Knowing Allaah through His Names and Attributes causes a person to realize that (only) Allaah is worthy of worship, so therefore this knowledge necessitates action. Understanding the meaning of Allaah’s Names causes a person to have proper fear of Allaah, love of Him, hope in His Mercy, reliance and dependance upon Him etc., and also to fulfill one's purpose of creation - `ibaadah of Allaah subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa. Knowledge of Allaah's Names and Attributes is also the most praiseworthy of all types of knowledge.
It seems, unfortunately, that it is virtually impossible to find an authentic explanation of the meanings of Allaah's Names in the English language. A number of Sufi books containing such information are in print, but they usually contain erroneous information, like "If you say this name X times such and such will happen to you." In fact, an Imaam said once that a Sufi he knew once engaged in a similar act - he was told that he will see the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, if he makes salawaat on the Prophet 14,000 times between salatul `ishaa and salatul fajr. He did and became disappointed having seen that nothing happened, so he then left the Deen altogether.
What follows is three names and their meanings along with an explanation and the influence they have on one’s relationship with Allaah subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa, in terms of worshipping Him, subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa.
1. Ar-Raheem. Bestower of Mercy. Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta`aaalaa) is Merciful to both disbelievers and believers, and to the more pious and the less pious among the believers. In Ibn Katheer’s tafseer it is reported that the effects of the attribute ar-Rahmaan extend to all creation, while those that of ar-Raheem are confined to the believers. "And He is Merciful (Raheem) to the believers." [33:43] Allaah in His Mercy rewards the believers in the Hereafter and due to their belief and righteous deeds and He admits them to the Jannah. When one knows that in the Hereafter Allaah confines His mercy to the believers (and deals with the unbelievers with His justice), one will seek to worship Allaah and come nearer to Him in order to deserve His mercy in the Hereafter.
2. Ash-Shakoor. The All-Appreciative. Allaah subhaanahu wa ta`aala does not leave the acts of His servants which He has legislated unrewarded. When one does a good deed (deed done purely for Allaah and in accordance with the Sunnah), Allaah ta`aalaa rewards it ten times, and up to seven hundred times, and sometimes even more. Therefore, if a person know that his deed not will not be left unrewarded, he will try to worship Allaah properly and try to do many good deeds so as to gain Allaah’s reward. "Why should Allaah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him. And Allaah is Ever All-Appreciative (of good), All-Knowing." [4:147] "And they will say: ‘All the praises and thanks be to Allaah, Who has removed from us (all) grief. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense)." [35:34]
3. Al-`Adheem (Al Azeem). This name has two meanings to it. The first is that all the meanings of perfection and greatness belong to Allaah subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa and none else. His knowledge is perfect and all encompassing, his power is perfect and all encompassing, nothing weakens Him and His wisdom is perfect. The second meaning is that nobody should be therefore glorified or worshipped except for Allaah. And that any praise you give to the creation is because Allaah has given that quality to the object praised. So praise is again really due to Allaah. Understanding this makes a person subdued and makes him realize his need to worship the Creator of the universe and all that it contains.
It seems, unfortunately, that it is virtually impossible to find an authentic explanation of the meanings of Allaah's Names in the English language. A number of Sufi books containing such information are in print, but they usually contain erroneous information, like "If you say this name X times such and such will happen to you." In fact, an Imaam said once that a Sufi he knew once engaged in a similar act - he was told that he will see the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, if he makes salawaat on the Prophet 14,000 times between salatul `ishaa and salatul fajr. He did and became disappointed having seen that nothing happened, so he then left the Deen altogether.
What follows is three names and their meanings along with an explanation and the influence they have on one’s relationship with Allaah subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa, in terms of worshipping Him, subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa.
1. Ar-Raheem. Bestower of Mercy. Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta`aaalaa) is Merciful to both disbelievers and believers, and to the more pious and the less pious among the believers. In Ibn Katheer’s tafseer it is reported that the effects of the attribute ar-Rahmaan extend to all creation, while those that of ar-Raheem are confined to the believers. "And He is Merciful (Raheem) to the believers." [33:43] Allaah in His Mercy rewards the believers in the Hereafter and due to their belief and righteous deeds and He admits them to the Jannah. When one knows that in the Hereafter Allaah confines His mercy to the believers (and deals with the unbelievers with His justice), one will seek to worship Allaah and come nearer to Him in order to deserve His mercy in the Hereafter.
2. Ash-Shakoor. The All-Appreciative. Allaah subhaanahu wa ta`aala does not leave the acts of His servants which He has legislated unrewarded. When one does a good deed (deed done purely for Allaah and in accordance with the Sunnah), Allaah ta`aalaa rewards it ten times, and up to seven hundred times, and sometimes even more. Therefore, if a person know that his deed not will not be left unrewarded, he will try to worship Allaah properly and try to do many good deeds so as to gain Allaah’s reward. "Why should Allaah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him. And Allaah is Ever All-Appreciative (of good), All-Knowing." [4:147] "And they will say: ‘All the praises and thanks be to Allaah, Who has removed from us (all) grief. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense)." [35:34]
3. Al-`Adheem (Al Azeem). This name has two meanings to it. The first is that all the meanings of perfection and greatness belong to Allaah subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa and none else. His knowledge is perfect and all encompassing, his power is perfect and all encompassing, nothing weakens Him and His wisdom is perfect. The second meaning is that nobody should be therefore glorified or worshipped except for Allaah. And that any praise you give to the creation is because Allaah has given that quality to the object praised. So praise is again really due to Allaah. Understanding this makes a person subdued and makes him realize his need to worship the Creator of the universe and all that it contains.
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