Difference between names and attributes of Allah?

abdurrahman.med · **Difference between names and attributes of Allah? -** 12-21-2006

Dear Brothers and Sisters, AsSalam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuhu

What is the difference between names and attributes of Allah?

Question: I would greatly appreciate if you explain me the difference between the names of Allah and the attributes of Allah. I am confused because, for instance, Karîm is a name of Allah, but isn't it also considered an attribute or quality of Allah too?

Answered by Sheikh Rashîd al-Hasan, professor at King Khâlid University

The relationship between the names and the attributes of Allah can be understood by referring to the principles we use to know these names and attributes. One of the best books in this regard is Sheikh Muhammad Salih al-`Uthaymîn's short book entitled al-Qawâ'd al-Muthla fî Sifât Allah wa Asmâ'ih al-Husna.
[ Exemplary Foundations Concerning the Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allaah - Shaik Uthaimeen - 8p [PDF ]
Excerpts from the exemplary book al-Qawaa'idul-Muthlaa (The Lofty Principles) fee Asmaa'illaahi Ta'aalaa wa Sifaatihil-'Ulaa. ]

In this book, he explains that Allah's names are both proper names and attributes at the same time. They are proper names in their indicating Allah Himself and they are attributes in that they indicate meanings that are applicable to Allah. As names, they are like synonyms that mean the same thing - in this case Allah Himself - but as attributes each one conveys a unique and distinct menaing.

Therefore, al-Hayy, al-`Alîm, al-Qadîr, al-Samî`, al-Basîr, al-Rahmân, al-Rahîm, al-`Azîz, al-Hakîm are all names of one being – Allah. However, the meaning of al-Hayy (the Living) is different than the meaning of al-`Alîm (the All-Knowing) and the meaning of al-`Alîm is different than the meaning of al-Qadîr (the All-Capable).

It should be noted that our knowledge of Allah's attributes is vaster than our knowledge of His names, since each name implies an attribute, but not all of His attributes double as a name. For example, Allah has attributes indicate some of His numerous actions like coming, going, taking, catching, and using force. We attribute to Allah these actions but we do not refer to Him by names that indicate those actions.

And Allah knows best.

Source: http://islamtoday.com/show_detail_se...main_cat_id=18

You may be interested in the below related articles:

Allah's Names & Attributes in Qur'an - usc.edu - Sh. Ibn Taymiyah
Allah's Names & Attributes in Sunnah - usc.edu - Sh. Ibn Taymiyah
To Allaah Belong the Most Beautiful Names - Part 1 - SalafiPubs - 8p [PDF]
Source: Dawud Burbank - Lessons on Kitaab ut-Tawheed
The Names and Attributes of Allaah - Shaikh `Abdul-`Aziz Bin Baz - Salafi Pubs
Tawheedul Assama WasSifat - part1 to 4 - Uthaimen - 9p [PDF]
Tawheed ul-Asmaa was-Sifaat - The Aqeedah of Tawheed - Part 4 - Fawzaan - 10p [PDF]
General Principles Regarding the Attributes of Allaah - Troid.org - 5p
As understood by the Salaf by 'Alawee ibn 'Abdul-Qaadir as-Saqqaaf
Important Principles concerning Allaah's Names & Attributes - Uthaimeen - 5p
The Explanation of the Beautiful and Perfect Names of Allaah - islaam.net
Taken from Tayseer al-Kareem ar-Rahmaan, Abdur-Rahmaan Naasir as-Sa`dee's Tafseer
The Position of the later Ahlus Sunnah on the Names and Attributes of Allaah - Abû Rumaysah - islaam.net
99 Names of Allah Good One ! Good One !! Link to Navigable web pages
Taken from 99-Names.com - Al Haramin Foundation
Ninety-Nine Names/Attributes of Allah, subhana watala, according to Quran and Sunnah - Muttaqun.com - 5p
On the Hadeeth Naming the 99 Names of Allah - Umar Al-Ashqar - Zarabozo - 2p
Nice Flash Video on 99 Names of Allah [Other] Good One ! from http://www.eternalmultimedia.com/

As Salam
AbdurRahman Meda

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abdurrahman.med The Servant of Allah Status: Offline Posts: 451 Reputation: 2113 Rep Power: 13 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dubai Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Difference between names and attributes of Allah? - 12-21-2006 Dear Brothers and Sisters, AsSalam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuhu What is the difference between names and attributes of Allah? Question: I would greatly appreciate if you explain me the difference between the names of Allah and the attributes of Allah. I am confused because, for instance, Karîm is a name of Allah, but isn't it also considered an attribute or quality of Allah too? Answered by Sheikh Rashîd al-Hasan, professor at King Khâlid University The relationship between the names and the attributes of Allah can be understood by referring to the principles we use to know these names and attributes. One of the best books in this regard is Sheikh Muhammad Salih al-`Uthaymîn's short book entitled al-Qawâ'd al-Muthla fî Sifât Allah wa Asmâ'ih al-Husna. [ Exemplary Foundations Concerning the Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allaah - Shaik Uthaimeen - 8p [PDF ] Excerpts from the exemplary book al-Qawaa'idul-Muthlaa* (The Lofty Principles) fee Asmaa'illaahi Ta'aalaa wa Sifaatihil-'Ulaa.* ] In this book, he explains that Allah's names are both proper names and attributes at the same time. They are proper names in their indicating Allah Himself and they are attributes in that they indicate meanings that are applicable to Allah. As names, they are like synonyms that mean the same thing - in this case Allah Himself - but as attributes each one conveys a unique and distinct menaing. Therefore, al-Hayy, al-`Alîm, al-Qadîr, al-Samî`, al-Basîr, al-Rahmân, al-Rahîm, al-`Azîz, al-Hakîm are all names of one being – Allah. However, the meaning of al-Hayy (the Living) is different than the meaning of al-`Alîm (the All-Knowing) and the meaning of al-`Alîm is different than the meaning of al-Qadîr (the All-Capable). It should be noted that our knowledge of Allah's attributes is vaster than our knowledge of His names, since each name implies an attribute, but not all of His attributes double as a name. For example, Allah has attributes indicate some of His numerous actions like coming, going, taking, catching, and using force. We attribute to Allah these actions but we do not refer to Him by names that indicate those actions. And Allah knows best. Source: http://islamtoday.com/show_detail_se...main_cat_id=18 You may be interested in the below related articles: Allah's Names & Attributes in Qur'an - usc.edu - Sh. Ibn Taymiyah Allah's Names & Attributes in Sunnah - usc.edu - Sh. Ibn Taymiyah To Allaah Belong the Most Beautiful Names - Part 1 - SalafiPubs - 8p [PDF] Source: Dawud Burbank - Lessons on Kitaab ut-Tawheed The Names and Attributes of Allaah - Shaikh `Abdul-`Aziz Bin Baz - Salafi Pubs Tawheedul Assama WasSifat - part1 to 4 - Uthaimen - 9p [PDF] Tawheed ul-Asmaa was-Sifaat - The Aqeedah of Tawheed - Part 4 - Fawzaan - 10p [PDF] General Principles Regarding the Attributes of Allaah - Troid.org - 5p As understood by the Salaf by 'Alawee ibn 'Abdul-Qaadir as-Saqqaaf Important Principles concerning Allaah's Names & Attributes - Uthaimeen - 5p The Explanation of the Beautiful and Perfect Names of Allaah - islaam.net Taken from Tayseer al-Kareem ar-Rahmaan, Abdur-Rahmaan Naasir as-Sa`dee's Tafseer The Position of the later Ahlus Sunnah on the Names and Attributes of Allaah - Abû Rumaysah - islaam.net 99 Names of Allah Good One ! Good One !! Link to Navigable web pages Taken from 99-Names.com - Al Haramin Foundation Ninety-Nine Names/Attributes of Allah, subhana watala, according to Quran and Sunnah - Muttaqun.com - 5p On the Hadeeth Naming the 99 Names of Allah - Umar Al-Ashqar - Zarabozo - 2p Nice Flash Video on 99 Names of Allah [Other] Good One ! from http://www.eternalmultimedia.com/ As Salam AbdurRahman Meda