Blessed Names and Attributes of Allah

Abdur Raheem Kidwai

• Publisher: Kube Publishing Ltd
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781847740892
• Topic: Théologie et religion
• Subtopic: Théologie islamique

"Allah's are the names most beautiful. Whatever is in the heavens and earth extols His glory."—The Qur'an (Al-Hashr 59: 24)

"Allah has 99 names. He who remembers these will certainly enter Paradise."—Prophet Muhammad (Bukharhi Hadith Kitab Ad-Dawat, 2, 949)

Remembering the Names of Allah is a sacred tradition in Islam. Both the Qur'an and sayings of the Prophet (Hadiths) state the importance of learning them and promise reward for reciting them in supplications and prayers.

This beautiful presentation of Allah's most revered nintety-nine names draws the reader nearer to the Divine through contemplation and reflection of Allah's names, their meaning, and how each impacts our daily lives. They help to conceptualize Allah, Whose limitless greatness and glory is impossible to grasp.

Each name is presented in the original Arabic and its translation into English. Accompanying each name is a commentary that is concise and easy to understand but rich in meaning.

Abdur Raheem Kidwai (b. 1956) is a professor of English at the Aligarh Muslim University, India, and a visiting fellow at theSchool of English, University of Leicester, United Kingdom. He earned his two PhDs in English from the Aligarh Muslim University and the University of Leicester. He is a well-known author of many works on the Qur'an and Islam, including: The Qur'an: Essential Teachings; Daily Wisdom: Islamic Prayers and Supplications; Daily Wisdom: Selections from the Holy Qur'an; and What Should We Say?

BLESSED NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES

of

Allah

1

ALLAH/GOD

THIS name is unique to God in the Islamic parlance. The Qur’ānic Sūrah al–Ikhlāṣ provides this helpful account of Him: “He is Allah, the Eternal, Ever-Living. He neither begot any nor was He begotten. And none is comparable to Him.” (al-Ikhlāṣ 112: 1-4) He is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe.

From Sūrah

al-Fātiḥah 1: 1

2

THE MOST MERCIFUL

IT is one of the recurrent names of Allah in the Qur’ān. For mercy is a dominant attribute of Allah. We possess all that we have owing to His mercy. While keeping in mind this excellent name of Allah we should be kind and helpful to fellow human beings. Likewise, we should make it a point to follow the way prescribed by Him, Who is Most Merciful. It is in our own interest to do only that to which the Most Merciful One has guided us. The following Prophetic supplication brings out the centrality of this divine name:

O Lord! Reliever of worry, Remover of anxiety, Responder to the call of those under duress, the Merciful and the Mercy-Giver in this world and in the Hereafter. It is You Who will have mercy on me in a way that frees me from seeking mercy from anyone besides You.

(al-Ḥākim)

From Sūrah

al-Fātiḥah 1: 1

3

THE MOST COMPASSIONATE

LIKE Al-Raḥmān, this divine name Al-Raḥīm often appears in the Qur’ān. Allah’s compassion towards us consists in:

• His overlooking our sins and accepting our repentance;

• His blessing us with numerous bounties;

• His affection for us in both this world and the next;

• His granting rewards to us in Paradise;

• His favours to us, without asking for anything in return which may benefit Him.

From Sūrah

al-Fātiḥah 1: 1

4

THE TRUE KING

ALLAH alone is the true King and we, being His subjects, are obliged to abide by His commands. This alone may prove our loyalty to Him. There have been kings in the world. But it is common knowledge that even great kings rule for a brief period of time and over a small part of the world. Allah’s Kingship is total and encompasses all that is in the universe.

From Sūrah

Ṭā Hā 20: 114

5

THE HOLY

THE divine name brings out Allah’s perfection as He is free from any blemish. Being th...