Month: July 2019

العزيز

Al-Azeez: (The All-Mighty):

This name of Allah came many times in the verses of the Holy Quraan. One of the verses is the verse 23 of the surah Al-Hashr. Its translation is here:

(59:23) He is Allah: there is no god but He: the King,³⁶ the Holy,³⁷ the All-Peace,³⁹ the Giver of security,³⁸ the Overseer,⁴⁰ the Most Mighty,⁴¹ the Overpowering,⁴² the All-Great.⁴³ Exalted is He from whatever they associate with Him.

Exp-note 41:

41. Al-Azeez: such an Almighty Being against Whom no one may dare raise his head, no one may have the power to resist His decrees, before Whom everyone may be helpless and powerless.

This great name of Allah has come in the Holy Quraan for about a hundred times. This also means that all types of izzah (Honor belongs only to Allah, as Allah said in surah Yoonus verse 65:

إن العزة لله جميعاً

Surely all honor belongs to Allah alone. Here “all honor” means all kinds of honor and honor in all fields here and in the Here-After. This can be explained under three headings:

Izzah Al-Quwwah

That is the Honor of Power. Thisis a great attribute of Allah. So none of the creatures/creation is compareable to Allah in Power, no matter how tremendously huge the creature / creation may be.

Allah said in surah Al-Dhaariyaat verse 58 (translation only):

(51:58) Surely Allah is the Bestower of all provision, the Lord of all power, the Strong.⁵⁵

And Allah said in surah Al-Hajj verse 74

(22:74) They have not formed a true estimate of Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.

Al-Izzah Al-Imtinaa’ (that is the honor that none else deserves. In other words no one else can reach it).

The examples are;None of the servants can be able to harm Allah while He ( God /Allah) does harm them. No one of the servants can be able to benefit Him (Allah) while Allah does benefit them. Allah is Addaar and an-Naafi’ (Al-Daar and Al-Naafi’) i.e. The Giver of harm and the Giver of benefit. Allah is high above any weakness. So none can reach Allah in any way. None deserves such a status. All are the creations while Allah alone is the Creator. Allah is Al-Ghanee and Al-Mu’tee and Al-Maani’. That is Allah is self-sufficient, does not depend upon anyone while all others depend upon Him. Allah gives blessings to whom He wills and prevents from whom He wills. Allah does not need any partner or helper and Allah is high above any weakness or defect. Allah said in the following verses:

Surah Al-Safaat (As-Safaat) verses 180—182 (translation only);

(37:180) Exalted is your Lord, the Lord of Glory, above what they attribute to Him,

(37:181) and peace be upon the Messengers,

(37:182) and all praise is for Allah, the Lord of the Universe.

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And Allah said in surah Al-Room (Ar-Room) verse 27 (translation only);

(30:27) It is He Who creates in the first instance and it is He Who will repeat the creation, and that is easier for Him.³⁸ His is the loftiest attribute in the heavens and the earth. He is the Most Mighty, the Most Wise.

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Izzatul-Qahar wal-ghalbah lijmee-il kaa-inaat (The Honor of overcoming and subjugating the whole universe /all creation).

The whole universe with all of the creatures and creations in it are overpowered by Allah and they are subservient to the Greatness of Allah, and obedient to the Will of Allah. The forelocks of all creatures are in Allah’s Hand. Nothing can move without the Will of Allah. Whatever is done by the creatures and people is done only by Allah’s leave. So whatever Allah wants happens and what Allah doesn’t want will not happen. There is no strength in or power with anyone except that which is given by Allah.

Surah Aali-Imraan verses 26 and 27 (translation only):

(3:26). Say: ‘O Allah, Lord of all dominion! You give dominion to whom You will, and take away dominion from whom You will, and You exalt whom You will, and abase whom You will. In Your Hand is all good. Surely You are All-Powerful.

(3:27) You cause the night to pass into the day and the day to pass into the night. You bring forth the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living, and You give sustenance to whom You will beyond all reckoning.’²⁴

Surah Al-Hadeed verse 1 (translation and explanation):

(57:1) All that is in the heavens and the earth extols the glory of Allah.¹ He is the Most Mighty, the Most Wise.²

Exp. note 2:

That is, not only is He All-Mighty and All-Wise, but the truth is that He alone is All-Mighty and All-Wise. The word Aziz signifies a mighty and powerful Being Whose decrees cannot be prevented by any power in the world from being enforced, Whom no one can oppose and resist, Who has to be obeyed by every one whether one likes it or not, Whose rebel cannot escape His accountability and punishment in any way. The word Hakeem signifies that whatever He does, He does it wisely. His creation, His administration and rule, His commands and guidance, all are based on wisdom. None of His works is tarnished by any tract of folly or ignorance.

There is another fine point here, which one should fully understand. Seldom in the Quran has Allah’s attribute of Azeez (All-Mighty) been accompanied by His attributes of being Qawi (Strong), Muqtadir (Powerful), Jabber (Omnipotent), Dhuntiqam (Avenger) and the like, which only signify His absolute power, and this has been so only in places where the context demanded that the wicked and disobedient be warned of Allah’s relentless punishment. Apart from such few places, wherever the word Azeez has been used for Allah, it has everywhere been accompanied by one or other of His attributes of being Hakeem (Wise), Aleem (Knower), Raheem (Merciful), Ghafur (Forgiving), Wahhaab (Generous) and Hameed (Praiseworthy). The reason is that if a being who wields un-limited power is at the same time unwise, ignorant, un-forgiving as well as stingy and devoid of character, its power and authority cannot but lead to injustice and wickedness. Thus, wherever injustice and wickedness is being committed in the world, it is only because the one who wields authority over others, is either using his power un-wisely and foolishly, or he is merciless and hardhearted, or evil-minded and wicked. Wherever power is coupled with these evil traits of character, no good can be expected to result. That is why in the Quran Allah’s attribute of Azeez has necessarily been accompanied by His attributes of being All-Wise and Knowing, Compassionate and Forgiving, Praiseworthy and Generous. So that man may know that the God Who is ruling this universe has, on the one hand, such absolute power that no one, from the earth to the heavens, can prevent His decrees from being enforced. But, on the other hand, He is also All-Wise: His each decision is based on perfect wisdom. He is also All- Knowing: whatever decision He makes, it is precisely according to knowledge. He is also Compassionate: He does not use infinite power mercilessly. He is Forgiving as well: He does not punish His creatures for trifling faults, but overlooks their errors. He is also Generous: He does not treat His subjects stingily, but liberally and benevolently. And He is also Praiseworthy: He combines in Himself all praiseworthy virtues and excellences.

The importance of this statement of the Quran can be better understood by those people who are aware of the discussions of the philosophy of politics and law on the question of sovereignty. Sovereignty connotes that the one who possesses it should wield un-limited power: there should be no internal and external power to change or modify his decision or prevent it from being enforced, and none should have any alternative but to obey him. At the mere concept of this infinite and un-limited power, man’s common-sense necessarily demands that whoever attains to such power, should be faultless and perfect in knowledge and wisdom, for if the one holding this power is ignorant, merciless and evil, his sovereignty will inevitably lead to wickedness and corruption. That is why the philosophers, who regarded a single man, or a man-made institution, or an assembly of men as the holder of this power, have had to presume that he or it would be infallible. But obviously, neither can unlimited sovereignty be actually attained by a human power, nor is it possible for a king, or a parliament, or a nation, or a party that it may use the sovereignty attained by it in a limited circle faultlessly and harmlessly. The reason is that the wisdom that is wholly free of every trace of folly, and the knowledge that fully comprehends all the related truths, is not at all possessed even by entire mankind, not to speak of its being attained by an individual, or an institution, or a nation. Likewise, as long as man is man, his being wholly free of and above selfishness, sensuality, fear, greed, desires, prejudice and sentimental love, anger and hate is also not possible. If a person ponders over these truths, he will realize that the Quran is indeed presenting here a correct and perfect view of sovereignty. It says that no one except Allah in this universe is possessor of absolute power, and with this unlimited power He alone is faultless, All-Wise and All- Knowing, Compassionate and Forgiving, and Praiseworthy and Generous in His dealings with His subjects.

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The effects of one’s faith in this Attribute of Allah i.e. Al-Azeez will be that the humility of a Muslim will be only to Allah, he /she will ask du’aa only from Allah, will request only Allah for protection, honor, sustenance etc. His /her head will bow only before Allah Ta’ala.

المهيمن

Al-Muhaimin

Al-Muhaimin (The Guardian, the Observer, the Overseer, the Protector)

This name of Allah came in the verse 23 of the surah Al-Hashr. Its translation and explanation is here:

(59:23) He is Allah: there is no god but He: the King,³⁶ the Holy,³⁷ the All-Peace,³⁸ the Giver of security,³⁹ the Overseer,⁴⁰ the Most Mighty,⁴¹ the Overpowering,⁴² the All-Great.⁴³ Exalted is He from whatever they associate with Him.

Exp-note 40:

40. The word Al-Muhaimin has three meanings:

(1) The Guardian and Protector.

(2) The Observer who sees what everyone does.

(3) The Being Who has taken up the responsibility to fulfill the needs and requirements of the people.

Here also, since the word Al-Muhaimin has been used absolutely, and no object has been mentioned of this subject, therefore, it by itself gives the implied meaning that He is guarding and protecting all creatures, is watching the acts and deeds of everyone, and has taken up the responsibility of sustaining and providing for every creature in the universe with its needs and requirements.

The other meanings of Al-Muhaimin are: The One who is very High, the One Who knows all hidden matters and knows the secrets of the hearts. Al-Muhaimin is the One Whose knowledge encompasses everything, Who is a Witness on all people’s actions, and is also an Observer and Watcher on the deeds of people, nothing of their action is hidden from Him, no particle in the heaven and the earth is hidden from Him.

Allah also gave this name to the Holy Quraan in the verse 48 of the surah Al-Maa’idah. Here is the translation and explanatory note 79 of the verse 48 of surah Al-Maa’idah:

(5:48) Then We revealed the Book to you (O Muhammad!) with Truth, confirming whatever of the Book was revealed before,⁷⁸ and protecting and guarding over it.⁷⁹ Judge, then, in the affairs of men in accordance with the Law that Allah has revealed, and do not follow their desires in disregard of the Truth which has come to you. For each of you We have appointed a Law and a way of life.⁸⁰ And had Allah so willed, He would surely have made you one single community; instead, (He gave each of you a Law and a way of life) in order to test you by what He gave you. Vie, then, one with another in good works. Unto Allah is the return of all of you; and He will then make you understand the truth concerning the matters on which you disagreed.⁸¹

Exp. note 79:

79. In Arabic, haymana, yuhayminu, hayamanah signify ‘to protect, to witness, to keep trust, to back and to support’. The expression ‘haymana al-rajul al-shay’ means that the man protected and guarded the thing. Likewise, ‘haymana al-ta’ir ‘alafirdkhih’ means that the bird took its young ones under the protection of its wings. Once ‘Umar said to the people: ‘Inni da’in fa hayminu’ (‘I am praying; support me by saying amen’). To say that the Qur’an is muhaymin of al-kitab means that it preserves all the true teachings of the earlier divine books; that it has secured them from loss. The Qur’an also confirms those Books in that the contents of the Qur’an testify to the truth of those parts which are indeed from God. The Qur’an is, further, a witness over those Books in the sense that, with its help, the elements which embody true revelations from God can be distinguished from the accretions which have corrupted them. Whatever in these Books accords with the Qur’an is from God, and whatever is not in conformity with it is from human beings.

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The Holy Quraan is ameen on those previous Divine Books in the sense that it preseves and secures all those statements in the Books of the past, those statements which were sent down by Allah. The meaning of Al-Muhaymin in the above exp.note 79 makes it more clear that the Al-Muhaymin attribute of Allah points to all those great qualities of Allah All-Mighty God.

المؤمن

Al-Mu’min ( The Testifier, The Giver of security):

This great name of Allah has come in the Holy Quran only once and that is in the verse 23 of surah Al-Hashar. The translation of the verse is:

Exp-note 39:

39. The word Al-Mu’min is derived from amn, which means to secure from fear, and Mu’min is the one who provides security to others. Allah has been called Al-Mumin in the sense that He provides security to His creatures. His creatures are secure from the fear that He would ever wrong them, or deprive them of their rights, or allow their rewards to go to waste, or would violate the promises He has made with them. Then, since no object has been mentioned with this subject, but the epithet of Al-Mumin has been used absolutely, it automatically gives the meaning that His security comprehends the entire universe and all that it contains.

The other meanings of this name are:

The name is also related with the word “al-eemaan” which means to believe and testify, also the one who confirms (authorizes true) the eemaan of Muslims.

So Allah is Al-Mu’min in the sense that Allah admires Himself as One Single and Unique God. Mujaahid rahmatullahi alaihi said: Al-Mu’min is the One Who testified Himself to be One by saying; “Shahida-Allaho annahu laa ilaha illa huwa” (Allah witnessed /testified that there is no God except Him). This is a part of the verse 18 of the surah Aali-Imraan. This is the greatest testimony from the Greatest Witness (Allah) on the most important of the object which is Tawheed of Allah and the purifying of the Deen (religion) for Him. Tawheed means to believe in the absolute Oneness of God.

It comes in the Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn. Maajah and others that Abu Hurairah and abu Sa-eed testified that Allah’s Messenger salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam said, “ when a servent says ‘laa ilaha ill Allaho, wa-Allaho akbar’ Allah Tabaarak wa Ta’ala says ‘ My servant said the truth, there is no God except Me and I am the Greatest’. And when (the servant) says, ‘laa ilaha illa Allaho wahdahu’ (Allah) says, ‘My servant said the truth, there is no God but I, the One’. And when he ( the servant) says, ‘laa ilaha illa Allaho wahdahu laa shareeka lahu’ (Allah) says, ‘My servant said the truth, there is no God but I, there is no partner with Me’. And when (the servant ) said, ‘laa ilaha illa Allaho lahul mulku wa lahul hamd’ (Allah )says, My servant said the truth, there is no God but I, Mine is the Kingdom and for Me are the Praises. And when (the servant) said, ‘‘laa ilaha illa Allaho
wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa billah (bi-Allah)’ (Allah) says, ‘My servant said the truth, there is no God but I and there is no power and no strength but with Me’.

Thus it is the great testimony from Allah for the absolute Oneness of Himself and also the confirmation of the testifying of the servants. This confirmation by Allah of their testimonies about tawheed and other articles of faith becomes a proof and evidence to help them on the Day of Judgement. Ibn Al-Qayyim rahmatullahi alaihi said that from His Names one is Al-Mu’min which in one of the commentaries, is considered to be Al-Musaddiq. Al-Musaddiq means the One Who confirms the truth of the truthful and provides evidence of their truthfulness. So Allah, the Al-Mu’min Al-Musaddiq confirmed the truthfulness of His Prophets and Messengers alayhim salaam. Allah, due to His Attribute Al-Mu’min, revealed evidences to prove the truth of His messengers, that whatever they said regarding the religion, is true and is from Allah. That the Divine Books (e.g. the Holy Quraan) is truly the Revelation of Allah. To understand this point see the translation of the following Verses of the Holy Quraan:

Surah Fusilat verses 52 and 53 (translation only):

(41:52) Say, “Have you considered: if the Qur’an is from Allah and you disbelieved in it, who would be more astray than one who is in extreme dissension?”

(41:53) We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?

السلام

Al-Salaam (read as As-Salaam):

(The All-Peace)

This name of Allah Ta’ala came in the verse 23 of the surah Al-Hashr. Its translation with the explanation is here:

Exp-note 38: This is the explanation of the name Al-Salaam (As-Salaam)

38. The word As-Salaam as used in the original means peace and secure, Allah’s being called As-Salaam means that He is peace and safety personified. He is far exalted that some calamity or weakness or defect should befall Him, or His Perfection should suffer a decline or blemish.
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The details of this name are:

The meaning of Al-Salaam (As-Salaam) includes safety and security from all types of defects in person, attributes and actions. So Allah Jalla wa Aa’la is truly safe from all points of view. Allah, in person, is perfect safety and peace, and no defect or evil can touch Him. All His Attributes are high above any defect. His Actions are perfectly safe from any type of defect, evil or harm. That is none of His actions happens without wisdom. He Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala is safe and clean from the company of a spouse or a child, is safe from having any like of Him, and is Safe and clean from any associate or partner.

This name (As-Salaam) is applied in all of the Attributes of Allah. Thus every attribute of Allah is Salaam i.e. safe and secure from having any defect. Haafiz ibn Al-Qayyim rahamhullah said in his explanation of this great name: If you think and observe the greatness of this attribute of Allah, you will find every attribute salaaman (safe and secure) from the opposite qualities. So Allah is Al-Hayyi (Living) and Allah’s Life is Salaaman (safe ) from death, drowsiness and sleep. His Supporting and His application of power are all safe and free from any tiredness. His Knowledge is safe from ignorance, mistake and forgetfulness. Moreover Allah doesn’t need to think or remember. His intention is safe (Salaam) from getting out of wisdom or going away from benefitting and reforming. His Words are safe and clean from any falsehood or injustice. Rather Allah’s Words are “Tammat kalimatihi sidqanwwa adla” . Allah said in the verse 115 of the surah Al-An’aam, its translation is:

(6:115). And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can alter His words, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

Allah’s Self-Sufficiency is Salaam from any need or dependence upon others. Rather all others depend upon Allah for their needs and safety and Allah is absolutely Self-Sufficient.

His kingdom is safe from any dispute or conflicts etc. that means there is no equal king to fight or dispute or make conflict or clash against Allah in Allah’s kingdom. It is also Salaam from having any helper or any intercessor without His permission. His God-hood is safe and high above having any associate or partner. His forbearing, patience and forgiving are safe (salaam) from any need or weakness. So when Allah forbears, shows patience to His servants and even forgives their sins, that is not because Allah is weak or needs something from them. Rather it is due to Allah All-Mighty’s favor, kindness and generosity towards His servants. Thus Allah gives time to His servants, doesn’t punish them at once and if they repent, will forgive their sins.

Allah’s Anger, Revenge and Punishment, and His speedy chastisement are salaam in the meaning that it is not due to cruelty, hard-heartedness or injustice but is fully based on Hikmah (Wisdom) and Justice. So Allah’s punishment also deserves to praise Him like His Forgiving deserves to praise Him. This is because if Allah leaves a cruel transgressor free and unchecked by punishment then the others will be in trouble and their life will become hard for them. Thus it is against wisdom and justice to leave the cruels free for transgression and corruption in the land of Allah where everyone has the right to live in peace and safety.

Allah’s making fortune is also salaam i.e. safe from any injustice, it is with full hikmah (wisdom). Allah’s Deen (religion) and Laws are all Salaam i.e. the entire Islaamic system is peace, safety and security because there is no defect or conflict between the Commands of Allah and the human nature. None of Allah’s Commands puts burdon on man that he/she cannot bear. All of the Islamic Commands are full of mercy and grace, and are based on wisdom and justice. These Commands are for the welfare and benefit of mankind here and in the here-after. Similarly, Allah’s bestowing blessings on the servants is salaam from any need for a substitute etc. Allah doesn’t owe to people any thing nor He needs anything from them. Thus it is only the kindness of Allah that He bestows blessings on people. And when Allah stops blessings from a person then it is also salaam from any greed or fear of destitution. So Allah’s stopping blessings from someone is purely based on justice and wisdom and is not due to greediness or poverty.

In short, Allah is Salaam in His all attributes. Truly Allah is a very Unique Being, so we cannot imagin or describe His attributes in full. We understand a lot from Allah’s creation which is before our eyes. But at the same time there are lots more which are hidden from our eyes or are beyond our understanding. Allah’s one name is Az-Zaahir (written as Al-Zaahir) it means the Manifest One. The other and opposite name is Al-Baatin (The Hidden One). Allah is Zaahir i.e. Manifest because of Allah’s great creative Power. So we can see the greatness of All-Mighty God by looking at the surrounding excellent universe. But at the same time Allah is hidden from our eyes, We cannot see the Great Great Being, our Creator, although Allah is so near to us! Allah is As-Salaam and Al-Ghaniyyun-Hameed (Self Sufficient and Praiseworthy).

Allah’s seeing and hearing are also salaam from similarity with that of the creation. The seeing and hearing of the creation cannot be compared to that of Allah. Allah sees and hears all what is inside all hearts and all cells, nuclei and genes etc. Allah sees and hears each and everything at one and the same time. Nothing is hidden from Allah in the darkness of the night, in the depth of the oceans and even inside and under the earth.

Allah’s making someone friend is also salaam (safe) from any weakness. Allah made the Prophets and pious Muslims His friends but it was due to kindness and good of Allah and not due to any type of weakness or need. Allah said in the verse 111 of the surah Al-Israa:

Surah Al-Israa verse 111 (translation only);

(17:111) And say: “All praise be to Allah Who has neither taken to Himself a son, nor has He any partner in His kingdom, nor does He need any protecting friend, out of weakness”. So glorify Him in a manner worthy of His glory.

The evidence of this great name of Allah Ta’ala is that Allah is the Lord of peace, Safety and security. Look at the management of that Lord and think about it. Generally, this earth is made full of peace and safety for the creation. The Sun, the moon, the stars and the cycle of the day and night are all made safe and beneficial to the creatures. Allah said salaam to His Prophets as can be seen in the following verses of the Holy Quraan.

Surah Al-Naml (An-Naml) verse 59:

(27:59). Say, [O Muhammad], “Praise be to Allah, and peace upon His servants whom He has chosen. Is Allah better or what they associate with Him?”

Surah Al-Saffaat (As-Saffaat) 79, 109, 120, 130 (their translation only):

(37:79). “Peace upon Noah among the worlds.”

(37:109). “Peace upon Abraham.”

(37:120). “Peace upon Moses and Aaron.”

(37:130). “Peace upon Elias.”

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Allah said salaam (peace) to the dwellers of Paradise. See the translation of the following verses.

Surah al-Ahzaab 44:

(33:44). Their greeting the Day they meet Him will be, “Peace.” And He has prepared for them a noble reward.

Surah Yaseen 58:

(36:58). [And] “Peace,” a word from a Merciful Lord.

Surah Ibraheem 23:

(14:23). And those who believed and did righteous deeds will be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein by permission of their Lord; and their greeting therein will be, “Peace!”

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Allah made Paradise Salaam (safe and peaceful place) for the righteous believers, and it is safe from death, grief and sadness. It is also safe from any type of stress and oppression. See the translation of the surah Al-An’aam verse 127:

(6:127). For them will be the Home of Peace with their Lord. And He will be their protecting friend because of what they used to do.

Allah also made ‘Salaam’(peace) the word of greeting in this world. So we greet eachother by saying, “As-Salaam-o-alaykum” (Peace be on you all).

There is a hadeeth shareef (its translation is): ‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you about a matter which if you do it, then you will love one another? Spread the Salam among each other.”

(Muslim)