Al-Muhaymin

“The Guardian”

Short Summary

The Preserver of Safety & Overseeing Protector.

Long Summary

Allah is Al Muhaymin (ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ), meaning the one who ensures well being and protection over His creation. He is also the ever watchful. Nothing that can be hidden from Him, He is the knower of all the secrets we conceal.

Arabic Root

From the root ha-mim-nun (ه م ن), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to watch over, oversee, protect, guard to be a witness to offer security and peace to determine what is true, to extend a wing. Similar to the Arabic expression, ‘haymana al-ta’ir alafirdkhih’ meaning that the bird took its young ones under the protection of its wings.

Details

Arabic Root:From the root ha-mim-nun (ه م ن), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to watch over, oversee, protect, guard to be a witness to offer security and peace to determine what is true, to extend a wing. Similar to the Arabic expression, ‘haymana al-ta’ir alafirdkhih’ meaning that the bird took its young ones under the protection of its wings.The Absolute Authority of Al-Muhaymin:The name Al-Muhaymin refers to His supreme nature as being the guardian or the absolute authority. He is the superseder, nothing will overtake or usurp Him. He is the ever-watchful, not just limited to the superficial, He can see all which is concealed in the hearts. Nothing can be kept a secret from Him. “He knows what is in the heavens and earth; He knows what you conceal and what you reveal; God knows very well the secrets of every heart.” (64:4)You can find variations of the word muhaymin, like muhaiminan in Surah Maidah verse 48 where Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ declares the Qur’an as being the book that will be well-guarded over the other books:Muhsin Khan Translation:”And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad ﷺ) the Book (this Quran) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures).”But as a name and attribute of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, Al-Muhaymin is only ever mentioned once in the Qur’an. هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَكَبِّرُۚ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَHuwal-laahul-lazee laaa Ilaaha illaa Huwal-Malikul Quddoosus-Salaamul Muminul Muhaiminul-aAzeezul Jabbaarul-Mutakabbir; Subhaanal laahi Ammaa yushrikoonEnglish Translation:”He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.” — (Qur’an 59:23)A sense of ownership/authority:The word هيمنة (transliteration: haymana) in modern Arabic means dominance. One country can seize another, being in control or showing authority over that state. But this is often transitory, exchanging hands from one “owner” to another. Only Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Muhaymin, the one who has complete guardianship, a quality of being in control, supremely that lasts for eternity. It is not limited by any means.But this is one form of dominance. Muhaymin also refers to an authoritative figure who reigns supreme, one that you can trust. This is analogous to a parent who out of love for their child will set rules and boundaries to protect and care for the child. It’s often done in the best interest despite the kid thinking otherwise. Imam Al-Ghazali says, “Everyone who has complete command of a situation, who takes possession of it and protects it, will be its ‘Guardian.’ taking command comes down to knowledge, possession to the perfection of power, and protection to action. The one who unites these meanings is named Guardian. But only God – great and glorious – joins them absolutely and perfectly.”Reflection:How do we benefit from knowing that Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Muhaymin? Just as Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is the overseer of all His creation, we need to be watchful over ourselves. Many people do not know themselves – they think they are their thoughts. We can let horrible or negative thoughts come to mind, but we don’t have to identify with them. We can let it come and pass, just like how a river flows. Identification, thinking you are your thoughts, is like a beaver building a dam in the river. This only ends up damaging the surrounding environment.Similarly, identification can be destructive, leading to either a depressive state or causing one to become arrogant or narcissistic. Instead, it is better to try and be indifferent. Take time to observe and watch your thoughts come and go. Ask where and why they may have arisen. Analyze their depths, and you may uncover secrets about yourself hiding in your psyche. Imam Ghazali recognizes this watching as a crucial step in reforming oneself, allowing one to become a guardian over his or her heart. Only selectively choosing thoughts that are constructive and letting everything else go.Another way in which one can try to characterize themselves by this name is to be observant of those around you. People in passing will reveal certain pains and troubles. If you are watchful, you can exhibit a Prophetic tradition of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which was to care for the needs of those around him. In this sense, you are a guardian, being watchful and showing care and compassion to those around you.

Al-Aziz

“The Mighty One”

Short Summary

The Strong, The Most Esteemed, The Exalted in Might.

Long Summary

Al-Aziz (in Arabic: ٱلْعَزِيزُ) is the one who is most powerful and strong. He is the conqueror that is never conquered and never harmed. This is because His strength, glory, and power are overwhelming, and cannot be overcome or resisted. He is the only one with complete mastery over all creation.

Arabic Root

From the root ayn-zay-zay (ع ز ز), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be mighty, potent, strong, powerful to be high, elevated, noble, exalted to be honorable, noble, glorious, illustrious to be indomitable, invincible to be respected, cherished, dear to be scarce, rare, precious, and unattainable.

Details

Arabic Root:From the root ayn-zay-zay (ع ز ز), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be mighty, potent, strong, powerful to be high, elevated, noble, exalted to be honorable, noble, glorious, illustrious to be indomitable, invincible to be respected, cherished, dear to be scarce, rare, precious, and unattainable.There are several meanings to the name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ as Al-Aziz (Al-Azeez). Common translations include The Almighty, The Mighty One, or The Eminent One. The word Azeez comes from izzat meaning honor and nobility.The divine pairing of names:This great name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ appears approximately 90 times in the Qur’an. It’s often paired with another name, for example, Al-Aziz Al-Rahim, Al-Aziz Al-Hakeem, Al-Aziz Al-Ghaffar, or Al-Aziz Al-Wahhab. The pairing of names oftens conveys an additional layer, we learn something new about Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ that would often be overlooked if we just studied these names independently.For example, what does it mean to be Al-Aziz Al-Rahim? Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is in a position of power, He can subdue anyone who opposes Him. Yet to those who deny and to those who disbelieve, He is always merciful first. “My mercy predominates My wrath” [1] He does not hasten to punish the one who errs but gives them time to repent. And even when He punishes the transgressors, He can be most severe, but He punishes with mercy. These meanings are said to be divinely designed, whose perfection in meaning is understood best through the pairing of names. أَمۡ عِندَهُمۡ خَزَآئِنُ رَحۡمَةِ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡوَهَّابِAm’indahum khazaaa ‘inu rahmati Rabbikal Azeezil WahhabEnglish Translation:”Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?” — (Qur’an 38:9)The Pairing Al-Azeez and Al-Hakeem: وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًاWa lillaahi junoodus samaawaati wal ard; wa kaanal laahu azeezan hakeemaEnglish Translation:”And to Allah belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.” — (Qur’an 48:7)The juxtaposition of Al-Aziz and Al-Hakeem is also an interesting pairing. The saying “absolute power corrupts absolutely” does not apply to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ as He is the all-wise. Humans are fallible. We see it repeatedly happen when a person gains absolute power in their small domain. It’s often met with cronyism, nepotism, and corruption. A person you perceive as wise or humble can become blinded by power. They are not all-wise and all-knowing. Only Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is the rare exception capable of combining all these attributes perfectly. فَالِقُ ٱلۡإِصۡبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ ٱلَّيۡلَ سَكَنٗا وَٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ حُسۡبَانٗاۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقۡدِيرُ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡعَلِيمِFaaliqul isbaahi wa ja’alal laila sakananw wash shamsa walqamara husbaanaa; zaalika taqdeerul Azeezil AleemEnglish Translation:”[He is] the cleaver of daybreak and has made the night for rest and the sun and moon for calculation. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.” — (Qur’an 6:96) وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱلدَّوَآبِّ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ مُخۡتَلِفٌ أَلۡوَٰنُهُۥ كَذَٰلِكَۗ إِنَّمَا يَخۡشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡعُلَمَـٰٓؤُاْۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌWa minan naasi wadda waaabbi wal an’aami mukhtalifun alwaanuhoo kazalik; innamaa yakhshal laaha min ‘ibaadihil ‘ulamaaa’; innal laaha Azeezun GhafoorEnglish Translation:”And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.” — (Qur’an 35:28)Name Pairings# of TimesAl-Hakeem (All Wise)47Ar-Raheem (Merciful)13Al-Qawiyy (The Strong)7Al-Aleem (The All-Knowing)6Al-Ghaffar (The Oft-Forgiving)5Al-Hameed (The Praiseworthy)3*There are more pairings but the most common ones are listed above.Reflection:How can we benefit from knowing that Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Aziz? We can supplicate using this name if we wish to be mighty. It’s natural to aspire for wealth, success, or prestige. It’s a noble cause, especially if the goal of attainment is using that wealth to further Islam and/or to help others. To be blinded in the pursuit of these things that you forget all your other duties is not virtuous and should be avoided. It’s a fine line that requires careful examination, honesty with oneself, and awareness.If you have hunger or burning desire for success, health, wealth, and prestige you should seek it from the true possessor of might, honor and rank. In Surah Imran ayah 26: قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَٰلِكَ ٱلۡمُلۡكِ تُؤۡتِي ٱلۡمُلۡكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلۡمُلۡكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلۡخَيۡرُۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞQulil laahumma Maalikal Mulki tu’til mulka man tashaaa’u wa tanzi’ul mulka mimman tashhaaa’u wa tu’izzu man tashaaa’u wa tuzillu man tashaaa’u biyadikal khairu innaka ‘alaa kulli shai’in QadeerEnglish Translation:”Say, “O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.” — (Qur’an 3:26)References:[1] Sahih Muslim 2751a

Al-Jabbar

“The All Compelling”

Short Summary

The Irresistible, The Restorer, The Repairer.

Long Summary

Al-Jabbar (in Arabic: ٱلْجَبَّارُ), there are several accepted meanings to this name. The most often quoted is The Compeller. He implements His decree without any opposition. There is no one that prevails over Him. The other interpretation is the repairer. He restores all of creation. He heals the broken-hearted, binds their wounds, and brings comfort to the weak. He compels each and everything to His divine will but is never Himself compelled.

Arabic Root

From the root jim-ba-ra (ج ب ر), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to restore something to sound, right or good state to bring back to normal, reform to benefit, to confer a benefit to be supreme, high, above all of creation to be compelling, irresistible.

Details

Arabic Root:From the root jim-ba-ra (ج ب ر), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to restore something to sound, right or good state to bring back to normal, reform to benefit, to confer a benefit to be supreme, high, above all of creation to be compelling, irresistible.As a name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ Al-Jabbar is only mentioned once in the Qur’an. هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَكَبِّرُۚ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَHuwal-laahul-lazee laaa Ilaaha illaa Huwal-Malikul Quddoosus-Salaamul Muminul Muhaiminul-aAzeezul Jabbaarul-Mutakabbir; Subhaanal laahi Ammaa yushrikoonEnglish Translation:”He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.” — (Qur’an 59:23)Verses that describe Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) decree:There are other verses that we can examine which helps us understand what it means to be Al-Jabbar. For example, in Surah Insan verse 30, “And you do not will except that Allah wills. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.” Allah is the one who compels us. We don’t get to choose where we’re born, who our parents are, our physical traits, or the quirks that make us uniquely us. We don’t fully understand the intricacies of our anatomy, the beating of the heart, the firing of our nerves, and the conception of a new baby. All these details of perfection which we’re unaware of are because Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ has compelled it to be that way. In Surah Yaseen, “His command is only when He intends a thing that He says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.” (Qur’an 36:82)A second meaning:There is a second meaning to Al-Jabbar: the one who restores, resets, or fixes our brokenness. He fixes by force and changes the state of something that is disordered and sets it right. Therefore, we can make du’a with this name when you want something in your life restored or fixed. Just as he compels a thing, He can put our lives in order. He is the only one who can mend what is broken, and restore what is lost.Reflection:When we come to know Al-Jabbar, we realize Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ as having extreme power, supremacy, strength over all His creation. Imam Al-Ghazali says, “praised and exalted – for He compels each thing and nothing compels Him, and He has no competitor on either score.” In coming to realize this, we are subdued. We can no longer believe in our superiority. We understand that He is the one who elevated our rank. He benefits His creation but needs no benefitting Himself. This name can be a reminder not to inflate your ego and to avoid self-aggrandizement, “Thus does Allah seal over every heart [belonging to] an arrogant tyrant.” (Qur’an 40:35)Supplications from Hadith:We should call upon this name for help in desperation. A cry to Al-Jabbar to remedy a broken heart, marriage, or confidence. In a weak hadith narration, “Ibn Abbas narrated: ‘Between the two prostrations, the Prophet would say: (Allahummaghfir li, warhamni, wajburni, wahdini, warzuqni). ‘O Allah! Pardon me, have mercy on me, help me, guide me, and grant me sustenance.’ [1] Here wajaburni means to help or rectify me – which aligns with the meaning of Al-Jabbar being the restorer/repairer. Although this narration is da’if (weak), the supplication is still very much relevant. A word of caution, repeating this in your prostration would be ritualizing something unsound, and it’s not the way to reach definitive practices taught by rasulullah. If you do so because, at the moment, your heart desires to supplicate in prostration, and you recite this particular du’a because it comes to your mind, then that’s fine. It’s still a beneficial act that praises Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. The words of dhikr are still applicable, but ritually doing something off of a weak hadith is generally not advisable.In another narration from Hudhaifah: He prayed with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) one night, and he heard him say when he said the Takbir: “Allahu Akbara dhal-jabaruti wal-malakuti wal-kibriya’i wal-‘azamah (Allah is Most Great, the One Who has all power, sovereignty, magnificence and might).” When bowing, he would say: “Subhana Rabbiyal-‘Azim (Glory be to my Lord Almighty).” When he raised his head from bowing, he would say: “Lirabbil-hamd, Lirabbil-hamd (To my Lord be praise, to my Lord be praise).” And when he prostrated (he said): “Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la (Glory be to my Lord Most High).” And between the two prostrations (he said): “Rabbighfirli, Rabbighfirli (Lord forgive me, Lord forgive me).” His standing, his bowing, when he raised his head from bowing, his prostration, and the time between the two prostrations were almost the same. [2]References:[1] Da’if (weak) Jami` at-Tirmidhi 284[2] Sahih (Darussalam) Sunan an-Nasa’i 1069

Al-Mutakabbir

“The Dominant One”

Short Summary

The Tremendous, The Great, The Proud.

Long Summary

Al-Mutakabbir (in Arabic: ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ) means the supremely great one. He is exalted far above all creation, The One who is clear from the attributes of the creatures and from resembling them. He has rights, privileges, and qualities that others do not have. He is tremendous and manifests this greatness in all things and many ways.

Arabic Root

From the root kaf-ba-ra (ك ب ر), which in Classical Arabic means: to be great in size, rank or dignity to be great in size, to be vast, formidable to be great in age, oldest to be great in dignity, noble, majestic to be great in learning, most known to have rights above all others.

Details

Arabic Root:From the root kaf-ba-ra (ك ب ر), which in Classical Arabic means: to be great in size, rank or dignity to be great in size, to be vast, formidable to be great in age, oldest to be great in dignity, noble, majestic to be great in learning, most known to have rights above all others.What it means for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ to be proud:The word Mutakabbir is derived from kabara meaning great, exalted, noble. Common translations of Al-Mutakabbir include “The All Supreme,” “The Proud,” “The Dominant One,” and “The Great.” These are all valid and acceptable interpretations of the name. This name shows there is a vast distinction between Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ and all His creation. Everything pales in comparison. Thus, He is the supreme, the proud, the dominant one. He is the king of kings, and we are His servants unworthy of consideration in relation to Him. هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَكَبِّرُۚ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَHuwal-laahul-lazee laaa Ilaaha illaa Huwal-Malikul Quddoosus-Salaamul Muminul Muhaiminul-aAzeezul Jabbaarul-Mutakabbir; Subhaanal laahi Ammaa yushrikoonEnglish Translation:”He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.” — (Qur’an 59:23)The idea behind the name of Al-Mutakabbir, meaning “The Proud,” is that Allah alone possesses greatness; no one can compete with Him. Abu Sa’id Khudri and Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: Glory is His lower garment and Majesty is His cloak and (Allah says,) He who contends with Me in regard to them I shall torment him. [1]Now, if you were the best in a particular field or sport, we’re talking complete domination; no one comes close to winning. Wouldn’t you feel proud of your ability and achievements? In this regard, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is said to be proud. Imam Ghazali explains Al-Mutakabbir as the one “Who sees greatness and Majesty only in regard to himself, and looks upon others as a king looks upon his servants. And if his assessment be correct, he will be truly proud.”Avoid Arrogance:Note the emphasis on “…if his assessment be correct” imagine if the presumptions of greatness were false, then that person is due for a rude awakening. This is the story of Iblis. He was the first to claim arrogance. He believed he was great in exclusion of all else, and he was humiliated by Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. This danger looms true for all. Don’t become arrogant, and believe in your superiority. Those who do fail to realize it was from Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ and not their own doing.Even Firawn, the king of Egypt, likened himself to a God. But where are all the caesars and dictators now? What empires still stand that honor, worship, and praise them daily? Their pride became arrogance which was based on faulty presumptions. They believed they had no one to answer to, “Thus does Allah seal over every heart [belonging to] an (mutakabbirin jabbaar) arrogant tyrant.” (Qur’an 40:35) In the tafsir of Abul-Maududi it says of this verse, “the seal is not set on the heart of anybody without a reason. This seal of curse is set only on the heart of the one who is filled with arrogance and spirit of violence and tyranny.” In another ayah, “But Moses said, ‘Indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Account.” (Qur’an 40:27)Reflection:A lesson to be learned is as you grow skilled in a field, it’s natural that you’d get more confident. But when you start to think of yourself as an expert, you make yourself vulnerable, hence the saying, “it’s the strong swimmers who drown.” It’s the strong swimmers who take more risks and, as a result, face fatal accidents. It’s too late for them, and their fate is sealed. Similarly, what’s better for the believer is to focus on finding truth. To avoid arrogance in thinking that they already know.The human condition is a desire to know, expand, and have power. It’s hard to renounce all things – which, if you could, would be better. But that’s the road less traveled. It’s difficult and discomforting to assume you don’t know or to admit you are uncertain. It feels reassuring to think you know something. But in this facade, you deprive yourself of going further. The tricky part of having poor judgment is you don’t know when you have it. It’s far better to find evidence in reality to support your view – and even then, not to draw conclusions. The moment you feel you know something, you allow yourself to stop searching. We all likely share a similar experience in studying for a test. You may have gone over a homework problem, looked at the answer, and thought, “yeah that make sense” or “that’s easy,” and moved on. But when a similar question appeared on the test, we “blanked out” and couldn’t answer it. Really we just fooled ourselves into thinking we knew and never got evidence to support that we really did. It would’ve been wise to test and practice, space out some time, and do it again. This way, we would not fool ourselves into thinking we knew something when we really didn’t.To try and characterize oneself as being great and as feeling proud of their achievements in a non-conceited way, we can simplify it to the basic philosophy of doing your best. Be clear and deliberate in understanding what’s important to you, and then try your best to live up to that standard. If you could go to bed every day knowing you’ve done your best, how can you not say you succeeded in what you set out to do? As a result of doing this over an extended period, you will surely get recognition from those closest to you, and perhaps it will shine through for others to see as well. But that part is something that will happen as a by-product, not as the goal for attainment. More important to ask how to be deserving of greatness rather than a desire for greatness.In another light, Al-Mutakabbir is also the one we can lean on when we are faced with an obstacle that seems insurmountable. It’s a name that should inspire hope and optimism. As the Qur’an mentions: إِن يَنصُرۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمۡۖ وَإِن يَخۡذُلۡكُمۡ فَمَن ذَا ٱلَّذِي يَنصُرُكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَIny-yansurkumul laahu falaa ghaaliba lakum wa iny-yakhzulkum faman zal lazee yansurukum min ba’dih; wa ‘alal laahi falyatawakkalil mu’minoonEnglish Translation:”If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.” — (Qur’an 3:160)References:[1] Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 4090 & Sahih Muslim 2620

Al-Khaliq

“The Creator”

Short Summary

The One who brings everything from non-existence to existence.

Long Summary

Al Khaaliq (in Arabic: ٱلْخَالِقُ) He is the one who creates things from nothing with no precedents. He creates what He pleases and in a perfect manner. He is the only one who determines when, how, and what to create and does so from nothing.

Arabic Root

From the Arabic root kha-lam-qaf (خ ل ق), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to measure accurately, to determine the proper measure or proportion for something, to proportion one thing according to another, to create something based on a pattern or model which one has devised, to bring a thing into existence from non-existence.

Details

Arabic Root:From the Arabic root kha-lam-qaf (خ ل ق), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to measure accurately, to determine the proper measure or proportion for something, to proportion one thing according to another, to create something based on a pattern or model which one has devised, to bring a thing into existence from non-existence.The names of creation:The name Al-Khaliq is mentioned in the Qur’an 8 times. The three names of creation, Al-Khaliq (The Creator), Al-Bari (The Producer), and Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner). These names may seem synonymous with Allah’s ability to invent or create. But they are distinct names offering unique shades of meaning, bringing out different aspects to Allah’s creating of creation. For example, these three names are often said to represent an order to His creation. First, you have Al-Khaliq, The Creator. He who produces something from nothing, i.e., He plans and creates. Secondly, He is Al-Bari, The Producer – the one who initiates and brings into existence. Lastly, He is Al-Musawwir, The Fashioner – He organizes and shapes the arrangement of the creation.What’s amazing is these names are followed in this exact sequence based on their meaning in in the following ayah: هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُHuwal Laahul Khaaliqul Baari ul Musawwir; lahul Asmaaa’ul Husnaa; yusabbihu lahoo maa fis samaawaati wal ardi wa Huwal Azeezul HakeemEnglish Translation:”He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” — (Qur’an 59:24)A useful analogy:Imam al-Ghazali compares these three names to the process of constructing a house. You have the planner, the builder, and the designer who gives it its final shape. Similarly, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ takes on the three roles – the creator, producer, and the fashioner. However, the difference is we are not really inventing. Only Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ creates and He does so on an unimaginable scale. He creates from nothingness, whereas we are merely finding ways to transform material from one form to another. We are limited in what we can make, whereas Allah’s creation is unbounded.No single creation exists without His willingness for it to be. Every one of Allah’s creations has its origination with Him, and He gave it its form according to His divine knowledge and wisdom. ثُمَّ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلنُّطۡفَةَ عَلَقَةٗ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡعَلَقَةَ مُضۡغَةٗ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡمُضۡغَةَ عِظَٰمٗا فَكَسَوۡنَا ٱلۡعِظَٰمَ لَحۡمٗا ثُمَّ أَنشَأۡنَٰهُ خَلۡقًا ءَاخَرَۚ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحۡسَنُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقِينَSumma khalaqnan nutfata alaqatan fakhalaqnal alaqata mudghatan fakhalaq nal mudghata izaaman fakasawnal izaama lahman summa anshaanaahu khalqan aakhar; fatabaarakal laahu ahsanul khaaliqeenEnglish Translation:”Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.” — (Qur’an 23:14)Note, in this verse it refers to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ as ahsan al khaliqeen, meaning “the best of creators”. It’s also mentioned another time in Surah as-Saffat ayat 125.Note how, in the following ayah, it pairs these two attributes of His, i.e., He is Al-Khaliq, and Al-Alim (the knower). It signifies his ability to create in abundance and in accordance with His master plan. He creates perpetually and with a purpose. “Did you imagine that We created you without any purpose, and that you will not be brought back to Us?” (Qur’an 23:115) إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلۡخَلَّـٰقُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُInna Rabbaka Huwal khallaaqul ‘aleemEnglish Translation:”For verily it is thy Lord who is the Master-Creator, knowing all things.” — (Qur’an 15:86)Reflection:If we take a second to reflect on all of Allah’s creations. How can a person be created from a small drop of fluid and have it manifest into 30 trillion cells that all work in unison, giving us life? If you gaze at the night sky, look at each tiny speck of light, each one of those is a giant star existing far away in some galaxy Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ has created. Yet here we are on this relatively small rock, floating through space, and it’s the only one we know that is habitable. All the beauty in the world, and you get to experience it; Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ has allowed us to play a part in it. How can you not feel humble and appreciative of this very moment? The pessimist says, ‘but think of all the fitnahs (i.e., trials or tests) of the world’. A person can look through a window and appreciate the beauty outside, but it is possible to fixate only on the specks that dirty the glass. Whatever you focus on, you will see.Further Reading: we did not include all the verses which mentions the name, Al-khaliq. If you’d like to read further, see 6:102, 13:16, 15:86, 36:81, 39:62, 40:62.

Al-Bari

“The Evolver / The Maker”

Short Summary

The Maker, The Creator who has the Power to turn the entities.

Long Summary

Al-Baari (in Arabic: ٱلْبَارِئُ) is the one who decreed things to exist out of nothing in a specific manner. Creates shape from nothing that has no model or similarity. He manifests His creations in perfect harmony and in perfect proportions without any faults.

Arabic Root

:From the root ba-ra-hamza (ب ر أ), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to create, to form out of nothing, to manifest, to create using pre-existing matter, evolve, to be individual free and clear of another thing, to be free and clear of fault or blemish.

Details

Arabic Roots:From the root ba-ra-hamza (ب ر أ), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to create, to form out of nothing, to manifest, to create using pre-existing matter, evolve, to be individual free and clear of another thing, to be free and clear of fault or blemish.Names of creating:As we mentioned in the name Al-Khaliq (the creator), He also has two similar names Al-Bari (the producer or the maker), and Al-Musawwir (the fashioner). These names may seem synonymous with Allah’s ability to invent or create. But they are distinct and offer unique shades of meaning, bringing out different aspects to Allah’s creating of creation. For example, these three names are often said to represent an order to His creation. First, you have Al-Khaliq, The Creator. He who produces something from nothing, i.e., He plans and creates. Secondly, He is Al-Bari, The Producer – the one who initiates and brings into existence. Lastly, He is Al-Musawwir, The Fashioner – He organizes and shapes the arrangement of the creation.What’s amazing is these names are followed in this exact sequence based on their meaning in in the following ayah: هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُHuwal Laahul Khaaliqul Baari ‘ul Musawwir; lahul Asmaaa’ul Husnaa; yusabbihu lahoo maa fis samaawaati wal ardi wa Huwal ‘Azeezul HakeemEnglish Translation:”He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” — (Qur’an 59:24)A useful analogy:Imam al-Ghazali compares these three names to the process of constructing a house. You have the planner, the builder, and the designer who gives it its final shape. Similarly, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ takes on the three roles – the creator, producer, and the fashioner. However, the difference is we are not really inventing. Only Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ creates and He does so on an unimaginable scale. He creates from nothingness, whereas we are merely finding ways to transform material from one form to another. We are limited in what we can make, whereas Allah’s creation is unbounded.Here you can read other verses which do not contain the name Al-Bari but furthr describe Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ as being the best of creators. ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكَ فَسَوَّىٰكَ فَعَدَلَكَAllazee khalaqaka fasaw waaka fa’adalakEnglish Translation:”Who created you, proportioned you, and balanced you?” — (Qur’an 82:7)Reflection:At times, we may feel insecure with our physical traits, but Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ tells us in the Qur’an that we’ve been created in the best moulds. لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ فِيٓ أَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيمٖLaqad khalaqnal insaana fee ahsani taqweemEnglish Translation:”Verily, We created man of the best stature (mould),” — (Qur’an 95:4)Start with Acceptance:This is a reminder that we should be thankful to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ for the vessel He has granted us. We can not change it, nor should there be a desire to. Instead, we should learn to love it, look after it, and accept it for what it is. This process doesn’t happen overnight; there’s no guilt in not feeling great immediately. But, through studying deen, we understand Allah’s attributes of how He is all-Knowing, doesn’t make mistakes, and that He is the best of creators. We must then examine our insecurities and put them under a microscope. Here we will find that we are all perfectly imperfect. As a physical creation of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ we are designed perfectly; He created us how He intended. The suffering we experience in our self-image is of the mind, and this differs from reality. The ways we are imperfect are through our actions and the way we treat ourselves. These actions can erode self-respect and dignity – perhaps on a subconscious level. But, if we are honest, we can figure out what may be causing our unhappiness/uneasiness and seek to better ourselves. We don’t have to deny our weaknesses; instead, we should embrace them. The Qur’an even tells us, “man was created weak.” (Qur’an 4:28). وَتَرَى ٱلۡجِبَالَ تَحۡسَبُهَا جَامِدَةٗ وَهِيَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ ٱلسَّحَابِۚ صُنۡعَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَتۡقَنَ كُلَّ شَيۡءٍۚ إِنَّهُۥ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَفۡعَلُونَWa taral jibaala tahsabuhaa jaamidatanw wa hiya tamurru marras sahaab; sun’al laahil lazeee atqana kulla shai’; innahoo khabeerun bimaa taf’aloonEnglish Translation:”And you see the mountains, thinking them rigid, while they will pass as the passing of clouds. [It is] the work of Allah, who perfected all things. Indeed, He is Acquainted with that which you do.” — (Qur’an 27:88)Changing the goal:The journey starts with love. There will be less of an internal conflict to do the things you already know you should be doing the day you revitalize the love of self. It’s hard to detach or untangle our current aspirations from what society has been telling us is important as it becomes indoctrinated. But this does not always align with what Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ loves to see in His servant. This is what it means to be fooled by the worldly life – the cars, the money, beauty standards, fame, or popularity. All these are superficial. You don’t need to define yourself by these values. Instead, you can rewrite your story for confidence to be defined by your loving nature, piousness, devotion to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, your compassion, your mercy, your wisdom, your family values, and/or your hard-working and resourceful nature. Notice how all these are internal values that occur at the individual level. It doesn’t involve other people or require an outwardly show of something. There is no competition with others. This makes it less glamorized and promoted in culture, as there’s nothing for them to sell you and to make a profit on. If anything, perfecting oneself can make others feel inferior, so it’s looked down on.Narrated Ibn Abbas: that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Love Allah for what He nourishes you with of His Blessings, love me due to the love of Allah, and love the people of my house due to the love of me.” [1]References:[1] Hasan (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3789

Al-Musawwir

“The Flawless Shaper”

Short Summary

The Fashioner, The Bestower of Form, The Shaper of Unique Beauty

Long Summary

Allah is Al-Musawwir (in arabic: ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ), meaning He brings into existence whatever He wills and in whatever manner He wills it. He says, kun faya kun, “Be! and it is”. He is the fashioner of every creation and has given it a special form whereby it is distinguished.

Arabic Root

From the root sad-waw-ra (ص و ر), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to make something incline, lean or bend towards, to form, fashion, sculpt, imagine or picture something, to have an inclination or desire towards something.

Details

Arabic Root:From the root sad-waw-ra (ص و ر), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to make something incline, lean or bend towards, to form, fashion, sculpt, imagine or picture something, to have an inclination or desire towards something.The names of creation:The three names of creation, Al-Khaliq (The Creator), Al-Bari (The Producer), and Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner). These names may seem synonymous with Allah’s ability to invent or create. But they are distinct names offering unique shades of meaning, bringing out different aspects to Allah’s creating of creation. For example, these three names are often said to represent an order to His creation. First, you have Al-Khaliq, The Creator. He who produces something from nothing, i.e., He plans and creates. Secondly, He is Al-Bari, The Producer – the one who initiates and brings into existence. Lastly, He is Al-Musawwir, The Fashioner – He organizes and shapes the arrangement of the creation.What’s amazing is these names are followed in this exact sequence based on their meaning in in the following ayah: هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُHuwal Laahul Khaaliqul Baari ul Musawwir; lahul Asmaaa’ul Husnaa; yusabbihu lahoo maa fis samaawaati wal ardi wa Huwal Azeezul HakeemEnglish Translation:”He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” — (Qur’an 59:24)A useful analogy:Imam al-Ghazali compares these three names to the process of constructing a house. You have the planner, the builder, and the designer who gives it its final shape. Similarly, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ takes on the three roles – the creator, producer, and the fashioner. However, the difference is we are not really inventing. Only Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ creates and He does so on an unimaginable scale. He creates from nothingness, whereas we are merely finding ways to transform material from one form to another. We are limited in what we can make, whereas Allah’s creation is unbounded.We’ve covered the only verse which explicitly mentions the name Al-Musawwir which establishes it as a name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. The following verses further exemplify the quality of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ as being the fashioner: يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ مَا غَرَّكَ بِرَبِّكَ ٱلۡكَرِيمِ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكَ فَسَوَّىٰكَ فَعَدَلَكَ فِيٓ أَيِّ صُورَةٖ مَّا شَآءَ رَكَّبَكَYaaa ayyuhal insaaanu maa gharraka bi Rabbikal kareem Allazee khalaqaka fasaw waaka fa’adalak Feee ayye sooratim maa shaaa’a rakkabakEnglish Translation:”O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous, Who created you, proportioned you, and balanced you? In whatever form He willed has He assembled you.” — (Qur’an 82:6-8) وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ خَلۡقُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَٰفُ أَلۡسِنَتِكُمۡ وَأَلۡوَٰنِكُمۡۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّلۡعَٰلِمِينَWa min Aayaatihee khalqus samaawaati wal aardi wakhtilaafu alsinatikum wa alwaanikum; inna fee zaalika la Aayaatil lil’aalimeenEnglish Translation:”And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.” — (Qur’an 30:22) وَٱللَّهُ أَخۡرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ شَيۡـٔٗا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَWallaahu akhrajakum mim butooni ummahaatikum laa ta’lamoona shai’anw wa ja’ala lakumus sam’a wal absaara wal af’idata la’allakum tashkuroonEnglish Translation:”And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and intellect that perhaps you would be grateful.” — (Qur’an 16:78)Reflection:These verses and Allah’s names of creations are a reminder to us of how we should be grateful to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. You can read the benefits of knowing these names, as we already discussed in al-Khaliq and al-Bari. We can take with us a lesson from the life of Prophet Suleiman (as). Remember this as you read this next section, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is the fashioner; he forms us unique and however, He pleases.Prophet Suleiman (as) was a wealthy King, ruling over the Israelites, loved by the people, and endowed with many unique abilities. The Qur’an says that he gifted “the language of the birds.” We also learn that he could hear the ants when they spoke and that he could command the Jinn. Moreover, he was wise, “And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge” (27:15). Do you think he cultivated this ability on his own? No, of course not. These are the gifts that only the creator can bestow. Prophet Suleiman (as) knew this himself, which is why he made the following du’a which we are told in Surah Naml: فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكٗا مِّن قَوۡلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوۡزِعۡنِيٓ أَنۡ أَشۡكُرَ نِعۡمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِيٓ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَيَّ وَأَنۡ أَعۡمَلَ صَٰلِحٗا تَرۡضَىٰهُ وَأَدۡخِلۡنِي بِرَحۡمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَFatabassama daahikam min qawlihaa wa qaala Rabbi awzi’nee an ashkura ni’mata kal lateee an’amta alaiya wa alaa waalidaiya wa an a’mala saalihan tardaahu wa adkhilnee birahmatika fee ibaadikas saaliheenEnglish Translation:”So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, ‘My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.’” — (Qur’an 27:19)The complete du’a of Prophet Suleiman (as) starts with the word Rabbi, meaning “My Lord.” This du’a has been highlighted for your reference. In concluding on these three names of creation we accept, whether we deem a thing good or bad, it is all perfect because it is how Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ intended it to be, “Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.” (3:47)

al-Ghaffar

“The Great-Forgiver”

Short Summary

The Forgiver, The Ever-Forgiving, The Most-Forgiving.

Long Summary

Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Ghaffar (in Arabic: ٱلْغَفَّارُ), He sees our sins and disobedience, yet He still forgives and accepts the repentance of the sincere. He shows never-ending compassion and forgiveness, no matter how big or small the sin. He is the most forgiving and loves to forgive.

Arabic Root

From the root ghayn-fa-ra (غ ف ر), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to cover, veil, conceal, hide to pardon, to forgive, to set aright, to cover a thing, to protect it from dirt.

Details

Arabic Root:From the root ghayn-fa-ra (غ ف ر), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to cover, veil, conceal, hide to pardon, to forgive, to set aright, to cover a thing, to protect it from dirt.The names Al-Ghaffar, Al-Ghaffur, and Al-Ghafir all refer to Allah’s attribute of being forgiving. Together they have been mentioned a total of 97 times in the Qur’an. Of those 97 instances, the Qur’an mentions Al-Ghaffur 91 times, Al-Ghaffar 5 times, and Al-Ghafir just once.Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ loves to forgive:These names refer to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ nature of being forgiving. He wants to forgive those who seek istighfar (forgiveness). Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah, the Exalted, has said: ‘O son of adam, I forgive you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, whatever sins you have committed. O son of ‘Adam, I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of ‘Adam, if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earthload of forgiveness.”‘ [1]From this hadith, we learn that it’s never too late for someone who seeks the forgiveness of their Lord, even if their sins “reach the height of the heaven.” Do not ever feel you are overburdening, asking for too much, or it’s too late. This would be insulting to Allah’s mercy, who is Al-Ghaffar, The Oft-Forgiving, the one who forgives perpetually. A person who has sinned should not despair of Allah’s mercy. We are told in the following verse the one who sins has only wronged themselves when they disobey Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. They have not wronged Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ but cheated themselves out of some goodness. Like a person who cheats on a test. They may get a good grade in the class but will miss the benefit of having that knowledge and will pay the price in the real world. ۞قُلۡ يَٰعِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُQul yaa’ibaadiyal lazeena asrafoo ‘alaaa anfusihim laa taqnatoo mirrahmatil laah; innal laaha yaghfiruz zunooba jamee’aa; innahoo Huwal Ghafoorur RaheemEnglish Translation:”Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’” — (Qur’an 39:53) فَقُلۡتُ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارٗاFaqultus taghfiroo Rabakum innahoo kaana GhaffaaraaEnglish Translation:”And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.” — (Qur’an 71:10)Even what’s regarded as the unpardonable sin shirk (i.e., associating partners with Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) can be forgiven. In the Qur’an, it says, “Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin” (Qur’an 4:48) and in another verse, “Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.” (Qur’an 4:116) But as other commentators have pointed out in Surah Az-Zumar, “Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” All the sahabah before the Prophet’s time were considered mushrikeen, but they changed, they sought forgiveness, and Allah forgave them. The Qur’an only speaks of the person not being forgiven if they died having committed shirk (e.g., Prophet Ibrahim AS father who died a pagan) and chose to reject or deny Islam.The remaining Quranic verses that include the name Al-Ghaffar. وَإِنِّي لَغَفَّارٞ لِّمَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا ثُمَّ ٱهۡتَدَىٰWa innee la Ghaffaarul liman taaba wa aamana wa ‘amila saalihan summah tadaaEnglish Translation:”But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.” — (Qur’an 20:82) رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفَّـٰرُRabbus samaawaati wal ardi wa maa bainahumal Azeezul GhaffaarEnglish Translation:”Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver.” — (Qur’an 38:66) خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ بِٱلۡحَقِّۖ يُكَوِّرُ ٱلَّيۡلَ عَلَى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ ٱلنَّهَارَ عَلَى ٱلَّيۡلِۖ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَۖ كُلّٞ يَجۡرِي لِأَجَلٖ مُّسَمًّىۗ أَلَا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفَّـٰرُKhalaqas samaawaati wal arda bilhaqq; yukawwirul laila ‘alan nahaari wa yukawwirun nahaara ‘alaal laili wa sakhkharash shamsa walqamara kulluny yajree li ajalim musammaa; alaa Huwal ‘Azeezul GhaffaarEnglish Translation:”He created the heavens and earth in truth. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term. Unquestionably, He is the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver.” — (Qur’an 39:5) تَدۡعُونَنِي لِأَكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَأُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ مَا لَيۡسَ لِي بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞ وَأَنَا۠ أَدۡعُوكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡغَفَّـٰرِTad’oonanee li-akfura billaahi wa ushrika bihee maa laisa lee bihee ilmunw wa ana ad’ookum ilal’Azeezil GhaffaarEnglish Translation:”You invite me to disbelieve in Allah and associate with Him that of which I have no knowledge, and I invite you to the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver.” — (Qur’an 40:42)Name Pairings# of TimesAr-Raheem (Merciful)42Al-Haleem (The Clement One)4Al-Afuww (The Effacer of Sins)4Ash-Shakur (Grateful)3Al-Aziz (The Eminent)2*These are some of the pairings with Al-Ghaffar & Al-Ghafoor.Reflection:Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) as saying: The servant (who conceals) the faults of others in this world, Allah would conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.[2] The lesson behind this is not to conceal unlawful acts from authorities per se but rather to serve as a reminder to avoid searching for the ugliness in people.Some people actively look, and when they find it, they are delighted. They have an inherent distrust in people, and so when their suspicion is confirmed – they are pleased. Others may find pleasure in seeing the fault in others as a way to avoid dealing with their deficiencies.What is better for the believer is to look for the good, just as Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ wants to forgive His servants. He wants those who make mistakes to rise above them, i.e., to seek His forgiveness and to be better because of it. We should give people the same opportunity. It does take being vulnerable to some extent, but that is not a weakness. Lead with love, trust, and compassion. Only once your kindness is taken advantage of should you review your terms of interaction with that particular individual. Be oft-forgiving and avoid growing bitter towards humanity at large.References:[1] Riyad as-Salihin 442[2] Sahih Muslim 2590b & Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 4893

Al-Qahhar

“The All-Prevailing One”

Short Summary

The Dominantor, The Irrestible, The Subduer

Long Summary

Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Qahhar (in Arabic: ٱلْقَهَّارُ), meaning the one who prevails over all creation. The universe runs according to the laws laid down by Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. He is dominant, the master of all, and is victorious over all opposition. He has the perfect Power and is not unable over anything.

Arabic Root

From the root qaf-ha-ra (ق ه ر), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to overcome, conquer to overpower, master to dominate over, prevail to subdue, subjugate, to compel against one’s wishes.

Details

Arabic Root:From the root qaf-ha-ra (ق ه ر), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to overcome, conquer to overpower, master to dominate over, prevail to subdue, subjugate, to compel against one’s wishes.The names Al-Qahhar and Al-Qahir:There are two names, Al-Qahir, and Al-Qahhar. The name Al-Qahir is the base form meaning “the irresistible.” On the other hand, Al-Qahhar is more emphatic, the one who is all over-powering, all-prevailing. Al-Qahir is mentioned twice in the Qur’an in Surah al-An’am verse 18 and verse 61. while Al-Qahhar is used more intensively, mentioned a total of 6 times.This name informs us that Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ strength is unmatched. He has absolute sovereignty over all His creation. He is the dominator. Whoever is an enemy or challenges Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ stands no chance. He can humiliate them with ease. Things are measured on the scale of eternity, so if a person opposes Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ they will lose inevitably. There isn’t a single creation that isn’t subjected to Allah’s will or could escape it.The pairing of Al-Qahhar with Al-Wahid:In the Qur’an, this name is also always coupled with the name Al-Wahid, meaning “The One.” A king in this world can be powerful, but it’s not because he possesses intrinsic power. It often comes with the buy-in of the state citizens or having a large army. If they were to turn on him, he would have no power. So this pairing of names shows the difference, He is one with complete dominion over all. We again see how the holistic approach of studying the names in their pairs brings light to a new meaning that we otherwise might’ve missed. قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ مُنذِرٞۖ وَمَا مِنۡ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُQul innamaaa ana munzirunw wa maa min laahin illal laahul Waahidul QahhaarEnglish Translation:”Say, [O Muhammad], ‘I am only a warner, and there is not any deity except Allah, the One, the Prevailing.’” — (Qur’an 38:65) يَٰصَٰحِبَيِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابٞ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُYaa saahibayis sijni ‘a-arbaabum mutafarriqoona khayrun amil laahul waahidul qahhaarEnglish Translation:”O [my] two companions of prison, are separate lords better or Allah, the One, the Prevailing?” — (Qur’an 12:39) قُلۡ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ قُلِ ٱللَّهُۚ قُلۡ أَفَٱتَّخَذۡتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوۡلِيَآءَ لَا يَمۡلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمۡ نَفۡعٗا وَلَا ضَرّٗاۚ قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِي ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ وَٱلۡبَصِيرُ أَمۡ هَلۡ تَسۡتَوِي ٱلظُّلُمَٰتُ وَٱلنُّورُۗ أَمۡ جَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ خَلَقُواْ كَخَلۡقِهِۦ فَتَشَٰبَهَ ٱلۡخَلۡقُ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ خَٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّـٰرُQul mar Rabbus samaawaati wal ard; qulillaah; qul afattakhaztum min dooniheee awliyaaa’a laa yamlikoona li anfusihim naf’anw wa laa darraa; qul hal yastawil a’maa wal baseeru am hal tastawiz zulumaatu wannoor; am ja’aloo lillaahi shurakaaa’a khalaqoo kakhalqihee fatashaa bahal khalqu ‘alaihim; qulil laahu Khaaliqu kulli shai’inw wa Huwal Waahidul QahharEnglish Translation:Say, “Who is Lord of the heavens and earth?” Say, “Allah.” Say, “Have you then taken besides Him allies not possessing [even] for themselves any benefit or any harm?” Say, “Is the blind equivalent to the seeing? Or is darkness equivalent to light? Or have they attributed to Allah partners who created like His creation so that the creation [of each] seemed similar to them?” Say, “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Prevailing.” — (Qur’an 13:16) يَوۡمَ تُبَدَّلُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُۖ وَبَرَزُواْ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡوَٰحِدِ ٱلۡقَهَّارِYawma tubaddalul ardu ghairal ardi wassamaawaatu wa barazoo lillaahil Waahidil QahhaarEnglish Translation:”[It will be] on the Day the earth will be replaced by another earth, and the heavens [as well], and all creatures will come out before Allah, the One, the Prevailing.” — (Qur’an 14:48) لَّوۡ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدٗا لَّٱصۡطَفَىٰ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥۖ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُLaw araadal laahu aiyattakhiza waladal lastafaa mimmaa yakhluqu maa yashaaa’; Subhaanahoo Huwal laahul Waahidul QahhaarEnglish Translation:”If Allah had intended to take a son, He could have chosen from what He creates whatever He willed. Exalted is He; He is Allah, the One, the Prevailing.” — (Qur’an 39:4) يَوۡمَ هُم بَٰرِزُونَۖ لَا يَخۡفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِنۡهُمۡ شَيۡءٞۚ لِّمَنِ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَۖ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡوَٰحِدِ ٱلۡقَهَّارِYawma hum baarizoona laa yakhfaa alal laahi minhum shai; limanil mulkul Yawma lillaahil Waahidil QahaarEnglish Translation:”The Day they come forth nothing concerning them will be concealed from Allah. To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allah, the One, the Prevailing.” — (Qur’an 40:16)Reflection:In using this beautiful name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ in your supplication, you can have the assurance that the most powerful is with you. If Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is with you, just as He was with Prophet Musa (as) when he stood against Firawn, or when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was being persecuted by the Meccans, or when Prophet Dawud (as) fought and won the battle against Jalut, then nothing can overpower you. “If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you” (Qur’an 3:160)Du’a with this name:لا إِلـهَ إِلاّ اللهُ الـواحِدُ القَهّـار رَبُّ السَّـمواتِ وَالأرْضِ وَما بَيْـنَهـما العَزيـزُ الغَـفّارLa ilaha illallah al-Wahidul-Qahhar, Rabbus-samawati wa ‘l-ardi wa ma baynahuma al-`Azīzul-Ghaffar.English Translation:”There is none worthy of worship but Allah, the One, the Victorious, Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving.” [1]References: [1] Hisn al-Muslim 112