attributes of allah, including its literal and technical meaning and
where it is mentioned in the quran or sunnah
Praise be to Allaah.
This is a question which needs a very long answer, but we will
summarize it as follows:
Firstly, the names of Allaah are not limited to any specific number.
We know some of them and do not know others, as isindicated by the
hadeeth of 'Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him),
who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: 'There is no one among you who, when he is stricken
with distress and grief, says, "Allaahumma inni 'abduka wabnu 'abdika
wabnu amatika naasiyati bi yadika maadin fiyya hukmuka, 'adlun fiyya
qadaa'uka. As'aluka bi kull ismin huwa laka sammayti bihinafsaka aw
allamtahu ahadan min khalqika awanzaltahu fi kitaabika aw asta'tharta
bihi fi 'ilmil-ghayb 'indaka an taj'alal-Qur'aana rabee'a qalbi wa
noora sadri wa jilaa'a huzni wa dhahaaba hammi [O Allaah, I am Your
slave, sone of Your slave and son of Your maidservant,my forelock is
in Your hand. Your command over me is forever executed and Your decree
over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You
named Yourself with, or You taught to any of Your creation, or
revealed in Your Book, or You have preserved inthe knowledge of the
Unseen with You, that You nmake the Qur'aan the life of my heart and
the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release
for my anxiety]" – but Allaahwill remove his distress and his grief,
and will give him joy instead…" (Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 3582; it is
a saheeh hadeeth).
Secondly, The names of Allaah are all husnaa [Most Beautiful], as He
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him
by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter
impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they
used to do."
[al-A'raaf 7:180]
The meaning of al-husnaa implies the utmost beauty, and that each name
includes the quality of perfection.
Al-'Allaamah 'Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Naasir ibn Sa'di (may Allaah have
mercy on him) said:Many of the names of Allaah have been mentioned in
the Qur'aan, according to the context, but we also need to point out
their broader meanings, so we say:
The name Rabb (Lord, Cherisher) is repeated in many aayaat. The Rabb
is the One Who guides and cares for all of His slaves by managing
theiraffairs and bestowing different kinds of blessings. In a more
specific sense, He cares for and guides His friends (devoted slaves)
by reforming and settingstraight their hearts and souls and attitudes.
For this reason, many of their du'aa's or prayers to Him address Him
by this glorious Name, because they are asking Him for this specific
kindof care.
The name Allaah refers to the One Who is adored and worshipped,the One
Who possesses the attributes of divinity and to whom all His creation
is enslaved. The attributes of divinity with which He describes
Himself are the attributes of perfection.
Al-Malik (the Sovereign), al-Maalik (the Possessor),Alladhi
lahu'l-Mulk (the One to Whom Dominion belongs). Allaah is the One Who
is described with the attributes of sovereignty and dominion, which
are thequalities of might and pride, subjugation and control. He is
the One Who is in absolute control of creation, Who issues commands
and Who rewards or punishes. The entire Universe, high and low,
belongs to Him. All of them are His servants and slaves, and are
utterly dependent on Him.
Al-Waahid (the One), al-Ahad (the Unique). He is the One Who is
uniquely and utterly andperfectly One, with no partners in His
Uniqueness. His slaves are obliged to believe in His Oneness, in
belief and word and deed, by recognizing that He is absolutely perfect
and is unique in His oneness, and by directing all kinds of worship to
Him Alone.
Al-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He
neither eats nor drinks). He is the Oneto Whom all of creation turns
for all of their needs, for He is in and ofHimself absolutely perfect,
in His Names and Attributes and Deeds.
Al-'Aleem (the All-Knowing), al-Khabeer(the Aware). He is the One
Whose Knowledge encompasses all things, seen and unseen, secret and
open, everything that is inevitable or impossible or possible, in
heaven and on earth, the past, the present andthe future. Nothing
whatsoever is hidden from Him.
Al-Hakeem (the Wise). Heis the One Who has ultimate wisdom, in His
creation and in His commands. He is the OneWho created everything
well.
"… And who is better in judgement than Allaah for a people who have
firm Faith." [al-Maa'idah 5:50 – interpretation of the meaning].
He does not create anything in vain, or legislate anything in jest.He
is the One Who has Dominion in this world and the next. His ruling
applies in three major spheres, in which none else has any share with
Him: He judges between His slaves by means of His Law, His decree and
His reward/punishment.
Wisdom: He puts things in their rightful places and gives them their
rightful status.
Al-Rahman (the Most Gracious), al-Raheem (the Most Merciful), al-Barr
(the Source of Goodness), al-Kareem (the Most Generous), al-Jawaad
(the Generous), al-Ra'oof (theCompassionate), al-Wahhaab (the
Bestower). These names are all close in meaning, and they all indicate
thatthe Rabb is characterized by mercy, goodness, and generosity. They
testify to the vastness of His mercy and other attributes, with which
He encompasses all of Hiscreation to the extent that His wisdom
decrees,although the greater share is bestowed upon the believers in
particular. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"… My Mercy encompasses all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for
those who are the Muttaqoon (pious)…"
[al-A'raaf 7:156]
Blessings and goodness are all traces of His Mercyand Generosity. The
good things of this world and the next are all traces of His Mercy.
Al-Samee' (the All-Hearing). He hears all voices, in all the different
languages, no matter how many and how varied, when they call on Him
for their needs.
Al-Baseer (the All-Seeing)Who has insight into all things, not matter
how small. He can see a black ant walking across the face of a rock on
the darkest night. He can seewhat is below the seven levels of the
earth and what is above the seven heavens. He is the All-Hearing and
All-Seeing, Who knows who is deserving of reward or punishment
according to His Wisdom.
Al-Hameed (the Praiseworthy), Who is inherently deserving of praise,
by His Names, Attributes and deeds. He has the Most Beautiful Names,
the most perfect attributes and the most perfect and beautiful deeds.
His actions alwaysrevolve around munificence and justice.
Al-Majeed (the Most Glorious), al-Kabeer (the Most Great), al-'Azeem
(the Most Great), al-Jaleel(the Sublime One). TheseNames describe
Allaah with attributes of glory, pride, greatness and majesty. He is
greater than everything, more mighty, more majestic and more exalted.
To Him belong glorification and exaltation in the hearts of His close
friends and devoted slaves, whose hearts are filled with veneration of
His might and humble submission to His glory.
Al-'Afuw (the Pardoner), al-'Ghafoor (the Forgiver), al-Ghaffaar (the
All-Forgiving), Who has always been and willalways be known for His
pardon and forgiveness towards His slaves. Everyone is in need of His
pardon and forgiveness, as they are in need of His mercy
andgenerosity. He has promised to forgive and pardon whoever
followsthe appropriate means. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My
Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous
good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them (till his death)."
[Ta-Ha 20:82]
Al-Tawwaab (the Acceptor of Repentance).He always accepts the
repentance of those who repent and forgivesthe sins of those who
commit sin. Allaah accepts the repentance of everyone who repents to
Him sincerely. He is the One Who forgives those who repent, firstly by
helpingthem to repent and causing their hearts to turn towards Him.
After they repent, He turns to them and accepts their repentance,
pardoning their sins.
Al-Quddoos (the Holy) and al-Salaam (the One Free from all defects).
Allaah is far above any attribute of imperfection, and He is above
being likened to any of His creation.
"… There is nothing like unto Him…"
[al-Shoora 42:11]
"And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him."
[al-Ikhlaas 112:4]
"… Do you know of any who is similar to Him?…"
[Maryam 19:65]
"… Then do not set up rivals unto Allaah (in worship)…"
[al-Baqarah 2:22]
The names al-Quddoos and al-Salaam reject the idea that He could be
lacking in any way, and they imply that He is absolutely perfect in
all aspects, because once the idea of imperfection is rejected, this
is proof of total perfection.
Al-'Aliyy (the Exalted), al-A'laa (the Most High). He is the One Who
is completely exalted in all aspects, in His essence, inHis status, in
His attributes and in His dominion. He is the One Who rose over the
Throne and Who dominates all things. In all the attributes of might,
pride, glory and beauty that are ascribed to Him, He reaches the
ultimate level.
Al-'Azeez (the Almighty), to whom belong all might and power, the
power of strength, the power of dominion, the power of invincibility.
None of His creatures can harm Him. He has subjugated all that exists,
and the whole of creation is under His control and is subject to His
might.
Al-Qawiy (the Most Strong), al-Mateen (the Firm One). The meaningsof
these Names are similar to the meaning of al-'Azeez.
Al-Jabbaar (the Compeller). This Names includes the meanings
ofal-'Aliyy, al-A'laa and al-Qahhaar.
Al-Ra'oof (the Compassionate) means the One Who consoles broken hearts
and supports the weak and those who seek His help and turn to Him.
Al-Mutakabbir (the Majestic) is the One Who is above all bad
qualities, shortcomings and faults, because of His might and pride.
Al-Khaaliq (the Creator), al-Baari' (the Inventor ofall things),
al-Musawwir (the Bestower of forms). He is the One Who has created
from nothing all that exists, and formed itby His wisdom, praise beto
Him. He has always been and will always be known by this mighty
attribute.
Al-Mu'min (the Guardian of Faith), Who is praised for His own sake by
His perfect attributes, and by the perfection of His majesty and
beauty. He sent His Messengers and revealed His Books with signs and
proofs, and confirmed His Messengers with signs and proofs, to confirm
the truth of the message they brought.
Al-Muhaymin (the Watcher over His creatures) Who is aware of
everything that is hidden and concealed, and Whose knowledge
encompasses all things.
Al-Qadeer (the Powerful), Whose poweris perfect. By His power He
created all things thatexist, by His power He is controlling all
things andby His power He formed them and perfected them. By His power
He gives life and death, andwill resurrect His slaves to receive their
reward or punishment, so that those who have done well will be
rewarded with good, and those who have done evil will be punished.
When Allaah wills a thing, He merely says "Be!" and it is. By His
power He controls people's hearts, and He directs them as He wills.
Al-Lateef (the Most Subtle and Courteous), Whose knowledge encompasses
everything that is hidden and concealed. He knows everything that is
secret and understands the most subtle things. He is Kind to His
believing slaves and takes care of their interests by His benevolence
and grace, in many ways that they are not even aware of. This Name
also shares the meanings of al-Khabeer and al-Ra'oof.
Al-Haseeb (the One Who takes account). He is the One Who is
All-Knowing about His slaves. He is Sufficient for those who put their
trust in Him, and He rewards or punishes His slaves for good and evil,
accordingto His wisdom. He knowsabout all their deeds, major and
minor.
Al-Raqeeb (the Watchful). He is the One Who watches what is hidden in
people's hearts. "… He Who takes charge of every person and knows all
that he has earned" [al-Ra'd 13:33 – interpretation of the meaning].
He protected His creation and set it in motion, running according to
the most perfect system and controls.
Al-Hafeez (the Preserver). He is the One Who protects what He has
created and encompasses it with His knowledge. He protects His close
friends from falling into sin and destruction, and gently protects
them when theyare active and when they are at rest. He counts the
deeds of His slaves and rewards or punishes them accordingly.
Al-Muheet (the Encompasser). He is the One Who encompasses all things
with His knowledge, power, mercy and dominion.
Al-Qahhaar (the Subduer). He is the Subduer of all things, to Whom all
of creation submits because of His power and strength and the
perfection of His Might.
Al-Muqeet (the Provider of sustenance). He gives provision to
everything that exists and directs the affairs of all as He wills.
Al-Wakeel (the Trustee). He is the One Who is in a position to run the
affairs of His creation, byHis knowledge and the perfection of His
power and His encompassing wisdom. He is the One Who is taking care of
Hisclose friends, making theright way easy for them and causing them
to steer clear of the wrong way. He is taking care of all their
affairs, and whoever puts his trust inHim will find that He is
Sufficient for him.
"Allaah is the Walee (Protector or Guardian) of those who believe.
Hebrings them out from darkness into light…" [al-Baqarah 2:257 –
interpretation of the meaning].
Dhoo'l-Jalaali wa'l-Ikraam (Possessor of Majesty and Honour), i.e.,
the Possessor of Might and Pride, the Possessor of Mercy and
Generosity, Who is kind to everyone and to specific individuals. He
honours His close friendsand devoted worshippers who glorifyHim, extol
His greatness and love Him.
Al-Wudood (the Loving). He loves His Prophets and Messengers and their
followers, and theylove Him. He is dearer to them than everything
else. He has filled their hearts with love for Him and their tongues
utter words of praise to Him. Their hearts are drawn to Him in love
and sincerity and they turn in repentance to Him at all times.
Al-Fattaah (the Opener). He judges between His slaves according to His
laws, His decrees and His decisions concerning reward and
punishment.By His Grace He opens the eyes of those who are sincere,
and opens their hearts to know Him, love Him and turn to Him in
repentance. Heopens the door to all kinds of mercy and provision for
His slaves, and generates the causes by means of which they can earn
good things in this world and the next.
"Whatever of mercy (i.e.,good) Allaah may grant to mankind, none can
withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it
thereafter…" Faatir 35:2 – interpretation of the meaning]
Al-Razzaaq (the Provider), Who provides for all His slaves. There is
no living creature on earth, but Allaah provides for it.
His provision for His slaves is of two types:
General provision, whichinclude the righteous and immoral, the first
and the last. This is the provision of physical needs.
Specific provision, whichis provision for the heartwhich is nourished
with knowledge and faith, and the halaal provision which helps a
person to adhere to religion. This provision is specifically for the
believers, and is given to varying degreesaccording to His wisdom and
mercy.
Al-Hakam (the Judge), al-'Adl (the Just). He judges between His slaves
in this world and the next, with His justice and fairness. He does
notoppress anyone in the slightest, and no one is made to bear the
burden of another person's sin. He does notpunish a person more than
he deserves for his sin, he restores to people their rights and does
not leave anyone without restoring what is his right. He is just in
His running of the universe and in His decision making.
"… Verily, My Lord is on aStraight Path (the truth)…"
[Hood 11:56 – interpretation of the meaning].
Jaami' al-Naas (Gatherer of the People). He will gather all of mankind
onthe Day concerning which there is no doubt. He has comprehensive
knowledge of their deeds and their provision, and there is nothing,
major or minor,that He is not aware of. He will gather every particle
of their bodies that has disappeared or been changed into something
else, of all thepeople who have died from the earliest times until the
latest times, by the perfection of His power and the vastness of His
knowledge.
Al-Hayy (the Ever-Living),al-Qayyoom (the Self-Sustaining). He is
completely alive and sustains Himself, and He sustains and cares for
the people of heaven and earth. He controls their affairs and provides
for them. The name al-Hayy encompasses all the qualities of His
essence and the name al-Qayyoom encompasses all the qualities of His
deeds.
Al-Noor (the Light). He is the Light of the heavens and of the earth,
who enlightens the hearts of the 'aarifeen (those whohave proper
knowledge of Him) with knowledge of Him and fills their hearts with
the light of His guidance. He is the One Who illuminates the heavens
and the earth with the lights that He has placed therein. His veil is
Light and if it were to be removed, everything of His creation as far
as He can see would be burnt, mayHe be glorified.
Badee' al-Samawaati wa'l-Ard (Originator of the heavens and the
earth). He is the One Who created them and formed them with the utmost
beauty and with the most magnificent system of organization.
Al-Qaabid (the Constrictor), al-Baasit (the Expander). He is the One
Who takes people's souls, and Who provides them with ample provision
and expands their hearts. All of this is in accordance with His Wisdom
and Mercy.
Al-Mu'ti (the Giver), al-Maani' (the Withholder). No-one canwithhold
what He gives, and no one can give what He withholds. All interests
and benefits are sought from Him, and the needs of all are addressed
to Him. He is the One Who gives them to whomever He wills and
withholds them from whomever He wills,by His Wisdom and Mercy.
Al-Shaheed (the Witness). He is the One Who watches over all things
and hears all voices, loud and soft. He sees all that exists, great
and small alike. His knowledge encompassesall things, and He is the
Witness Who sees all the deeds of His slaves, goodand bad alike.
Al-Mubdi' (the Originator), al-Mu'eed (the Restorer). Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And it is He Who originates the creation, then will repeat (after it
has perished)…"
[al-Room 30:27]
He initiated their creation, in order to test them as to which of them
would be best in deeds, then He will re-create them in order to reward
with good those who did well, and punish those who did evil.
He is the One Who initiated His creation in stages, and Who is
constantly renewing it.
Al-Fa''aal lima yureed (the One Who does whatever He wants). Thishas
to do with the perfection of His power and the strength of His will
and ability. Everything He wants, He does, with nothing to stop Him
and no one to oppose Him, and with nosupport or help, no matter what
it is. If He wants something, all he has to do is say "Be!" and it is.
Although He can do whatever He wants, His will operates in conjunction
with His Wisdom, may He be praised, so He is described as being
completely Able and being Strong of will, but also as being completely
Wise in all that He has done and will do.
Al-Ghaniy (the Self-Sufficient), al-Mughni (the Enricher).He is
independent in andof Himself, and is completely Independent in all
aspects, because of His perfection and the perfection of His
attributes. Nothing can undermine His perfection and make Him
imperfect in any way whatsoever. He cannot be anything but
Self-Sufficient, because this self-sufficiency is one of His essential
qualities, just as He cannot be anything but the Creator, the Able,
theProvider, the Kind, Who does not need anyone else at all.
He is the Self-Sufficient in Whose hands are the treasures of the
heavens and the earth, the treasures of this world and of the
Hereafter. He gives His creation enough in general termsso that they
do not have to seek help of anyone else, and He gives to specific
people of the divine knowledge and realities of faith with which He
has filled their hearts.
Al-Haleem (the Forbearing One). He is the One Who showers His creation
with blessings both apparent and hidden, in spite of their sins and
many mistakes. He is Forbearing and does notpunish sinners straight
away for their sins. He rebukes them so that they will repent, and
gives them time to turn to Him in repentance.
Al-Shaakir (the Grateful),al-Shakoor (the Appreciative). He is the One
Who appreciates thesmallest deed, and forgives the greatest mistakes.
He multiplies beyond measure the deeds of those who are sincere; He
appreciates those who give thanks to Him, and He remembers those who
remember Him. Whoeverdraws near to Him with something of righteous
deeds, He draws near to him by more than that.
Al-Qareeb (the Ever-Near), al-Mujeeb (the Responsive). Allaah, may He
be glorified, is near to everyone, and His nearness is of two types:
His nearness to everyonein a general sense, through His knowledge,
watching, awareness and witnessing, which encompass all things.
His nearness in a specificsense, to His slaves, thosewho ask help of
Him andthose who love Him. The true nature of this closeness cannot be
understood, but its effects may be seen in His kindness towards His
slave, and His care, support and help of him.Another of its effects is
His response to those who call on Him and His acceptance of the
repentance of those who worship Him. He is also the One Who responds
in a specific way to those who respond to Him and follow His religion.
He also responds to those who are in need and to those who no longer
have any hope in any of His creation, and who put their trust in Him,
hoping for His pleasure and fearing His wrath.
Al-Kaafi (the Sufficient). He is the One Who gives His slaves all that
they need. More specifically, He is Sufficient for the one who
believes in Him and puts his trust in Him and asks Him for all that he
needs in worldly and spiritual terms.
Al-Awwal (the First), al-Aakhir (the Last); al-Zaahir (the Manifest),
al-Baatin (the Hidden). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) explained thisin a clear and comprehensive fashion when he
said, addressing his Lord: "You are the First, and there is nothing
before You; You are the Last, and there is nothing after You. You are
the Manifest and there is nothing above You; You are the Hidden and
there is nothing beneathYou."
Al-Waasi' (the All-Encompassing). His attributes and qualities, and
everything that has to do with Him, are all-encompassing in sucha way
that no one can praise Him as He deserves, but He is as He praised
Himself, vast in power, might and dominion, and vast in grace and
kindness, and vast in generosity and munificence.
Al-Haadi (the Guide), al-Rasheed (the Guide to the Right Path). He is
the One Who guides His slaves and shows them the way to all that will
benefit them, and protects them from all that will harm them. He
teaches them what they do not know, and guidesthem to the true
guidance which will help them and set them straight. He fills them
with taqwa (piety) and causes their hearts to turn to Him, in response
to His command.
The name al-Rasheed has a meaning akin to that of al-Hakeem: He is
Wise in word and deed, and all His laws are goodand wise. His creation
testifies to His wisdom.
Al-Haqq (the Truth). He istrue in and of Himself and in His
attributes. His existence is undeniable, and His attributes are
perfect. His existence is one of His essential qualities (He cannot
but exist), and nothing else can exist except throughHim. He is the
One Who has always been and willalways be described with attributes of
majesty, beauty and perfection. He has always been and will always be
known for His Kindness. His words are truth; the meeting with Him is
truth; His Messengers are truth; HisBooks are truth; His religion is
the Truth; the worship of Him Alone, with no partners or associates,
is the Truth; everything that has to do with Him is truth. Allaah is
the Truth and whatever else they claimto be divine besides Him is
false. Allaah is the MostHigh, the Most Great, as He says
(interpretation of the meanings):
"And say: 'The Truth is from your Lord.' Then whosoever wills, let him
believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve…"
[al-Isra' 18:29].
"… So, after the truth, what else can there be, save error?…"
[Yoonus 10:32]
"And say: 'Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Surely,
falsehood is ever bound to vanish.'"[al-Isra' 17:81]
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