóáóãúÊõãú ÃóäÝõÓóßõã ÈöÇÊøöÎóÇÐößõãõ ÇáúÚöÌúáó ÝóÊõæÈõæÇ
Åöáóìٰ
ÈóÇÑöÆößõãú
ÝóÇÞúÊõáõæÇ ÃóäÝõÓóßõãú Ðóٰáößõãú ÎóíúÑñ áøóßõãú ÚöäÏó
ÈóÇÑöÆößõãú
ÝóÊóÇÈó Úóáóíúßõãú ۚ Åöäøóåõ åõæó ÇáÊøóæøóÇÈõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ
ý(ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 59). He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the Good Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the Earth is exalting Him. And He is the Rare in Might, the Wise (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 24).
And (recall) when Moussa (Moses) said to his people, "O my
people, indeed you have done injustice to yourselves by your
taking of the calf (for worship). So, repent to
your
Maker
and kill yourselves. That is better for you with (in the
sight of) your
Maker."
Then, He accepted your repentance. Indeed, He is the
Accepting of repentance, the Merciful (Al-Baqara, 2: 54).
***
In his interpretation of verse 59: 24 of the Holy Quran, Al-Tabari
mentioned that “Al-Bari'u” (The Maker, The Inventor) is the
One Who brought His creations to existence, with His own
capability. Ibn Katheer added that He is the One Who
implemented and brought to existence that which He
determined and decided. He is alone in doing so because “not
everyone who determines a thing is capable of implementing
his/her determination and bringing it into existence.
Al-Qurtubi provided a more elaborate explanation,
particularly in his book, “Al-Asna,” saying that “Al-Bari'u”
is the Maker and the Inventor. Nobody, other than Allah,
should be named or described as such. So, while Allah is the
Maker and the Inventor, His creations are the made and
invented.
Moreover, Al-Qurtubi differentiated between the
meanings of the four related Good Names of Allah: Al-Bari'u
(The Maker), Al-Khaliq (The Creator), Al-Badee’u (The
Originator), and Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner).
He pointed that Al-Bari'u (The Maker) is different from Al-Khaliq
(The Creator) in that it means bringing a thing into
existence without determination or fashioning.
Al-Bari'u (The Maker) is different from Al-Musawwir (The
Fashioner) in that it means bringing into existence that
which is non-existence, while Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner)
refers to fashioning creations after their existence.
Finally,
Al-Bari'u (The Maker) is the One Who originated the creation
of water, dirt, fire, and air out of nothing. Then, He
created other creations out of them. Thus, Al-Bari'u (The
Maker) is also Al-Badee’u (The Orininator). However, it is
different from Al-Badee’u (The Orininator) in that Allah was
knowledgeable of that which He originated before originating
it.
Another meaning of Al-Bari'u is the Curer. Believers call on
Allah with this Name when they ask Him to cure them. This
meaning is derived from the meaning of the Arabic verbs,
which refer to the act of healing performed by ‘Eissa
(Jesus), pbuh, as mentioned in verses 3: 49 and 5: 110.
æóÃõÈúÑöÆõ
ÇáúÃóßúãóåó æóÇáúÃóÈúÑóÕó
(Âáö ÚöãÑÇä ¡
3: 49).
æóÊõÈúÑöÆõ
ÇáúÃóßúãóåó æóÇáúÃóÈúÑóÕó ÈöÅöÐúäöí
ۖ
(ÇáãÇÆÏÉ ¡ 5: 110).
…
I cure
the blind and the leper
(Al-i-‘Imran, 3: 49).
… and you cured the blind and the leper with My permission (Al-Ma-ida, 5: 110). Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it, “Allahumma, Anta Al-Bari'u” (O, Allah, You are the Maker, the Inventor, and the Curer). You created everything from water, and You created humans from clay, praise to You. I am asking You for Your guidance and support in this matter, which I am going to start. I am also asking You to cure me from this illness, which I have been suffering from. Nobody should be named as “Al-Bari'u,” with the definite article (Al), or without it, as only Allah, praise to Him, is the One Who is the Maker and the Inventor, Who created the primary elements, from which other things were created. However, a boy can be named as “’Abdul-Bari,” (Worshipper of the Maker), which is an appreciation for this great and exclusive capability of Allah and a recognition of His divinity and Lordship over all of His creations. ***
24.
Al-Badee’u:
The Originator
ÇáúÈóÏöíÚõ
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy
Quran without the definite article (Al), as “Badee’u,” in verses
2: 117 and 6: 101, as follows:
ÈóÏöíÚõ
ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۖ æóÅöÐóÇ ÞóÖóìٰ ÃóãúÑðÇ
ÝóÅöäøóãóÇ íóÞõæáõ áóåõ ßõä Ýóíóßõæäõ
(ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 117).
ÈóÏöíÚõ
ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۖ Ãóäøóìٰ íóßõæäõ áóåõ æóáóÏñ
æóáóãú Êóßõä áøóåõ ÕóÇÍöÈóÉñ ۖ æóÎóáóÞó ßõáøó ÔóíúÁò ۖ
æóåõæó Èößõáøö ÔóíúÁò Úóáöíãñ
(ÇáÃäÚÇã ¡ 6: 101).
(He is)
Originator
of the heavens and the Earth. When He decrees a matter, He
only says to it, "Be," and it is (Al-Baqara, 2: 117).
(He is)
Originator
of the heavens and the Earth. How could He have a son when
He does not have a companion and He created everything? And
He is, of all things, Knowing (Al-An’am,
6: 101).
Al-Qurtubi agreed with Al-Tabari on that "Al-Badee’u" of the heavens and the Earth is the One Who originated them, which means the One Who invented them and brought them into existence. Ibn Katheer supported this interpretation, saying that "Al-Badee’u" is the Creator of the heavens and the Earth, in a form that did not exist before, which means that He is the Originator of that which He creates, and nobody did that before Him.
Al-Qurtubi elaborated on the meaning of "Al-Badee’u,"
mentioning that this Name is a derivative of the Arabic verb
“bada-a,” which means to originate things. So, "Al-Badee’u"
is the One Who originated things in the sense that He was
the first in bringing them out to existence. He is also the
One Who creates things as He wills, anew, amazing, and
without resemblance to any existent thing before. This
meaning is derived a verse in the Holy Quran, which states
that Prophet Muhammed, pbbuh, was not the first Messenger of
Allah: “Say,
"I am not something original (the first) among the
messengers” (Al-A’hqaf, 46: 9).
Thus, "Al-Badee’u," is the Originator of the heavens and the Earth. Nobody preceded Him in doing so. He originated them in an amazing beauty, perfection, and functionality. Exalted is Allah, the Best of Creators.
Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is
by calling upon Him, with it, “Al-Badee’u” (The Originator),
asking Him for anything good to happen to the caller and
others, such as help in starting a good effort or a good
deed.
Nobody should be named as “Al- Badee’,” with the definite article (Al), as only Allah, praise to Him, is the Originator of that which He created (the heavens, the Earth, and what is in and between them). However, a boy can be named as “’Abdul-Badee’,” (Worshipper of the Originator), which is an appreciation for this great and exclusive capability of Allah and a recognition of His divinity and Lordship over all of His creations.
***
25.
Al-Fatir:
The Original Creator
ÇáÝóÇØöÑõ
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned six times in the Holy
Quran, without the definite article
(Al), “Fatir,"
in verses 6: 14; 12: 101; 14: 10; 35: 1; 39: 46; and 42: 11.
In all these verses, “Fatir,"
was mentioned as the Creator of the heavens and the Earth,
as in verse 35: 1.
[46]
ÇáúÍóãúÏõ áöáøóåö
ÝóÇØöÑö
ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö
(ÝÇØÑ ¡ 35: 1).
(All) praise is (due) to Allah,
Original Creator
of the heavens and the Earth (Fatir, 35: 1).
The Name “Fatir" is derived from the Arabic verb “fatara,” which is mentioned in the past tense 8 times, in reference to Allah, Who “created.” It came to mean that Allah, praise to Him, “created” the heavens and the Earth, in their original form (Al-An’am, 6: 79), “created” the Prophet, pbbuh (Hood, 11: 51), “created” human beings in their lower life (Al-Issra, 17: 51), “created” them the Egyptian magicians (Ta-Ha, 20: 72), “created” the heavens and the Earth (Al-Anbiya, 21: 56), “created” people (Al-Room, 30: 30), “created” the man who warned his people (Ya-Seen, 36: 22), “created” Ibrahim (Al-Zukhruf, 43: 27). The root verb “fatara” (to create) also came twice in the present tense, once in the future tense, and once as an adjective, in reference to heavens “rupturing” or “cracking” or “breaking apart,” as follows: The heavens “rupture” or “crack” for hearing the blasphemous claim that Allah, praise to Him, has a son (in Maryam, 19: 90), and the heavens are about to rupture or crack when people take somebody else other than Allah as their patron or guardian (Al-Shoura, 42: 5), and on the Last Day, the heaven “will rupture or break apart” (Al-Infitar, 82: 1) and the heaven is cracked or broken apart on the Last Day (Al-Muzzamil, 73: 18). [47]Thus, "Fatir" of the heavens and the Earth means the One Who created them, which means that He was their Originator and Inventor, who brought them out of non-existence. Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by calling upon Him, with it, “Allahumma, You are Fatir es-samawati wal ardh” (O, Allah, You are the Original Creator of the heavens and the Earth). I am asking You to guide me to your straight, and to give me the best, in this life and the hereafter. Nobody should be named as “Al-Fatir,” with the definite article (Al), or without it, as only Allah, praise to Him, is the Original Creator of the heavens and the Earth and what is in and between them. However, a boy can be named as “Abdul-Fatir,” (Worshipper of the Original Creator), as an appreciation for this great and exclusive capability of Allah and a recognition of His divinity and Lordship over all of His creations. ***
26. Al-Musawwir: The Fashioner, The Shaper ÇáúãõÕóæöøÑõ
"Al-Musawwir," as a Good Name of Allah, means that
He, praise to Him, fashions His creation with the shape He
wills. It was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in verse 59
:24, as follows:
åõæó Çááøóåõ
ÇáúÎóÇáöÞõ ÇáúÈóÇÑöÆõ
ÇáúãõÕóæøöÑõ ۖ áóåõ ÇáúÃóÓúãóÇÁõ
ÇáúÍõÓúäóìٰ ۚ íõÓóÈøöÍõ áóåõ ãóÇ Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö
æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۖ æóåõæó ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÍóßöíãõ
(ÇáÍÔÑ ¡ 59: 24). He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the Good Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the Earth is exalting Him. And He is the Rare in Might, the Wise (Al-‘Hashr, 59: 24).
In his interpretation of verse 59: 24, Al-Tabari
mentioned that "Al-Musawwir"
is the One Who creates His creations as He wills. Al-Qurtubi
defined "Al-Musawwir" as the One Who plans the
fashions of the images He creates and assembles them in
different shapes. Ibn Katheer agreed with him and explained
the three Names of Al-Khaliq, Al-Bari’, and Al-Musawwir,
together, mentioning that He is the One Who, if He wills
something, He says to it “Be” and it is, on the form He
wants it to be, and on the image, He chooses for it.
The fashioning of images represents the fourth stage of the
first creation (by creating the first living cell),
proportioning, and straightening up (walking on two), as we
are told by verses 82: 7-8. It is the stage which preceded
the human caliphate (mandate to rule) on the Earth, as
reflected in the angels’ prostration to Adam, mentioned in
verse 7: 11, as follows:
ÇáøóÐöí ÎóáóÞóßó ÝóÓóæøóÇßó ÝóÚóÏóáóßó
ý﴿٧﴾þ
Ýöí Ãóíøö
ÕõæÑóÉò
ãøóÇ ÔóÇÁó ÑóßøóÈóßó
ý﴿٨﴾
(ÇáÇäÝØÇÑ ¡
82: 7-8).
æóáóÞóÏú ÎóáóÞúäóÇßõãú Ëõãøó
ÕóæøóÑúäóÇßõãú
Ëõãøó ÞõáúäóÇ áöáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö ÇÓúÌõÏõæÇ áöÂÏóãó ÝóÓóÌóÏõæÇ
ÅöáøóÇ ÅöÈúáöíÓó áóãú íóßõä ãøöäó ÇáÓøóÇÌöÏöíäó
(ÇáÃÚÑÇÝ ¡ 7: 11).
It is He Who created you, proportioned you, and straightened
you up (7) In whatever
image
He willed, He has assembled you (8) (Al-Infitar, 82: 8).
And We have created you, then
fashioned
you (in the human form). Then, We said to the angels,
"Prostrate to Adam." So, they prostrated, except for Iblees
(Satan), who was not of those who prostrated (Al-A’araf, 7:
11).
Verses 40: 64 and 64: 3 tell us that fashioning of images is
a reference to the Creator’s will, praise to Him, to make
humans on the best of images, in comparison with His other
creations. Verse 3: 6 mentions the fashioning of images
during the second creation, in the womb. It points to God’s
will, praise to Him, in the selection of the genetic
heredity of the fetus from parents and relatives, to form
its internal structure and its external image.
[48]
Çááøóåõ ÇáøóÐöí ÌóÚóáó áóßõãõ ÇáúÃóÑúÖó ÞóÑóÇÑðÇ
æóÇáÓøóãóÇÁó ÈöäóÇÁð
æóÕóæøóÑóßõãú
ÝóÃóÍúÓóäó
ÕõæóÑóßõãú
(ÛÇÝÑ ¡ 40: 64).
ÎóáóÞó ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖó ÈöÇáúÍóÞøö
æóÕóæøóÑóßõãú
ÝóÃóÍúÓóäó
ÕõæóÑóßõãú ۖ
æóÅöáóíúåö ÇáúãóÕöíÑõ
(ÇáÊÛÇÈä ¡ 64: 3).
åõæó ÇáøóÐöí
íõÕóæøöÑõßõãú
Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÍóÇãö ßóíúÝó íóÔóÇÁõ ۚ áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó
ÇáúÚóÒöíÒõ ÇáúÍóßöíãõ
(Âáö ÚãÑÇä ¡ 3: 6).
It is Allah who made for you the Earth a place of
settlement, and the sky a (ceiling) structure, and
fashioned
you, and made your
images
the best … (Ghafir, 40: 64).
He created the heavens and the Earth in truth, and
fashioned
you, and made your
images
the best, and to Him is the (final) destination (Al-Taghabun,
64: 3).
It is He who
fashions
you in the wombs however He wills. There is no deity except
Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise (Aali-‘Imran, 3: 6).
In his book, “Al-Asna,” Al-Qurtubi mentioned
explanations from three interpreters before him, for this
Good Name of Allah,
"Al-Musawwir."
Ibn
Al-‘Arabi’s defined it
as the One Who made His creations on different images. Al-Khatabi
explained differences as a way to enable people to know each
other. Ibn Al-‘Hassar mentioned that this Name
includes all necessary characteristics which are required in
the invention and fashioning of images. These are
capability, knowledge, selection, wisdom, and expertise.
This means that fashioning of images comes after creation,
as stated in verse 7: 11, mentioned above.
Thus, "Al-Musawwir," praise to Him, is the One Who
fashions His creations as He wills, in wonderful systems,
which enables them to function internally in the best way
possible, and to look externally in the best of images,
whether these are living beings or heavenly formations.
It is noteworthy that in our time (15th Hijri
Century / 21st Century AD), the Arabic name "Al-Musawwir"
has a different meaning from that which has been mentioned
above. It refers to the photographer, who uses a camera to
produce photographs of people, animals, plants, and natural
sceneries.
As such, he/she cannot be called a "Musawwir,"
because he/she does not intervene in making the internal
structure and the external images of the objects which
he/she photographs, as this Good Name of Allah conveys.
Instead, a more accurate name for such a person should be a
“recorder of images” or a “reflecter,” as the camera
reflects the images of the photographed objects.
Likewise, the sculptor, who makes statues and sculptures,
cannot be called a "Musawwir," as thought by Al-Qurtubi.
Though he/she mimics the external images of subjects, he/she
does not intervene in making their internal structures. In
addition, such statues are lifeless, compared with the
living creations of Allah, Who shapes their internal
structure and external images.
The closest meaning of this Good Name of Allah can be
explained by the possible jobs done by various teams of
machine makers. Making cars, for example, depends initially
on the work of a team of designers, who come up with the
ideas which they envision in a future car design. Then,
another team may be tasked with the job of finding the right
measurements and sizes of the machine components. A third
team may write down or/and draw the instructions or design
of the machine components, including measurements, sizes,
and other details. A fourth team may implement the written
instructions or the drawn design, in what is known as
manufacturing of the machine components and assembling them
together. Finally, a fifth team tests the machine
performance and functionality, to make sure that it does
what it is supposed to be doing.
Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by
calling upon Him, with it:
“Allahumma,
You are
Al-Musawwir”
(O, Allah, You are the Fashioner, the Shaper),
praise to You, there is no other god but You. I am asking
you to grant me healthy offspring, with
the best images, so they can worship You in the best way
they can and do the best of deeds.
Nobody
should
be named as
“Al-
Musawwir,”
with the definite article (Al), or without it,
as only Allah, praise to Him, is the
Fashioner (Shaper)
of humans, making them in the best proportions and images.
However, a boy can be named as “Abdul-Musawwir”
(Worshipper of the Fashioner), which is an appreciation for
this great and exclusive capability of Allah and a
recognition of His divinity and Lordship over all of His
creations. ***
27.
Ghafir
Al-Dhanb
(pronounced as ghafirudh
dhanbi):
Forgiver of Sin
ÛóÇÝöÑõ
ÇáÐøóäúÈö
This Good Name of Allah includes the underlined English
letters "gh," which represent the twelfth letter
of the Arabic alphabet. This letter is pronounced the
same way Parisians in France pronounce the letter -r-).
There are six Good Names of Allah, which are derived
from the same root verb, “ghafara” (to forgive).
These are "Ghafir Al-Dhanb" (Forgiver of
Sin), “Al-Ghafour” (the Forgiving), “Al-Ghaffar”
(the Abundantly Forgiving), “Ahlul Maghfirah”
(the Source of Forgiveness), “Wasi'ul Maghfirah”
(the Vast in Forgiveness), and “Khayr Al-Ghafireen”
(the Best of Forgivers).
The root verb “ghafara” means to forgive and to
pardon, while shielding a wrongdoing from becoming known
publicly. Ibn Katheer explained that when Allah forgives
people, He pardons them without making their wrongdoing
known to others. Al-Qurtubi elaborated,
mentioning that forgiveness is a promise that Allah,
praise to Him, made to the believers who proclaim that
there is no other god but Him. He further differentiated
between the meanings of the first three Good Names of
Allah. “Ghafir Al-Dhanb (Forgiver of Sin)
is the One Who waives sins and shields shortcomings of
sinners. “Al-Ghaffar” (the Abundantly Forgiving)
is the One Who goes too far in forgiving people and
hiding their shortcomings. “Al-Ghafour” (the
Forgiving) is the One Who does forgiveness countless
times, while shielding the wrongdoing and shortcomings
of His worshippers.
The first of these six Good Names of Allah, "Ghafir
Al-Dhanb" (the Forgiver of Sin), was mentioned
once in the Holy Quran, in verse 40: 3, without the
definite article (Al), and as the first of four compound
Good Names of Allah, as follows: ÛóÇÝöÑö ÇáÐøóäÈö æóÞóÇÈöáö ÇáÊøóæúÈö ÔóÏöíÏö ÇáúÚöÞóÇÈö Ðöí ÇáØøóæúáö ۖ áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ۖ Åöáóíúåö ÇáúãóÕöíÑõ (ÛÇÝÑ ¡ 40: 3).
The
Forgiver
of Sin,
Acceptor of Repentance, Severe in Punishment, Owner of
Abundance: There is no deity except Him; to Him is the
destination (Ghafir, 40:
3).
Allah, praise to Him, tells us that He forgives all
sins, for whoever He wills, except polytheism
(associating others as gods with Him), which is an
abject fabrication, a tremendous sin
(4: 48), and a far astray (4: 116), as we read in the
following two verses: Åöäøó Çááøóåó áóÇ íóÛúÝöÑõ Ãóä íõÔúÑóßó Èöåö æóíóÛúÝöÑõ ãóÇ Ïõæäó Ðóٰáößó áöãóä íóÔóÇÁõ ۚ æóãóä íõÔúÑößú ÈöÇááøóåö ÝóÞóÏö ÇÝúÊóÑóìٰ ÅöËúãðÇ ÚóÙöíãðÇ ý (ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 48).Åöäøó Çááøóåó áóÇ íóÛúÝöÑõ Ãóä íõÔúÑóßó Èöåö æóíóÛúÝöÑõ ãóÇ Ïõæäó Ðóٰáößó áöãóä íóÔóÇÁõ ۚ æóãóä íõÔúÑößú ÈöÇááøóåö ÝóÞóÏú Öóáøó ÖóáóÇáðÇ ÈóÚöíÏðÇ ý(ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 116).
Indeed, Allah
does not forgive
association with Him, but
He forgives
what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who
associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a
tremendous sin (Al-Nissa, 4: 48).
Indeed, Allah
does not forgive
association with Him, but
He forgives
what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who
associates others with Allah has certainly gone far
astray (Al-Nissa, 4: 116).
The rationale for the principle of forgiveness is
straightening up the life of individuals and society at
large. Otherwise, people may
continue committing sins and wrongdoing, which may
corrupt society and lead to the downfall of the human
civilization on Earth. Instead, the promise of
forgiveness gives the disobedient sinners the hope of
pardoning them, which may lead them to stop committing
sins and return back to their Lord, Who promised them
forgiveness if they repent and call on Him, asking for
forgiveness. They have been promised that their sins
will be forgiven, as long as they do not associate other
gods with Allah, praise to Him, as we learn from the two
verses mentioned above and from the ‘Hadith of the
Prophet, pbbuh, which was narrated by Anas Bin Malik,
mAbpwh.
In addition, God’s promise of forgiveness encourages
people to perform the ways of worship and the good
deeds, which result in great benefits to the performing
individuals and their societies. This was mentioned in
the ‘Hadith, which was narrated by Abu Hurayrah, mAbpwh,
about forgiveness of sins for the believers who, for
example, fast the month of Ramadhan and stand for
worship on the Night of Decree (Laylatul Qadr).
Further, the Prophet, pbbuh, gave glad tidings to the
sinners that Allah, praise to Him, will forgive them if
they repent, by purifying themselves (taking a shower),
performing prayers, and asking Him for forgiveness,
directly after committing a sin. We learn this from the
‘Hadith narrated by Abu Bakr, mAbpwh, which ended with
the following verse from the Holy Quran:
[49] æóÇáøóÐöíäó ÅöÐóÇ ÝóÚóáõæÇ ÝóÇÍöÔóÉð Ãóæú ÙóáóãõæÇ ÃóäÝõÓóåõãú ÐóßóÑõæÇ Çááøóåó ÝóÇÓúÊóÛúÝóÑõæÇ áöÐõäõæÈöåöãú æóãóä íóÛúÝöÑõ ÇáÐøõäõæÈó ÅöáøóÇ Çááøóåõ æóáóãú íõÕöÑøõæÇ Úóáóìٰ ãóÇ ÝóÚóáõæÇ æóåõãú íóÚúáóãõæäó (Âáö ÚöãÑÇä ¡ 3: 135).
And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong
themselves (by transgression), remember Allah and
seek forgiveness
for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah?
- and (who) do not persist in what they have done while
they know (Aali-‘Imran, 3: 135).
The root verb “ghafara” (to forgive) was
mentioned 4 times in the Holy Quran. The first was in
reference to God’s
forgiveness
to Moussa (Moses), pbuh, who oppressed (wronged) himself
by committing the sin of killing an Egyptian man, then
he called on Allah, praise to Him, for forgiveness (Al-Qassas,
28: 16). It was also used in mentioning God’s
forgiveness
to Dawood (David), pbuh, after he realized that he
passed a hasty ruling, then called on Allah for
forgiveness
(Sad,
38: 25). In a third verse, it was used in praising
believers who stay patient and
forgive
those who wrong them, as this shows their determination
(Al-Shoura, 42: 43). Finally, it referred to the
forgiveness
of a good man’s sins, entering him to Paradise, and
making him among the honored, for advising his people to
follow God’s Messengers (Ya-Seen, 36: 27).
[50]
Various derivatives of the root verb “ghafara”
(to forgive) were mentioned 132 times in 121 verses in
the Holy Quran. Examples of the usage of such
derivatives include the fact that Allah, praise to Him,
forgives
whoever He wills to forgive (Aali-‘Imran, 3: 129), He
commanded His Messenger, pbbuh, to ask for
forgiveness
(Al-Nissa, 4: 106), Ibrahim’s (Abraham), pbuh, promise
to ask his Lord to
forgive
his father (Maryam, 19: 47), Moussa’s (Moses), pbuh,
calling on Allah to
forgive
him and his brother (Al-A’araf, 7: 151), Shuayb’s, pbuh,
advice to his people to ask their Lord for
forgiveness
(Hood, 11: 90), God’s promise of
forgiveness
for believers (Al-Anfal, 8: 4), and that Allah does not
punish people while they are asking Him for
forgiveness
(Al-Anfal, 8: 33).
[51]
Applying knowledge about this Good Name of Allah is by
calling upon Him, with it:
“Allahumma,
You are
"Ghafir
Al-Dhanb" (Forgiver of Sin),
praise to You, there is no other god but You. I am
asking you as Your Messenger Ibrahim, pbuh, did:
Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers
the Day the account is established"
(Ibranim, 14: 41). I am also asking You as Your
Messenger Noo’h did: “My Lord, forgive me and my parents
and whoever enters my house a believer and the believing
men and believing women. And do not increase the
oppressors (wrongdoers) except in destruction" (Noo’h,
71: 28).
Nobody
should
be named as
"Ghafir
Al-Dhanb" (Forgiver of Sin).
However, a boy can be named as “Abdul-Ghafir”
(Worshipper of the Forgiver), which is an appreciation
for this great and exclusive capability of Allah and a
recognition of His divinity and Lordship over all of His
creations, as He is the only One Who is capable of
forgiveness on the Day of Reckoning. Living up to the meanings of this Good Name of Allah means that a believer is kind and merciful, even towards those who wrong him. He/she does not hesitate in forgiving the wrongdoer, particularly if the latter asks him for pardoning and forgiveness. In doing so, he/she is following God’s way of dealing with the wrongdoers when they ask Him for forgiveness, praise to Him.
28.
Al-Ghafour:
The Forgiving
ÇáÛÝæÑ
"Al-Ghafour" means "The Forgiving" Who constantly
forgives people's sins, as long as the repent and seek
for His forgivenss.
This Good Name of God was mentioned 91 times in the Holy
Quran, 77 times of these it was linked with the Other
Good Name of Allah, the Merciful, as in Verse 2: 173.
29.
Al-Ghaffar:
The Abundantly Forgiving
ÇáúÛóÝøóÇÑõ
"Al-Ghaffar"
means "The Abundantly Forgiving," Whose forgiveness is
so abundant that it extends to all kinds of sins and
wrongdoing, as long as seekers do not associate other
gods with Him. The underlined
"Al-Ghaffar,"
as a Good Name of God, was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in Surat Nooh (71: 10). This is the most
expressive word for the characteristic of forgiveness,
or Al-Ghufran,
in Arabic, followed by Al-Ghafoor, then Al-Ghafir.
30. Khayr Al-Ghafireen (pronounced as khayrul ghafireen): The Best of Forgivers ÎóíúÑõ ÇáúÛóÇÝöÑöíäó
"Khayr Al-Ghafireen: means "The Best of Forgivers." As a Good Name of God, it was mentioned in Verse 155 of Surat Al-A'araf (Chapter 7) of the Holy Quran.
31.
Dhu
Al-Maghfira
(pronounced
as
dhul
maghfira):
Possessor of Forgiveness
Ðõæ
ÇáãóÛúÝöÑóÉò
"Dhu
Al-Maghfira"
means "The One Who is Full of Forgiveness."
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned in the Holy Quran
twice, in 13: 6 and 41:43. 2. Wasi'ul Maghfirah: "The Vast in Forgiveness æóÇÓöÚõ ÇáúãóÛúÝöÑóÉö "Wasi'u Al-Maghfirah" means "The Vast in Forgiveness." As a Good Name of God, it was mentioned once in Verse 32 of Surat Al-Najm (Chpater 53) of the Holy Quran. In this verse, God's Attribute of Vastness is combined with His Attribute of Forgiveness. 33. Ahlul Maghfirah: The Source of Forgiveness Ãóåúáõ ÇáúãóÛúÝöÑóÉö "Ahlul Maghfirah" means "The Source of Forgiveness." As a Good Name of God, it was mentioned once in Verse 56 of Surat Al-Muddathir (Chpater 74) of the Holy Quran.
34.
Ahlu Al-Taqwa
(pronounced
as
ahlut taqwa): The Source of Piety and Righteousness
"Ahlu
Al-Taqwa" means "The Source of Piety and Righteousness."
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in Verse 75: 56, as follows:
æóãóÇ íóÐúßõÑõæäó ÅöáøóÇ Ãóä íóÔóÇÁó Çááøóåõ ۚ åõæó
Ãóåúáõ ÇáÊøóÞúæóìٰ
æóÃóåúáõ ÇáúãóÛúÝöÑóÉö
ý(ÇáãÏËÑ ¡ 74: 56).
But they will not remember, except that Allah wills. He is
the Source of Piety (Righteousness),
and the Source of Forgiveness (Al-Muddathir, 74: 56). 35. Al-Qahir: The Subduer ÇáúÞóÇåöÑõ
"Al-Qahir" means "The Ultimate Subduer." As a Good Name of God, it was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran, in Surat Al-Ana'am (6: 18; 6: 61). It is a derivative of the same root verb /qahara/, to subdue, dominate, or prevail over, as for God's Good Name of "Al-Qahaar."
36. Al-Qahhar: The Constant Subduer ÇáúÞóåøóÇÑõ"Al-Qahhar" means "The Ultimate Subduer," "The Ultimate Dominant," The One who subdues and dominates His creations with His power and ability, whether they like it or not. "Al-Qahaar" as a Good Name of God, was mentioned six times in the Holy Quran, associated with His attribute of Oneness, as in Surat Yousuf (12: 39). 37. Al-Wahhaab: The Bestower ÇáúæóåøóÇÈõ
"Al-Wahhaab" means "The Bestower," or "The Grantor," The One who is Generous in giving. This Good Name of God was mentioned three times in the Holy Quran (3: 8; 38: 9; 38:35).
38. Al-Razzaq (pronounced as ar-razzaq): The Sustainer, The Provider ÇáÑøóÒøóÇÞõ
"Al-Razzaq" means "The Sustainer," or "The Provider," Who sustains His creations and provides for them even without them asking Him for that. This Good Name God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran (51: 58).
39. Khayr Al-Raziqeen (pronounced as khairur raziqeen): The Best of Sustainers, or The Best of Providers ÎóíúÑõ ÇáÑøóÇÒöÞöíäó
This Good Name of God, was mentioned five times in the Holy Quran (5:114; 22: 58; 23: 72; 34: 39; 62 11). It is a derivative of the same root verb /razaqa/, to sustain, or provide, as for God's Good Name of "Al-Razzaq."
40. Al-Fatta'h: The Opener, The Judge ÇáúÝóÊøóÇÍõ
"Al-Fatta'h" also has the general meaning related to the root verb /fata'ha/, to open. Thus, Allah, praise Him is "The Opener" of doors and gates for sustenance, power, and knowledge for His faithful worshippers. He is also The Opener of doors of mercy for those who repent and doors of knowing the unseen for his close servants, Awliya', as expressed in 6: 59 and 35: 2. 41. Khair Al-Fati'heen (pronounced as khairul fatiheen): The Best of Judges, The Best of Openers ÎóíúÑõ ÇáúÝóÇÊöÍöíäó This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran (7: 89). It is a derivative of the same root verb /fata'ha/, to open, as for God's Good Name of 'Al-Fatta'h." 42. Al-'Aleem: The Knowledgeable, The Knower ÇáúÚóáöíãõ "Al-'Aleem" means "The Knowledgeable," The One Who knows what humans know and see and what they don't see or know. He knows the Universe of the Seven Heavens that He Created while humans barely know about their planet and much less about their solar system. This Good Name of God, "Al-'Aleem" or without the definite article " 'Aleem," was mentioned 162 times in the Holy Quran, as in 2:32 and 2: 29. There are two more Good Names of God, which are derivatives of the same root verb / 'alima/, which were also mentioned in the Holy Quran. These are " 'Alim" and " 'Allam."
43. 'Alimu Al-Ghaybi (pronounced as 'alimul ghaybi): The Knower of the Unseen and Unknown to Humans ÚóÇáöãõ ÇáúÛóíúÈö of God, which is related to the Good Name of God "Al'Aleem," was mentioned three times in the Holy Quran, in 34: 3; 35: 38; and 72: 26.
44. 'Alimu Al-Ghaybi wa Al-Shahada (pronounced as 'alimul ghaybi wash shahada):
The Knower of the Unseen and the Seen, Unknown and Known (to Humans) ÚóÇáöãõ ÇáúÛóíúÈö æóÇáÔøóåóÇÏóÉö This Good Name of God, which is also related to
the Good Name
number 36 "Al'Aleem," was mentioned ten times in the Holy
Quran, as in 6: 73. This Good Name of God, which is related to God's Good Name of "Al'Aleem," was mentioned four times in the Holy Quran, in 5: 109; 5: 116; 9: 78; and 34: 48. 46. Al-Samee'u (pronounced as as-samee'u): The Hearer ÇáÓøóãöíÚõ "Al-Samee'u," means The All-Hearing, The Hearer, The One who Hears all things, everywhere in His Dominion, whether it was whispering or a loud voice. Al-Tabari added that He is The Hearer of calls from the believers asking Him for help as well as The Hearer of non-believers who reject the revealed truth and make fun of believers. This Good Name of God was mentioned forty-six times in the Holy Quran, nineteen times of them with the definite article and twenty-seven times without it. In sixteen of the verses, this attribute was followed by God's Good Name number 27 "Al-'Aleem," as 2: 127 and 2: 137. In three verses, it was followed by His Attribute number 32 "Al-Baseer," in 17: 1; 40: 20; and 42: 11. 47. Al-Baseer: The Seer, The All-Seeing ÇáúÈóÕöíÑõ "Al-Baseer" means "The All-Seeing," The One who sees all things, everywhere in His Dominion, whether seen by His creations or unseen by them. Al-Tabari added that He is The Seer, who sees the believers who will be rewarded for their good deeds. He also sees the non-believers who will be punished for their wrong doing. This Good Name of God was mentioned forty-six times in
the Holy Quran, three of them with the definite article, in
17: 1; 40: 20; and 42: 11, following His Attribute number 31
"Al-Samee'u. "Al-'Hakeem" means "The Wise," The One who is Perfect in
what He does or says due to His perfect knowledge, which
prevents any distortion or imperfection, as explained by Al-Qurtubi.
49. Khairu Al-'Hakimeen (pronounced as khairul 'hakimeen: The Best of Judges ÎóíúÑõ ÇáúÍóÇßöãöíäó "Khairu Al-'Hakimeen" means the "The Best of Judges," who rules over His creations by His judgment in the hereafter, rewarding the good doers by an everlasting life in Paradise and punishing the wrong doers in the Hellfire. In making His judgment, He does not neglect anything no matter how small it is. He also may choose to interfere in the life of people, helping the true believers when they are in need of His assistance against the tyrants of Earth. This Good Name of God was mentioned three times in the Holy Quran, in 7: 87; 10: 109; and 12: 80. There are also several verses in the Holy Quran which point to this characteristic of God, such as 40: 48, in which the reference to this Attribute comes as a verb in the past tense, meaning "ruled" or "gave judgment." In another verse (2: 113) the reference comes as a verb in the present tense, meaning "rules" or "gives judgment." In many more verses, God is .e One to Whom Belongs the Judgment," as in 6: 62. 50. A'hkamu Al-'Hakimeen (pronounced as a'hkamul 'hakimeen): The Wisest of Judges ÃóÍúßóãõ ÇáúÍóÇßöãöíäó "A'hkamu Al-'Hakimeen" means "The Wisest of Judges," who rules over His creations by His judgment in the hereafter, rewarding the good doers by an everlasting life in Paradise and punishing the wrong doers in the Hellfire. In making His judgment, He does not neglect anything no matter how small it is. He also may choose to interfere in the life of people, helping the true believers when they are in need of His assistance against the tyrants of Earth. This Good Name of God shares the same root verb / 'hakama /, to judge, with God's Good Name of "Khairu Al-'Hakimeen." It was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran, in 11: 45 and 95: 8. 51. Al-Lateef: The Subtle, The Gentle, The Gracious to His creations ÇááøóØöíÝõ "Al-Lateef" means "The Gentle, The Gracious to His creations, particularly His worshippers among them. He is Subtle as He sees and comprehends His creations but they cannot see or comprehend Him. Despite His Might, He is still Gracious to His creations, caring for them, and providing them what they need to survive. This Good Name of God was mentioned seven times in the Holy Quran, twice with the definite article (Al) in 6: 103 and 67: 14 as well as five times without the definite article, as in 12: 100 and 31:16. 52. Al-Khabeer: The Expert, The Informed, The Knowledgeable ÇáúÎóÈöíÑ "Al-Khabeer" means "The Expert," The One who knows the truth of things better than anybody else because He is the Creator of everybody else. This Good Name of God was mentioned forty-five times in the Holy Quran, six of them with the definite article (Al) and the rest without it, as in 6: 18. "Al-'Haleem" means "The Forbearer, The One who is capable of punishing the offenders but He delays their punishment, willing to forgive them if they repent and ask for forgiveness. This Good Name of God was mentioned ten times in the Holy Quran without the definite article, as in 2: 225 and 2: 235. 54. Al-Shakir (pronounced as ash-shakir): The Thankful ÇáÔóÇßöÑ "Al-Shakir," means the "Thankful" and "The Grateful" of
His faithful worshippers. He appreciates their obedience and
good doing by rewarding them with happiness in this llife
and in the Hereafter. He is so happy for the believers who
choose to worship Him and do good by choice that He is
Thankful to them, expressing His thanks by promising them an
everlasting and happy life in Paradise. 55. Al-Shakoor (pronounced as ash-shakoor):The Inherently Thankful ÇáÔóßõæÑ "Al-Shakoor" means "The Thankful," and "The Grateful," of His faithful worshippers. He appreciates their obedience and good doing by rewarding them with happiness in this llife and in the Hereafter. He is so happy for the believers who choose to worship Him and do good by choice that He is Thankful to them, expressing His thanks by promising them an everlasting and happy life in Paradise. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned four times in the Holy Quran, without the definite article, in 35: 30; 35: 34; 42: 23 and 64: 17. "Al-'Aliy" means "The Most High," in rank and existence. As the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, He exists outside of His creations, higher than them and everything they contain. Al-Tabari supported this interpretation but added that He is higher in rank than His creations. This Good Name of God was mentioned five times in the Holy Quran, with the definite article (Al), in 2: 255; 22: 62: 34: 23; 40: 12 and 42: 4. 57. Al-A’ala: The Highest ÇáÃÚúáóì
This Good Name of God was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran,
with the definite article (Al), in verse 92: 20 and 4: 147,
as follows: ÓóÈøöÍö ÇÓúãó ÑóÈøößó ÇáúÃóÚúáóì (ÇáÃÚáì ¡ 87: 1).ÅöáøóÇ ÇÈúÊöÛóÇÁó æóÌúåö ÑóÈøöåö ÇáúÃóÚúáóìٰ (Çááíá ¡ 92: 20).
Exalt the name of your Lord, the Highest (Al-A’ala, 87: 1). But only seeking the countenance of his Lord, the Highest (Al-A’ala, 92: 20).58. Al-Muta'al: The Higher (than His creations) ÇáúãõÊóÚóÇáõ
"Al-Muta'al" is another Good Name of God having the same
characteristic of Highness as "Al-'Aliy." It means that
Allah, praise to Him in His Highness, is "Higher" in rank
and existence than all of His creations. As the Creator of
the Heavens and the Earth, He exists outside of His
creations, higher than them and everything they contain.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in 13: 9. "Al-Kabeer" means "The Great," The One Who is Great by Himself, independent from His creations. This Good Name of God was mentioned five times in the Holy Quran, with the definite article (Al), in 13: 9; 22: 62: 31: 30; 34: 23 and 40: 12. 60. Al-'Atdheem: The Great ÇáÚóÙöíãõ "Al-'Atdheem" means "The Great," and "The Mighty," in His Attributes that none of His creations has. He is Great as the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, which are just small pieces of matter compared to His Chair alone, as explained above. This Good Name of God was mentioned eight times in the Holy Quran with the definite article (Al). These are 2: 255; 42: 4; 9: 129; 27: 26; 56: 74; 56: 96; 69: 33; and 69: 52. 61. Al-'Hafitdh: The Preserver, The Guardian ÇáÍóÇÝöÙõ "Al-'Hafitdh" means "The Preserver," or "The Guardian," The One Who preserves or guards whatever and whoever He wants away from malfunctioning or from being harmed. This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran in the singular form, without the definite article (Al), in 12: 64. It was also mentioned twice in the plural form, without the definite article (Al), in 15: 9 and 21: 82. 62. Al-'Hafeetdh: The Keen Preserver, The Guardian ÇáÍóÝöíÙõ "Al-'Hafeetdh," means "The Keen Preserver," The One Who protects His creations, or preserves them, away from harm. This Good Name of Allah is another derivative of the same root verb of "Al-'Hafitdh." It was mentioned three times in the Holy Quran, without the definite article (Al), in 11: 57; 34: 21 and 42: 6.
63.
Al-Muqeet:
The Source of Sustenance
ÇáãøõÞöíÊõ "Al-Kareem" means "The Generous," The One who provides His creations with much more sustenance resources than they need. This Good Name of God was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran, in 23: 116 and 82:6 .
68.
Al-AKram:
The Most Generous
ÇáúÃßúÑóãõ
"Al-AKram" means "The Most Generous," The One who provides
His creations with much more sustenance resources than they
need, and more than any other generous person or entity.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in verse 96: 3, as follows:
ÇÞúÑóÃú æóÑóÈøõßó
ÇáúÃóßúÑóãõ
(ÇáÚáÞ ¡
96: 3).
Read, and your Lord is
the Most Generous
(Al-‘Alaq, 96: 3). 69. Al-Raqeeb (pronounced as ar-raqeeb): The Watchful ÇáÑøóÞöíÈõ "Al-Raqeeb" means "The Watchful," The One Who watches everything, everywhere, at all times.
This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in 5: 117 .
This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in 11: 61 . "Al-Mujeeb" means "The Responder," The One Who responds to the calls of those who ask Him in need.
This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, without the definite article (Al) in 11: 61 "Ni'ama Al-Mujeeboon" means "The Best of Responders." It shares the same root verb / ajaba / or / jawaba /, to respond, with the Good Name of Allah number 47 (Al-Mujeeb). This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in 37: 75. 73. Al-Wasi'u: The Vast ÇáæóÇÓöÚõ "Al-Wasi'u" means "The Vast," in everything, particularly in His knowledge, forgiveness, and wisdom. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned nine times in the Holy Quran, without the definite article (Al). In seven of them, this Attribute of God was followed by his Attribute number 27 as "Al-'Aleem," (The Knowledgeable), as in 2: 115; 2: 247; 2: 261; and 2: 268. In one verse (53: 32), God's Attribute of Vastness is combined with His Attribute of Forgiveness (Number 17) to become "Wasi'u Al-Maghfirah," which means "The Vast in Forgiveness).
In Verse 4: 130, this Good Name of God (Wasi'u) is
followed by His Attribute of Wisdom, number 33,
(Al-'Hakeem).
"Al-Moosi'u" means "The Expander" of heavens (the universe,
or universes).
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in verse 51: 47, as follows:
æóÇáÓøóãóÇÁó ÈóäóíúäóÇåóÇ ÈöÃóíúÏò æóÅöäøóÇ
áóãõæÓöÚõæäó
(ÇáÐÇÑíÇÊ ¡
51: 47).
And the heaven We constructed with hands (strength), and
indeed, We are (its)
Expander
(Al-Dhariyat, 51: 47). 75. Al-Wadood: The Loving ÇáúæóÏõæÏõ "Al-Wadood" means "The Loving," The One who loves His worshippers and is loved by them. Because of this love, He is Merciful to them.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the
Holy Quran, in 85: 14. In the same Verse, He describes
Himself as "Al-Ghafoor, Al-Wadood," (The Forgiver, The
Loving).
"Al-'Hameed" means "The Praiseworthy," the One Who is
praised by believers for His blessings, provision, care, and
love for His creations.
This Good Name of God was mentioned ten times in the Holy
Quran, with the definite article (Al), in 14: 1; 22: 24; 22:
64; 31: 26; 34: 6; 35: 15; 42: 28; 57: 24; 60: 5; and 85: 8.
It was also mentioned seven times without it, in 2: 267; 4:
131; 11: 73; 14: 8; 31: 12; 41: 42; and 64: 6.
æóåõÏõæÇ Åöáóì ÇáØøóíøöÈö ãöäó ÇáúÞóæúáö æóåõÏõæÇ Åöáóìٰ
ÕöÑóÇØö
ÇáúÍóãöíÏö
(ÇáÍÌ ¡
22: 24).
ÞóÇáõæÇ ÃóÊóÚúÌóÈöíäó ãöäú ÃóãúÑö Çááøóåö ۖ ÑóÍúãóÊõ Çááøóåö
æóÈóÑóßóÇÊõåõ Úóáóíúßõãú Ãóåúáó ÇáúÈóíúÊö ۚ Åöäøóåõ
ÍóãöíÏñ
ãøóÌöíÏñ
ý(åæÏ
¡
11: 73).
They were guided to the good of speech. They were guided to
the path of
the Praiseworthy
(Al-‘Haj, 22: 24).
They said, "Are you amazed at the decree of Allah? May the
mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the
house. Indeed, He is
Praiseworthy
and
Glorious
(Hood, 11: 73). 77. Al-Majeed: The Glorious ÇáúãóÌöíÏõ "Al-Majeed" means "The Glorious," The One Who is glorified for His generosity, power, compassion, and kindness. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned in the Holy Quran, once without the definite article (Al), in 11: 73 and another with the definite article, in 85: 15. 78. Al-Shaheed (pronounced as ash-shaheed): The Witness ÇáÔóåöíÏõ "Al-Shaheed" means "The Witness," The One Who can see and hear everything so that He will be "The Witness" on our deeds and words in the Day of Judgment.
This Good Name of God was mentioned twenty times in
the Holy Quran, without the definite article (Al),
in verses 3:
98, 4: 33, 4: 79, 4: 166, 5: 117, 6:19, 10: 29, 10: 46, 13:
43, 17: 96, 22: 17, 29: 52, 33: 55, 34: 47, 41: 53, 46: 8,
48: 28, 58: 6, 85: 9, and 100: 7. "Al-'Haq" means "The Truth," The One Who is true in His existence, word, and promise. He is the only lasting truth, while all other truths may be temporary and changing. This Good Name of God was mentioned ten times in the Holy Quran, in 6: 62; 10: 30; 10: 32; 18: 44; 20 114; 22: 6; 22: 62; 23: 116; 24: 25 and 31: 30. The word "Al-'Haq" was mentioned 191 times in the Holy Quran, meaning the truth but not as an attribute of God. However, in the above-mentioned ten verses, it was mentioned as His Attribute, praise to Him. 80. Al-Mubeen: The Manifest, the Clear ÇáúãõÈöíäõ
“Al-Mubeen” is an Arabic noun, which
means the Clear, Evident, Visible, and Manifest. As a Good
Name of Allah, it means that His Godhood and Oneness are
clear and manifest.
íóæúãóÆöÐò íõæóÝøöíåöãõ Çááøóåõ Ïöíäóåõãõ ÇáúÍóÞøó
æóíóÚúáóãõæäó Ãóäøó Çááøóåó åõæó ÇáúÍóÞøõ
ÇáúãõÈöíäõ
(ÇáäæÑ ¡
24: 25).
That Day, Allah will pay them in full their deserved
recompense, and they will know that it is Allah who is the
Truth,
the Manifest
(Al-Noor, 24: 25). 81. Al-Wakeel: The Patron Çáúæóßöíáõ "Al-Wakeel" means "The Patron," The One Who defends believers whenever He is called on, particularly when they are exposed to danger or injustice. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, with the definite article (Al), in 3: 173, and 12 times without it, as in 4: 81; 4: 132; 4: 171; and 73: 9. 82. Al-Qawiy: The Powerful ÇáúÞóæöíøõ "Al-Qawiy" means "The Powerful," The One Who is more powerful than His creations. He owns the sources of power, and He uses them as He wills. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran, with the definite article (Al), in 11: 66 and 42: 19, and seven times without it in 8: 52; 22: 40; 22: 74; 33: 25; 40: 22; 57: 25; and 58: 21. 83. Dhu Al-Quwwah (pronounced as dhul quwwah): The One with Power, the Strong Ðõæ ÇáúÞõæøóÉö "Dhu Al-Quwah" means "The One With Power," or "The One to Whom the Power Belongs." This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in 51: 58. 84. Al-Mateen: The Strong ÇáúãóÊöíäõ "Al-Mateen" means "The Strong," The One Who is strong in His Power. Al-Qurtubi added that this attribute refers to physical strength. Other scholars explained it as having the strongest forms of power. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in 51: 58.
85.
Al-Musta’an:
The One Sought for Help
"Al-Musta’an" means the One Sought for Help by believers.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy
Quran, in verses 12: 18 and 21: 112, as follows:
æóÌóÇÁõæÇ Úóáóìٰ ÞóãöíÕöåö ÈöÏóãò ßóÐöÈò ۚ ÞóÇáó Èóáú
ÓóæøóáóÊú áóßõãú ÃóäÝõÓõßõãú ÃóãúÑðÇ ۖ ÝóÕóÈúÑñ Ìóãöíáñ ۖ
æóÇááøóåõ
ÇáúãõÓúÊóÚóÇäõ
Úóáóìٰ ãóÇ ÊóÕöÝõæäó
(íæÓÝ ¡
12: 18).
ÞóÇáó ÑóÈøö ÇÍúßõã ÈöÇáúÍóÞøö ۗ æóÑóÈøõäóÇ ÇáÑøóÍúãóٰäõ
ÇáúãõÓúÊóÚóÇäõ
Úóáóìٰ ãóÇ ÊóÕöÝõæäó
(ÇáÃäÈíÇÁ ¡
21: 112).
And they brought upon his shirt false blood. (Ya’coob,
Jacob) said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to
something. So, patience is most fitting, and Allah is
the One Sought for Help
against that which you describe" (Yousuf, 12: 18).
(The Prophet) said, "My Lord, judge (between us) in truth.
And our Lord is the Beneficent,
the One Sought for Help,
against that which you describe"
ý(Al-Anbiya,
21: 112). 86. Al-Waliy: The Supporter Çáúæóáöíøõ "Al-Waliy" means "The Supporter," The One Who supports believers and defends them. This Good Name of God was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran, with the definite article (Al) in 42:9 and 42: 28. It was also mentioned once as "Wal," without the definite article at the beginning or the vowel at the end, in 13: 11. But it was mentioned many times as "Waliy," without the definite article at the beginning, as in 2: 107; 2: 120; 2: 257; 3: 68; 42: 9; 42: 28; 45: 19; 4: 45; 3: 122; 7; 196; and 12: 101. 87. Al-Mawla: The Guardian Çáãóæúáóì "Al-Mawla" means "The Guardian," The One Who guards the believers and protects them. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in 47: 11.
88.
Ni’ma
Al-Mawla:
The Excellent Protector, Guardian
"Ni’ma
Al-Mawla" means "the Excellent Protector,” or “the Excellent
Guardian" of believers.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy
Quran, in verses 8: 40 and 22: 78, as follows:
æóÅöä ÊóæóáøóæúÇ ÝóÇÚúáóãõæÇ Ãóäøó Çááøóåó
ãóæúáóÇßõãú ۚ
äöÚúãó Çáúãóæúáóìٰ
æóäöÚúãó ÇáäøóÕöíÑõ
(ÇáÃäÝÇá ¡ 8: 40).
... ÝóÃóÞöíãõæÇ ÇáÕøóáóÇÉó æóÂÊõæÇ ÇáÒøóßóÇÉó æóÇÚúÊóÕöãõæÇ
ÈöÇááøóåö åõæó ãóæúáóÇßõãú ۖ
ÝóäöÚúãó Çáúãóæúáóìٰ
æóäöÚúãó ÇáäøóÕöíÑõ
(ÇáÍÌ ¡ 22: 78).
But if they turn away, then know that Allah is your
Protector.
(He is the)
Excellent
Protector,
and (He is the) Excellent Supporter (Al-Anfal, 8: 40).
… So, establish prayer and give charity (zakat) and hold
fast to Allah. He is your Protector; and (He is the)
Excellent Protector,
and (He is the) Excellent Supporter (Al-‘Haj, 22: 78). 89. Al-Naseer (pronounced as An-Naseer): The Supporter ÇáäøóÕöíÑõ
"Al-Naseer" means the Supporter of believers.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy
Quran, without the definite article
(Al), in verses 4: 45, and 25: 31, as follows:
æóÇááøóåõ ÃóÚúáóãõ ÈöÃóÚúÏóÇÆößõãú ۚ æóßóÝóìٰ ÈöÇááøóåö
æóáöíøðÇ æóßóÝóìٰ ÈöÇááøóåö
äóÕöíÑðÇ
(ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 45).
æóßóÐóٰáößó ÌóÚóáúäóÇ áößõáøö äóÈöíøò ÚóÏõæøðÇ ãøöäó
ÇáúãõÌúÑöãöíäó ۗ æóßóÝóìٰ ÈöÑóÈøößó åóÇÏöíðÇ æóäóÕöíÑðÇ
(ÇáÝÑÞÇä ¡ 25: 31).
And Allah is most knowing of your enemies; and sufficient is
Allah as a Patron (Supporter), and sufficient is Allah as a
Supporter
(Al-Nissa, 4: 45).
And thus, have We made for every Prophet an enemy from among
the criminals. But sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and a
Supporter
(Al-Furqan, 25: 31). 90. Ni’ma Al-Naseer (pronounced as Ni’ma An-Naseer): The Supporter äöÚúãó ÇáäøóÕöíÑõ
"Ni’ma
Al-Naseer" means the Excellent Supporter of believers.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy
Quran, in verses 8: 40 and 22: 78, as follows:
æóÅöä ÊóæóáøóæúÇ ÝóÇÚúáóãõæÇ Ãóäøó Çááøóåó
ãóæúáóÇßõãú ۚ äöÚúãó Çáúãóæúáóìٰ
æóäöÚúãó ÇáäøóÕöíÑõ
(ÇáÃäÝÇá ¡ 8: 40).
... ÝóÃóÞöíãõæÇ ÇáÕøóáóÇÉó æóÂÊõæÇ ÇáÒøóßóÇÉó æóÇÚúÊóÕöãõæÇ
ÈöÇááøóåö åõæó ãóæúáóÇßõãú ۖ ÝóäöÚúãó Çáúãóæúáóìٰ
æóäöÚúãó ÇáäøóÕöíÑõ
(ÇáÍÌ ¡ 22: 78).
But if they turn away, then know that Allah is your
Protector.
(He is the)
Excellent
Protector,
and (He is the) Excellent Supporter (Al-Anfal, 8: 40).
… So, establish prayer and give charity (zakat) and hold
fast to Allah. He is your Protector; and (He is the)
Excellent Protector,
and (He is the) Excellent Supporter (Al-‘Haj, 22: 78).
91. Khayr
Al-Nasireen (pronounced
as
Khayrun-Nasireen):
The Best of Supporters
ÎóíúÑõ ÇáäøóÇÕöÑöíäó
"Khayr
Al-Nasireen"
means the Best of Supporters for believers.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in verse 3: 150, as follows:
Èóáö Çááøóåõ
ãóæúáóÇßõãú ۖ
æóåõæó
ÎóíúÑõ ÇáäøóÇÕöÑöíäó
(Âáö ÚöãÑÇä ¡ 3: 150).
But Allah is your
Protector,
and He is
the Best of Supporters
(Aali-‘Imran, 3: 150).
92.
Khayr
Al-Makireen (pronounced
as
Khayrul-Makireen):
The Best of Planners
ÎóíúÑõ ÇáúãóÇßöÑöíäó
"Khayr
Al-Makireen"
means the Best of Planners for believers.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy
Quran, in verses 3: 54 and 8: 30, as follows:
æóãóßóÑõæÇ æóãóßóÑó Çááøóåõ ۖ æóÇááøóåõ
ÎóíúÑõ ÇáúãóÇßöÑöíäó
(Âáö ÚöãÑÇä ¡ 3: 54).
æóÅöÐú íóãúßõÑõ Èößó ÇáøóÐöíäó ßóÝóÑõæÇ áöíõËúÈöÊõæßó Ãóæú
íóÞúÊõáõæßó Ãóæú íõÎúÑöÌõæßó ۚ æóíóãúßõÑõæäó æóíóãúßõÑõ
Çááøóåõ ۖ æóÇááøóåõ
ÎóíúÑõ ÇáúãóÇßöÑöíäó
(ÇáÃäÝÇá ¡ 8: 30).
And they (disbelievers) planned, but Allah planned. And
Allah is
the Best of Planners
(Aali-‘Imran,
3: 45).
And (remember, O Muhammad), when those who disbelieved
planned against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you
(from Makkah). So, they plan but Allah plans, and Allah is
the Best of Planners
(Al-Anfal, 8: 30).
93. Khayr
Al-Fasileen (pronounced
as
Khayrul-Fasileen):
The Best of Deciders
ÎóíúÑõ ÇáúÝóÇÕöáöíäó
"Khayr
Al-Fasileen"
means the Best of Judges, Who divides right from wrong.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, in verse 6: 57, as follows:
Þõáú Åöäøöí Úóáóìٰ ÈóíøöäóÉò ãøöä ÑøóÈøöí æóßóÐøóÈúÊõã Èöåö
ۚ ãóÇ ÚöäÏöí ãóÇ ÊóÓúÊóÚúÌöáõæäó Èöåö ۚ Åöäö ÇáúÍõßúãõ
ÅöáøóÇ áöáøóåö ۖ íóÞõÕøõ ÇáúÍóÞøó ۖ æóåõæó
ÎóíúÑõ ÇáúÝóÇÕöáöíäó
(ÇáÃäÚÇã ¡ 6: 57).
Say, "Indeed, I am on clear evidence from my Lord, and you
have disbelieved it. I do not have that for which you are
impatient. The decision is only for Allah. He relates the
truth, and He is
the Best of Deciders"
(Al-An’am, 6: 57).
94.
Al-Hadi:
The Guide to the Right Path
ÇáúåóÇÏöí
"Al-Hameed" means the Guide to the Right Path.
This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran,
without the definite article (Al), in verse 25: 31,
as follows:
æóßóÐóٰáößó ÌóÚóáúäóÇ áößõáøö äóÈöíøò ÚóÏõæøðÇ ãøöäó
ÇáúãõÌúÑöãöíäó ۗ æóßóÝóìٰ ÈöÑóÈøößó
åóÇÏöíðÇ
æóäóÕöíÑðÇ
(ÇáÝÑÞÇä ¡ 25: 31).
And thus, have We made for every Prophet an enemy from among
the criminals. But sufficient is your Lord as a
Guide (to the Right Path)
and a Supporter (Al-Furqan, 25: 31).
95.
Al-'Hayyu:
The Eternally Living
ÇáúÍóíøõ This Good Name of Allah was mentioned three times in the Holy Quran, with the definite article (Al), together with the Good Name of God, "Al-Qayyoom," in 2: 255; 3: 2; and 20: 111. 96. Al-Mu'hyi: Giver of Life to the Dead ÇáãõÍúíöí "Al-Mu'hyi" means "The Giver of Life to the Dead," in the Day of Judgment. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy Quran, without the definite article (Al), in 30: 50 and 41: 39. 97. Al-Qayyoom: The Sustainer of the Universe ÇáúÞóíøõæãõ "Al-Qayyoom" means "The Sustainer," The One Who is Self-Sufficient in resources and capabilities, to administer the system of the Universe He has created and sustain His creations in it.
This Good Name of
Allah was mentioned three times in the Holy Quran, with the
definite article (Al), together with the Good Names of God,
"Al-'Hayyu," in 2: 255; 3: 2; and 20: 111. "Al-Wa'hid" means "The One," The One God Who Has no partners. He is not dual, or part of a trinity or plurality of Gods. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned six times in the Holy Quran, with the definite article (Al), in 12: 39; 13: 16; 14: 48; 38: 65: 39: 4; and 40: 16. It was also mentioned sixteen times without it, as in 2: 133; 2: 163: 4: 17; 5: 73: 6: 19; and 9: 31.
This Good Name of God is related to
His two other Good Names, "Al-A'had" and "Al-Samad."
"Al-A'had" means "The Uniquely One," in His nature. He did not beget (give birth) and He was not begotten (given birth to); And there has never been anyone equal to Him, as He states in Surat Al-Ikhlas, 112: 1-4. This means that He has no wife, sons, daughters, father, or mother. Nobody has ever been equal to Him in appearance or capabilities. "Al-A'had" also means "The One" Who had nobody with Him in the beginning and nobody will be with Him in the end.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the
Holy Quran, without the definite article (Al), in 112: 1. "Al-Samad" means "The Ultimate Provider." He is the Ultimate Destination for judgment and for help, the source of light, help, and provision. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, with the definite article (Al), in 112: 1.
101.
Fa’al Lima Yureed:
Doer of What He Wants
ÝóÚøóÇáñ áøöãóÇ íõÑöíÏõ
“Fa’al
Lima Yureed” means Doer of What He Wants. He capable of
doing anything He wants to do. Thus, He is different from
His creations, who may want to do something but may not be
able to do it.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned twice in the Holy
Quran, without the definite article (Al), in verses 11: 107
and 85: 16, as follows:
ÎóÇáöÏöíäó
ÝöíåóÇ ãóÇ ÏóÇãóÊö ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊõ æóÇáúÃóÑúÖõ ÅöáøóÇ ãóÇ
ÔóÇÁó ÑóÈøõßó ۚ Åöäøó ÑóÈøóßó
ÝóÚøóÇáñ áøöãóÇ íõÑöíÏõ
(åæÏ ¡
11: 107).
æóåõæó ÇáúÛóÝõæÑõ ÇáúæóÏõæÏõ
ý﴿١٤﴾þ
Ðõæ ÇáúÚóÑúÔö ÇáúãóÌöíÏõ
ý﴿١٥﴾þ
ÝóÚøóÇáñ áøöãóÇ íõÑöíÏõ
ý﴿١٦﴾
(ÇáÈÑæÌ ¡
85: 14-16).
(They will be) abiding therein as long as the heavens and
the earth endure, except what your Lord wills. Indeed, your
Lord is a
Doer of what He Wants
(Hood, 11: 107).
And He is the Forgiving, the Affectionate, (14) Owner of the
Throne, the Glorious (15)
Doer of what He wants.
(16) (Al-Burooj, 85: 16).
102.
Ghalib
‘Ala Amrih:
Predominant over His Affair
ÛóÇáöÈñ Úóáóìٰ ÃóãúÑöåö
“Ghalib
‘Ala Amrih” means Predominant over His Affair. This means
that if He decides anything, His decision dominates that
which is decided by any of His creations.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, without the definite article (Al), in verse 12: 21,
as follows:
... æóßóÐóٰáößó ãóßøóäøóÇ áöíõæÓõÝó Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö
æóáöäõÚóáøöãóåõ ãöä ÊóÃúæöíáö ÇáúÃóÍóÇÏöíËö ۚ æóÇááøóåõ
ÛóÇáöÈñ Úóáóìٰ ÃóãúÑöåö
æóáóٰßöäøó ÃóßúËóÑó ÇáäøóÇÓö áóÇ íóÚúáóãõæäó
(íæÓÝ ¡
12: 21).
… And thus, We established Yousuf (Joseph) in the land and
We taught him the interpretation of sayings. And Allah is
Predominant over His Affair,
but most of the people do not know (Yousuf, 12: 21). 103. Al-Qadir: The Able, The Capable ÇáúÞóÇÏöÑõ "Al-Qadir" means "The Able," The One Who is Capable of anything and everything, including rewarding obedient believers and punishing disobedient nonbelievers.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned eleven times in the
Holy Quran, once with the definite article (Al), in 6: 65,
five times in the plural form, without the definite article,
"Qadiroon" or "Qadireen," in 23: 18; 23: 95; 68: 25; 70: 40;
75: 4; and five times in the singular form, "Qadir," without
the definite article, in 6: 37; 17; 99; 36; 81: 46; 33; 75:
40; and 86: 8. "Al-Muqtadir" means "The Capable," The One Who is Capable of anything and everything, including rewarding obedient believers and punishing disobedient nonbelievers. It shares the same root verb /qadara / of the Good Name of God, "Al-Qadir."
This Good Name of Allah was
mentioned four times in the Holy Quran, without the definite
article (Al), one of them in the plural form (43: 42) and
three in the singular form, in 18: 45; 43: 42; 54: 42; and
54: 55. This Good Name of Allah was mentioned forty-six times in the Holy Quran, without the definite article (Al), in most of them it was associated with the ability of God to do everything, as in 2: 20; 2: 106; 2: 109; 2: 148; 2: 259; and 2: 284.
106.
Ni'ma Al-Qadiroon
(pronounced
as
ni'mal qadiroon): The Best of the Capable
äöÚúãó
ÇáúÞóÇÏöÑõæäó
"Ni'ma
Al-Qadiroon" means "The Best of the Capable." It shares the
same root verb / qadira /, to be able or capable, with the
Good Name of Allah number 65 (Al-Qadir). It also means that
Allah, praise to Him, is the Best of Determiner, as He
determines what He wills in precise measurement, as
explained in Chapter III.10, "God's
Precise Measurement and His Just Decree, Al-Qadar Wal Qadha." This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in 77: 23. 107. Al-Awwal: The First ÇáúÃóæøóáõ "Al-Awwal" means "The First," The One Who has been in existence from the beginning.
This Good Name of
God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, with the definite
article (Al), in 57: 3. "Al-Akhir" means "The Last," The One Who stays last in existence after all His creations perish.
This
Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, with
the definite article (Al), in 57: 3. "Al-Dhahir" means "The Manifest," The One Who is obvious to the minds of His creations through His signs and capabilities.
This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran,
with the definite article (Al), in 57: 3. "Al-Batin" means "The Latent," The One Who is capable of becoming present though not obvious to the minds of His creations. This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, with the definite article (Al), in 57: 3. 111. Al-Barr: The Source of Goodness and Kindness ÇáúÈóÑøõ "Al-Barr" means "The Source of All Goodness and Kindness," The One Who is kind to His creatures by providing them with His sustenance, provision, care, and mercy. Al-Tabari and Al-Qurtubi explained this Attribute of God as His Kindness to the believers. Ibn Katheer added that it is a reference to forgiving the believers who call on Him for salvation.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned once in the Holy
Quran, with the definite article (Al), in 52: 28.
"Al-Tawwab" means "The Acceptant
of Repentance."
By promising His worshippers
that He accepts sincere repentance, He encourages them to
stop committing sins and wrongdoing, thus making their
communities safer and their life better.
Al-Tawwab, as a Good Name of Allah, was mentioned 11 times
in the Holy Quran. In 9 times of them, it was associated
with another Good Name of Allah, Al-Ra’heem (the Merciful),
as in verse 2: 37. The other 8 verses are 2: 54, 2: 128, 2:
160, 4: 16, 4: 64, 9: 104, 9: 118, and 49: 12.
However, in verse 24: 10, it was
associated with the Good Name of Allah, ‘Hakeem (Wise). In
verse 110: 3, it was mentioned alone, without association
with another Good Name of Allah. ÝóÊóáóÞøóìٰ ÂÏóãõ ãöä ÑøóÈøöåö ßóáöãóÇÊò ÝóÊóÇÈó Úóáóíúåö ۚ Åöäøóåõ åõæó ÇáÊøóæøóÇÈõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ (ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 37).æóáóæúáóÇ ÝóÖúáõ Çááøóåö Úóáóíúßõãú æóÑóÍúãóÊõåõ æóÃóäøó Çááøóåó ÊóæøóÇÈñ Íóßöíãñ (ÇáäæÑ ¡ 24: 10).ÝóÓóÈøöÍú ÈöÍóãúÏö ÑóÈøößó æóÇÓúÊóÛúÝöÑúåõ ۚ Åöäøóåõ ßóÇäó ÊóæøóÇÈðÇ ý (ÇáäÕÑ ¡ 110: 3).Then Adam received from his Lord (some) words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Acceptant of Repentance, the Merciful (Al-Baqara, 2: 37).
And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy...
and because Allah is Acceptant of repentance and Wise
(Al-Noor, 24: 10).
Then, exalt with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of
Him. Indeed, He is ever Acceptant of repentance
(Al-Nasr, 110: 3).
113.
Qabil
Al-Tawwab
(pronounced
as
qabilut tawwab): The Acceptor of Repentance
ÞóÇÈöáõ ÇáÊøóæúÈö
"Al-Tawwab" means "The Acceptor of Repentance."
This Good Name of God is a
variant of the above-mentioned Name, Al-Tawwab. It was
mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in verse 40: 3, as
follows: ÛóÇÝöÑö ÇáÐøóäÈö æóÞóÇÈöáö ÇáÊøóæúÈö ÔóÏöíÏö ÇáúÚöÞóÇÈö Ðöí ÇáØøóæúáö ۖ áóÇ Åöáóٰåó ÅöáøóÇ åõæó ۖ Åöáóíúåö ÇáúãóÕöíÑõ ý(ÛÇÝÑ ¡ 40: 3).The Forgiver of Sin, Acceptor of Repentance , Severe in Punishment, Owner of Abundance. There is no God (Ilah) except Him; to Him is the destination (Ghafir, 40: 3).114. Al-Muntaqim: The Avenger ÇáãõäÊóÞöãõ The Avenger, The One Who exacts punishment on the oppressors for their transgression against the believers, and their disobedience to Him.
This Good Name of God was mentioned
three times in the Holy Quran, in the honorific plural form,
without the definite article (Al), in 32: 22; 43: 41; 44 16.
"Al-'Afuw" means "The Pardoner," "The Forgiver," The One Who removes or deletes the sins of repentant worshippers from their records. So, they won't be punished for them in the Day of Judgment.
This Good Name of God
was mentioned five times in the Holy Quran, in the honorific
plural form, without the definite article (Al), in 4: 43; 4:
99; 4: 149; 22: 60; and 58: 2. "Al-Ra'ouf" means "The Extremely Merciful" to all of His creations. He is more merciful to people than a mother to her infant.
This Good Name of God was
mentioned eleven times in the Holy Quran, without the
definite article (Al), in 2: 207; 3: 30; 9: 117; 9: 128; 24:
20; 59: 10; 2: 143; 15: 7; 16: 47; 22: 65; and 57: 9. "Al-Jaami'u" means "The Gatherer," The One Who gathers people for reckoning in the Day of Judgment and Who gathers hypocrites and non-believers in the Hellfire.
This Good Name of God was mentioned twice in the Holy
Quran, without the definite article (Al), in 3: 9 and 4:
140. "Al-Ghaniy" means "The Rich," "The Self-Sufficient," The One Who does not need His creations.
This Good Name of God was mentioned eight times in the Holy
Quran, with the definite article (Al), as in 6: 133 and 10:
68. It was also mentioned eleven times without it, as in 2:
263; 2: 267; and 273. "Al-Noor" means "The Light." Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth and the Guidance for those who dwell in or on them. The Prophet, pbbuh, was asked if He saw God when he ascended to the Seventh Heaven. He answered: "I saw Light").
This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the
Holy Quran, without the definite article (Al), in 24: 35. It
was also mentioned as the "Light" of God in 39: 69. However,
the word "Noor" (Light) was used to describe the Holy Quran
in seven verses, as in 4: 174; 5: 15; and 7: 157. "Al-Warith" means "The Inheritor," The One inherits His creations in Heavens and on Earth, as they are all going to perish. This Good Name of God was mentioned three times in the Holy Quran, in the honorific plural form, with the definite article (Al), in 15: 23; 23: 10 and 28: 58. 121. Khairu Al-Waritheen (pronounced as khairul waritheen): The Best of Inheritors ÎóíúÑõ ÇáúæóÇÑöËöíäó "Khairu Al-Waritheen" means "The Best of Inheritors," The One inherits His creations in Heavens and on Earth, as they are all going to perish. This Good Name of God was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in the honorific plural form, with the definite article (Al), in 21: 89. 122. Al-Khair: The Good ÇáÎóíúÑõ
"Al-Khair" means "The Good," The One Who is Good to His creations, caring, loving, providing, and guiding them.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in 20: 73.
123: Al-Abqa: The Everlasting ÇáÃóÈúÞóìٰ
"Al-Abqa" means "The Everlasting," The One Who lasts while everybody and everything have an end as they have a beginning.
This Good Name of Allah was mentioned was mentioned once in the Holy Quran, in 20: 73.
124. Al-Munshi’u: The Producer, the Establisher |