Covered in this lesson:
- Question 57. How many types or categories are there in which the Names of Allāh can be used or illustrated through the route of tadammun? – and its answer.
- Question 58. How many types or categories are there in which the Names of Allāh are given to Allāh or applied to Him? – and its answer.
– Regarding Q57, Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (رحمه الله) answers mentioning four categories:
1) The proper name or noun which includes the meanings of all the other Names of Allāh, and this is ‘Allāh’.
2) That which points to an attribute of the Essence of Allāh such as the Names As-Samī’ (The All-Hearing), Al-Basīr (The All-Seeing), Al-‘Alīm (The All-Knowing) and Al-Qadīr (The All-Capable or The All-Powerful).
3) That which points to an attribute of an action which Allāh performs such as Al-Khāliq (The Creator), Ar-Rāziq (The Provider), Al-Bāri’ (The Maker), Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner/Bestower of forms) and other than that.
4) That which includes Allāh being free and exonerated from all flaws, deficiencies and blemishes such as Al-Quddūs (The Holy One) and As-Salām (The Impeccable One or One Free from Shortcomings).
Shaikh Ahmad an-Najmī (رحمه الله) repeats the essence of Al-Hakamī’s (رحمه الله) answer.
– Regarding Q58, Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (رحمه الله) answers mentioning several categories. From the Names of Allāh are those which are given to Allāh on their own (singularly), or could be mentioned with another Name: Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living), Al-Qayyūm (The Self-Subsisting One Upon Whom Everything Depends) and Al-Ahad (The Uniquely One), As-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master).
From the Names of Allāh is that which is not applied to Allāh except if it is accompanied with its counterpart, and if mentioned singularly (by itself), then it gives an impression of deficiency (about Allāh), such as:
Ad-Dār (The One Who Brings about Harm), An-Nāfi’ (The One Who Brings About Benefit).
Al-Khāfid (The One Who Lowers someone), Ar-Rāfi’ (The One Who Raises someone).
Al-Mu’tī (The One Who Gives), Al-Māni’ (The One Who Withholds).
Al-Mui’zz (The One Who Gives Honour), Al-Mudhill (The One Who Humiliates).
and other Names similar to that. His Name Al-Muntaqim (The One Who Exacts Retribution) has not been applied in the Qur’ān except in response to something else (retribution being carried out on something/someone) i.e. not on its own, such as the āyah: “…Indeed, We shall exact retribution from the mujrimīn (criminals) [Surah As-Sajdah (32):22], or with the addition of ذُو ‘dhu’ (The Possessor of) to the attributes which is extracted from it (i.e. the Attribute of retribution) such as the āyah: “…And Allāh is The All-Mighty, The Possessor of Retribution” [Surah Āli-Imrān (3):4].
The explanation of Shaikh Ahmad an-Najmī (رحمه الله) who mentions that if people can plot and scheme, then Allāh too can plot and scheme. This is not blameworthy but praiseworthy. Several āyat given as evidence and which are in response or reference to people’s actions.
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Lesson31.mp3
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