Qabeelat Wasat His Majesty · Qabeelat Wasat His Majesty ... , Al-‘Adhīm 129-130 Al-Jamīl ......

QabeelatWasat HisMajestyMarch2017 UstadhAmmarAlShukry

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IntheNameofAllah,theMostBeneficent,theMostMerciful

AllpraiseisduetoAllah theLordoftheuniverse.AndpeaceandblessingsbeuponHisbelovedMessengerMuhammad ,hisfamily,andhispiousfollowerswhofollowhisguidance.BythegraceandmercyofAllah ,wehavecompilednotesforUstadhAmmarAlShukrysclassHisMajesty:UnlockingTheNamesofAllah.ThesenotesarestudentnotespublishedbyQabeelatWasat.TheyhavenotbeenapprovedbyAlMaghribInstituteorUstadhAmmarAlShukry.Therefore,wecannotattesttothecompleteaccuracyofthismaterial.AnyIslamicrulingpertainingtoyourpersonalsituationneedstobediscussedwithyourlocalscholar.Thesenotesarebynomeansasubstituteforapersonalizedfatwa.PleasenotethattheEnglishtranslationsoftheNamesofAllaharelimitedanddonotfullyencompassthedeepermeaningonewouldderiveintheArabiclanguage.AnybenefityouobtainfromthesenotesarefromAllah whileanyshortcomingsarefromourselves.PleasebeawarethatthesenoteshaveArabicversesofQuran.Ifyouaretoprinttheseandthendisposeofthem,pleasedosoappropriately.JazakamAllahuKhairan.


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Table of Contents Topic PageChapter1:EnteringuponHisMajesty,theKing 5Part1:IntroducingtheConceptoftheBeautifulNamesofAllah 9Part2:TheGreatestKnowledgeistheKnowledgeoftheNamesofAllah 14Part3:TheFruitsofKnowingtheNamesofAllah 15 Chapter2:AccessGranted,TheRulesoftheCourt 21Aretheyonly99ormore? 22TheDifferentWaysScholarsCategorizedtheNames 24 Chapter3 Al-ayy 27Al-Qayym 29Al-Mujb 31Al-Qarb 34Al-Latf 39Al-Razzq,Al-Rziq 43Al-Karm,Al-Akram 47Al-Fatt 58Al-Wahhb 62Al-Alm,Al-lim,Al-Alm 67-68Al-Salm 70Al-ayyib 71Al-Ghaniyy 72Al-Wsi 73Al-akm,Al-akam,Al-kim 75Al-Ramn,Al-Ram 77Al-Raf 84Allh 86Al-Kabr,Al-Mutakabbir 88Al-Malik,Al-Mlik,Al-Malk 89Al-Rabb 92Al-amd 95Al-Majd 97Al-af 98Al-Wakl 100Al-Shakr,Al-Shkir 102Al-Sam 108Al-Bar 110Al-Khliq,Al-Khallq 115Al-Bri,Al-Muawwir 118-119Al-Azz,Al-Jabbr 120-121Al-aqq 123Al-Mumin 124Al-Shfi 126Al-Muhaymin 127Al-Wid,Al-Aad,Al-amad 128Al-Matn,Al-Adhm 129-130Al-Jaml,Al-Wadd 131-132Al-Ghaffr,Al-Ghaffr,Al-Ghfir 134Al-Afuw 138

Chapter 1:Entering upon His Majesty, the King


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CHAPTER 1 Entering Upon His Majesty, the King

GOAL:TOENTERINTOTHECOURTOFTHEKINGOFKINGSWewanttobegrantedaccesstotheKingofKings,toenterHiscourt,andwecandothisbystudyingtheBeautifulNamesofAllah .Thisisatrulybeautifultopic,eventhoughsomemaythinkitisratherelementary.WhenyoutoldyourfriendsyousignedupforHisMajestytolearnaboutAsmaAllahal-Husna,somemayhaveasked,Didntyoulearnthatin3rdgradeSundayschool?Butthisisactuallythegreatestsubjectonecanstudy,greaterthanstudyinganythingelse.Everysubjectsimportanceisdirectlycorrelatedtothesubjectofstudy.So,whenyouanalyzethesubjectofstudyinregardstotheNamesofAllah,itisAllah Himself.Whatisgreaterthanthat?WevelearnedthepillarsofIslam.ThissubjectisthefirstpillarofIslamtobelieveinAllah.TobelieveinAllah,wemustknowwhoAllahis.Itisthehighestlevelofknowledge,anditisthemostfruitfulfieldofstudy.YourlifewillbemoreaffectedbystudyingtheNamesofAllahthanstudyinganythingelse,andyouwillseethatknowledgemanifestitselfeverydayinyourlife.WhenUstadhAmmarbeganstudyingthistopicagain,hefeltincrediblyhumbled.Heknewitwasatopichehadbelittledforaverylongtime.Hewassearchingtostudyothertopicssuchasfiqh;thistopicisalsoveryimportant,buthedidntrecognizetheimportancofestudyingtheNamesofAllah ,andheputitonthebackburner.STORYBEHINDTHISCOURSEAfriendhadonceaskedUstadhAmmarataconferenceifhehadreadabookcalled(IntheCompanyofGod)byShaykhSalmanal-Oadah.So,UstadhAmmarstartedreadingthisbookashedelvedintoaworldhehadforgottenaboutforyears.Lateron,hisfriendaskshim,Didyoureadthebook?UstadhAmmarresponds,Imstillreadingit!TheUstadhwantedotherpeopletobenefitfromtheknowledgeaswell,sohepreparedtotranslatethecontentandteachitathismasjid.Then,ShaykhWaleedcallshimonedayandsays,Youregoingtobeaninstructor,andyouhavetoteach.Whatdoyouwantyourfirstclasstobeabout?UstadhAmmarcouldntthinkofatopicthatwasmorefruitfulandbeautifulthantheNamesofAllah .Aroundthesametime,UstadhAmmarhadgivenapresentationatacollegeaboutJesusinIslam.ManyChristianstudentsattended,andonegirlaskedafterthepresentation,WhatsyourfavoriteattributeofGod?UstadhAmmarposedthisquestiontothestudents,andtheiranswersallrevolvedaroundthreemajorconcepts:GodisBeautiful,GodisLove,andGodtakescareofme/protectsme.ItwasthenUstadhAmmarsturntodiscusshisfavoriteattributeofGod.HeexplainedthatwehaveanameforGodbeingloving:Al-Wadd.We


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haveanameforGodtakingcareofyou:Al-Rabb.WehaveanameforGodbeingBeautiful:Al-Jaml.Theywereallbewildered,andasked,WhatdoyoumeanaName?So,UstadhAmmarlistedafewoftheNameseachNamegivesusaccesstoAllah .UstadhAmmarunderstoodthatwedonthaveonlythreeattributes,butrather,wehaveamorevividdescriptionofAllahthananybodyelse.WearepartofanummahthathasbeengivenmoreinformationaboutAllahthananyotherummah.THEUMMAHOFALHAMDULILLAHTheProphet said,IamthemasterofthechildrenofAdamontheDayofJudgement,andthatisnotoutofarrogance.AdamandeveryoneafterhimareallundermybannerontheDayofJudgment,andthatbanneristhebannerofpraise.Scholarshaveposedthequestion:whatbannerofpraise?TheysaidthatbecausetheProphet istheonewhopraisesAllah themost.Furthermore,hisummahistheonethatpraisesAllahthemostbecausetheyknowAllahthemost.WepraiseAllahduringthegoodtimesandthedifficulttimes.Wesayalhamdulillahineverysituation.WhenwetrulyknowAllah,wedonteversayduringdifficulty,WhyGod,why?ThereisnoactionthatHedoesexceptthatHeisAl-kim.Nothinghappenstous,includingthelossofalovedone,exceptthatHeisAl-Ramn.Al-Ramntookthatpersonorthatthingawayfromus.Thereismercy,wisdom,andjusticeintheqadrofAllahwhetherweseeitornot.ThisisofthefruitsofknowingAllah .


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THEQURANDESCRIBESALLAH WhenanalyzingtheQuran,wewillfindthatthegreatestchaptersandversesaretheonesthatdescribeAllah.Ayat al-Kursi is the greatest ayah:

Allah-thereisnodeityexceptHim,theEver-Living,theSustainerof[all]existence.NeitherdrowsinessovertakesHimnorsleep.ToHimbelongswhateverisintheheavensandwhateverisontheearth.WhoisitthatcanintercedewithHimexceptbyHispermission?Heknows

whatis[presently]beforethemandwhatwillbeafterthem,andtheyencompassnotathingofHisknowledgeexceptforwhatHewills.HisKursiextendsovertheheavensandtheearth,

andtheirpreservationtiresHimnot.AndHeistheMostHigh,theMostGreat.Surahal-Baqarah,2:255

Surah al-Fatihah is the greatest surah:

InthenameofAllah,theEntirelyMerciful,theEspeciallyMerciful.

[All]praiseis[due]toAllah,Lordoftheworlds-

TheEntirelyMerciful,theEspeciallyMerciful,

SovereignoftheDayofRecompense.

ItisYouweworshipandYouweaskforhelp.

Guideustothestraightpath

ThepathofthoseuponwhomYouhavebestowedfavor,notofthosewhohaveevoked[Your]angerorofthosewhoareastray.

Surahal-Fatihah,1:1-7


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Surah al-Ikhlas comprises 1/3 of the Quran:

Say,"HeisAllah,[whois]One,Allah,theEternalRefuge.Heneitherbegetsnorisborn,Noris

theretoHimanyequivalent."Surahal-Ikhlas,112:1-4SomepeoplecametotheProphet inMakkah,saying,DescribetousyourLord,[isHe]madeoutofgoldorsilverthisLordofyours?InMadinah,theJewsaskedtheProphettogivethelineageofhisLord.Allah revealedSurahal-Ikhlas,whichisequalto1/3oftheQuran.WhenwereadSurahal-Ikhlas,dowereallyknowwhatAl-amadmeans?WeneedtounderstandthatthemeaningencompassesmuchmorethanjustEternalRefugeorTheSelf-Sufficient.Thesearesimplyfoundinthetranslations.Al-amadentailsthefollowing:YouaretheoneIneed,andturntoYouwithallofmyneeds.Ironically,weoftenrecitethissurahinordertoendtheprayerquicklyandtendtoourneeds,insteadofturningtoAllahforourneeds.Itsalmostasifwedontknowwhatweresaying!TheseversestalkingaboutAllah areincrediblyvaluable.ThereisnotapageofthemushafexceptthatoneoftheNamesofAllahismentioned!ManyversesendwiththeNamesofAllah,yetweoftenjustpassoverthem.WedontpayattentiontothepurposeofthosespecificNamesbeingmentionedinthecontextoftheverse.UstadhAmmarposesthefollowingchallengetous:withRamadhanjustafewmonthsaway,letusdevoteourselvestoreadingtheQuranwhiletrulypayingattentiontotheNamesofAllah.


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ItisAllahwhohascreatedsevenheavensandoftheearth,thelikeofthem.[His]commanddescendsamongthemsoyoumayknowthatAllahisoverallthingscompetentandthatAllah

hasencompassedallthingsinknowledge.Surahal-Talaq,65:12EverythinghasbeencreatedsothatwemayknowAllah andHisNamesandAttributes.IbnQayyimwroteabookcalledMadaarijal-Saalikeen,andheexplainsthatifyoureflectupontheQuranwhileavoidingchangingthemeaningsofwords,youcanhaveadeepunderstandinginregardstotheAttributesofAllah.YouwillbepresentedwithamightyKingabovetheHeavensonHisthrone,decidingtheaffairsofhiscreation,commandingandprohibiting,sendingmessengers,revealingbooks,pleasedattimes,angryatothers,rewardingandpunishing,givingandwithholding,honoringanddebasing,raisingandlowering.Heseesfromoversevenheavensandhears.Heknowsthatwhichisapparentandhidden.HedoeswhateverHewishes.Heisdescribedwitheveryattributeofperfection,exaltedfromeverydeficiency.NotanatomoranythinglargermovesexceptbyHiswill.

PART 1 Introducing the Concept of the Beautiful Names of

Allah The first ayah mentioning al-Asma al-Husna:

AndtoAllahbelongthebestnames,soinvokeHimbythem.Andleave[thecompanyof]thosewhopracticedeviationconcerningHisnames.Theywillberecompensedforwhattheyhave

beendoing.Surahal-Araf,7:180TheNamesofAllaharehusna;theyarethebestandmostbeautiful.WearecommandedtocalluponAllah byHisBeautifulNames.Wehavetoaskourselves,HowmuchdoweinteractwiththeNamesofAllahinmydua?WhenwasthelasttimewecalleduponAllahbyHisNamesAl-RazzqorAl-Latf?HaveweeveninvestedtimeinlearninghowtocalluponAllahbytheseNames?DowecalluponAllahatall?Isourduaaroutinethingfrommylipsandnotmyheart?


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UstadhAmmarknowsaShaykhwhoissurprisinglyveryfinanciallystable.Mostpeoplewhomakealotofmoneydonthavealotoftime.However,thisShaykhhasallthetimeintheworld!UstadhAmmaronceaskedhim,Whatsthesecrettoyoursuccess?Whyisthateverythingyoutouchturnstogold?TheShaykhreplied,Dua.UstadhAmmarasked,Andafterthedua?Isitthatyoutakeaction?TheShaykhreplied,Duaisanaction!Heexplainedthemostpeopledontmakedua,andiftheydo,theydosohalf-heartedly.

Duaisnotlikepreparingforajobinterview.ThisistheKingofKingsyouareabouttoenterupon!Itcantbewithoutfocus,withoutattention,orwithoutbeliefthatAllah isabletodoallthings.WelearnthemeaningsofAllahsNamesinordertocalluponHimbytheseNames.Whenwefeeloverpowered,wecalluponAllahbyAl-Qahhr(TheSubduer).Whenwefeelbroken,wecalluponAllahbyAl-Jabbr(TheRestorer-Hefixesthatwhichisbroken).Whenwefeeloverwhelmedorwithouthonor,wecalluponAllahbyAl-Azz(TheAlmighty-Hegivesizza).KnowledgeofAllahsNameshelpsusproperlyapproachdua.IfwebelieveinAllahaswetrulyshould,wewontfeelworryorfear.Prayorworry,dontdoboth!The second ayah mentioning al-Asma al-Husna:

Say,CalluponAllahorcallupontheMostMerciful.Whichever[name]youcall-toHim

belongthebestnames.Anddonotrecite[too]loudlyinyourprayeror[too]quietlybutseekbetweenthatan[intermediate]way.Surahal-Isra,17:110

MuqaatilandothersscholarsoftafseersaidthataMuslimmanwaspraying,andhesaid,yaRamn,yaAllah.Themushrikeensaid,MuhammadissayingthatheonlyworshipsOneGod,sowhyisthispersoncallinguponAl-RamnandAllah?So,Allah revealedthisverse.ThemultitudeofNamesofAllahdoesnotindicatethemultitudeofobjectsordeities.AllahhasmanyNames.Themushrikeendidntunderstandthisconceptduetoaweaknessofintellect.


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ThefirstpartofthisayahexplainshowweshouldcalluponAllah ,andtoHimbelongthebestNames.Thenextpartofthisayahexplainshowweshouldnotrecitetooloudlyinprayerortooquietly.Whatistherelationship?ThelatterpartoftheayahalsotiesinwithbeliefintheNamesofAllah:HeisAl-Sam,soIdonthavetoyellinorderforHimtohearme.ThereisbelieftiedtothiscommandeventhoughthepersonnexttomecanthearwhatImsayingduringprayer,IknowthatAllahHearsme.Hehearseventhepassingthoughtsthatcomeovermyheart.THESCHOLARSMENTION6POINTS:

1.) InSahihBukhari,IbnAbbas explainsthatthisayahwasrevealedwhentheProphet washidinginMakkah,ashefeltoverwhelmedandoppressed.TheProphetwouldprayinthecourtyardofhishouse,andtheMuslimswouldpraybehindhim.Ifheprayedtooloud,themushrikeenwouldhearandcauseproblemsfortheMuslims.Andifheprayedtooquietly,theMuslimscouldnothearhim.So,Allah commandedhimtorecitesomewhereinthemiddle.

2.) Aisha saidthatthisayahwasrevealedaboutdua;dontmakeitnottooloudlyortooquietly,butsomewhereinbetween.

3.) IbnSireensaidthatthisayahwasrevealedaboutAbuBakr andUmaribnal-

Khattab .AbuBakrwouldprayquietly,saying,MyLord,IamconversingwithHim.Umar,ontheotherhand,wouldprayloudly,saying,ItistoharmShaytan,andtowakeuppeople.So,thisayahistellingAbuBakrtoraisehisvoicealittlebit,anditistellingUmartolowerhisvoicealittlebit.

4.) Anotheropinionstatesthatthisayahwasrevealedaboutthetashahhud.Someofthe

Bedouinswouldrecitethetashahhudloudly,soAllah toldthemnottopray/recitetooloudlyinprayer(i.e.inthetashahhud).AbdullahbinMasud explainedthatthetashahhudshouldbemadesilently,accordingtotheSunnahoftheProphet .

5.) Al-Hasanal-Basri andAbdullahibnAbbas saidthatthisayahisreferringtoshowingof.So,dontreciteloudlyinpublictobeautifyyourprayer,whileofferingaquietprayerwithoutanyenergyinprivate.

6.) IbnAbbas saidthatthisayahwasrevealedaboutthesilentvs.out-loudprayers.So,dontreciteoutloudforDhuhrandAsr.Anddontbesilentforthenightprayers:Maghrib,Isha,andFajr.


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The third ayah mentioning al-Asma al-Husna:

Allah-thereisnodeityexceptHim.ToHimbelongthebestnames.SurahTaha,20:8

InArabianculture,themorenamessomethinghas,themorevalueandhonoritholdsinsociety.Forexample,theArabsvaluedwine,sowinehadmanynames.Theyalsovaluedtheswordandthelion,sothesepossessmanynames.ThisconceptevenexistsinEnglish.Forexample,moneypossessmultiplenames:mula,dough,cash,cha-ching,bread,Benjamins,wealth,dollars,paper,coins,change,bucks,scrilla,bank,cheese,bacon,bags,stacks,bills,currency,credit,green).Nowletsdothesamethingforsomethingrandomlikeacalculator.WeonlythinkofsomethinglikeestimatorandTI-83.Itsnaturalforsomethingthatholdsmorevalueinasocietytopossessmultiplenames.Chicagohasmanynames:Chi-Town,Chiraq,Chiberia,TheWindyCity,TheSecondCity,andSmellyOnion.ComparethistoacitysuchasBoise,Idaho.

TheProphet hadmanynames:

IamMuhammadandIamAhmad,andIamal-Mahi(theobliterator)bywhomunbeliefwouldbeobliterated,andIamHashir(thegatherer)atwhosefeetmankindwillbegathered,andIam'Aqib(thelasttocome,afterwhomtherewillbenoProphet).[SahihMuslim]


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TheDayofJudgmentisthegreatestday,soithasmanynames:Yawmul-Akhir(LastDay),Yawmul-Qiyamah(DayofResurrection),As-Saa'ah(TheHour),Al-Haqqah(TheReality),Al-Qari'ah(TheStrikingHour),Al-Waqi'ah(TheEvent),Yawmut-Tanaad(TheDayWhenThereWillBeMutualCalling).Allah istheGreatestofeverything!Thus,HewillhavemanyNames.HowmanyNames?WewilldiscussthisinshaAllah.The fourth ayah mentioning al-Asma al-Husna:

HeisAllah,theCreator,theInventor,theFashioner;toHimbelongthebestnames.Whatever

isintheheavensandearthisexaltingHim.AndHeistheExaltedinMight,theWise.Surahal-Hashr,59:24

ThelastthreeversesinthissurahhavethemostNamesofAllahmentionedanywhereintheQuran,inanycollectionofverses.WhatistherelationshipbetweenalloftheseNamesmentionedinSurahal-Hashr?Thebeginningofthissurahdiscussesaconflict:

ItisHewhoexpelledtheoneswhodisbelievedamongthePeopleoftheScripturefromtheir

homesatthefirstgathering.Surahal-Hashr,59:2So,thereisarelationshipbetweentheconflictthattheMuslimsexperiencedinMadinahandtheBeautifulNamesofAllah.Duringtimesofconflict,trial,tribulation,anddifficulty,wemustaccesstheNamesofAllahinordertoexperiencevictory.WearenotgoingtowinwithoutAllah.There is a beautiful equation mentioned in the Quran:

IfAllahshouldaidyou,noonecanovercomeyou;butifHeshouldforsakeyou,whoistherethatcanaidyouafterHim?AnduponAllahletthebelieversrely.SurahAli-Imran,3:160Wespendsomuchenergyeverydayofourlivesplanning,organizing,andmobilizing.However,weneedtounderstandthatwewillonlywinifAllahisonourside.


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PART 2 The Greatest Knowledge is Knowledge of the

Names of Allah NarratedAbdullahbinAmr thattheMessengerofAllah said:

IndeedAllah,theBlessedandExalted,createdHiscreationindarkness,thenHecastHis

Lightuponthem,sowhoeveristouchedbythatlightheisguided,andwhoeverisnot,hegoesastray.ItisforthisreasonthatIsaythatthepenshavedriedwithAllahsknowledge.

[Tirmidhi]Ibnal-QayyimcommentsonthisinhisworkShifaal-Alil,saying,WhenAllahexpandsthechestofHisslavewithHisLightthatHecastsintheirheart,HeshowsthemintheilluminationofthatLighttherealitiesoftheNamesandAttributesandsoHeuncoversfortheheartofthebelieverbytheilluminationofthatLightthetruthsofthe(Possessorof)HighestDescription.Establishedonthethroneoffaithintheheartofthebelievingslave,andsotheyseewiththeirheartaLordthatisMighty,Overpowering,AbleandGreaterthaneverythinginHisEssence,HisAttributes,andHisActions.So,accordingtoIbnal-Qayyim,thelightthattheProphet spokeaboutreferstotheknowledgeofAllahsNamesandAttributes.Al-Izzbin'Abdul-SalamsaidseekingnearnessthroughlearningaboutAllahsNamesandAttributesisbetterthanseekingnearnessthroughlearninghisahkaam(rulings).HealsoexplainedinShajaratal-Maarifwal-Aqwalthatitisofthegreatestactionsoftheheart,saying,KnowingtheBeautifulNamesofAllahandHisLoftyAttributesisthegreatestactionsinitsnobilityanditsfruits.


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PART 3 The Fruits of Knowing the Names of Allah

1.) ItBringsAboutLove

Andofmankindaresomewhotake(forworship)othersbesidesAllahasrivals(toAllah).TheylovethemastheyloveAllah.Butthosewhobelieve,loveAllahmore(thananything

else).Surahal-Baqarah,2:165TheProphet wasonceinformedofamanleadingasariyyah(campaign)whowouldleadsalahwhileconcludingeveryrakahwithSurahal-Ikhlas.TheSahabaaskedthemanaboutthisissuewhosaidhelovesthatsurahandwillleadthesalahinthatmanner,ornotleadatall.So,theSahabaaskedtheProphet ;hetoldthemtoaskthemanwhyhedoesthat.Whentheyaskedtheman,heresponded,ItisthedescriptionofAl-Ramn,andIloveit.TheProphet said,TellhimthatAllahloveshim.ThisstoryinmentionedinSahihBukhari.Inanotherhadith,itdescribeshowamanwouldleadsalahinMasjidQub';hewouldbeginwithrecitingSurahal-Ikhlasandthenrecitethenextsurah.TheSahabaaskedtheProphet

aboutthisissue,sotheProphetaskedthemanwhyhedoesthat.Themanresponded,BecauseIlovethissurah.TheProphet said,YourloveofthissurahhasenteredyouintoParadise.ThisshowsustheimportancelearningaboutAllah,lovingthedescriptionofAllah,andrecitingthedescriptionofAllah.IbnAl-Qayyimsaid,AndeveryonewhoknowsAllahcannotbutloveHimandworshipHimsincerelyanddoesnotpreferanythingofHiscreationoverHim,forwhoeverprefersanyof

HiscreationoverHimhasasickheart.[Ighathtal-Lahfn]Andhealsosaid,AndthesoulshavenoneedforanythinggreaterthantheirneedtoknowtheirLordandCreatorwhichcanonlybedonebyknowingHisNamesandAttributes.ForthemoreaservantknowsaboutthemthemoretheywillknowaboutAllah,andthemoretheywillseekhim,theclosertheywillbetoHim.Themoretheyareunfamiliarwiththem,themoretheywillbeignorantaboutAllah,themoretheywillbedislikedbyHim,themoretheywillbedistantfromHim.FortheservantspositionwithAllahisinaccordancetoAllahspositionwiththem.TheaffairofjourneyingtoAllahthroughHisNamesandAttributesis

incredible,andwhatitopensupisincredible.[Tarqal-Hijratayn]


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2.) EveryNameisaMeansofComingClosetoHimIbnal-Qayyimsaid,AndwhoeversharesacharacteristicthatAllahpossesses,thentheyareledbythatcharacteristictoHim.Theyaregrantedaccessbyit,broughtnearbyittoHisMercy,andmadebelovedbyHimbyit.ForHeExaltedisHe-isMercifulandLovesthe

merciful;GenerousandLovesthegenerous;AllKnowingandLovestheknowledgeable;StrongandLovesthestrongbelieverwhoismorebelovedtoHimthantheweakbeliever-HeevenLovestheshy;BeautifulandLovesbeauty,andisWitr(One)andLovesthosewhopraywitr.

[Al-Jawbal-Kfi]

YoulearnthecharacteristicsofAllahsothatyoucanshareinthosecharacteristicsinwhateverwayyoucan;thiswillultimatelyleadyoutoAllah .Thereisastatementthat

says,AdornyourselfwiththecharacteristicsofGod.


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3.) ItCausesLongingTheProphet saidinalongsupplication:

[OhAllah,IaskYou]forthesweetnessoflookinguponYourFaceandalongingtomeetYou.

[Nasai]ThelongingforAllah onlycomesifweknowwhoHeis.Whenweloseafamilymember,deathbecomesslightlymorebearablebecausewearewaitingtoseethispersonontheotherside.WhenMuadhbinJabal waspassingawayinhisearly30s,hesaid,Welcometodeath.Herealizedheisnothereforthisdunya,andheunderstoodthatAllahisontheotherside.ABedouinwasasked,Areyouafraidofdeath?Hesaid,Whatsontheothersideofdeath?Theysaid,Allah.Hesaid,ThenwhywouldIbeafraidofdeath?AsBilalibnRabahwaspassingaway,andhiscryingfamilysurroundedhim,hesaid,Dontcry.TomorrowIamgoingtomeetthebeloved,Muhammad andhiscompanions.So,afeelingoflongingariseswhenwelovesomeone.UthmanbinAffan wasinhis80s,andheseesadreamthenightbeforehedies.HeseestheProphet ,AbuBakr ,andUmar .TheProphetsaystohiminthedream,BreakyourfastwithustomorrowohUthman.OnthedayUthmanwaskilled,hewasfasting.4.) ItRepelsSadness

Donotgrieve;indeedAllahiswithus.Surahal-Tawbah,9:40

IfweknowthatAllah iswithus,wewillnotbeaffectedbysadness.Wewillbehopefulsincewerecognizethataftereveryusr(difficulty),thereareactuallytwoyusr(ease):

Forindeed,withhardship[willbe]ease.Indeed,withhardship[willbe]ease.

Surahal-Sharh,94:5-6


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5.) ItBringsAboutFearofAllahThetaqwaofAllah isonethegreatestgiftsthatsomeonecaneverexperienceinhisorherlife.AllahsaysaboutHimself:

ItisonlythosewhohaveknowledgeamongHisslavesthatfearAllah.SurahFatir,35:28Theinnamainthisayahindicatesrestriction.So,theonlypeoplewhofearAllahfromHisservantsarethepeopleofknowledge.IfpeopledontfearAllah,theyarenotfromthepeopleofknowledge,nomatterhowmuchbookinformationtheypossess.Inordertobepeopleofknowledge,theymustfearAllah.6.) ItDissolvesEvilThoughtsAboutAllah

Whileanotherfactionworriedaboutthemselves,thinkingofAllahotherthanthetruth-the

thoughtofignorance.SurahAli-Imran,3:154ThisayahisreferringtoagroupofhypocriteswhodidntknowwhoAllah is.Theyweredeluded,thinkingthatthepromisesofAllahwerenottrue.IntheBattleoftheTrench,themunafiqeensaid,TheProphet ispromisingusthewealthofKisra,andRome,andoneofuscantevengotothebathroomsafely!TheonlythingAllahandhisMessengerhavepromisedusisdelusion.So,thesehypocritesharboredevilthoughtsaboutAllah.Ontheotherhand,whenthebelieverssawtheahzabof10,000soliderssurroundingMadinah,theysaid,ThisiswhatAllahandHisMessenger havepromisedus,andAllahandHisMessengerhavespokenthetruth.ThisterrifyingsceneonlyincreasedthebelieversintheirfaithandsubmissiontoAllah.ApersonwhoknowsAllahwillneverthinkevilaboutHim.Allah says,IamasmyslavethinksIam.ToknowAllahistobelieveingoodnessaboutAllah,andthus,youwillfindHimassuch.AndmostpeopleharborthoughtsaboutAllahotherthanthetruth,evilthoughts,regardingthemselvesandwhatHedoestootherpeople.Nooneissavedfromthatexceptthosewho

knowAllahandknowHisNamesandAttributes.[Ibnal-Qayyim,Zdal-Mad3/206]


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7.) ItisoftheGreatestoftheActionsoftheHeartsImaniscomprisedofbeliefoftheheart,statementsofthetongue,andactionsofthelimbs.Manytimes,wedontgivemuchconcerntotheactionsoftheheart.Whenwepray,weworrysomuchaboutthephysicalaspectsofprayersuchasplacementofthehandsandfeet.Butthemoreimportantaspectistheplacementoftheheartinregardstokhushooandconcentration.Thedefinitionoffastingistostayawayfromthatwhichbreaksthefast.However,theultimategoaloffastingistoattaintaqwa.TheessenceofUmrahandHajjisthereverenceofthesymbolsofGod,notnecessarilythephysicalfulfillmentofthepillars.Wefocusontheouteraspectofibadah,nottheinneraspect.TaketheexampleofAbuBakr .HewasntpoorlikeBilal ,norwashemartyredlikeHamza ,norwashetorturedinMakkahlikethefamilyofYasir ,buthewasbetterthanallthesepeople.MunthirsaysthatAbuBakrwasntbetterbecauseofextrasiyamorsalah,butratherbecauseoftheactionsofhisheart.StudyingtheNamesofAllahgivesusaccesstothat.Wehavetomonitorourhearts.8.) ItcorrectscharacterApersoncannotbegoodtoAllah andeviltoHiscreation.OnecannotrefinehisorhercharacteristicsinregardstoAllahwhilebeingwickedtothepeople.ThewayoneinteractswiththepeopleisactuallyamanifestationofsomeoftheNamesofAllah.KnowingtheNamesofAllahisnotintendedtobringaboutgoodnesstoAllahwithoutexpandingittoHiscreation.Indeed,theonewhodoesnotexhibitgoodcharactertotheirfellowcreationhasnotknowntheirLord.

9.) EncompassingThemisaCauseofEnteringParadise

Chapter 2:Access Granted, e Rules of the Court


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CHAPTER 2 Access Granted: The Rules of the Court

THEHADITHINTRODUCINGTHENUMBEROFNAMES

theProphetofAllah said,Allahhasninety-nineNames,one-hundredexceptforone;whoeverencompassesthemwillenterParadise.[Bukhari,Muslim,Tirmidhi,andIbn

Majah]THEMEANINGOFENCOMPASSINGThe scholars defined ihsa (encompassing) tomean a number of things describingmanylevels.ThefirstlevelisascertainingtheNamesofAllah,figuringoutwhatthoseNamesare.AhadithwithanextensionofthefamouslistofNamesisnotfromtheProphet .ThatisanadditionmadebyWaleedibnMuslim,whoisoneofthenarratorsofthishadith.

Whenhenarratedthishadithtohisstudents,headdedthenameshebelievedtobethe99NamesofAllah.ThewordsoftheProphet endatwillenterParadise.Theadditionalwords were whatWaleed ibn Muslim thought the Names were. This is calledmudraj when the words of the teacher get mixed up with the words of the Prophet . Thestudentsdidntdifferentiatebetweenthetwotexts.ScholarsdeterminedthatthislistisnotfromtheProphet becausenoneoftheothernarratorshavethislist.TheProphet didnt tell us what the Names of Allah are, but he said that Allah has 99 Names.Therefore,weneedtodeterminethesenames.

Thesecondlevelismemorizing/learningthemeaningsoftheNamesofAllah.WeneedtocomprehendNamessuchasAl-JabbrandAl-Sam.ThethirdlevelisinvokingAllahthroughthoseNames.ThisprocessinvolvesaccessingandinteractingwiththeNamesofAllah.ThefourthlevelislivinginaccordancewiththeseNamesofAllah.KnowledgeofHisNamesresultsinachangeinourbehaviorandattitudebecauseweknowthatAllah isAl-SamandAl-Qadr.TheNamesofAllaharenotnecessarilyeasytoactupon,buttheprizeisJannah.TheProphet said,ThecommodityofAllahisexpensive.ItisbecausetheprizeisJannah.


22

ARETHEY99EXACTLYORMORETHANTHAT?Thescholarshavedifferedonthisissue,butImamal-NawawiexplainedthatthereisconsensusthattheNamesofAllaharemorethan99.Butthisisnotcorrectbecausetherewerescholarswhobelievethattherewereonly99.OneofthefamousgreatAndalusianscholarsIbnHazmheldtheopinionthatthereareonly99NamesbecausetheProphet clearlysaidthat.IbnHazmcollected theNamesofAllahwith suchstrictqualifications thathedidnt evenreach 99 Names; he derived only about 80 or so names. His qualification held that theNamemustcomeintheism(name/propernoun)forminQuranand/orSunnah.Some proofs that there are more than 99 names, with the consensus of Imam Nawawi: 1.)TheProphet narratedtheduaofanxietyandsorrow:

OAllah,IamYourservant,sonofYourservant,sonofYourmaidservant,myforelockisinYourhand,YourcommandovermeisforeverexecutedandYourdecreeovermeisjust.IaskYoubyeverynamebelongingtoYouwhichYounameYourselfwith,or

revealedinYourBook,orYoutaughttoanyofYourcreation,orYouhavepreservedintheknowledgeoftheunseenwithYou,thatYoumaketheQuranthelifeofmyheartandthelightofmybreast,andadepartureformysorrowandareleaseformy

anxiety.[Ahmad]ThisduaindicatesthattherearesomeNamesofAllahthatHekepttoHimself,somewhichHerevealedincertainbooksandnotothers,andsomeHetaughttosomeofHiscreatures.


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2.)Hadithofal-Shafaah(intercession):Inthislonghadith,itdescribeshowmankindwillasksomeoftheProphetstostarttheDayofJudgment.TheywillultimatelygototheProphet whowillbowattheThroneofAllah,andHewillteachtheProphetpraisethathedoesnotknow.

SoIshallraisemyheadandpraiseHimwithaformofpraisethatHewillteachme.ThenI

shallintercede.Allah willteachtheProphet praisestoaddressHim.ThescholarshavesaidthatofthepraiseswillbeNamesofAllahthateventheProphet didnotknowinthedunya.3.)TheProphet saidinasupplication,OhAllah,IdonothavetheabilitytopraiseYou.YouareasYoupraisedyourself.TheProphet istalkingabouthisabilityasahumanbeinginregardstopraisingAllah.So,thisisproofthattherearemorenamesthateventheProphetdoesnothaveaccessto.4.)Logicalproof:The scholars say that Allah has more than 99 Names considering all the NamescollectivelyintheQuranandSunnah.Imamal-Qurtubicollectedmorethan200namesinhiscollection.Therearesomewhocollectedevenmorethan1000names.Thesescholarswere being incredibly lax in their qualification of the Names and had names like TheFourthofthree,citingfromayatsuchas:

ThereisinnoprivateconversationthreebutthatHeisthefourthofthem.

SurahAl-Mujadilah,58:7

However,noneofthescholarssayonetheGreatNamesofthe99NamesisAl-Musair(ThePriceSetter)becauseitdoesnotcarrythesametypeofreactionastheother99Names.


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ItwasnarratedbyAnasibnMalik :"PricesroseduringthetimeoftheMessengerofAllah ,andtheysaid:'OMessengerofAllah,priceshaverisen,sofixthepricesforus.'Hesaid:'IndeedAllahistheMusa'ir(ThePriceSetter),theQabid,(Restrainer)theBasit,theRazzaq(Provider).AndIamhopefulthatImeetmyLordandnoneofyou

areseeking(recompensefrom)meforaninjusticeinvolvingbloodorwealth."THEWAYSTHESCHOLARSCATEGORIZEDTHENAMESScholarshavetriedtocategorizetheNamesofAllahindifferentway.AsIbnQayyimargues,thereisnoperfectwaytocategorizetheNamesofAllah.Youwillnotfindanyonewhohastriedtodosowithoutfacingcriticism.Imamal-QurtubidividedtheNamesofAllahintofivecategories:

1.) NamesthatestablishHisexistence; E.g.Al-Haqq,Al-Awwal,Al-khir,Al-Zhir

2.) NamesthatfollowafterHisexistenceisestablished

E.g.Al-Ali,Al-Witr,Al-Wid

3.) NamesthatnegatelikeningcreationtoAllah E.g.Al-Kabr,Al-Salm,Al-Ghaniyy,Al-Qudds

4.) NamesthatdemonstrateAllahscreationandinnovation

E.g.Al-Sayyid,Al-Hayy,Al-Mlik,Al-Jabbr

5.) NamesthatdemonstrateAllahsdesign E.g.Al-Mudabbir,Al-Ramn,Al-Ram,Al-Qayym.

ThisclasswillcategorizetheNamesofAllahthroughthedayoftwofictionalcharacters.ThefirstcharacterisJamal,a22yearold,collegeseniorinhisfinalsemester.Hehasabusydaywithajobinterview,runningerrands,andendingthedaybyproposingtoagirl.WewillfollowJamalthroughhisdayanddiscoverhowheunlockstheNamesofAllah.

Chapter 3:e Names of Allah


26

CHAPTER 3 His Majesty

HeisAllah,otherthanwhomthereisnodeity,Knoweroftheunseenandthewitnessed.HeistheEntirelyMerciful,theEspeciallyMerciful.HeisAllah,otherthanwhomthereisnodeity,theSovereign,thePure,thePerfection,theBestowerofFaith,theOverseer,theExaltedin

Might,theCompeller,theSuperior.ExaltedisAllahabovewhatevertheyassociatewithHim.HeisAllah,theCreator,theInventor,theFashioner;toHimbelongthebestnames.Whatever

isintheheavensandearthisexaltingHim.AndHeistheExaltedinMight,theWise.Surahal-Hashr,59:22-24

Please clean your heart before entrance


27

JamalwakesupinthemorningandunlocksthenameAl-ayy(TheEverLiving).Al-HayyismentionedintheQuran5times.ItisfamouslyrecitedinAyatal-Kursi:

Allah-thereisnodeityexceptHim,theEver-Living,theSustainerof[all]existence.Neither

drowsinessovertakesHimnorsleep.Surahal-Baqarah,2:255Allah commandsustodependonHim,becauseHeisAl-ayy(TheEver-Living)

AndrelyupontheEver-Livingwhodoesnotdie,andexalt[Allah]withHispraise.AndsufficientisHetobe,withthesinsofHisservants,Acquainted.Surahal-Furqan,25:58

Allah alsocommandsustocallonHimbecauseHeisAl-ayy(TheEver-Living)

HeistheEver-Living;thereisnodeityexceptHim,socalluponHim,[being]sinceretoHiminreligion.[All]praiseis[due]toAllah,Lordoftheworlds.SurahGhafir,40:65

AL-AYY

(TheEver-Living)


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MEANINGOFAL-HAYY:1.) To Allah belongs perfect lifeItislifethatiswithoutanyfatigue,slumber,ordeficiency.Allah saysisAyatal-KursithatdrowsinessandsleepdonotaffectHim.ApersonshouldrememberthisNameastheyexperiencesleep,thecousinofdeath.Uponwakinginthemorning,apersonshouldrecite:

AllpraiseisforAllahwhogaveuslifeafterhavingtakenitfromusanduntoHimisthe

Resurrection.Whenwakingup,oneshouldrememberthatitisAllahwhorestoredhisorherlifeaftertheminordeath.Oneshouldalsoremembertheresurrectionaftertheactualdeath.Allahsexistenceisperfect,withoutanydeficiencies,suchassleepordeath.2.) Allah is the One who bestows life HeistheOnewhogiveslifeinthedunyaandakhira.Andintheakhira,Hebestowseternallife.WecalluponAl-HayybecauseHebestowslife.FRUITSOFAL-HAYY:1.) Dependence on Allah Whoisthepersonyoudependonthemostinyourlife?Yourmom,dad,sibling,husband,wife,bestfriend?Yourworldwouldcrashwithoutthem!However,therealityisthatbothyouandtheyaregoingtodie.Youwilllivewithoutthem,ortheywilllivewithoutyou.So,whomshouldyoudependupon?Allah .HeisAl-ayy,theEver-Living.TheProphet losttwooftheclosestpeopletohim:Khadijah andAbuTalib.Theysupportedhimandhelpedhimduringtimesofdifficulty.Then,theypassedawaywithinmonthsofeachothersomeevensaytheypassedawaywithindaysofeachother.WhywouldAllahcausethelegsoftheProphet tobesweptoutfromunderneathhim?WhywouldAllahgivetheProphetaam-ul-huzn(theYearofSorrow)?ToteachhimtodependonAllah ,notonKhadijahorAbuTalib.TheCompanionsoftheProphet alsohadtolearnthattheywouldonedaylosetheProphet,whowaseverythingtothem.AnasbinMalik said,IdidnotseeadaybrighterthanthedaytheProphet enteredMadinah,andIdidnotseeadaydarkerthanthedayhepassedaway.


29

ThedaytheProphet passedaway,Umar wasangry!AbuBakr walkedintothemasjidandtriedtocalmhimdown.AbuBakrsaid,WhoeverworshippedMuhammad,Muhammadhasdied.WhoeverworshippedAllah,thenAllahistheEver-Living.Wemustinternalizethis,andmoveourdependencefromthepeoplearoundustoAllah,andwemustencourageotherstodothisaswell.2.) The Real Life is Coming, Focus on That WeshouldnotmakethisworldourmajorconcernbecauseAllah hasdesignatedalifeforusthatiseternalbutitisnotthisone.Hehasfilledthislifewithsickness,shortcomings,andloss.Aschildren,wecantwaittogrowolder.Then,aswegetolder,werealizethatourparentsarealsogrowingolder.Thislifewasnotmeanttobeperfect!

WhenJamalwakesupinthemorning,healsounlockstheNameAl-Qayym(TheSelf-Subsisting).Al-QayymistheOnewhomaintainseverysoul,anditismentionedintheQuran3times.ItisalwayspairedwithAl-ayy.Qayym=maintainer,alwayslookingaftersomething.Someonewhoisaqayyimmustbeworkingonsomething100%.IbnQayyimsfatherwasQayyimalJawziyyah,andhewastheprincipalandmaintainerofthatschool,always.Allah istheQayyimoftheheavensandtheearth.Hetakescareofeverything.OurheartsarebeatingandwearebreathingbecauseofAllah!Wedonotmaintainourselves,Allah maintainsus.AllahistheOnewhowilltakeusfromonestagetothenext.WHYDOESALLAHPAIRAL-HAYYANDAL-QAYYUM?EverypairingofNamesgivesbirthtoathirdmeaning,andtakesittoanotherlevel.Al-ayy=TheEver-Living,nooneismaintainingAllah,Heisnotinneedofanyoneoranything,perfectioninHisownessenceAl-Qayym=TheMaintainer,Hetakescareofeverything,perfectioninhowHeDealswithHiscreationScholarssaythateveryotherNamecomesfromthesetwoNames.Some,likeImamal-Nawawi,saythattheGreatestNameofAllah isthepairingofAl-HayyandAl-Qayym.

AL-QAYYM(TheMaintainer)


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And[all]faceswillbehumbledbeforetheEver-Living,theSustainerofexistence.Andhewill

havefailedwhocarriesinjustice.SurahTaha,20:111FRUITSOFAL-QAYYUM:1.) Tawakkul IbnAbbas reportedthattheProphet wouldsupplicate,OhAllah,Ihavesubmittedtoyou,andhavebelievedinyou,anddependonYou,andrepenttoyou,andseekjudgmentfromYou,andseekrefugeinYourpower,thereisnooneworthyofworshipexceptYou,YouareAl-Hayy(TheOnewhodoesnotdie),andthejinnandhumanbeingsdie.[Bukhari,Muslim]

2.)TheProphet wouldusetheseNamesofAllahtoremovedifficultyAnasibnMalik reportedthattheProphet wouldsayduringtimesofdifficulty:

OEverLiving,OSelf-SubsistingandSupporterofall,byYourmercyIseekassistance.

HesoughttheremovalofharmbyAllahsMercy.3.) Removal of Sins TheProphet said,Hewhosays:

IseekAllahsforgiveness,besideswhom,nonehastherighttobeworshippedexceptHe,TheEverLiving,TheSelf-SubsistingandSupporterofall,IturntoHiminrepentance,hissinswillbeforgivenevenifheshouldhaverunawayfromthebattlefield.[AbuDwd,Tirmidhi

andal-kim-onconditionsofBukhriandMuslimforacceptingadth]Fleeingfrombattleisconsideredoneofthesevenmortalsins,butonecanstillseekAllahsforgivenessnevertheless.


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Its8am,andJamalhasajobinterview!Ashediligentlyprepares,heunlockstheBeautifulNameAl-Mujb(TheOneWhoResponds).Allah haslegislatedthatHeisaccessibleatalltimes.HedidnotdesignatejustonedayoftheyearinwhichHewillrespondtoourdua.Otherwise,wewouldhaveworshippedHimlikethat.Inregardstothecreation,thehigherwegetinlife,thelesslikelywearetorespond.Forexample,wedonotexpectaresponsefromBillGatesorMichaelJordan.Allah isinthehighestposition,andHeisalwaysthereforus,alwaysresponding.AlhamdulillahyaAllahthatYouareasYourare!Whatanexcellentmasterofamiserableslave!

SoaskforgivenessofHimandthenrepenttoHim.Indeed,myLordisnearandresponsive."

SurahHud,11:61TWOMEANINGS:1.)TheOneWhoRespondstoDua2.)TheOneWhoInspiresDuaAllah inspiresustomakeduasothatHewillrespondtoourdua.NoneofuswouldevermadeduawithoutAllahinspiringustodoso.Umaribnal-Khattab said,Idonotconcernmyselfwiththeresponse,butIconcernmyselfwithmakingsupplication,forIknowthattheresponsewillcomewithit!Theproblemisthatwemightgoforaweekoramonthwithoutmakingdua!Weaskotherstomakeduaforus,butweforgettomakeitforourselves.WhywouldweallowanyonetocomebetweenusandourconnectiontoAllah?

AL-MUJB(TheOneWhoResponds)


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FAVS.THUMMAThesetwowordsindicatesequence.

andsequence,immediateindicatesFa)) (thumma)describesdelayedsequence.InSurahal-Anbiyaa,Allah mentionsrespondingtothesupplicationsofNuh,Ayyub,

Yunus,andZakariyyah,allusingtheword .Heusesfaeachtime!ThismeansthatHerespondedquickly/immediately!Al-MujbisconsideredakeythatunlocksotherNamesbecausewewouldnotcallonAllahbyanyofHisNameswithouttheinspirationofduainthefirstplaceandwithoutbelievingthatAllahrespondstoourdua!EVERYHEARTISINTHEHANDSOFALLAHLastyear,UstadhAmmarwentforUmrah.WhilehewasinMadinah,hevisitedaverybelovedfriendofhis,ShaykhMuhammadManawhoisnowanAlMaghribinstructorandhestayedwithhimforacoupleofdays.SheikhMuhammadManaaskedUstadhAmmarifhewantedtovisitaveryspecialshaykhofhis,sotheywenttodoso.Thissheikhwasverydifferent.Hewouldgivethekhutbahinhismasjid,andthengotohisofficeacrossthestreet.Inhisoffice,hewouldgiveahalaqahto60-80peopleeachweek.HehadanArab-stylelivingroom,whichwashuge,andhefedpeopleaswell!Hefedthemlargetraysofriceandmeat.ShaykhMuhammadtoldUstadhAmmarthatthissheikhwasnotonlygoingtogivetheminformation,butthathewasalsogoingtogivethemtarbiyah.Hechangespeople;hisnicknameisAl-Murabbi(onewhotakespeoplefromonestagetothenext).UstadhAmmarwalkedintothislivingroomwithArab-styleseatingandcushions.Whenhesatdown,hewasgivenatrayofcoffeeanddates.Helookedforanapkin,andrealizedthattherewereslitsinthecushionsthathadnapkinsinthem!TheShaykhwasgivinghisspeech,andpeoplewerelistening.Hewasbuildinguphispoint15minuteswentby.Then,hesaid,Everyone,IwantyoutowritedownthisnextpointthatIamgoingtomake.Ifyoucanmemorizeit,thenmemorizeitotherwise,writeitdown.Peoplebegantakingouttheirphones.UstadhAmmarforgotthefirst15minutesofthisShaykhstalk,butherememberedthispointthathewastoldtomemorize.Thisgemwasdefinitelyworththetrip:IbnAl-Qayyimsaid,TheheartoftheoneyouturntoisintheHandoftheOneyouturnawayfrom.WewakeupeverysingledayandturntootherpeopleforthingsthatweneedinsteadofturningtoAllah !Whenwehaveajobinterview,wearewillingtoleavethehouseat5:00aminthemorning,butforsomereason,wearenotwillingtowakeup20minutesbeforetopraytworakahs.


33

TherewasabrotherwhocameintothemasjidtospeakwithShaykhWaleedBasyouni.Thisbrotherhadanaddiction,andheaskedforhelp.TheShaykhsaid,Youdonotneedtotalktome.Everythingthatyouaregoingtosaytome,saytoAllah.WearewillingtopourourheartsouttoanImamfor20minutestogetsympathyandempathy,butwedonotturntoAllah!WhydoweinvestsomuchinotherhumanbeingswheneveryheartisintheHandsofAllah?

Acoupleofweeksago,UstadhAmmarwasmovingoutofhisapartment.Initially,hewasveryconfidentthathewouldfinishbytheendoftheday.By7:00pm,heconcludedthathewasnotgoingtobeabletomoveoutby9:00pm.Hehadnotaskedanyoneforhelp,andhowcouldhecallsomeonethislate?Herealizedthathisplanwasnotgoingtowork.SoheaskedAllah forhelp.Shortlyafterhemadedua,hegotacallfromoneofhisclosestfriends.UstadhAmmartoldhimthathewasmoving.HisfriendrespondedwithaphrasethatonlyAllahcouldhavemadehimsay.Hesaid,Excellent!Iwashopingforsomeajr!UstadhAmmarsfriendcameoverandhelpedhimout.HeaskedAllah,andAllahwasenoughforhim!OurhabitshouldbetoaskAllahfirst.

OntheauthorityofAbdullahbinAbbaswhosaid:Oneday,Iwasbehind

theProphet [ridingonthesamemount]andhesaid,Oyoungman,I

shallteachyousomewords[ofadvice]:BemindfulofAllah,andAllahwillprotectyou.BemindfulofAllah,andyouwillfindHiminfrontofyou.Ifyouask,thenaskAllah,andifyouseekhelp,thenseekhelpfromAllah.Andknowthatifthenationweretogather

togethertobenefityouwithanything,theywouldnotbenefityouexceptwithwhatAllahhadalreadyprescribedforyou.Andiftheyweretogathertogethertoharmyouwithanything,theywouldnotharmyouexceptwithwhatAllahhadalreadyprescribedagainstyou.Thepenshavebeenliftedandthepages

havedried.[Tirmidhi]


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Al-QarbisoftenpairedwiththeNameAl-MujbintheQuran.Thereissomethingamazingaboutthefollowingayah,asitbreaksawayfromtheformattingthatisconsistentinotherayat:

AndwhenMyservantsaskyou,[OMuhammad],concerningMe-indeedIamnear.IrespondtotheinvocationofthesupplicantwhenhecallsuponMe.SoletthemrespondtoMe[by

obedience]andbelieveinMethattheymaybe[rightly]guided.SurahAl-Baqarah,2:186

WhenevertheSahabawouldasktheProphet aboutanissue,Allah wouldanswerwithaspecificformatthatstartswithyasalunakaan(theyaskyouabout),whichwouldlaterbefollowedbyqul(say).Forexample,thisayahinSurahAl-Baqarahreadsasfollows:

Theyaskyouaboutwineandgambling.Say,Inthemisgreatsinand[yet,some]benefitfor

people.SurahAl-Baqarah,2:219AsimilarformattingisseeninSurahAl-Isra:

Andtheyaskyou,[OMuhammad],aboutthesoul.Say,ThesoulisoftheaffairofmyLord.Andmankindhavenotbeengivenofknowledgeexceptalittle."SurahAl-Isra,17:85

AL-QARB(TheNear)


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However,thereisoneayahwhichbreaksawayfromthisspecificformatting.TheSahabaaskedtheProphet ,IsourLordclosethatweconverseprivatelywithHim?OrisHefarsothatwecalluponHim?Allah answersbyrevealingayah186inSurahAl-Baqarah.Thereisnoqul(say)inthisayah.Allahdoesnotsay,OhProphet,saythis.Rather,whentheSahabaaskedaboutAllahHimself,Herespondsdirectlywith (indeedIamnear).The indicatesimmediatesequence.AllahrefusestohaveanyonebetweenHimselfandHisslave.Thereisnosecretaryorgatekeeper,evenifthatpersonbetheProphet .Allah thensays,IrespondtotheinvocationofthesupplicantwhenhecallsuponMe.So,AllahsaysthatImhere,available,andclose.Irespondtothedua,soletthemrespondtoMe.Saythataguyisonthecourtplayingbasketball.Hesthebestplayeroncourt,yetnoonepickshim.Hethinkstohimself,Imapro!Justpickme!ItsalmostasifAllah isasking,DontyoubelieveinMe?LetthembelieveinMe.Youbelieveineveryoneelse,andyouresowillingtocalluponeveryoneelse.Instead,youshouldcalluponAllah,respondtoHim,andbelieveinHim,sothatyoumaybeguided.BelievethatAllahis (near).Thesecondreasonfortherevelationof2:186wasthefollowingayah:

AndyourLordsays,CalluponMe;Iwillrespondtoyou."SurahGhafir,40:60

TheSahabaaskedtheProphet howandwhenshouldtheycalluponAllah .ThenearnessofAllahisoftwotypes.Thereisageneralnearness,inwhichAllahisawareofeverythingwedo,knowledgeableofeveryone,andever-present.AllahsaystheHeisclosertothedyingpersonthanweare,butweareunaware:

AndWearenearertohimthanyou,butyoudonotsee.SurahAl-Waqiah,56:85

Thegeneralnearnessreferstoeveryone.ThereisalsoaspecialkindofproximitythatAllahhastothosewhomHeloves.ThesearepeoplewhoaccessHimandseekHisnearnessthroughHisgentleness,care,andsupportofthem.ThiswasmentionedbyImamAl-Saidi.ShaykhAliThantaliwasaSyrianscholar,andhementionsastoryinoneofhisbooksabouthisunclesinvitation.TheShaykhwenttohisuncleshouse,andwhilehewasthere,hefeltlikehewassuffocating.Dinnerhadnotevenbeenservedyet,buthefeltlikeheneededtoleave.Soheexcusedhimselffromthefamilygatheringwhilefacingcriticismfromthe


36

people.Hewaswalking,yethedidntevenknowwherehewasgoing.HethoughttohoponatramandreturntoDamascus,buthefoundhimselfgoinganotherway.Hewaswalkingdownastreetwhenheseesawomaninthedistance;shehasasmallchildwithher,andsheiscryingandmakingdua.ShaykhAliaskedherwhysheiscrying.Sheexplainedthatherhusbandhadkickedheroutofherapartmentandthatshehadnowheretogo.ShecouldntreturntoherhusbandshouseinDamascus,andherfamilywasfromAleppo.TheShaykhtoldhertofileacompliantagainstherhusbandincourt.Sheexplainsthatsheisawomanwithnofamilyandthatitwillbedifficulttotakethecasetocourt.ThewomandidntknowthatthemanshewasspeakingtowasthejudgeofDamascus.TheShaykhgavethewomanhiscard,andheexplainedthatAllah broughthimoutofhisuncleshousesothathecouldmeetheronthisstreetasaresponsetoherdua.AllahwillmobilizeeverythingforherbecauseHeisAl-Qarb.KNOWINGTHATALLAHISALWAYSWITHYOUUstadhAmmaroncepickedupShaykhSalahAlsawyinHoustontogivehimaride.Duringthis50-minutedrive,UstadhAmmarnoticedhowpleasantShaykhSalahsArabicsoundedasherecitedversesoftheQuraninadditiontopoetry.Inthemiddleofhisspeech,ShaykhSalahwouldallofasuddenputhishandsupandmakepassionateduaforabout2minutes,andthenhewouldresumehisconversationwithUstadhAmmar.TheShaykhwouldswitchbetweentheconversationanddua.UstadhAmmarwaspickedupfromtheairporttocometothisclassinChicago.Hewassittinginthepassengerseatwhileanotherindividualwassittinginthebackseat.WhentheUstadhanddriverwouldbespeaking,thepersoninthebackcouldntreallyhear.So,ingeneral,thepeopleinthefrontwillturnbackeverynowandthentoconversewiththepersonsittingintheback.ThesetwoincidentscrystallizedaconceptforUstadhAmmar:ShaykhSalahrealizedthatthereisnotagatheringexceptthatAllah isthethird.

HaveyounotconsideredthatAllahknowswhatisintheheavensandwhatisontheearth?ThereisinnoprivateconversationthreebutthatHeisthefourthofthem,noraretherefivebutthatHeisthesixthofthem-andnolessthanthatandnomoreexceptthatHeiswith

them[inknowledge]wherevertheyare.SurahAl-Mujadila,58:7


37

Thisconceptalsotiesinwithihsan:

Thenhe(Jibril )said,Informmeaboutihsan.He(theMessengerofAllah )

answered,ItisthatyoushouldworshipAllahasthoughyoucouldseeHim,forthoughyoucannotseeHim,yetHeseesyou.[Muslim]

HOWCANAPERSONBENEARTOALLAH ?1.) Preserve the obligatory prayers Allah saysthatMyservantswillnotcomeclosertoMewithanythingthatismorebelovedtoMethantheobligatoryprayers.FajrismorebelovedtoAllahthanQiyam.IshaismorebelovedtoAllahthanTaraweeh.So,apersonwhoisseriouslyseekingtojourneytoAllahmustfocusonperfectinghisorherobligations.Forexample,Allah hasmadebirrtoourparentsobligatory,sowemustbekindandobedienttothem.2.) Voluntary acts of worship Afterperfectingtheobligations,increaseinvoluntaryactionssuchasfasting,givingcharity,andextraprayer.

AndMyservantdoesnotdrawneartoMewithanythingmorelovedtoMethanthereligiousdutiesIhaveobligateduponhim.AndMyservantcontinuestodrawneartoMewithnafil

(supererogatory)deedsuntilIlovehim.[Bukhari]Scholarssaythatapersonsrewardisappropriatefortheactionthatheorshedoes.Themotivatingfactordiffersbetweenobligatoryactionsandvoluntaryactions.Forexample,apersonmayprayDhuhrbecauseheorshedoesnotwanttogotoJahannam;thisobligatoryactmaybemotivatedbyfear.ButwhenapersonpraysalltheSunnanofDhuhror8rakahsofQiyam,thereisnofearinvolvednoristhereathreatofpunishment;thesevoluntaryactionsaremotivatedbylove.


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3.) Sujud

Butprostrateanddrawnear[toAllah].SurahAl-Alaq,96:19

ProstrationisoneofthewaystocomeneartoAllah .TheProphet said,TheclosestaslaveistohisLordiswhileheisinastateofprostration,soincreaseyoursupplications(therein).

SomeoneonceaskedUstadhAmmarhowhecanmakehissalahlessroboticwhileincreasinginhiskhushoo.UstadhAmmarexplainedthatoneoftheeasiestandmostbasicwaystodosoisbyvaryingthesalah.Saythatyouhavebeendrivingonthesamerouteforyearsonyourcommute.Whenyouknowtheroutelikethebackofyourhand,youcaneasilyhaveaconversationwithsomeoneonthephone.Butwhenyoubecomelost,youhangupthephone,tellingthepersonyouwillcallthemback.Yourealizeyoucannolongermultitaskinunknownterritory,andyoureallyhavetofocus!Likewise,trytovaryyoursalahtohelpyoubemorepresentandfocused.Forexample,onecanlearnanewsurahinadditiontonewsupplicationsforthedifferentpositionsofsalah(e.g.duringruku,risingfromruku,duringsujud).Onecanmakeadifferentduaineverysajda,especiallysincetheProphet encouragedustomakeextraduainsujud.Inasalahthatis4rakahs,thats8differentopportunitiesfordua!OnecanbefortheProphet ,oneforyourparents,oneforrefugees,etc.4.) During the last 3rd of the night AmribnAbasahsaidthatheheardtheProphet say,TheclosestthattheLordistoHisslaveisinthelastpartofthenight,soifyoucanbeamongthosewhorememberAllahatthattime,thendoso.So,ifyouhavetheopportunityandtheabilitytowakeupalittlebitbeforeFajrandrememberAllah atthattime,thenbeoneofthosepeople.


39

Thewordlutfistranslatedassubtlety.However,wemustrealizethattheBeautifulNamesofAllah cannotbetranslatedintooneEnglishword.So,Al-LatfisnotjustTheSubtle,astherearemanydifferentlayersandshadesofmeaning,andthisholdstruefortheotherNamesofAllahaswell.TheseArabicNamesareverycompactandpossessgreatdepthofmeaning.IbnManzurauthoredthefamousArabiclexicompLisaanAl-Arab,andhesaidthatAl-LatfisaNamefromHisNames.Heexplainedthatitmeanstawfeeq(success),isma(protection),rifq(kindness,gentleness,subtlety,andguidingpeopletotheirmasaalihthatwhichbenefitsthemfromwhatAllah hasdecreed).So,weunderstandthatAl-Latfpositionspeopleinwaysthatarebeneficialtothemevenwhenthatbenefitishidden.Al-LatfismentionedintheQuran7times.

Indeed,AllahisSubtleandAcquainted.SurahAl-Hajj,22:63

AL-LATFISANAMETHATCARRIESALOTOFMEANINGS:1.) Forbearance Hedoesnotpunishthemimmediatelyfortheirsins.2.) Facilitating some of His creation for others Forexample,facilitatingparentsfortheirchildrenandviceverse.

AllahisSubtlewithHisservants;HegivesprovisionstowhomHewills.AndHeisthe

Powerful,theExaltedinMight.SurahAl-Shuraa,42:193.) Grace

Hebestows,guides,andgives.Hence,giftsarecalled .So,whenAllah bestowsgiftsuponus,theyare comingfromAl-Latf.

AL-LAF(TheSubtle)


40

4.) Hiddenness/Subtly of Himself HeisnotperceivedbythesensesthoughHeisapparentbyHissignsinrevelationandcreation.Allah isnotseennorisHeheard.ThesameholdstrueforHisangels.

VisionperceivesHimnot,butHeperceives[all]vision;andHeistheSubtle,theAcquainted.

SurahAl-Anam,6:103So,visioncannotencompassHimalthoughHeencompasseseverything.TheNamesofAllah

arenotrandomlyplacedattheendofayat;rather,theyappropriatelyplacedbasedonthecontextoftheayat.5.) Nothing is hidden from Him Al-LatfistheOnewhoknowsthesubtlyofallthingswhethertheybemicroscopicphysicalthingsoremotions,thoughts,andintentions.Sometimeswedontevenknowourownintention,butAl-Latfisalwaysfullyaware.LuqmanadviseshissonthatAllah willbringfortheventhesmallestandmostinsignificantactions:

[AndLuqmansaid],"Omyson,indeedifwrongshouldbetheweightofamustardseedandshouldbewithinarockor[anywhere]intheheavensorintheearth,Allahwillbringitforth.

Indeed,AllahisSubtleandAcquainted.SurahLuqman,31:16So,AllahwillbringitallforthbecauseHeisawareofallthings.ThisayahendswiththeBeautifulNamesAl-LatfandAl-Khabr6.) The Creator of subtle and sophisticated design in ourselves and all of creation 7.) The One whose goodness and ihsan is hidden NotonlyisAllah Himselfhidden,butHisgoodnessisalsohidden.Allahhasdesignatedsomuchgoodnessforus,butwemaynotseeitatthetime.Wecomplainandcry,butwelookbackandsay,Thatwasthebestthingthateverhappenedtome!


41

ManybooksreferenceoneparticularProphetwhendiscussingtheNameAl-Latf,andthatisProphetYusuf .Inhisstory,weseebadthingshappeningtohimagainandagain.Itgoesfrombadtoworse.Onebadsituationisfollowingbyanotherbadsituation!Butthroughitall,weseethatAllah isguidinghimtogoodness.ANALYSISOFTHESTORYOFYUSUF INREGARDSTOLUTF:

a.) Yusufseesadreamof11stars,thesun,andthemoonprostratingtohim.Initially,hehasnoideawhatthisdreamsignifies,butattheend,heunderstands.

v TheveryfactthatYusufhadadreamatthebeginningisfromAllahskindnessandgentleness.Yaqub knewthatthestoryofhissonwillnotendandthatthedreamwillbemanifestedoneday.Theentiretime,YaqubwantstobereunitedwithYusufeventhoughhisothersonsaresayingthatYusufisgone!Yaqubknewthathewasnotgone,ashesays:

andIknowfromAllahthatwhichyoudonotknow.SurahYusuf,12:86

v ApersonwhoknowsAllahandHisBeautifulNamesandAttributeswill

traversethroughthemostdifficultsituationsinhisorherlifedifferentlythanonewhodoesnotknowAllah.

b.) Beingthrowninawellseemslikeahorriblething,butitultimatelytakeshim

onagreatjourney.Itessentiallyremovedhimfromapoisonousenvironmentandtheevilintentionsofhisbrothers.

v ByremovingYusuffromthecareofhisfather,AllahteachesYusuftodependonHimAlone(especiallyasheisaslaveinaforeignland).

c.) Allah removedYusuffromtheplottingoftheseducingwomenbyputting

himinjail.ScholarssaythatoneofthemanifestationsofAllahbeingAl-LatfisHisdecisiontoputyouinapositiontoavoidsineventhoughthatsinisabsolutelyavailablearoundyou.

v Forexample,aMuslimkidmayliveinLasVegas.AllahprotectshimbyguidinghimtothemasjidinordertomemorizeQuran.

v ThewomenarecallingYusuftosin,andhehasnowaytoavoidthatsin(heisaslavebeingcommanded).So,hesays:


42

Hesaid,MyLord,prisonismoretomylikingthanthattowhichtheyinviteme.AndifYoudonotavertfrommetheirplan,Imightinclinetowardthemand[thus]beoftheignorant.

SurahYusuf,12:33

d.) Injail,Yusufhasachancetogivedawahtotheotherprisoners.

e.) Yusufisplacedinapositionthatwilleventuallyhelphimmeetthekingandbecomethetreasurer.AllahwassubtleinHiswayofbringinghimtoapositionofauthority.

v Yusufdoesnotbreakoutofprisonthroughalightningbolt.Rather,thekingseesadreamandeventuallysummonsYusuf.

Itwouldbetrulybeautifulifwecouldreadthepagesofourownstories,seeingiffromtheperspectiveofAl-Latfguiding,protecting,andsavingusthroughoutourlives.FRUITSOFAL-LATIF1.) Loving Allah Heissubtleandgentlewithus.Hedoesntpunishusimmediatelyforoursins.Allah alwaysguidesustogoodness,whetherweknowitornot.2.) Depending on Allah WhenwelearntodependonAllah ,weincreaseinourduaandistikharaasweconstantlyreferouraffairsbacktoHim.Heknowswherethehiddenbenefitandgoodnesslieforus,whilewedonot.Withthatknowledge,webecomecontentwithHisdecree.

anditmaybethatyoudislikeathingwhileitisgoodforyou,anditmaybethatyoulovea

thingwhileitisevilforyou,andAllahknows,whileyoudonotknow.SurahAl-Baqarah,2:126

3.) Monitoring our actions and statements WerecognizethateverysubtlethingisrecordedbyAl-Latf.Therefore,wemonitorourstatements,passingthoughts,andactions,includingactionsoftheheart.Evenifitisseeminglysmallandinsignificant,Allah isawareofit,andHemayholdyouaccountableforit.ThisconcepttiesinwiththeadvicethatLuqmangavehisson:Allahwillbringfortheventhesmallestgrainofsandanywhereonthisearthorintheheavens.


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AL-RAZZQ

(TheProvider)

It is 8:35 am, and Jamal is having breakfast. In this scenario, we unlock the Beautiful Name of Al-Razzq.TherearesomeNamesthathaveslightvariations,buttheyarestillconsideredNamesofAllah .So,thereisAl-Razzq,Al-Rziq,andKhairul-Rziqn. Al-RazzqisconsideredaNameofAllahbyunanimousconsensusbecauseAllahdescribesHimselfintheQuran,saying:

Indeed,itisAllahwhoisthe[continual]Provider,thefirmpossessorofstrength.

SurahAl-Dhariyat,51:58AsforAl-Rziq,thisiscontroversial;somescholarsarenotinagreementwhetherthisisconsideredaNameofAllahornot.AndasforKhairul-Rziqn,thisphraseappears5timesintheQuran,butthereisalsocontroversywhetherthisisconsideredaNameofAllahornot.

Ordoyou,[OMuhammad],askthemforpayment?ButtherewardofyourLordisbest,and

Heisthebestofproviders.SurahAl-Muminun,23:72Allah createstherizq,andHecreatestheperson,andHecreatesthesabab(cause)oftheacquisitionofrizq.

AL-RZIQ


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TWOTYPESOFRIZQ1.) General Rizq

AndthereisnocreatureonearthbutthatuponAllahisitsprovisionSurahHud,11:6

So,Allah providesforeverycreatureonthisearthandbeyondit,eventhefishinthedeepestpartsoftheoceansandeventhewormsandinsects.AllahprovidesforbothMuslimsandnon-Muslims.Ibrahim triedtorestricttherizqtothosewhobelieveinAllahandtheLastDay(i.e.notanyoneelse),butAllahexplainsthateveryonewillreceiverizq.

And[mention]whenAbrahamsaid,"MyLord,makethisasecurecity[i.e.Makkah]and

provideitspeoplewithfruits-whoeverofthembelievesinAllahandtheLastDay."[Allah]said."Andwhoeverdisbelieves-Iwillgranthimenjoymentforalittle;thenIwillforcehimtothepunishmentoftheFire,andwretchedisthedestination."SurahAl-Baqarah,2:126

2.) Specific Rizq ThisisprovisionthatAllah providestohisbelievingslaves.ThisincludestherizqofIman,faithinAllah,beliefinHim,knowledgeofHim,andsubmissiontoHim.

Say,Whoprovidesforyoufromtheheavensandtheearth?Say,Allah.Andindeed,weoryou

areeitheruponguidanceorinclearerror."SurahSaba,34:24


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WhenwecontemplateupontheNameAl-Razzq,welearntodependonAllahcompletely.

OrwhoisitthatcouldprovideforyouifHewithheldHisprovision?Buttheyhavepersisted

ininsolenceandaversion.SurahAl-Mulk,67:21TheProphet wouldmakethefollowingduaduringhissalahwhenrisingfromruku:

OAllah,nonecandenythatwhichYoubestow,andnonecanbestowthatwhichYouhold

back;andthegreatnessofthegreatwillbeofnoavailtothemagainstYou.[BukhariandMuslim]

So,thisduaemphasizesthatAllah istheOnewhoprovidesforyou.IfHehaswrittensomethingforyou,itwillcome.IfHehasnotwrittenitforyou,itwillnotcome.ThepeopleofinfluenceandpowerhavenoauthorityoverAllah.HeisTheProvider,sodontdependonanyoneelse.AHADITHTOBEWRITTENINGOLDTheProphet said,TheHolySpiritcastintomyessencethatnosoulshallpassuntilitcompletesitslifespanandprovision,sofearAllahandseekitbeautifully.AnddonotletthedelayofprovisioncauseyoutoseekitbydisobeyingAllah,forwhatiswithAllahcannotbe

acquiredexceptthroughobediencetoHim.[AbuNuayminal-Hilya,authenticatedbyal-Albani]


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UstadhAmmarfirstheardthishadithwhenhewasstudyingthefieldoftransactions.TheShaykhwastalkingaboutbusiness;dontletShaytanenticeyouwithseekingwealthinharamwaysduringtimesoffinancialdifficulty.Dontsellthatwhichisharamorgetinvolvedinharamtransactions.Somepeoplemakemoneyinanattempttoobtainrespect,security,andhappiness.Butdontweseepeoplewithallthemoney,yettheyarestillnotsafeorhappy?TheProphet said,ForwhatiswithAllahcannotbeacquiredexceptthroughobediencetoHim.Allah cangiveanindividualmorebarakahinjust$10asopposedtosomeonewith$1,000.Andapersonwhohas$1,000canhavemorebarakah,serenity,andrespectwithhispeersthanapersonwithamillionbucks,becauseallofthatisunderAllahscontrol.UstadhAmmarwasreallystruckbythebeautyofthishadith,andherelatedittotheconceptofrelationshipsaswell.Anotheraspectofrizq,inadditiontomoney,isthespouse.ThisisprovisionfromAllah ,anditiswrittenforyou.WearerequiredtohavetaqwaofAllah,seekingprovisionbeautifully.Whenyourspousecomes,he/shecanfindyouinastateoftaqwaorinastateofsin.Maybeyouwerehastyandfellintotheharam.DontletthedelaypushyoutoseekoutrizqinwaysthatAllahhasprohibited.Wewanthappiness,serenity,andcompletionfromarelationship;seekthatrizqthroughobediencetoAllah.REFLECTONYOURRIZQ

TheMessengerofAllah said,Whoeveramongyouwakesupinthemorningsecuredinhisdwelling,healthyinhisbody,havinghisfoodfortheday,thenitisasiftheworldhasbeen

gatheredforhim.[Tirmidhi]ThereanumberofthingsthatAllah hasgivenus,yetwedontappreciatethem,eventhoughtheyareequaltoeverything.Wewakeupsecureinourdwellingifwehaveabilitytogetintoourcaranddriveoutsidewithnomilitiaordrones.Fearisabsentfromourlives,andwedontworryaboutourfamiliesbeingabusedifweleavethehouse.Wearehealthyinourbodiesifwedontneedanyhelpgettingup.Arabssaythathealthisacrownthatrestsontheheadsofthehealthy;itisinvisibleexcepttothosewhoaresick.Wedontseethiscrownofhealthonourheads,butthesickpersondoes.Wehaveenoughtofeedandsustainourselvesifitwilllastusfortheday.Notforourretirement,not15or20yearsdowntheline,notforthekidscollegefunds,notforsummervacation.Enoughforjusttheday!


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Ifwehaveallthreeaspects,thenitsliketheentireworldhasbeenrolledoutforus!Ifanyoftheseaspectsweretakenawayfromus,ourworldwouldbedrasticallydifferent.ThereweresomeincrediblywealthypeoplelivinginAleppo,yettheirsecuritywastakenawayfromthem.Somepeoplemaybeveryrich,buttheyarenothealthyandmaynotbeabletoenjoytheirwealth.Hence,contentmentissomethingbeautiful,andwemustreflectontherizqthatAllahhasgivenus.Fromthebestofrizqisthatwhichbringshappinessandtranquility.TheProphet saidaboutKhadijah ,Verily,Iwasprovidedtherizqofherlove.Scholarshaveexplainedthisstatementintwoways.OneinterpretationisthattheProphet wasgivenherlove(i.e.sheloveshim).ItcanalsorefertotheProphetsloveofher.Inbothways,itisrizq.Itistrulybeautifultodirectrizqtosomeonewhodeservesit,suchasKhadijah .ThisisAl-Razzq.

AL-KARM

Itis9amasJamalhasfinishedbreakfastandisgettingforhisjobinterview.Hisfamilyreallyneedshimtojointheworkforceandsecureanincomeforthehousehold.Althoughhissemesterisnotoveryet,heisready,willing,andabletowork.Hehasajobinterview,andheishopingforthegenerosityofAllah .Atthistime,weunlocktheBeautifulNamesofAl-KarmandAl-Akram.Al-KarmtranslatesintoTheGenerouswhileAl-AkramtranslatesintoTheMostGenerous.

AL-AKRAM


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Omankind,whathasdeceivedyouconcerningyourLord,theGenerous.

SurahAl-Infitar,82:6

Recite,andyourLordisthemostGenerous.SurahAl-Alaq,96:3

So,Al-AkramisaNameofAllahbecause precedes Akram.HOWISANAMEDEFINEDINARABIC?1.) The phrase in front Al-KarmisdefinitelyconsideredaNameofAllahbecause precedes Karm.Arabicismadeupof3components:ism(name/propernoun),fil(verb),andharf(particle).ScholarssaythatoneofthewaystodetermineifsomethingisaNameofAllahistoseeitintheismformintheQuranorSunnah.Itcantbeaverb.ThisisoneofthestrictestopinionsbyIbnHazb.2.) Al-jar (i.e. it has a kasra) Wedontputakasraonsomethingthatisafilorharf.3.) Al-Nida (i.e. calling out) Forexample,youcallout,yaRahman!4.) Tanween Forexample,HayyiyisaNamebasedonthedescriptionofAllahasHayyiyuninahadiththatwillbeexplainedlateron.WHATISTHEMEANINGOFKARAM?Ifsomeoneiskarm,heisgenerous.Linguistically,thewordkarmindicateseveryattributeofperfection.AndsoinIslam,whenwetalkaboutbeautifulcharacterorloftyattributes,itiscalledmakarimal-akhlaaq,referringtotheperfectionofcharacter.IntheArabiclanguage,karamcanencompasscourage,generosity,truthfulness,andnobility.TheSahabaaskedtheProphet ,Whoisthemostnobleofpeople?TheProphetresponded,Yusufal-karm,sonofYaqubal-karm,sonofIshaacal-karm,sonofIbrahimal-khall.So,theProphet wasnottalkingabouttheonewhowasmostgenerous,butrathertheonewhohasreachedalevelofperfectioninqualitiesandnobility.


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Allah isAl-Karm,soHeisperfectineverythingHedoesinadditiontoHisBeautifulAttributessuchasgenerosity,mercy,benevolence,andjustice.THEMEANINGSANDMANIFESTATIONSOFAL-KARIM:1.) Al-Karm is The Generous and Disposer of bounty Someoneisdescribedaskarmwhenheisgenerousandlovestospend.Somepeopleareveryreluctanttogiveawaytheirmoney.Othersmaynotmind.Andotherswilllovetogive.AllahisOneofthosewholovestogivecontinuously.2.) Al-Karm is the One who bestows and then praises Allah praisessomeProphetsintheQuran.HepraisesoneProphetforhispatience,anotherforhissincerity.ItwasultimatelyAllahwhogavetheseProphetssuchattributes.

Anexcellentservant.Indeed,hewasonerepeatedlyturningback[toAllah].

SurahSad,38:44AllahdescribesProphetAyub inthisayahasbeingawaab(oft-returning),andHepraiseshimforthatquality.AllahbestowsqualitiesuponHisslaves,andthenHepraisestheslaveinsteadofpraisingHimself.So,AllahispraisingHisslaveeventhoughHedesignedhimtobethatway!Somepeoplearegenerouswiththeirwealth,andAllah isundoubtedlygenerouswithwealth.Somepeoplearegenerouswiththeircompliments,andAllahisundoubtedlygenerouswithHiscomplimentsaswell.3.) Al-Karm is The One who gives before He is asked Forsomepeople,youmustfirstapproachthemandaskforhelp.Otherpeoplewillhelpwithoutbeingasked.AmanoncecametoAlibinAbiTalib atnighttoaskforhelpwithanissue.Alitoldhissontoturnoffthelights.Lateron,thechildasked,Whydidyouaskmetoturnoffthelanternwhenyouwerewiththatman?Aliexplainedthathedidntwanttoseethelevelofembarrassmentonthemansface.Alipossessedahighlevelofsensitivity,asheunderstoodthesituationcouldbeabitawkwardanddifficultfortheman.OnceUstadhAmmarwasvisitinghisuncleshouseforEidwithhiscousinwhowas6yearsoldatthetime.UstadhAmmarrealizeshehasntgivenhiscousinanEidie,sohereachesintohispocketandgiveshim$5.Hiscousingoestohisroomandreturnswith$20forUstadhAmmar!Thisisgenerosity.UstadhAmmardidntaskhimforanything,buthewantedtogivehimsomethinganyway.


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UstadhAmmarremembersthatShaykhSalahwouldmakeaduawhensittingbyhimself,saying,OhAllah,Youarethemostmercifulofthosewhoareasked,andYouarethemostgenerousofthosewhogive.Allahsdoorsarenotclosed,andHeappreciatespeoplescircumstances.ThereisnoonemoregenerousthanAllah .AllahisasHegiveswithoutevenbeingasked.4.) The One who does not reject an asker InTirmidhi,theProphet said,Indeed,Allah,isHayyiyun(shy),Kareemun(generous),whenamanraiseshishandstoHim,Hefeelstooshytoreturnthemtohimemptyandrejected.WelearnthatHayyiyisoneoftheNamesofAllah;eventhoughthereisno,thetanweenispresent.WealsounderstandthatoneoftheetiquettesofmakingduaistoraiseyourhandsbecauseAllahistooshyandtoogeneroustoallowthosehandstogobackdownempty.IbnAbbas narratedthattheProphet said,VerilyAllahhasrecordedthegooddeedsandtheevildeeds.Whosoeverintendstodoagooddeedbutdoesnotdoit,AllahrecordsitwithHimselfasacompletegooddeed;butifheintendsitanddoesit,AllahrecordsitwithHimselfastengooddeeds,uptosevenhundredtimes,ormorethanthat.Butifheintendstodoanevildeedanddoesnotdoit,AllahrecordsitwithHimselfasacompletegooddeed;butifheintendsitanddoesit,Allahrecordsitdownasonesingleevildeed.Ifonemerelyintendstodoasin,thereisnoevildeedwrittenforhim.AbdullahbinMasudcommentedonthisissue,saying,Howcanapersonssingleactionsoutweightheiractionswhicharemultipliedbyten?So,nooneisdestroyedwithAllahexceptforsomeonewhoisjustintentonhisorherowndestruction.TheProphet saidthateveryonewillenterJannahexceptthoserefuse.THERULESOFUNDERSTANDINGALLAHSNAMESANDATTRIBUTESWhenonestudiestheBeautifulNamesandAttributesofAllah,oneisactuallystudyingtherulespertainingtothistopic.HowdoweapproachtheNamesofAllah?WhatdowebelieveinwithregardtotheNamesofAllah?Whataretheguidelines?HowdoweknowifsomethingisaName?WhatAttributescanandcantwecontributetoAllah?OneofUstadhAmmarsteacherscomparedstudyingtherulesofAllahsNamesandAttributestostudyingadriversmanual.Onestudiesthemanualandunderstandsthemeaningsofvarioussignsinordertolearnhowtodrive.However,onemaystudythismaterialyetneveractuallydrive.WhenwestudyNamessuchasAl-JamlandAl-Ghaffr,weexperiencebreathtakingviewswhenwebenefitintermsofourspirituality;thatswhenthedrivingtakesplace.WestudytherulesofAllahsNamesandAttributessothatwecanactuallyimplementthatknowledge.


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Rule#1AllofAllahsNamesandAttributesareNamesandAttributesofMajestyandPerfection,andnonegativemeaningcanbederivedfromthem.AllofAllahsNamesarehusna.ThedefaultrulingstatesthatanynegativequalityornamecannotbeassociatedwithAllah .Hislifeisalifeofperfection.So,wedonotassociatesleeporslumberwithAllah.EvenifHedidnttellusthisspecificinformation,weshouldbeabletounderstandthatHedoesnotsleeporslumber.AllahtellsusthatHeisAl-AzzandAl-Qawi;Heisnotoverwhelmedbyoneorathousand.NoonecanharmorkillAllah.HisknowledgeisperfectasHedoesnotforget,norisHeignorantorunaware.Allahsjusticedoesnotallowforanyoppression.AllofHisNamesareinthemostcompleteandperfectform.AllahdescribesHisNamesasbeinghusna,andHedescribesHisAttributesasbeingAl-Alaa(thehighest)in2ayat:

ForthosewhodonotbelieveintheHereafteristhedescriptionofevil;andforAllahisthe

highestattribute.AndHeisExaltedinMight,theWise.SurahAl-Nahl,16:60

AnditisHewhobeginscreation;thenHerepeatsit,andthatis[even]easierforHim.ToHimbelongsthehighestattributeintheheavensandearth.AndHeistheExaltedinMight,the

Wise.SurahAr-Rum,30:27AllofAllahsAttributesarepraiseworthyAttributesofmajestyandglory,asareallofHisNames.


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Objectsandidolsthathavenegativeattributesarenotatthehighestlevel.Therefore,fromalogicalperspective,theyarenotworthyofworship.

AndwhoismoreastraythanhewhoinvokesbesidesAllahthosewhowillnotrespondtohim

untiltheDayofResurrection,andthey,oftheirinvocation,areunaware.SurahAl-Ahqaf,46:5

Allah criticizespeoplewhoworshipidolsbecausetheyareobjectsthatcannotanswerapersonsinvocations.Theyhavenegativeattributesbecausetheycannothearorrespond.Thus,theyarenotworthyofworship.AllahisstatingthatHeisworthyofworship;Hehearsandresponds.TheNamesofAllahareveryrestricted.EveryNameofAllahindicatesanAttribute,butnoteveryAttributeindicatesaName.Forexample,Allah canbecomeangry:

notofthosewhohaveevoked[Your]angerSurahAl-Fatiha,1:7

However,wecannotcalluponAllah,saying,OhAllah,youareTheAngryOne,ThePunisher.HisangerisanAttribute,butitisnotaName.ButwitheveryName,wecanderiveanAttribute.Forexample,oneoftheNamesofAllahisAl-ayy,soHisAttributeislife.AnotherNameofAllahisAl-Alm,soHisAttributeisknowledge.HeisAl-Azz,soHisattributeismight.Suchaconceptdoesnotnecessarilyholdtrueforhumanbeings.ApersonmaybenamedKarm,buthecanbethestingiestperson.SomeonemaybenamedQawi,buthecanbetheweakestperson.WesaidthatallofAllahsNamesandAttributesareNamesandAttributesofPerfectionwithnonegativemeaning.Sohowdoweexplainthefollowingayat?

Andthedisbelieversplot,butAllahplots.AndAllahisthebestofplotters.

SurahAli-Imran,3:54


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Indeed,theyareplanningaplan(secretlyandhiddenly).ButIamplanningaplan(secretly

andhiddenly).SurahAt-Tariq,86:16Plottingandplanninginsecretarenegativeattributes;peopledontlookforthesequalitiesinfriends.However,Allah isplottingagainstapeoplewhoareplotting.Allahismakingakayd(hiddenplan)againstthosewhomakekaydagainstHimandthebelievers.Indoingso,AllahsAttributeofplottingbecomespraiseworthy.Whenyououtplotsomeonewhoisplottingagainstyou,thisisanattributeofperfection,anditisknownasareciprocalattribute.Theplottingdoesnotentailplanningagainstsomeonewhoissincereandkindtoyou,butrathertothosedesigningaplanagainstyou.

Andwhentheymeetthosewhobelieve,theysay,Webelieve;butwhentheyarealonewiththeirevilones,theysay,Indeed,wearewithyou;wewereonlymockers.[But]Allahmocks

themandprolongsthemintheirtransgression[while]theywanderblindly."SurahAl-Baqarah,2:14-15

So,becausethesepeoplemockAllah,HisMessenger ,andthebelievers,Allahmocksthem.Again,thisisareciprocatedAttribute.However,evenwithregardtothereciprocatedAttributes,thereisalimit.

Butiftheyintendtobetrayyou[OMuhammad ]-thentheyhavealreadybetrayedAllahbefore,andHeempowered[you]overthem.AndAllahisKnowingandWise.SurahAl-Anfal,

8:71Thereisnoreciprocatedactionhere.Khiyana(breakingoftrust)isneverpraiseworthyinanyscenario.Theayahdoesnotstatethatbecauseoftheirtreachery,Allahwastreacherouswiththem.Rather,Allah respondstotheirkhiyanabygivingtheProphet

powerover.


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Rule#2AllofAllahsNamesandAttributesaretakenfromtheSacredTexts,unlikedescriptions(khabar).OnecannotjustmakeupaNameofAllah.Itmustcomefromrevelation(QuranorSunnah).Infact,oneofthegreatestsinsistodescribeAllah,calluponAllah,orsayaboutAllahthatwhichheorshedoesnotknow.

Say,MyLordhasonlyforbiddenimmoralities-whatisapparentofthemandwhatis

concealed-andsin,andoppressionwithoutright,andthatyouassociatewithAllahthatforwhichHehasnotsentdownauthority,andthatyousayaboutAllahthatwhichyoudonot

know."SurahAl-Araf,7:33Scholarssaythatinthisayah,Allah isdescribingsinsinmagnitude.Thesinsareescalating,becominghigherandhigherinseverity.Itfirststartswithforbiddingshamelessnesssuchasimmodestyandzina.Itthenforbidssinandtransgressionagainstothers.Itthenforbidsshirkwhichistheworstsin!Andevenabovethat,AllahforbidsusfromsayingaboutHimthatwhichwedonotknow.So,wecannotdescribeAllahorsaythatHehaslegislatedsuchandsuchwhenwehavenoknowledgeofsuchthings.Thisisoneofthegoalsofal-Shaytan,asAllahsays:

Omankind,eatfromwhateverisonearth[thatis]lawfulandgoodanddonotfollowthe

footstepsofSatan.Indeed,heistoyouaclearenemy.HeonlyordersyoutoevilandimmoralityandtosayaboutAllahwhatyoudonotknow.SurahAl-Baqarah,2:168-169

The inayah169indicatesthatthisisarestrictiveclause(i.e.thisandonlythis).Theonlythingshecallsyoutoareevil,shamelessness,andthatyousayaboutAllahthatwhichyoudonotknow.So,speakingaboutAllahwithoutknowledgeisharam.Therefore,whenwedospeakaboutAllah,itmustbethroughknowledgeobtainedthroughtheQuranortheSunnahoftheProphet .


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ThereisunanimousconsensusamongthescholarsthattheNamesandAttributesofAllahcanonlybederivedthroughtheQuranandSunnah.ImamAhmadmentionsthisinhis

work.InregardstodescriptionsofAllah,theyaremoregeneral,andtheydonotneedtocomefromtheQuranandSunnah.Forexample,thewordGodisnotaNameofAllah,norisitanAttribute.Rather,itservesasadescriptionthatweusetodirectpeopletowardsAllah.ThesameholdstrueforthephraseHisMajesty;itisneitheraNamenoranAttributeofAllah,butratheradescriptionofAllah.Allofthetranslationsfallunderthecategoryofdescription.Rule#3AllahsNamesandAttributesareunknowninnumber,eventhoughwhatweknowofHisAttributesaremorethanHisNames.EveryNameisanAttribute,butnoteveryAttributeisaName.So,bydefault,therearemoreAttributesthanNames.DoesAllah haveinfiniteNamesandAttributes?UstadhAmmarposesthefollowingquestioninregardstothisissue:iftheywereinfinite,wouldntthatrequiremoreandmoreNamesandAttributestobecreated?So,itwouldbenever-ending.Theywouldbecontinuous,whichmeanstheyarenoteternal.Thus,thismentalityisnotcorrectbecauseitwouldrequirenewNamesandAttributesofAllahtobeformed.ThoseNamesandAttributesarethereforenoteternal,andthustheyarenottheNamesandAttributesofAllah .Thus,westatethenumberofNamesandAttributesofAllahareunknown.ThisistheopinionofUstadhAmmar.HOWARETHENAMESOFALLAHDERIVED?Scholarsapproachedthisquestioninanumberofdifferentways:

1.) ThefirstgroupsimplyrelieduponthehadithofWaleedibnMusliminwhichhestateswhattheNamesare.

2.) ThesecondgrouponlyrelieduponthatwhichismentionedintheQuranintheformofaName,andthisisthepositionofIbnHazm.

So,ithastohavethe, ortanween,orya,orjarr. Ifitcomesintheismform,weaccept.Otherwise,wedontaccept. Thisisthestrictestposition.

3.) ThethirdgroupderivedNamesfromeverypossiblenounandverb.

Insteadofcomingupwithmaybe70or80Names,thisgroupcameupwith1000Names.

ThisisthegroupthatsaysAllahisTheFourthofThree,TheSenderofWinds,andTheBringerDownofRain.

TheycreatedaNameforeverythingthatAllahsaysHedoes.


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4.) ThefourthgroupstatesthatalongwiththementionedNames,wederiveproperNamesfromsomeothergrammaticalformsaswell.

So,thispositionfallsinbetweenpositions2and3,andUstadhAmmarsaysthatthisisthecorrectposition.

So,inadditiontotheNamesthatIbnHazmderived,wealsotakesomeNamesthatcomeincertaingrammaticalforms.

Inthisgroup,someNamesaresetwhileothersarecontroversial. ImamibnTaymiyyahtriedtoqualifytheNamesinto3categories:

a.) NamesofAllahthatHeiscalledupon(i.e.indua). Thus,itmustbeaproperNameandrespectfultoAllah. E.g.yaAllah,yaRamn,yaKarm,yaGhfir,etc. WecannotuseNamessuchasTheAngryOne.

b.) NamesthatcomeintheQuranandSunnah.c.) Namesthatcompriseofonlypraiseandreverenceinandof

themselves. WerejecttheNameAl-Faal(TheDoer)becauseitdoesnt

compriseofpraise.Thereisneitherpraisenorcriticisminvolved.

ProperNamesareNameswithoutadoubte.g.Al-Ghafoor,Al-Ramn(majorityofAllahsNamescomeinthiskindoforiginalform)

ButwhataboutAl-Bqi?AllahnevermentionsthisNameintheQuran.Rather,Hesays:

AndtherewillremaintheFaceofyourLord,OwnerofMajestyandHonor.

SurahAr-Rahman,55:27

Yabqisaverb.SomescholarssaythatAl-BqiisaNameofAllahwhileothersdisagree.NoteveryoneconsidersitaNameofAllah.

WhatabouttheNamesAl-MubdiandAl-Mud?SomescholarsconsiderthemtobeNamesofAllahbasedontheayah:

Indeed,itisHewhooriginates[creation]andrepeats.SurahAl-Buruj,85:13


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SomescholarsalsoderivetheNamesofAllahfromtheconceptofmudhaf/mudhafilay(possessives).EveryoneconsidersAl-MaliktobeaNameofAllah,butthereremainscontroversyabouttheNameAl-Mlik.SomeconsiderittobeaNameofAllahwhileothersdonot.Allah nevercallsHimselfAl-MlikintheQuran.ThisNameonlycomesintheformofbeingmudhafasseeninthefollowingayah:

TheOwneroftheDayofRecompense.SurahAl-Fatiha,1:4

Somescholarsalsousetheconceptofmuqayid(restricted)whenstudyingtheNamesofAllah.Forexample,Allah says:

IndeedmyLordis,overallthings,Guardian.SurahHud,11:57

NotethattheayahreadsHafeedhnotHafidh.HafeedhreferstoaProtectorandPreserver.UstadhAmmarbelievesitisaNamebecauseHafeedhhasatanween.

IndeedWe,fromthecriminals,willtakeretribution.SurahAs-Sajdah,32:22

Thewordmuntaqimnreferstoavengers.IsAl-Muntaqim(TheAvenger)aNameofAllah?No,becauseitismuqayid,asitisrestrictedtotheseparticularcriminals.UnlessaNameisspecificallymentionedintheQuranandSunnah,wemustdomoreresearch.Wecanlookupreputablescholarshiporasktrustedpeopleofknowledge.Wealsohavetheoptionofbecomingmastersofthisfieldourselves!Butinordertodoso,wemustmasterArabic,aqeedah,andanumberofdifferentsciences.Aslaypeople,wecansimplyaskthepeopleofknowledge.WHYDIDNTALLAHSIMPLYTELLUSWHATHISNAMESARE?Whensomethingholdsincrediblevalue,Allah maynottellusallthespecifics.Forexample,wedonotknowtheexactnightoflaylatulqadr,nordoweknowtheexacthouronFridayinwhichourduaisaccepted.Wearenottoldbecausethereisrewardinthejourneyandstriving.Onemayask,WhatifInevermakeihsaaoftheNamesofAllah?WemustremindourselvesthatAllah isAl-Ramn,Al-Ram,andAl-Shakr.WewillfindourrewardwithAllahbiidhnillah.Saythatapersontriestosearchforlaylatulqadr,prayingferventlyinthenight.Heorshemayhavemissedit,butfromtheeffort,Allahwillblessthisindividual.


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AL-FATT(TheOpener)

Itis10am,andJamalhasajobinterviewwithBelalKhanwhohasapokerface.JamalmakesduaandunlockstheNameAl-Fatt(TheOpener)asBelalstartstowarmuptoJamal.InadditiontoAl-Fatt,thereisalsoKhairul-Ftihn(TheBestofThoseWhoOpen).Allah istheOnewhoopensupeverylockeddoor.Wheneverwefindobstaclesthatseemunmovableorwethinkthatcertainopportunitiesaresealed,calluponAl-Fatt.Whenitseemsthatsomethingwewantislocked,buried,orforgotten,calluponAl-Fatt.YaFatt,openthisforme,unlockthisforme,andfacilitatethisforme!YaFatt,openeverylockeddoorthatbenefitsus,removeourhardships,easeourburdens,illuminateourpath,forgiveoursins,andopenthedoorsofmercy,bounty,benevolence,youarethebestofthosewhofacilitate.

Say,OurLordwillbringustogether;thenHewilljudgebetweenusintruth.AndHeisthe

KnowingJudge.SurahSaba,34:26OneofthemeaningsofAl-FattisTheJudge,TheOnewhorulesbetweentwopeople.THEMEANINGS/MANIFESTATIONSOFAL-FATTAH:1.) The One who opens the hearts to guidance and Iman Al-TufaylibnAmral-DawsiwasamanfromthetribeofDaws.HecametoMakkahandwasswarmedbytheQurayshwhowarnedhimofamagicianandsoothsayer.So,Al-TufaylputscottoninhisearsandmakestawafaroundtheKabah.Heseesamanprayinginapeculiarway,andhedecidestotakeoutthecottonbecauseheisagrownmanwhohasnoreasontobeafraid.TheProphet recitedsomeQurantohim,andAl-TufaylimmediatelyembracedIslam.ScholarssaythatAl-TufaylhadeveryreasontowalkofMakkah,butAl-Fattopeneduphishearttoguidance.AmanoncecametoUstadhAmmarinthemasjidtoaskseveralquestionssuchasthekillingofapostates,marriagetoAishah ,andtattoos.Andthenthemanasks,IsittruethatapersonssinswillbeforgivenwhentheyacceptIslam?ThisincidentremindedUstadhAmmaraboutAmribnalAas whoinitiallyfoughtagainsttheProphet .


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WhenhecametoacceptIslam,AmrextendedhishandasdidtheProphet.ButAmrpulledhishandback,sayingthathewillacceptIslamontheconditionthathissinsbeforgiven.TheProphet said,DidntyouknowohAmr,thatIslamforgiveseverythingfrombefore?So,thereisaprocessoffathinwhichAllah transformsapersonsheart.EvenpeoplewhoareadversariestoIslamcanexperienceIman,likeUmaribnalKhattab .AmanoncesaidthatthedonkeyofalKhattabwillbecomeMuslimbeforeUmardoes!Buthewaswrong.OneofthemanifestationsofAl-FattistobelievethatAllahunlockshearts.So,ifwehavefamilymemberswhoaresofarawayfromthereligion,calluponAllahtoopenuptheirhearts.Dontgiveuponprayingforthem.2.) The One who relieves darkness from his slaves, eases their burdens, removes hardships and harm, envelops in Mercy, and opens the door of blessings TheProphet commandedustosayuponenteringthemasjid:

OAllah,openthegatesofYourmercyforme.[Muslim]

3.) The one who opens for His slaves the doors of knowledge and wisdom, understanding and insight Onepersonmaydiscussatopicinaverybasicandsuperficialmanner.Anotherpersonmayhavesomuchmoreinsight,depth,andunderstandingthatiscompletelydifferent.Thisisapparentinbooksoftafsirinwhichonescholarwillexplainanayahinaveryelementarymanner,whileanotherscholarwillwritepagesuponpagesaboutthatsameayah.Wetoocansometimesexperiencethis;wemayhaveamind-openingrealizationaboutanayahthatwehaverecitedalmost1000times.Allah opensthedoorsofunderstandingatthatmoment.OhAllah,openforusthegatesofunderstanding,reflection,andcomprehension!4.) Opens the gates of access to this world Al-Fattdoesnotonlyopenforusthedoorsofreligiousknowledgeandmercy,butHealsoopensforusthedoorsofthisdunya.Weareinstructedtosaywhenleavingthemasjid:

OAllah,IaskYoufromYourBounty.


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So,youenterthemasjidseekingAllahsMercy,andyouleavethemasjidseekingAllahsGraceandBounty.Youwanttoseizethedunyabythethroat!

Andwhentheprayerhasbeenconcluded,dispersewithinthelandandseekfromthebounty

ofAllah.SurahAl-Jumuah,62:105.) Opens up the lands to His righteous slaves YouwillalwaysreadthattheconquestsofMuslimsarecalledfatht.Allah openedupthelandsoftheIslamicworldasitexpandedtoPersia,GreaterSyria,andNorthAfrica.ButIslamconqueredheartsbeforeitconqueredlands,anditeventuallyformedawideummahofdiversecommunities.

And[Allah]broughttogethertheirhearts.Ifyouhadspentallthatisintheearth,youcouldnothavebroughttheirheartstogether;butAllahbroughtthemtogether.Indeed,Heis

ExaltedinMightandWise.SurahAl-Anfal,8:636.) The One who judges between His slaves in the hereafter

OurLord,decidebetweenusandourpeopleintruth,andYouarethebestofthosewhogive

decision.SurahAl-Araf,7:89HOWDOWEACCESSAL-FATTAH?1.) Have taqwa


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AndifonlythepeopleofthecitieshadbelievedandfearedAllah,Wewouldhaveopeneduponthemblessingsfromtheheavenandtheearth;buttheydenied[themessengers],soWe

seizedthemforwhattheywereearning."SurahAl-Araf,7:962.) Call upon Him and ask Him ThereisabeautifulduathattheProphet taughtustomakeeverymorning:

WehavereachedthemorningandatthisverytimeallsovereigntybelongstoAllah,Lordoftheworlds.OAllah,Iasyouforthegoodofthisday,itsvictories,anditssupport,anditslight,anditsblessings,anditsguidance,andItakerefugeinYoufromtheevilofthisdayandthe

evilthatfollowsit.[AbuDawud]3.) Being an unlocker yourself TheProphet said,Therearesomepeoplewhoarekeystogoodness,sealsofevil.Theyunlockeverygoodness,andtheysealeveryevil.SogladtidingsbetotheonewhomAllahmadethekeysofgoodnessontheirhands,andwoebetotheonewhomAllahhasmadethekeysofevilattheirhands.


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AL-WAHHB(TheBestower)

Itis10:45am,andJamalifofferedthejobposition!Hesaysthathecanstarttomorrow,andBelalisundertheimpressionthatJamalhasalreadygraduated(wheninrealityhehasnt).Jamalisreceivingtextsfromthegirlhewillbevisitingtonightinordertomeetherfamily.AsJamalhopesforawife,heunlockstheNameAl-Wahhb(TheBestower).Thewordhibameansagiftthatisfreefromanymotives(i.e.nohiddenagenda,nostringsattached)anditisnotinrecompenseforanything;itisabestowal.So,Al-WahhbistheOnewhobestows.

OrdotheyhavethedepositoriesofthemercyofyourLord,theExaltedinMight,the

Bestower?SurahSad,38:9Al-WahhbisdifferentfromAl-Whib,thelatternotbeingoneofAllahsNames.Theshaddainthemiddleindicatesthattheactionishappeningagainandagain.Allah doesntbestowjustonce,butrather,Hebestowsagainandagain.Likewise,Al-Razzqgivesyourizqeverymomentofyourday,notjustonce.

WHATSTHEDIFFERENCEBETWEENAL-WAHHABANDAL-RAZZAQ?Scholarssaythatrizqissomethingthatyouworkfor.

ItisHewhomadetheearthsubservientforyou-sowalkamongitsslopesandeatofHis

provision-andtoHimistheresurrection.SurahAl-Mulk,67:15


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Ifthisfoodfallsintoyourmouthwhileyouliebed,thiswouldbeconsideredahiba.Allahistellingistogooutandworkforourrizq.So,apaycheckisrizq,whilethebonusyouwerentexpectingisahiba.Rizqcanbecomeroutinewhileahibaalmostsendsashockthroughyoursystem.Mostpeopledontgointosajdatal-shukrwhentheyreceivetheirpaycheck,buttheywoulddosoiftheyreceivedabonus!Allah sendsustheseshockwavesintheformofgiftsinordertoextractfromusgratitudeandappreciation.Thephrasehib/habisusedfrequentlyintheQuranwhenaskingAllahforchildrenorspousesbecauseyoudontreallyworkforthem.ItismentionedseveraltimesthroughoutSurahMaryam.

He[Jibril]said,"IamonlythemessengerofyourLordtogiveyou[OhMaryam,newsof]a

pureboy."SurahMaryam,19:19

Andindeed,I[Zakariyah]fearthesuccessorsafterme,andmywifehasbeenbarren,sogive

mefromYourselfanheir.SurahMaryam,19:5

Andthosewhosay,"OurLord,grantusfromamongourwivesandoffspringcomforttoour

eyesandmakeusanexamplefortherighteous.SurahAl-Furqan,25:74So,JamalunlockstheNameAl-Wahhbwhilehereadsthetext,hopingthatAllah willbestowuponhimaspouse.IfweweretocountthegiftsthatAllahhasbestoweduponus,wewouldnotbeableto.Wedonteventry!Letusanalyzetwoayatthatareidentical;oneayahdescribesthenatureofAllahwhiletheotherdescribesthenatureofman.


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AndHegaveyoufromallyouaskedofHim.AndifyoushouldcountthefavorofAllah,you

couldnotenumeratethem.Indeed,mankindis[generally]mostunjustandungrateful.SurahIbrahim,14:34

Youarecurrentlyinastatethatyoumadeduafor5or10yearsago.Forexample,youhavethespouse,child,andjobthatyouhadaskedAllahfor.Yourspouseandchildmaybotheryou,butAllahgaveyouwhatyouaskedfor!Theayahendsbystatinghowhumansareoppressiveandfilledwithingratitude.Thisisincontrasttothefollowingayah:

AndifyoushouldcountthefavorsofAllah,youcouldnotenumeratethem.Indeed,Allahis

ForgivingandMerciful.SurahAn-Nahl,16:18HOWCANONEACCESSAL-WAHHAB?ReflectontheblessingsthatAllah bestowsonyouandyourlevelofappreciationandthankfulnessforsuchblessings.KnowthatAllahhasarightoneveryblessingHegivesyou.

Thepoorhavearightregardingyourwealth.Theweakhavearightregardingyourstrength.Theinablehavearightregardingyourability.

Theignoranthavearightregardingyourknowledge.Thosewithlesstalenthavearighttoyourtalent

Qabeelat Wasat His Majesty · Qabeelat Wasat His Majesty ... , Al-‘Adhīm 129-130 Al-Jamīl ......

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