Gems Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names Of Allah And Their Meaning

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Fattaah ( The Opener):
This word is derived from the root word “fataha” which means opened. The Attribute Al-Fattaah has three meanings:

1. That Allah is The Opener of everything, so Allah opens HIS blessings to whomever He wants. It may be the blessings of knowledge, rizq (sustenance), honor, wealth, high status etc. HE may open one’s heart to the guidance of Islam called sharh’ sadar. Allah may open for a person many blessings related with the benefits of this world as well as of the Deen which will also benefit the person in the HereAfter.
Allah said in surah Faatir verse 2:


مَا يَفۡتَحِ اللّٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِنۡ رَّحۡمَةٍ فَلَا مُمۡسِكَ لَهَا ۚ وَمَا يُمۡسِكۡ ۙ فَلَا مُرۡسِلَ لَهٗ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِه ؕ وَهُوَ الۡعَزِيۡزُ الۡحَكِيۡمُ‏  2


(35:2) Whatever Mercy Allah accords to people, none can withhold; and whatever He withholds, no other will be able to release after Him.[SUP]4[/SUP] He is Most Mighty, Most Wise.[SUP]5[/SUP]

Exp.note 4 and 5:


4. This is also meant to remove the misunderstanding of the polytheists, who believed that from among the servants of Allah, someone gave them the provision, someone the children and someone health to their patients. All these superstitions of shirk are baseless, and the pure truth is just that whatever of mercy reaches the people, reaches to them only through Allah Almighty’s bounty and grace. No one else has the power either to bestow it or to withhold it. This theme has been expressed at many places in the Quran and the Ahadith in different ways so that man may avoid the humiliation of begging at every door and at every shrine and may realize that making or marring of his destiny is in the power of One Allah alone and of none else.

5. “He is the All-Mighty”: He is dominant and the owner of Sovereignty: none can stop His judgments from being enforced. Also “He is All-Wise”: every act of His is based on wisdom. When He gives somebody something He gives because it is demanded by wisdom, and when He withholds something from somebody, He withholds it because it would be against wisdom to give it.


The exp.note makes the meaning very clear. For every problem or need we must knock at the doors of Allah Almighty’s Treasures.!!! We can do it with humble du’aa. Also Umar rAa used to tell people to do astaghfaar in difficult time and times of need. He said that with astaghfaar we knock at that door of Allah’s mercy from which no one returns empty handed.

The 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] meaning of Al-fattaah is The Giver of victory and decision in this world. Allah said in the first verse of surah Al-Fat-h:


اِنَّا فَتَحۡنَا لَكَ فَتۡحًا مُّبِيۡنًا ۙ‏ 1


(48:1) (O Prophet), surely We have granted you a clear victory[SUP]1[/SUP]


Exp.note 1:

1. When after the treaty of Hudaibiyah, this good news of the victory was announced, the people wondered as to how the treaty could be called a victory. The Muslims did believe in this divine revelation as true on the basis of their faith, but no one could understand what aspect of the victory it had. On hearing this verse, Umar asked: Is it a victory, O Messenger of Allah? The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: Yes. (lbn Jarir) Another companion came before the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he also put the same question; whereupon the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, this indeed is a victory. (Musnad Ahmad, Abu Daud). On arriving at Al-Madinah still another person said to his companions: What sort of a victory is it? We were debarred from the House of Allah; our sacrificial camels also could not go to their right places; the Messenger of Allah had to halt at Hudaibiyah, and in consequence of this truce two of our oppressed brothers (Abu Jandal and Abu Basir) were handed over to their oppressors. When this thing reached the Prophet, he said: A very wrong thing has been uttered, it indeed is a great victory. You reached the very home of the polytheists, and they had to persuade you to go back by soliciting you to perform Umrah the following year. They themselves expressed the desire to suspend hostilities and have peace with you, whereas their malice and enmity against you is too well known. Allah has granted you the upper hand over them. Have you forgotten the day when you were fleeing from Uhud and I was calling you back from behind? Have you forgotten the day when the enemy had descended on us from every side in the battle of the Trench and the hearts were coming up to the throats? (Baihaqi on the authority of Urwah bin Zubair). But not long after this, the truce’s being a victory began to become manifest, and everyone realized that the triumph of Islam had begun with the treaty of Hudaibiyah. Almost one and the same thing has been related from Abdullah bin Masud, Jabir bin Abdullah and Bara bin Azib. They are reported to have said: The people look upon the conquest of Makkah as the victory, but we regard the truce of Hudaibiyah as the real victory. (Bukhari, Muslim, Musnad Ahmad, Ibn Jarir).



The surah Al-Fat-h was revealed at the occasion of the Peace Treaty at Hudebiyyah. That treaty which appeared a loss to the companions because of its very oppressive conditions from the kafirs to the Muslims but the Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) had to accept them. Allah informed the Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) that it was a victory for them. After the treaty the Idolaters acted against the condition of peace for ten years. Then Allah opened Makkah for Muhammad salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam by giving him victory/fat-h of Makkah in perfect peaceful way! No battle was fought for it.

Also it means to decide the case between two parties. Allah Almighty decided the case between Muhammad salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam and the idolators of Makkah by making him victorious. The Prophets alaihim salaam used to pray to Allah for this decision/ judgement. For e.g. Nuh alaihi salaam said, (surah Al-Shu’araa read as Ash-Shu’araa verses 117-118)


قَالَ رَبِّ اِنَّ قَوۡمِىۡ كَذَّبُوۡنِ​117


(26:117) He said: "My Lord! My people have branded me a liar.[SUP]85[/SUP]


فَافۡتَحۡ بَيۡنِىۡ وَبَيۡنَهُمۡ فَتۡحًا وَّنَجِّنِىۡ وَمَنۡ مَّعِىَ مِنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡن118


(26:118) So pass a clear judgement between me and them and rescue me and the believers with me."[SUP]86[/SUP]


Then Allah brought the terrible wrath of huge flood in which all kaafirs were drowned and only Nuh alaihi salaam and the believers who were in the Ship with him, were saved.


Also Shu’eb alaihi salaam said, (surah Al-A’raaf 89):

قَدِ افۡتَرَيۡنَا عَلَى اللّٰهِ كَذِبًا اِنۡ عُدۡنَا فِىۡ مِلَّتِكُمۡ بَعۡدَ اِذۡ نَجّٰٮنَا اللّٰهُ مِنۡهَا​ ؕ وَمَا يَكُوۡنُ لَـنَاۤ اَنۡ نَّعُوۡدَ فِيۡهَاۤ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ يَّشَآءَ اللّٰهُ رَبُّنَا​ ؕ وَسِعَ رَبُّنَا كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ عِلۡمًا​ؕ عَلَى اللّٰهِ تَوَكَّلۡنَا​ ؕ رَبَّنَا افۡتَحۡ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَ قَوۡمِنَا بِالۡحَـقِّ وَاَنۡتَ خَيۡرُ الۡفٰتِحِيۡنَ‏ 89

(7:89) If we return to your faith after Allah has delivered us from it we would be fabricating a lie against Allah. nor can we return to it again unless it be by, the will of Allah, our Lord.[SUP]73[/SUP] Our Lord has knowledge of all things, and in Allah we put our trust. Our Lord! Judge rightly between us and our people, for You are the best of those who judge.'


So Allah killed his kafir nation by a wrath and saved him and his believing followers.

The third meaning is passing judgement in the Hereafter.
In the Hereafter Allah will pass judgement between Prophets and their nations and between awliaa and their enemies. For e.g. Allah Almighty said in surah Sabaa 26:

قُلۡ يَجۡمَعُ بَيۡنَـنَا رَبُّنَا ثُمَّ يَفۡتَحُ بَيۡنَـنَا بِالۡحَـقِّ ؕ وَهُوَ الۡـفَتَّاحُ الۡعَلِيۡمُ‏ 26


(34:26) Say: “Our Lord will bring us together and then He will rightly judge between us. He is the Great Judge, the All-Knowing.”[SUP]45[/SUP]


So on the on the Day of Judgement Allah will pass Judgement which will reward the truthful and punish the liar.

We must also pray to the Al-Fattaah to decide the case between the Muslims and the kafirs of the present time, aameen.


قٰلَ رَبِّ احۡكُمۡ بِالۡحَـقِّ​ؕ وَرَبُّنَا الرَّحۡمٰنُ الۡمُسۡتَعَانُ عَلٰى مَا تَصِفُوۡنَ112



(21:112) The Messenger said: "My Lord! Judge with truth. Our Compassionate Lord alone is our support against your (blasphemous) utterances."

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Aleem (The All-Knowing)

According to some scholars this beautiful Attribute of Allah has come in the verses of the Holy Quran at more than 150 places. (See the book “Fiqhul- Asmaa-il-Husna by Abdi-Ar_Razzaaq bin Abdil Husain Al-Badhar).

Allah The All-Knowing said in the following verses:

Al-Room 54;


اَللّٰهُ الَّذِىۡ خَلَقَكُمۡ مِّنۡ ضُعۡفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ ضُعۡفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ قُوَّةٍ ضُعۡفًا وَّشَيۡبَةً  ​ؕ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ​ۚ وَهُوَ الۡعَلِيۡمُ الۡقَدِيۡرُ‏

(30:54) It is Allah Who created you in a state of weakness; then after weakness He gave you strength, then after strength He made you weak and old. He creates what He pleases.[SUP]79[/SUP] He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.

Al-Nisaa 70;


ذٰ لِكَ الۡـفَضۡلُ مِنَ اللّٰهِ​ ؕ وَكَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ عَلِيۡمًا70


(4:70) That is a bounty from Allah, and Allah suffices to know the truth.

Surah Yaseen 38:

وَالشَّمۡسُ تَجۡرِىۡ لِمُسۡتَقَرٍّ لَّهَا ​ؕ ذٰلِكَ تَقۡدِيۡرُ الۡعَزِيۡزِ الۡعَلِيۡم38


(36:38) The sun is running its course to its appointed place.[SUP]33[/SUP] That is the ordaining of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.

Exp. note 33

33. “Place of rest” may either mean the place where the sun will ultimately come to a halt, or the time when it will come to a halt. The true meaning of this verse can be determined only when man has attained the full and exact knowledge of the realities of the universe. But man’s knowledge is such that it has been changing in every age and what he seems to know today might change tomorrow. The people of the ancient times on the basis of their observations of the sun believed that it was moving round the earth. Then after further research and observation the view became that the sun was stationary and all the planets of the solar system were revolving round it. But this theory also did not last long. The later observations revealed that not only the sun but all the stars are also moving in a particular direction, at speeds of 10 to 100 miles per second. About the sun the modern astronomers hold the view that it is moving at a speed of 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) per second along with its whole family of the planets. (See Star and Sun in Encyclopedia Britannica).


Surah Al-Baqarah 181:


فَمَنۡۢ بَدَّلَهٗ بَعۡدَمَا سَمِعَهٗ فَاِنَّمَآ اِثۡمُهٗ عَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ يُبَدِّلُوۡنَهٗؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ سَمِيۡعٌ عَلِيۡمٌؕ‏ 181


(2:181) Then if anyone alters the will after hearing it, this sin shall be upon them who alter. Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

This is the verse about the Command of Allah Almighty regarding the will of a Muslim before his death. To understand it you should read the verse before as well as after the verse 181.

Allah’s knowledge is so vast and encompassing that it covers the interior and exterior of everything as well as the hidden and open facts about all things and beings.

Allah has the knowledge of the past, present and future. Allah knows what happened in the past, and why and how it happened; and that what will happen in future, and how. Allah has full account of everything.

Allah mentioned the vast and limitless nature of HIS knowledge in the verses of the Holy Quraan. Some of them are here in the following:

Surah Al-An’aam 80:

وَحَآجَّهٗ قَوۡمُهٗ ​ؕ قَالَ اَتُحَآجُّٓونِّىۡ فِى اللّٰهِ وَقَدۡ هَدٰٮنِ​ؕ وَلَاۤ اَخَافُ مَا تُشۡرِكُوۡنَ بِهٖۤ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ يَّشَآءَ رَبِّىۡ شَيۡـًٔـا ​ؕ وَسِعَ رَبِّىۡ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ عِلۡمًا​ؕ اَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُوۡنَ‏ 80


(6:80) His. people remonstrated with him whereupon Abraharn said: 'Do you remonstrate with me concerning Allah Who has guided me to the right way? I do not fear those whom you associate with Allah in His divinity. Only that which my Lord wills, indeed that alone will come by. My Lord embraces all things within His knowledge. Will you not take heed?[SUP]54[/SUP]

Exp. note 54:

54. The word used here is tadhakkur which conveys the sense that somebody who had been either heedless or negligent of something suddenly wakes up to its true meaning. The purpose of Abraham's statement was to recall them to their senses by reminding them that their true Lord was not uninformed about their deeds, for His knowledge encompasses everything.


Surah Ghaafir (surah Al-Mu’min) 7:
اَلَّذِيۡنَ يَحۡمِلُوۡنَ الۡعَرۡشَ وَمَنۡ حَوۡلَهٗ يُسَبِّحُوۡنَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّهِمۡ وَيُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِهٖ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُوۡنَ لِلَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا​ ۚ رَبَّنَا وَسِعۡتَ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ رَّحۡمَةً وَّعِلۡمًا فَاغۡفِرۡ لِلَّذِيۡنَ تَابُوۡا وَاتَّبَعُوۡا سَبِيۡلَكَ وَقِهِمۡ عَذَابَ الۡجَحِيۡمِ7


(40:7) The angels that bear the Throne and those that are around to extol your Lord's glory with His praise, they believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for the believers,[SUP]6[/SUP]saying: “Our Lord! You encompass everything with Your Mercy and Knowledge.[SUP]7[/SUP] So forgive those that repent and follow Your Path,[SUP]9[/SUP] and guard them against the chastisement of Hell.[SUP]8[/SUP]

Surah Taha 98:


اِنَّمَاۤ اِلٰهُكُمُ اللّٰهُ الَّذِىۡ لَاۤ اِلٰـهَ اِلَّا هُوَ​ؕ وَسِعَ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ عِلۡمًا‏ 98



(20:98) Your God is none else than Allah, beside Whom there is no god. His knowledge embraces everything."

Also Allah’s knowledge encompasses the actions of all people as well as things, nothing is beyond HIS reach:

Surah Aali-Imraan 120:

اِنۡ تَمۡسَسۡكُمۡ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤۡهُمۡ وَاِنۡ تُصِبۡكُمۡ سَيِّئَةٌ يَّفۡرَحُوۡا بِهَا ​ۚ وَاِنۡ تَصۡبِرُوۡا وَتَتَّقُوۡا لَا يَضُرُّكُمۡ كَيۡدُهُمۡ شَيۡـــًٔا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُوۡنَ مُحِيۡطٌ‏ 120


(3:120) If anything good happens to you they are grieved; if any misfortune befalls you they rejoice at it. But if you remain steadfast and mindful of Allah their designs will not cause you harm. Allah surely encompasses all that they do.

Surah Hud 92:


قَالَ يٰقَوۡمِ اَرَهۡطِىۡۤ اَعَزُّ عَلَيۡكُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَ اتَّخَذۡتُمُوۡهُ وَرَآءَكُمۡ ظِهۡرِيًّا​ ؕ اِنَّ رَبِّىۡ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ مُحِيۡط92


(11:92) Shu'ayb said: 'My people! Are my kinsmen mightier with you than Allah that you (hold the kinsmen in awe while) you cast Allah behind your back? Surely my Lord encompasses all what you do.

Surah Al-Nisaa 126:


وَلِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الۡاَرۡضِ​ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ مُّحِيۡـطًا‏ 126


(4:126) Whatever is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Allah;[SUP]150[/SUP] Allah en-compasses everything.[SUP]151[/SUP]

Also Allah revealed the words of the Prophet Ibraaheem (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) as he said:


رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّكَ تَعۡلَمُ مَا نُخۡفِىۡ وَمَا نُعۡلِنُ​ ؕ وَمَا يَخۡفٰى عَلَى اللّٰهِ مِنۡ شَىۡءٍ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ وَلَا فِى السَّمَآءِ‏ 38


(14:38) Our Lord! Surely You know all that we conceal and all that we reveal,[SUP]5[/SUP][SUP]1[/SUP] and nothing in the earth or in the heaven is hidden from Allah.[SUP]52[/SUP]

Exp. note 51:

51. That is, Lord: You hears what I utter with my tongue and also has full knowledge of my thoughts and feelings.

Surah Ghaafir (surah Al-Mu’min) 19:


(This surah has two names i.e. Ghaafir and Al-Mu’min.)
يَعۡلَمُ خَآٮِٕنَةَ الۡاَعۡيُنِ وَمَا تُخۡفِى الصُّدُوۡرُ‏ 19


(40:19) He knows even the most stealthy glance of the eyes and all the secrets that hearts conceal.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir explains this verse as:

﴿يَعْلَمُ خَآئِنَةَ الاٌّعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِى الصُّدُورُ ﴾

(Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal.) Allah tells us about His complete knowledge which encompasses all things, great and small, major and minor, so that people will take note that He knows about them and they will have the proper sense of shyness before Allah. They will pay attention to the fact that He can see them, for He knows the fraud of the eyes, even if the eyes look innocent, and He knows what the hearts conceal. Ad-Dahhak said:
﴿خَآئِنَةَ الاٌّعْيُنِ﴾

(the fraud of the eyes,) "A wink and a man saying that he has seen something when he has not seen it, or saying that he has not seen it when he did see it.'' Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Allah knows when the eye looks at something, whether it wants to commit an act of betrayal or not.'' This was also the view of Mujahid and Qatadah. Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, commented on the Ayah:

﴿وَمَا تُخْفِى الصُّدُورُ﴾

(and all that the breasts conceal.)"He knows, if you were able to, whether you would commit Zina with a woman or not.'' As-Suddi said:
﴿وَمَا تُخْفِى الصُّدُورُ﴾

(and all that the breasts conceal.) meaning, of insinuating whispers.

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We must understand that Allah, The Almighty Creator knows when a person makes intention to commit a crime and then goes to observe the way and path to reach the place and back from it. Then he plans how and when to go to and commit the crime ( for e.g. theft) and also plans his way back from the place of theft. Although he only observed the place with his eyes and made a plan with his heart / mind and thinks that nobody knows about his will to commit the theft, but Allah knows it. It may be that Allah catches him before, or during, or after the crime. Even if Allah lets him go uncaught in this world, but Allah’s servants, the angels have made the record of all that act of the theft and on the day of Judgement he shall suffer the dreadful punishment for it. So fear o’ mankind and watch your looks, hearing, tongue and heart / mind to protect them all from wrong action because you are watched and you have no way of escape from the Judgement!!!

​I think this may be enough to understand the meaning of the Attribute “Aleem.”

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Qabid and Al-Basit (The Withholder and Extender)

✦ People’s Provision or Sustenance

In this context, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala says,
“Allah extends provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and restricts it for whom (He wills). Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of all things.” [al-’Ankabout: 62]

It is He who gives or withholds sustenance for people. It is He who makes people rich or poor. If He desires to provide you with sustenance, He inspires you and enables you to have the necessary ways and means to earn money and make your living. If, for some reason or another, He desires to withhold provision from you, He blocks all ways in your face, even though you might be so smart or brilliant.

For that we should firmly believe that Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala is the All-Provider, and that He, only He, is the one who withholds or extends provision for His slaves.


✦ Rainfall and Clouds

Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala says,


“It is Allah Who sends the winds so that they raise clouds and spread them along the sky as He wills, and then break them into fragments until you see rain drops come forth from their midst! Then when He has made them fall down on whom He wills of His slaves, lo, they rejoice!” [ar-Rum: 48]

Clouds are spread along the sky as Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala desires. He might withhold them from some people and provide them to others. At the same time, in some places the rain would be much heavier than in others. This means that Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala withholds rain from some and provides it to some.

✦ Life, Death and Sleep

Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala is Al-Qabid, Al-Basit in the sense that He withholds, i.e. seizes, people’s souls and causes them to die, or releases them, i.e. brings them back into life. Hence, provision, clouds, light, dark, and souls are all under Allah’s divine control; and He either withholds or extends them.

✦ Constriction and Expansion of the Heart

Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala straitens and widens people’s hearts in the sense that He fills them with both fear and hope. We are always either fearful of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala or hopeful of Him. A true believer should always be in either of two states: dispirited with fear or spirited with hope.

If Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala withholds spiritual enhancement from us, we feel lonely, dispirited, unhappy, deprived, miserable, and even outcast or rejected. This is because Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala withholds spiritual enhancement from us. We read the Qur’an, but do not feel responsive towards it, perform prayer, but do not enjoy any feeling of veneration or submissiveness, desire to sit down to contemplate Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala and His divine Attributes, but feel distracted from so doing. Such a state is simply called Qabd, i.e. withholding or straitening, which makes us feel dispirited or miserable.

Allah’s withholding of good feelings and conditions from His believing slave is meant to make him feel afraid and worried and in order to motivate him to turn to Him in sincere repentance mixed with good hope.

✦ Control and Power over Everything

Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala being Al-Qabid, controls everything and He is All-Powerful. Sometimes, you cannot implant sadness in the heart of a happy person. If you speak to him, he does not listen to you. But Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala is powerful over all things, and He withholds or extends, as He pleases. He may withhold good thinking from you and cause you to be unable to understand a thing.

Hearts are of two kinds: one that is full of happiness, contentment, and divine enlightenment, and another that is hard, desolated, petrified, dead, senseless, and merciless. If Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala withholds happiness from someone’s heart, he is by no means happy, and if He withholds provision from someone, he will never be provided. This is because He is the All-Provider.

✦ Mental Blockage

Al-Qabid also means that He can block your mind for you, make your heart desolated and your soul melancholic and pessimistic. There are extreme cases of depression that drive people to commit suicide. However, a true believer is safe from such bad psychological disorder.

✦ Enlightenment, Knowledge and Wisdom

Another opinion proposed by Al-Qushairi, an Iranian Muslim philosopher, says thatAl-Qabd’ and Al-Bast are two conditions whereby Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala educates those who are conscious of Him. In this context, Prophet Muhammad sala Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “My Lord has educated me, and He has educated me (perfectly) well.”

Religious scholars say that Al-Qabd and Al-Bast, are two conditions whereby Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala refines His slaves who are conscious of Him, and whereby He opens to them gates of knowledge and wisdom.

✦ Reality of Things

Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala is Al-Qabid (the Withholder) who, some scholars say, reveals things to you in order to protect you, and Al-Basit (the Extender) is He, (Allah), who manifests His divine beauty and Majesty to you in order to preserve you. Thus, you are either protected or preserved by Him. Also, He is Al-Qabid and Al-Basit in the sense that He extends His divine favors in abundance to His slaves and enables them to enjoy such favors.

✦ Fear and Hope
Al-Qabid is also He (Allah), who makes you feel afraid of being separated from Him, and Al-Basit is He (Allah), who makes you feel secure with His divine pardon and forgiveness.
As a true believer, one should always keep balance between confidence in Allah’s divine mercy and despair of His Paradise. This is because despair is an illness and so is extra-ambitious desire. Yearning for Allah’s divine mercy, pardon, forgiveness, generosity, and forbearing, we should not forget about His divine punishment, torment, and chastisement.
[h=5][/h][h=5]Living by Allah’s Names: Al-Qabid and Al-Basit[/h]
Be a Source of Expansion for Others. As people, we need to be of those who offer relief to other people. Al-Ghazali states that we should expand the hearts of men by reminding them of the blessings of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala and His consolation, and if need be remind them also of His majesty so that that form of constriction also brings us back to Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala.

[SOURCES: Dr. Muhammad Ratib An-Nabulsi, OnIslam.net, Jinan Bastaki, SuhaibWebb.com]

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Khaafid, Al-Raafi’(read as Ar-Raafi’)
Al-Khaafid means The Abaser and Al-Raafi’ means the Exalter.

Al-Khaafid:

Allah Almighty is The One Who lowers and abases a person from a high position to a very low or even the lowest position and this power belongs to Allah alone. Then Allah abases a person with full justice. So a person is caught in humiliation only due to his sins. Allah is The All-Knowing and Just. Someone at a very high status may be busy in action against the Will and Command of Allah like killing and torturing innocent people. So only one Command of Allah (kun = be) will bring that person to a very low position, and he will be humiliated among his people. This is the matter of this world and the worldly positions, but that will be a rule in the Hereafter. Allah said in surah Al-Waqiyah verses 1---3

(56:1) When the Event will come to pass

(56:2) – and then there will be no one to deny its occurrence[SUP]1[/SUP] –


خَافِضَةٌ رَّافِعَةٌ ۙ‏ 

3. It will bring low (some); (and others) it will exalt;


Another translation with its exp. note is:

(56:3) (a calamitous Event) that shall turn things upside down:[SUP]2[/SUP]

2. Literally: That which causes something or somebody to rise and to fall. Its one meaning can be that it will upset every order and it will turn things upside-down. Another meaning can also be that it will exalt the lowly and bring low the high and mighty; that is, on its advent the decision as to who is noble and who is ignoble among the people will be made on quite a different basis. Those who posed as honorable people in the world would become contemptible and those who were considered contemptible would become honorable.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________


In the Hereafter Allah will elevate believers in Paradise and will humiliate the unbelievers and rejecters of Islam in Hell.

Allah said in surah Al-Hajj verse 18:

18. See you not that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and Ad-Dawab (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and many of mankind? But there are many (men) on whom the punishment is justified. And whomsoever Allah disgraces, none can honour him. Verily! Allah does what He wills.



Allah promised in the Holy Quraan that Allah will elevate in rank those who have knowledge (that is the knowledge of the Holy Quraan and Sunnah).

Also there is a hadeeth about this world:

The Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) said, “ Inna Allaha yarfa’u bi-hadha Al-Quraani aqwaaman wa yakhfidu al-aakhareen” (Surely, Allah raises nations by this Quraan and abases others). I heard this hadeeth from a scholar on you tube.

According to this Hadeeth of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him), the standard of honor for our Ummah is the Holy Quraan. If some Muslims hold fast to it, Allah will exalt them in ranks while those who throw it behind their backs, will be abased.

At the present time, the sufferings of our Ummah are because of their leaving the Quraan and Sunnah. Therefore the only solution is to turn back to the Holy Quraan.


Al-Raafi’ (read as Ar-Raafi’):

Its meaning is opposite to that of Al-Khaafid. It is only Allah Who can raise, elevate and exalt a person or a nation. Allah said in surah Al-An’aam verse 83:

(6:83) That was Our argument which We gave to Abraham against his people. We raise in ranks whom We will. Truly your lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing.

You can read the story of the Prophet Ibraheem alaihi salaam in the verses 74—83 of surah Al-An’aam at tafheem.net. There it is at “Towards understanding Quraan”. You will find it with exp. notes. A short statement is here:

Ibraheem alaihi salaam was brought up in an idolater society. All people used to worship idols as well as stars, moon and the sun. Ibraheem alaihi salaam had no source of knowledge except his wisdom and conscience. He tried to advise his people against idolatry. He tried in different ways to make them understand. His methods of preaching are revealed in different surahs. Here he considered star, moon and the sun in the light of his wisdom and conscience and proved that these could not be god. Then he said:

Surely I have directed my face to Him Who originated (i.e., created) the heavens and the earth, unswervingly upright, (i.e., by nature upright) and in no way am I one of the associators." (i.e., those who associate others with Allah)

(Surah Al-An’aam 79)

He was thrown in to a huge fire made by his nation. But Allah miraculously, made the fire cool and safe for him. And Allah raised him in ranks as Allah said in the verse 83 (given above).

Similarly, Allah said about Yousuf alaihi salaam in verse 76 of surah yousuf : ………WE raise in degrees whomever WE will…..

Allah said about surah yousuf that it is the best story. You can read it with full explanation at tafheem.net. You will see how his step brothers were against him. Then they threw him in a dry well. Then, how did Allah Almighty manage his transfer from Shaam to Egypt. There he passed through many hard tests. He remained in the fear of Allah everywhere. Finally, Allah made him the Ruler of Egypt, and the same brothers came to him in need of wheat. Then they found their brother, whom they had thrown in a well, sitting at the position of a great ruler. Allah can do whatever Allah wants.

Now we are the last Ummah. Prophet hood has come to its end. We are now given the job of the Prophets alaihim salaam. We have to convey the message of Islam and this is a job at a high position. Our duty is to understand Quraan, follow it in accordance with the Sunnah and then convey it to others. The Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) has informed us about great awliyaa in his Ummah due to whom thousands of people will enter the fold of Islam.

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Mu’izz and Al-Mudhill


The Two Attributes have opposite meanings. Al-Mu’iz means that the One Who gives honor and dignity is Allah and Al-Mudhil means that to give someone humiliation is in the HANDS of Allah only.


Al-Mu’izz


It is derived from the word izzah which gives 3 meanings i.e. honor, dominance and power all of which are in the HANDS of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala. Allah Almighty said in surah Aali-Imran verse 26 (its English translation is):

26. Say (O Muhammad SAW): "O Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things.

Also Allah said in the Holy Quraan:


“Man kaana yureedul izzata, fa lillahi-al-izzatu jamee’aa”

“Anyone who wants honor (must know) that all honor belongs to Allah.”


(Therefore he must seek it from Allah.)


It is a part of the verse 10 of surah Faatir. The English translation of complete verse 10 is:

1. Whosoever desires honour, power and glory then to Allah belongs all honour, power and glory [and one can get honour, power and glory only by obeying and worshipping Allah (Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (the goodly words i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allah unless and until they are followed by good deeds), but those who plot evils, theirs will be severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish.

If Allah has given someone izzah, which includes honor, dominance and power, then he must use it for the Deen of Allah to support it, to convey its message and to establish it.
In surah Al-Munaafiqoon, Allah said in verse 8 (its English translation is):


8. They say, "If we return to al-Madinah, the more honored [for power] will surely expel therefrom the more humble." And to Allah belongs [all] honor, and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.

This verse was revealed when Abdullah bin Ubayyah had said the words given in the first part of this verse. Allah Almighty answered his words in the second /last part of the same verse saying:

"And to Allah belongs [all] honor, and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.
The hypocrites had some power, wealth and support from the kaafirs, so they thought that they were the owners of honor, but Allah told them the fact that indeed real honor and dignity belongs to Allah and Allah has given it to HIS Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) and to the believers. Allah can deprive the kaafirs and munafiqeen from that honor any time.


There is a good saying of Ali ibn.Husain rAa as he said:


“Man araada izzah bila asheera, wa hebatin bila sultaan wa ghina bila maalin fal yakhruj min dhulli-ma’siyyati ilaizzi-ita-ati.”

Translation
“Whoever wants honor without tribe, awe/ reverence without ruling authority and riches without wealth, then he must come out from the humiliation of disobedience to the dignity of obedience (to Allah and Allah’s Messenger salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam)”


Thus, if you leave sin and obey Allah and HIS Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him), you will have that honor and dignity.


Al-Mudhill


It is only Allah Who has the power to humiliate whomever HE wants as Allah said in the verse 26 of surah Aali-Imraan,(its English translation given above and here too):

26. Say (O Muhammad SAW): "O Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things.
Allah said in surah Al-Mujaadilah verse5 (its English translation is):

Indeed, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger are abased as those before them were abased. And We have certainly sent down verses of clear evidence. And for the disbelievers is a humiliating punishment.
Allah also said in surah Al-Mujadilah verse 21 (Its English translation is):

Allah has decreed: "Verily! It is I and My Messengers who shall be the victorious." Verily, Allah isAll-Powerful, All-Mighty.

The upper two verses prove that Allah has decreed honor and victory for Allah’s Messengers and those who oppose the Messengers shall be humiliated. According to these verses, Allah will give dominance to those who follow and obey Allah’s Final Messenger Muhammad salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam as now only His teachings are to be followed till the end of this world. Those who disobey and oppose Him sallaAllaho alaihi wa sallam shall be ultimately abased.


When the Muslims started following the way in which transactions are based on usury and interest, and also they are pleased with worldly gains and they discarded aljihaad, then it is expected that Allah will bring upon this Ummah humiliation from which the Ummah will not be able to come out until its members return to the Deen that Allah has chosen for us..


This is true according to The Holy Quraan and Sunnah and in this there is a clue to all the present state of humiliation in which we find our Ummah (ourselves) now.


So all izzah and dhillah is in the HANDS of Allah. If you are true to Allah, Allah will give you Izzah otherwise Dhillah.


Source: youtube.com (The Beautiful Names of Allah by Suhaib Hasan)

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Samee to be read as As-Samee


It means The All-Hearing and The Hearer of all

This beautiful Attribute of Allah came at about 50 places in the Holy quraan. Some of them are in the following verses:

Surah Al-Mujaadalah verse 1:

Its English translation is:

(58:1) Allah[SUP]1[/SUP] has surely heard the words of her who contends with you concerning her husband and complains to Allah. Allah hears what both of you say.[SUP]2[/SUP] Verily Allah is All- Hearing, All-Seeing.

Exp. note 1 and 2

1. Here, hearing does not merely imply hearing a complaint but also redressing the grievances.

2. The translators generally have translated these sentences in the past tense, which tends to give the meaning that the woman had left after relating her complaint and the Prophet (peace be upon him) some time later might have received this revelation. That is why Allah has said: We indeed heard what the woman said, who was pleading with you and complaining to Us, and We were at that time hearing the conversation of both of you. But in most of the traditions that have been reported in the Hadith about this incident, it has been stated that right at the time when the woman was relating the zihar pronounced by her husband and complaining to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to the effect that if she was separated from her husband, she and her children would be ruined, the state of receiving revelation appeared on the Prophet (peace be upon him) and these verse’s were sent down. On this basis we have preferred rendering these sentences in the present tense.

The woman concerning whom these verses were sent down was Khaulah bint-Thalabah of the Khazraj tribe, and her husband, Aus bin Samit Ansari, was brother of Ubadah bin Samit, the chief of the Aus tribe. The story of the zihar upon her is related in detail below. What is worth mentioning here is that the incident of woman’s complaint being heard by Allah Almighty and the coming down of the divine command immediately to redress her grievance was an event that earned her a place of honor and esteem among the companions. Ibn Abi Hatim and Baihaqi have related that once Umar was on his way out with some companions. On the way he came across a woman, who stopped him; he immediately stopped and listened to what she had to say patiently with his head bent down, and did not move till she had finished. One of the companions said: O commander of the faithful, you held back the Quraish chiefs for so long for the sake of this old woman! Umar said: Do you know who she is? She is Khaulah bint- Thalabah, the woman whose complaint was heard at the seventh heaven. By God, even if she had kept me standing till the night, I would have kept standing. I would only have excused myself at the prayer times. Ibn Abdul Barr has related in Al-Istiab this tradition from Qatadah: When Umar came across this lady, on the way, he greeted her. After answering his greeting, she said: O Umar, there was a time when I saw you at the Ukaz festival. Then you were called Umair. You tended goats with the shepherd’s staff in your hand. Then, not very long after this, you began to be called Umar. Then a time came when the people began addressing you as commander of the faithful. So, fear Allah with regard to your subjects, and remember that the one who fears Allah’s punishment, for him the stranger also is like a close kinsman, and the one who fears death, may well lose that very thing which he wants to save. At this Jarud Abdi, who was accompanying Umar, said: O woman, you have talked insolently to the commander of the faithful. Thereupon Umar said: Let her say whatever she has to say. Do you know who she is? She was heard at the seventh heaven. So, she deserves to be heard longer and with greater attention by Umar. Imam Bukhari has also related briefly a story resembling to this.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


In zihaar a husband used to say to his wife, “you are like the back of my mother to me and this was considered like divorce in the pre-Islamic time. The husband of this sahaabiah rAa used the same words and she came to Muhammad salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam, in anger, and complained against her husband. Right at that time these verses of this surah came down and brought down the LAW OF ZIHAAR. You can read the verses of this surah to know the law and other details.

Here is a very important Ijtihaadi point in this verse 1 of surah Al-Mujaadilah. In this case Allah didn’t demand the complaining woman to bring any witnesses to her words. The Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) didn’t ask her husband about the truth of the words that the wife said. So her words were accepted directly and Allah revealed the punishment for her husband. Talaaq (Divorce) is much more serious word. Now a Muslim who doesn’t fear Allah, gives 3 Talaaqs to his wife at one time and then denies it in front of people. So the wife is in a very hard situation because her staying with him will lead her to zina and she cannot go away because she has no witnesses to the saying of 3 talaaqs of her husband. (Now he is her ex-husband). In such cases proof can be given from this verse 1 of surah Al-Mujaadilah and according to this Rule the words of the wife will be accepted and she will not need any witness.

Surah Al-Shura (Ash-Shurah) verse 11:

فَاطِرُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ​ؕ جَعَلَ لَـكُمۡ مِّنۡ اَنۡفُسِكُمۡ اَزۡوَاجًا وَّ مِنَ الۡاَنۡعَامِ اَزۡوَاجًا​ ۚ يَذۡرَؤُكُمۡ فِيۡهِ​ ؕ لَيۡسَ كَمِثۡلِهٖ شَىۡءٌ ​ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيۡعُ الۡبَصِيۡر11


(42:11) The Originator of the heavens and the earth, He has appointed for you pairs of your own kind, and pairs also of cattle. Thus does He multiply you. Naught in the universe is like Him.[SUP]17[/SUP] He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.[SUP]18[/SUP]


Surah Al-Baqarah 127:


وَاِذۡ يَرۡفَعُ اِبۡرٰهٖمُ الۡقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الۡبَيۡتِ وَاِسۡمٰعِيۡلُؕ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّا ​ؕ اِنَّكَ اَنۡتَ السَّمِيۡعُ الۡعَلِيۡمُ‏ 127


(2:127) Recall when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House, praying: “Our Lord! Accept this from us; You are All-Hearing, All-Knowing.


Allah almighty hears all voices /sounds in different languages and with different needs of mankind and other creatures, and provides their needs. Whether the words are said loudly or hidden in the hearts, but Allah hears them as Allah said in surah Al-Ra’d (Ar-Ra’d) 10, (its English translation is):


(13:10) It is all the same for Him whether any of you says a thing secretly, or says it loudly, and whether one hides oneself in the darkness of night, or struts about in broad daylight.


Allah’s Hearing encompasses all calls and sayings and Allah’s Hearing is not disturbed by difference in voices or languages, one voice cannot remove HIS attention from others. Allah is not overburdened by different problems and different demands of the needy creations.



Narrated Al-Imam Ahmad from Ayishah rAa, She said, “ All praise is due for Allah WHOSE Hearing is vast on all voices. The arguing woman came to the Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) and spoke to him while I was in the house besides them but I couldn’t hear her words and Allah sent down the verses of surah Al-Mujaadilah saying,


(58:1) Allah[SUP]1[/SUP] has surely heard the words of her who contends with you concerning her husband and complains to Allah. Allah hears what both of you say.[SUP]2[/SUP] Verily Allah is All- Hearing, All-Seeing. "

and in another narration it is like she said, "

تبا رك الذي وسع سمعه كل شىء"


Its meaning is, “ Lord of Glory is The One Whose Hearing is vast on all things”


(Ibn. Maajah)

In a Hadeth al-Qudsee Allah said, “O my servants, if all the former and latter of you, and the mankind and jinn kind of you stand at the same place and time and ask ME (for your needs ) and I provide all of the needs, it will not decrease for ME anything as if a needle, when dipped into an ocean, decreases its water” narrated by Abi Dhar rAa in Sahee Muslim.

(I have translated the hadeeth into English, Please correct me if I am wrong).

The hadeeth means that the Treasures of Allah are so vast that after providing the needs of all, there will be no decrease in them like a needle, when dipped into an ocean and then taken out, doesn’t decrease water from the ocean.

According to a hadeeth in Muslim and Bukhaari, narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ashaari rAa, The Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) advised the companions to say takbeer in low voice because Allah WHOM they praised is All-Hearer, all-Seer and is near. (They, while climbing on a high place, used to say takbeer loudly, so they were advised.)

The unbelievers thought that perhaps Allah didn’t hear their words, Allah revealed the verse 80 of surah Al-Zukhruf:


اَمۡ يَحۡسَبُوۡنَ اَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوٰٮهُمۡ​ؕ بَلٰى وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡهِمۡ يَكۡتُبُوۡنَ‏ 80



(43:80) Or do they think that We do not hear their secret talks and their whispering counsels? Yes, indeed We do and Our messengers [i.e., angels) are with them, writing.


If one’s faith regarding the Attributes (Qualities) of Allah, is defective, that is, if he thinks that Allah doesn’t know what they say and do in secret, this defect in his faith will make him a looser as Allah said in Surah Fussilat 23-24, their English translation is:

23. "But this thought of yours which ye did entertain concerning your Lord, hath brought you to destruction, and (now) have ye become of those utterly lost!"


24. Then, if they have patience, yet the Fire will be a home for them, and if they beg for to be excused, yet they are not of those who will ever be excused.


As is clear the Hearing of Allah is not like our hearing. Also Allah’s Hearing includes two meanings:

1. General meaning of hearing—so Allah hears every sound, saying and calling whether loud or whisper or calls in hearts.

2. Hearing in the meaning of accepting and answering prayers and supplications. As Ibraaheem alaihi salaam said, (see the English translation of verse 39 of surah Ibraheem):

39. Praise to Allah , who has granted to me in old age Ismael and Is-haac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication.


Also our saying in prayer, “sami-Allaho liman hamidah” which means Allah heard (and answered) the du’aa of the one who praised (Allah).
The Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) told us in a hadeeth shareef that here “sami-Allaho” doesn’t merely mean that Allah heard the praises of the prayer-maker, rather it means that Allah accepted the du’aa (and ibaadah etc.).

As compared to Allah’s great Qualities, the false gods that the idolaters worship have no such qualities. Allah Almighty explained to the kafirs and idolaters that their false gods cannot hear, or see or benefit or harm them in any way. One example of such lessons is in the verses 194—195 of surah Al-A’raaf.

Ibraheem alaihi salaam said to his idolater father the following words, their English translation is:
(Surah Maryam verses 41—42)

41. And mention in the Book (the Quran) Ibrahim (Abraham). Verily! He was a man of truth, a Prophet.


42. When he said to his father: "O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything?

A believer’s faith that Allah is Samee (All-Hearing) will make him protect his tongue from sinful and useless words. He will use it for praising and thanking Allah and also for making good du’aas like the Prophets alaihim salaam used to do. We read many du’aas of the Prophets alaihim salaam like Ibraaheem, Zakariya and others, alaihim salaam. Also we can read the du’aa of Yousuf alaihi salaam. Allah answered his du’aa in the following verse, (surah Yousuf 34):


فَاسۡتَجَابَ لَهٗ رَبُّهٗ فَصَرَفَ عَنۡهُ كَيۡدَهُنَّ​ؕ اِنَّهٗ هُوَ السَّمِيۡعُ الۡعَلِيۡمُ‏ 34


(12:34) Thereupon his Lord granted his prayer, and averted their guile from him.[SUP]29[/SUP] Surely He alone is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

Exp. note 29

29. Allah warded off their guile from Prophet Joseph by strengthening his character in such a way as to make ineffective all their devices to ensnare him, This also implies that Allah opened the door of prison for him in order to keep him safe from their tricks and temptations.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Also Allah Subhaanhu wa Ta’ala advised us to seek HIS Refuge from Satan the cursed one. See the English translation of surah Fussilat 36 as follows:

(41:36) And if you are prompted by a provocation from Satan, seek refuge with Allah.[SUP]40[/SUP] He, and He alone, is All-Hearing, All- Knowing.[SUP]41[/SUP]

 

[OmAbdullah]

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​

Al-Baseer ​

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It means The All-Seeing / The Seer of all.​

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This beautiful Name of is repeated in the Holy Quraanmore than 40 times. For example:​

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Surah Al-Shura (Ash-Shurah) 11; ​

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[h=2](He is) the Creator of the heavens andthe earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves, and pairs amongcattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like untoHim, and He is the One that hears and sees (all things).[/h]

Surah Al-Nisaa 58​

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[h=2]Verily! Allah commands that you shouldrender back the trusts to those, to whom they are due; and that when you judgebetween men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teachingwhich He (Allah) gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer.[/h]

Surah Aali-Imran 15:​

​

[h=2]Say: Shall I inform you of somethingbetter than that? For those who keep from evil, with their Lord, are Gardensunderneath which rivers flow wherein they will abide, and pure companions, andcontentment from Allah. Allah is Seer of His bondmen,[/h]

Surah Al-Mulk 19:​

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[h=2]Do they not see the birds above them,spreading out their wings and folding them in? None upholds them except theMost Beneficent (Allah). Verily, He is the All-Seer of everything.[/h]

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Allah sees everything along with its external andinternal details. Nothing is hidden from Allah. So Allah sees a tiny insect inthe darkness of a night, with all its organs inside its body. Allah seeseverything under the 7 earths as HE sees in the heavens and above the 7 hevens.Allah sees and controls the activities of all organs inside the bodies of thecreation, even inside the nucleus of every cell, the activities of the chromosomes,genes and DNA etc. is watched and controlled by The Creator Allah. Allah saidin the The Holy Quraan that Allah sees the treachery of one’s eyes and turningand moving of everyone’s eyelids. Read the translation of the following verse:​

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[h=2]103. No vision can grasp Him, but HisGrasp is over all vision. He is the Most Subtle and Courteous, Well-Acquaintedwith all things.[/h]

(Surah Al-An’aam 103)​

Here Allah used the words, “Laa tudrik’ hul absaar wahuwa yudrikul absaar” (Are read as I wrote). These words mean that Allah cansee and ,perceive all looks /eyes/vision. Allah also knows the intention ofeach and every one behind his/her/its looks while no one’s looks can reach tosee Allah!!!!!!!!​

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Ibn. Al-Qayyim rahmatullahi alaihi said: “ Al-Baseeris the ONE WHO has tremendous seeing power and can see details of even smallparticles of the creatures, their organs, muscles, blood in their veins, andtheir brain, and also sees a small black ant on a (black) rock in the darknessof a night.”​

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The Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) saidin a hadeeth (seen in Muslim and Bukhari), that Allah has two eyes. He saidthis when he salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam was talking about Dajjaal. He sallaAllaho alaihi wa sallam said that Dajjaal is a’oor (one-eyed) and surely yourLord (Allah) is not a’oor.​

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Also we must think about the verses in which thisAttribute of Allah is mentioned. For e.g. surah Al-Hajj 61:​

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Translation;​

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[h=2]61. That is because Allah causes thenight to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and because Allahis Hearing and Seeing.[/h]

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This indicates Allah’s Hearing of all voices andsounds, and seeing the actions and movements of all during the course of dayand night at all different times and in different circumstances.​

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Similarly other verses like ASH-Shura 27, Al-Taghabun (At-Taghabun) 2, and Ghafir 20there are wise lessons for us to fear The All-Seeing Allah and watch ourthoughts and actions.​

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So a Muslim believing that Allah sees him everywhereand at all times, shall fear Allah and watch his actions. Even he/she willcontrol his thoughts as well as will do Al-Ihsaan in worshipping. He/she willtry to keep away from sins and disobedience to Allah and Allah’s Messengersalla Allaho alaihi wa sallam.​

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Al-Ihsaan is mentioned in a long hadeeth narrated byUmar rAa in which the Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him), whileanswering the questions of Jibreel alaihi salaam, said about Al-Ihsaan that itis to worship Allah as though you were seeing HIM and in the belief thatalthough you are not seeing HIM, yet truly HE sees you.​

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(Muslim)​

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Many people stopped from disobedience to Allah andfrom making sins because of the fear that Allah is watching them. ​

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[Kiro]

It must have taken the scholars hours

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Hakam

Its meanings are:

1. To order, to command,

2. To decide, to rule,

3. To appoint someone as a ruler or arbitrator.

Other related words are:

a). Al-Hukum: It means Rule, Government, administration, management, control , command and authority.

b). Haakim: Ruler, Sovereign, Judge.
Also the word Al-Hakeem is related to it. It means The All-Wise. This word is derived from al-hikma which means the wisdom.

The beautiful Attribute Al-Hakam tells that the absolute and comprehensive Rule and Command is only for Allah and Allah has got the absolute wisdom to rule and command. The Kamaal-alhukum (The absolute nature of the command and ruling) of Allah is such that when Allah Almighty passes a Command for any of HIS servants then there is none to challenge it. Allah said in surah Al-Teen to be read as At-Teen, verse 8:
[h=2][/h][h=2]8. Is not Allah the most just of judges?[/h][h=2][/h][h=2]8. Is not Allah the wisest of judges?[/h]
Both of the above translations are correct.

The Holy Quraan has these names in the following verses. Here you can see the English translation only:

Al-An’aam 57:
[h=2]57. Say, "Indeed, I am on clear evidence from my Lord, and you have denied 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."[/h]
Al-An’aam 114:
[h=2][/h][h=2]114. [Say], "Then is it other than Allah I should seek as judge while it is He who has revealed to you the Book explained in detail?" And those to whom We [previously] gave the Scripture know that it is sent down from your Lord in truth, so never be among the doubters.[/h]
Surah Al-Araaf 87:
[h=2][/h][h=2]87. "And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a party who do not believe, so be patient until Allah judges between us, and He is the Best of judges."[/h]
Surah Al-Kahf 26:

[h=2]26. Say: Allah is Best Aware how long they tarried. His is the Invisible of the heavens and the earth. How clear of sight is He and keen of hearing! They have no protecting friend beside Him, and He makes none to share in His government.[/h]
Surah Ar-Ra’d 41:
[h=2]41. Have they not seen that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders? And Allah decides; there is no adjuster of His decision. And He is swift in account.[/h]
Another translation of this verse is:
[h=2][/h][h=2]41. See they not how we aim to the land, reducing it of its outlying parts? (When) Allah doometh there is none that can postpone His doom, and He is swift at reckoning.[/h]
According to this verse there is none to turn back the Command /decision of Allah. So HIS Command is implemented on people and none can change or cancel it.

Again Allah’s Hukum is proved by all of Allah’s great Attributes. The absolute Command must be for the One Who is All-Hearing, All-seeing, All-Knowing, Acquainted with all knowledge and information, Owner of all power, and abilities to speak and manage as well as all other great qualities.

Therefore considering other than Allah to be Hakam is absolutely false. Read the verses 10—12 of surah Al-Shura (Ash-Shura) for more understanding.

It means that The One Who has all those qualities has the right to give Law, make things haram (forbidden) and halaal (lawful), and considering other than Allah at that high status is the greatest of injustice and wickedness!!! Allah said in surah al-Ma’idah verse 50:

Translation:
[h=2][/h][h=2]50. Is it a judgment of the time of (pagan) ignorance that they are seeking? Who is better than Allah for judgment to a people who have certainty (in their belief)?[/h]
This also has the proof that the One Who has such Greatness must be worshipped and thus we must humble ourselves to that Great God, the Creator and Lord, and we must worship HIM only and supplicate to because none can answer our du’aa nor can fulfill our needs except Allah!!! Also we must fear none but Allah.

Allah said in surah Yousuf 40, (translation):
[h=2][/h][h=2]40. Those whom ye worship beside Him are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers. Allah hath revealed no authority for them. The decision rests with Allah only, Who hath commanded you that ye worship none save Him. This is the right religion, but most men know not.[/h]
And in Surah Al-Qasas 88, (its translation is):
[h=2]And do not invoke with Allah another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned.[/h]
No matter how much details are given, the rights of Allah’s great Attributes cannot be fulfilled. I can give only a short account. But one last thing needs explanation and that is about the implementation and establishment of Allah’s Commands in human populations.

Someone may wonder that why is then Allah’s Command and Law not implemented among nations while man-made laws are established. The answer is that:

There are two places/compartments in front of us. ONE IS THE WHOLE Universe in which everyone can see the Sovereignty /Command of Allah. So the rising of the Sun every morning from the East and its setting in the West, succession of day and night, stars and moon appearing at night, the course of the moon during the lunar month, succession of seasons and the growth of plants, fruits and vegetables in different seasons rainfalls, snow and hails, oceans and rivers etc. all are directly controlled by the Great Sovereign Allah.

Second part is the mankind. In men’s habitations we mostly see man-made laws and systems which have entangled poor people into intolerable chaos and have filled up the land of Allah with blood-shed and massacres. Shame, shame.

Allah is not forcing man-kind to implement Allah’s Law-System which is revealed in the Holy Quraan and Sunnah------This is due to Allah’s Promise that Allah has given freedom of choice to mankind. But Allah has clearly informed us about the horrible punishment in Hell for the unbeliever and disobedient people.

Everyone must read the translation of the Holy Quraan to know about the severe and ever-lasting chastisement for the transgressors, ungrateful servants, in Hell in the next world. Regretting at the time of death and afterwards shall be useless!!!!!!!

Death is nothing but a passage from Here to the next world when this given time to make preparation for the next world shall be finished. Then mankind will get NO MORE CHANCE TO BELIEVE IN Allah”S ATTRIBUTES AND OR TO OBEY HIM

 

[OmAbdullah]

It must have taken the scholars hours

Sad to see that you show anger on my hard work, this is for your own loss!!! But those who love Allah and Allah's beautiful names show pleasure on my work and encourage me to keep it on. May Allah give great reward to all of them.

 

[The-Deist]

Sad to see that you show anger on my hard work, this is for your own loss!!! But those who love Allah and Allah's beautiful names show pleasure on my work and encourage me to keep it on. May Allah give great reward to all of them.

How is that showing anger?

 

[Kiro]

Sad to see that you show anger on my hard work, this is for your own loss!!! But those who love Allah and Allah's beautiful names show pleasure on my work and encourage me to keep it on. May Allah give great reward to all of them.

I'm so confused

 

[OmAbdullah]

I'm so confused

Why are you confused? Explain!

Is it not possible for you to understand the explanation of Allah's beautiful names that I have been posting?

If that is the case then my advice is right that you must try to understand the Holy Quraan. The Prophet Muhammad salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam used to explain 10 verses of the Holy Quraan and would not proceed until the companions rAa learnt them in full. See the hadeeth of Abdullah Bin Mas'oud rAa in the beginning of the tafseer Ibn Katheer regarding the teaching of Quraan by the Prophet salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam.

 

[Kiro]

Why are you confused? Explain!

Is it not possible for you to understand the explanation of Allah's beautiful names that I have been posting?

If that is the case then my advice is right that you must try to understand the Holy Quraan. The Prophet Muhammad salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam used to explain 10 verses of the Holy Quraan and would not proceed until the companions rAa learnt them in full. See the hadeeth of Abdullah Bin Mas'oud rAa in the beginning of the tafseer Ibn Katheer regarding the teaching of Quraan by the Prophet salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam.

No. I thought you were just typing it from a scholars book and said if you took this long to type it than it must have took sooooo much longer with a pen for all 99 names. Sorry, I didn't know it was all your work.

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Adal (The Just)

It means justice, fairness, and to act justly, to establish justice, be Just, be fair.

Allah is Just and Allah’s system is full of justice. We find a balance and a regular order in the whole of the universe so that all objects in it are running smoothly due to the natural balance.

We, human beings, are given freedom of choice, so we are given a balance in the Holy Quraan i.e mizaan. For e.g. in surah Al-Rahmaan (Ar-Rahmaan) and surah Al-Hdeed, the words ‘mizaan” means the balance. It points to the Justice System of the Holy Quraan. We are ordered to choose it and follow it willfully.

In the universe we find a balanced and just system, in comparison to it, in the human body there is a system called “Autonomic nervous system”. The organs, under the control of this system, act with perfect justice and we find a regular order in their actions. This balance is present because this part of human body is not controlled by human will. For e.g. when we run the heart rate automatically increases and more blood is diverted to the muscles. But when we eat food, more blood goes to the GIT (gastro- intestinal system) to provide energy for its digestive function. If a student starts learning his lessons after eating, he/she is overtaken by sleep because brain cannot get more blood for its work. Thus the autonomic nervous system keeps the body activities in balanced form. But when we come to the voluntary system, lots of chaos is found. For example eating more and more food to fill up the stomach will cause digestive disorders because full stomach cannot digest food easily. Similarly, other human habits may cause disturbances leading to high blood pressure or other diseases.

We must do justice with our body and that we can only do if we follow the Quraan and Sunnah which has left nothing that we need in our everyday life. For example, the Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) has told us that we shouldn’t eat up to the full level of stomach. We should divide (in our imagination) our stomach into three parts. Then we must keep one part for solid food, the second part for liquid and the third part we must keep for air. Thus the stomach can do its churning movements which are necessary for the digestion of food.

Similarly, we must be just and fair in all our dealings with others. It is said: “Haasiboo anfusakum qabla an tuhaasiboo”. That means, “Judge yourself before you are judged (accounted)”.

Allah has appointed a special day for complete and final justice with all, that day is the Yawmid-Deen and Yawmul-Qiyamah (the Day of Judgment and the Day of Resurrection). But Allah has also given a full system of Justice Laws in the Holy Quraan, explained in the Sunnah.

Allah’s Justice may also happen in this world. The Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) used to say:--------Adlun fee-ya qadaa-uk-------, which mean, -------“Your decision concerning me is just”------


That means He said that whatever trouble came to Him, was due to Allah's justice.

Whatever trouble do we face in this world is due to the adal (justice) of Allah. Some of our wrong actions and mistakes cause the trouble so that we wake up from ignorance and heedlessness and turn to Allah in repentance and obedience. As an evidence, I am posting the translation of verse 41 of the surah Al-Roum (to be read as Ar-Roum):

41. Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].


In the light of this verse, the treatment of all of the present troubles of our Muslim Ummah is to turn back to Allah’s Book and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him). So all of our Muslims must repent to Allah and hold fast to the Quraan and the Sunnah.

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-lateef, Al-Khabeer​

These two beautiful names of Allah Almighty came together in many places in the Holy Quraan. The translation of some of the ayaat is:

Surah al-An’aam103;

103.Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle,the Acquainted.

I, love this verse too much! It means that Allah can see each and every eye and look (vision), also Allah knows the intention at the back of every look, while so many looks (numerous eyes) cannot see Allah, Allaho Akbar!!!

SurahAl-Hajj 63;

63. See you not that Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, and then the earth becomes green? Verily, Allah is the Most Kind and Courteous, Well-Acquainted with all things.


SurahLuqmaan 16;

16. [And Luqman said], "O my son, indeed if wrong should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted.

Here Luqmaan advised his son to be careful about his duties to Allah and protect him self from all sins.

First I will explain Al-Khabeer.

Al-Khabeer

It means that Allah is acquainted with all information about everything. Allah knows the minutest details and the finest mysteries which lie hidden in minds of people at the conscience and sub-conscience level as well as about the other creatures and creations. Nothing is hidden from Allah in the heavens and in the depth of the earth as well as in between them. Allah knows about all actions that a being performs in the open or secret. Allah knows about the hunger of a small insect hidden inside a rock and Allah provides it sustenance therein. So this name Al-Khabeer is mainly related with the knowledge of all hidden secrets. The name Al-Aleem is already explained. Allah’s knowledge encompasses everything externally and internally and nothing can escape from it. Allah has the count of everything and every being as Allah said in surah Maryam verse 94, its translation is:

94. Verily, He has enumerated them and counted them a [full] counting.

Al-Lateef

It has two meanings:

1. One meaning is the same as Al-Khabeer, i.e. Allah knows the finest mysteries and details about everything and every being. This meaning is already explained.

2. The 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] meaning is that Allah is very kind and helps HIS servants and HIS awliyaa (friends), and makes their things right, their difficulties solved with great kindness through ways that they can’t imagine.

As an example, think about the story of Yousuf alaihi salaam. He was thrown in a well by his brothers and thus his father Yaqoub (Jacob) alaihi salaam lost him. Both of them fell into terrible grief and difficult situation. Allah, the Al-Lateef, informed Yousuf alaihi salaam in the well that one day he would remind them this action of theirs and they would be unaware ….

Here is the translation of verse 15 of the surah Yousuf which is telling us that in the depth of the well Allah was with Yousuf alaihi salaam through inspiration and gave him the glad tidings with the future news that he would meet his family safely. Allaho Akbar.

15. So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him,"You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."

Hadrat Yousuf alaihisalaam didn’t know that Allah was going to give him the kingdom of Egypt! His brothers, due to jealousy, threw him into well but they could not imagine that in fact they pushed him a step forward on the way of progress! Zulekha put him in prison but she couldn’t realize that she pushed him another step on the way to success. Allah’s Help was with him everywhere and the Al-Lateef wa Al-Khabeer made every trouble given by the people not only easy but also good for his mission to reach the high level that Allah Almighty had destined for him. Surely’ there is great lesson of tawakkal ala-Allah (trust on Allah) in this story of Yousuf and Yaqoub alaihima salaam.

Another beautiful story is that of the mother of Musa alaihi salaam as mentioned in surah Taha verses 38,39 and 40; and in surah Al-Qasas verses 7---13. It is really very beautiful, that Allah promised with the mother of Musa alaihi salaam through inspiration that in case of danger from the Pharaoh, she should put him in a box and put the box in the river and that Allah will restore him to her again and will make him from the Mursaleen (Allah’s Massengers). Allah made him not to accept the milk of any woman except his mother and thus Allah restored the son to his mother so that her eyes remain cool!!! What a LOVE of Allah is reflecting from this story, Allaho Akbar!!!

This is Allah’s Lutuf (kindness) that Allah takes out mu’mineen (believers) from the darkness of ignorance and unbelief to the light of knowledge, faith and obedience (to Allah).

For Allah there are unlimited extensive ways of HIS Grace and it is upon us to seek HIS Grace by sincere obedience to HIM, devotion to HIS Deen and sincere wishes and service to HIS servants. Allah puts the servants in hard trials and then makes the trials easy for them. Thus Allah cleans them from sins, makes their nafs amaarah to remain away from evil, makes him strong and steadfast on the Straight Path and provides them high ranks Here and in the Here-After. There are many details,but at present this may be enough.

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Haleem​

This beautiful name of Allah came in many verses of the Holy Quraan.
Its meaning is that Allah is the Forbearer and does not make haste in punishing the sinners. Allah watches HIS servants committing sins, crimes and unbelief, but Allah gives them long time to understand the truth and repent to Allah. Allah continues in HIS kindness and bestows HIS blessings on those who are thankless to Allah and insist to stay disbelievers.

Allah’s forbearing is not due to any weakness but it is due to Allah’s Power, Knowledge and Wisdom. Allah said in surah Faatir verse 44 (its translation is):

44.Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the End of those before them,- though they were superior to them in strength? Nor is Allah to be frustrated by anything whatever in the heavens or on earth: for He isAll-Knowing. All-Powerful.

According to a hadeeth of Saheehal Bukhaari, people do insult to Allah when they attribute son to HIM, they must not do that, and also they belie Allah when they say that Allah will not raise them again like HE created them first, they must not belie Allah.

In spite of all those big sins, Allah gives them sustenance, good health and many blessings. Also Allah gives them long time to think, reflect and repent to Allah so that they get saved from Hell.

People are so ungrateful to Allah that they try to wipe out HIS Deen Islam, and fight with and even kill the friends (awliyaa) of Allah, still Allah does not catch them at once, rather gives them long time. We must not forget that this Forbearing of Allah for long time will become a proof against the sinner on the Day of Judgement.

Allah’s Forbearing is not due to any weakness on part of Allah. Allah is All-Powerful as Allah said in surah Faatir verse 41 (its translation is):

41. Verily! Allah grasps the heavens and the earth lest they move away from their places, and if they were to move away from their places, there is not one that could grasp them after Him. Truly, He is Ever Most Forbearing, Oft Forgiving.


As mentioned in this verse Allah is keeping the heavens and the earth in their places. If Allah lets them fall down due to the sins of mankind, no one else can hold them in place. Due to the sins and crimes of mankind, the angels in heaven fear and they make du’aa and astaghfar requesting Allah to forgive the sinners. All this is because Allah ordained it. This is due to the Forbearing of Allah. Allah’s Forbearing Quality gives the criminals more and more time to take heed.

Allah ordered Muslims to give sadaqah (charity to poor people and prohibited us to remind the sadaqaat to the poor person to degrade and injure him. This command came in the following verse:

Translation of verse 263 of surah Al-Baqarah:

263. Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity) followed by injury. And Allah is Rich (Free of all wants) and He is Most-Forbearing.

Some of the verses that have the name Al-Haleem (The Forbearing) are here translated into English:

Al-Hajj 59;

59..He will surely cause them to enter an entrance with which they will be pleased, and indeed, Allah is Knowing and Forbearing.
Al-Taghaabun 17;

17. If you lend to Allah a goodly loan(i.e. spend in Allah's Cause) He will double it for you, and will forgive you. And Allah is Most Ready to appreciate and to reward, Most Forbearing,


Allah also orders the Muslims to be patient and forbear on the oppression given by oppressors whether unbelievers or believing sinners. In this way Allah gives high ranks and reward to the patient Muslims on one hand and long time to the oppressors on the other hand. If the oppressors regret and repent to Allah in this life, insha-Allah, Allah will forgive them otherwise they will face the Justice of Allah.

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al- Azeem
​

It means the Great. This Excellent name of Allah indicates Allah’s excellence in all HIS Qualities. Allah is Great in HIS SELF, in Seeing, Hearing , Providing, Kindness and Mercy, in the Ownership of Power etc. Allah said in the end of Aayatul-Kursi: “ ------ wa huwal ali-yyul-Azeem”.

The translation of Aayatul- Kursi is:

255. Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.


This is the verse 255 of surah Al-Baqarah and is called Aayatul-Kursi. This is very perfect verse in the qualities of Allah Almighty. According to a hadeeth, it is the best verse of the Holy Quraan. Other verses that have the name Al-Azeem are:


Translation of the last verse of the surah Al-Tawbah (pronounced as At-Tawbah);

129. But if they turn away, say (O Muhammad SAW): "Allah is sufficient for me. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.


Here Allah used this Great name for the greatness of Allah’s Throne, which reminds us the Great and Mighty Sovereignty of Allah the Lord!!!

In surah Al-Haaqah and surah al-Waqiyah Allah said:

Fa sabbih bismi Rabbikal-Azeem.

Its translation is:

74. Therefor (O Muhammad), praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.


This verse is repeated in the end of the same surah and also in the end of surah Al-Haaqah. Here is the tafseer of this verse in surah Al- Waqiyah, in Tafheemul-Quraan. You can see it at tafeem.net. The explanation that follows is found in the exp.note 42 of the last aayah i.e. verse 96 of surah Al-Waqiyah:

(56:96) So glorify the name of your Great Lord.

42. Uqbah bin Amir Juhni relates that when this verse was sent down the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded that the people put it in their ruku, i.e. they should recite Subhana-Rabbi-yal-Azim in the position of ruku in the Prayer. And when the verse Sabbi-hismi-Rabbi-kal-Aala was sent down, he enjoined that they put it in their sajdah, i.e. they should recite Subhana-Rabbi-yal-Aala in sajdah. (Musnad Ahmad, Abu Daud, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Hakim). This show that even the most minor details of the procedure enjoined by the Prophet (peace be upon him) for the Prayer are derived from the allusions given in the Quran.

Thus we repeatedly recite this Great name of Allah in ruku (bowing down on our knees) in our daily prayers.

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Ghafoor​

It means the All-Forgiving. Other related names areAl-Ghaffaar, Al-Afuwwun, Ghaafir, and Al-Tawwaab (pronounced as At-Tawaab).

All of them mean the One WHO forgives sins but their meaningof Forgiving is in different degrees. At-Tawwaab also means that Allah respondspositively to the repentance of the servants, so when they repent from theirsins to Allah, they are forgiven. It is only Allah WHO forgives sins, noneother than Allah can forgive sins. It is very clear to understand, as therecord of sins of the servants is with Allah only, so it is only Allah WHO canomit and erase the sins of a repenting Muslim.

The Al-Ghafoor quality of Allah means thatAllah forgives a lot, Allah is “Waa-si-ul maghfirah” i.e. Allah’s forgiving isextensive. In verse 53 of surah Al-Zumar (pronounced as Az-Zumar) Allahinformed us that Allah forgives all sins. The English translation of the verseis:

53.Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (bycommitting evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verilyAllah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Again in a hadeeth Al-Qudsee Allah said: “O the son of Adam,as long as you invoke ME and direct yourhopes towards ME, I forgive you and I don’t care. O the son of Adam, If yoursins reached the level of the sky, then you did astaghfaar (repented forforgiveness) to ME, I forgive you and I don’t care. O the son of Adam, if youbring mistakes equal to the particles of the earth then you meet Me withoutassociating any one /anything to ME, I provide you forgiveness equal to theparticles of the earth.”
(Al-Tirmizee)
Some of the verses which have this beautiful name of Allahare here as their English translation only:

Surah Al-Nisaa verse 43:


(4:43) Believers! Do not draw near to the Prayerwhile you are intoxicated[SUP]65[/SUP] until you know what you are saying[SUP]66[/SUP] nor while you are defiled[SUP]67[/SUP] - save when you are travelling - until you havewashed yourselves.[SUP]68[/SUP] If you are either ill or travelling or have satisfied a want ofnature or have had contact with women[SUP]69[/SUP] and can find no water, then betake yourselvesto pure earth, passing with it lightly over your face and your hands.[SUP]70[/SUP]Surely Allah is All-Relenting, All-Forgiving.


Surah Al-Fath verse 14:
14. And to Allah belongs the sovereigntyof the heavens and the earth, He forgives whom He wills, and punishes whom Hewills. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.


Surah Al-Mulk verse 2:

2. [He] who created death and life totest you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might,the Forgiving -

Although Allah is so Oft-Forgiving, but Allah knows the inand out of every person and forgives or punishes according to the situation.The most important thing is sincerity of every person. If a person tries totake advantage of the Forgiving Quality of Allah and enjoys him/her self, withthe intention that in the end he/she will repent to get their sins forgiven,they cannot deceive Allah but are deceiving themselves. Now many scholarsremind this Quality of Allah. I remind the readers two more things as follow:

Surah Al-Nisaa verse 17-18;
17. Allah accepts only the repentance ofthose who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; itis they to whom Allah will forgive and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.


Another translation of the same verse 17 is:

17. Forgiveness is only incumbent onAllah toward those who do evil in ignorance (and) then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah. These are they toward whom Allah relents. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.



18. And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: "Now I repent;" nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful torment.


So our duty is to protect ourselves from sins and we must fear Allah at all times. If anyone made a mistake ignorantly, then he/she must repent to Allah quickly.


Second thing that I must remind the Muslims is the behavior of the companions radi-yallaho anhum. Although they knew the verses and ahadeeth about the Forgiving of Allah but they always lived in extreme fear of Allah and readily acted upon the Commands and Rules of Allah.

 

[OmAbdullah]

Al-Shakoor (pronounced as Ash-Shakoor)

It means the ONE WHO acknowledges good deeds and gratitude of HIS created servants. A related name is Shaakir. When a person is called shaakir, it means that he is thankful to Allah for Allah’s blessings. When the same name is used by Allah for HIMSELF, it means that Allah gives great respect to the righteous deeds of the servant and appreciates his faith and good deeds. Examples:

If a person does one good deed, Allah, the Al-Shakoor, gives him/her 10 times more reward while the one who does evil gets one equivalent punishment for one evil deed. For a good deed the reward can increase multiple times depending upon the purity of the intention.

If a person remembers and praises Allah in a gathering of mankind, Allah shall remember him in front of the angels. Allah never wastes the reward of a good deed even if it is very little. Therefore according to a Hadeeth, a Muslim shouldn’t despise a little act of goodness even if it is to meet a brother with a smiling face. So meeting a brother with a smiling face is a virtue which will bring at least 10 times reward to the Muslim.

Some of the verses that have this beautiful name of Allah:
(Here is the English translation only)

Surah faatir30 and 34:

30.That He may pay them their wages in full, and give them (even) more, out of His Grace. Verily! He is Oft Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense).

34. And they will say, "Praise toAllah , who has removed from us [all] sorrow. Indeed, our Lord is Forgiving and Appreciative -


Surah Al-Shura (Ash-Shura) 23:

23. It is that of which Allah gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muhammad],"I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only good will through kinship." And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Appreciative.