إدريس عبدالله
_22 _April _2016هـ الموافق 22-04-2016م, 11:42 PM
Scholars of Islamic creed have categorized the names of Allah into two. There are names that are attributed to Allah individually such as As-Samee’I (the All Hearing), Al-Baseer (the All Seeing) and the likes. Majority of the names of Allah fall under this category.
On the other hand, there are names that are not attributed to Allah individually except accompanied by their opposites such as Al-Mani’I (the One who Prevents), Al-Muntaqim (The Avenger) and other similar names. These categories of names are to be attributed to Allah accompanied by their opposites. Hence, Al-Mani’I (the One who prevents) must be accompanied by its opposite which is Al-Mu’tee (The Giver). So, Allah is the One who prevents and the One who gives. Likewise, the name Al-Muntaqim (The Avenger) must be accompanied by its opposite which is Al-‘Afuwu (The Pardoner) because Allah avenges and pardons. These names are accompanied with each other because that way they will show more perfection and will be more befitting to His Majesty.
Other names of Allah that fall under this category include: Al-Qabid (The Constrictor), which is accompanied with the name Al-Basit (The reliever). Allah is the one who constricts and withholds anything He wishes and He is the one who relieves and releases it when He wishes. Likewise, the name Al-Awal (The First) which is accompanied by the name Al-Aakhir (The Last), He is the First; His beginning has no precedence and He is the Last; His ending has no finality. So also is the name Az-Zahir (The Manifest One) which is accompanied with the name Al-Batin (The Hidden One). Same thing applies to the name Al-Muhyi (The One who gives life) which is accompanied with the name Al-Mumit (The One who takes life). We also have the name Al-Muqadim (The Expediter) which is accompanied with the name Al- Muakhir (The Delayer). The name An-Nafi’ (The creator of Good) is also accompanied with the name Ad-Daar (The creator of Harm).
Furthermore, it should be noted that when these names are joined together, they are considered as one name. Hence, just as one cannot separate the alphabets in a particular word, so also we cannot separate these names from each other. So, if for example you call Allah by saying O the Avenger! You are not praising Allah rather you are diminishing His status but rather you should say the Avenger and the Pardoner by this you have perfected His status and this is more befitting.
On the other hand, there are names that are not attributed to Allah individually except accompanied by their opposites such as Al-Mani’I (the One who Prevents), Al-Muntaqim (The Avenger) and other similar names. These categories of names are to be attributed to Allah accompanied by their opposites. Hence, Al-Mani’I (the One who prevents) must be accompanied by its opposite which is Al-Mu’tee (The Giver). So, Allah is the One who prevents and the One who gives. Likewise, the name Al-Muntaqim (The Avenger) must be accompanied by its opposite which is Al-‘Afuwu (The Pardoner) because Allah avenges and pardons. These names are accompanied with each other because that way they will show more perfection and will be more befitting to His Majesty.
Other names of Allah that fall under this category include: Al-Qabid (The Constrictor), which is accompanied with the name Al-Basit (The reliever). Allah is the one who constricts and withholds anything He wishes and He is the one who relieves and releases it when He wishes. Likewise, the name Al-Awal (The First) which is accompanied by the name Al-Aakhir (The Last), He is the First; His beginning has no precedence and He is the Last; His ending has no finality. So also is the name Az-Zahir (The Manifest One) which is accompanied with the name Al-Batin (The Hidden One). Same thing applies to the name Al-Muhyi (The One who gives life) which is accompanied with the name Al-Mumit (The One who takes life). We also have the name Al-Muqadim (The Expediter) which is accompanied with the name Al- Muakhir (The Delayer). The name An-Nafi’ (The creator of Good) is also accompanied with the name Ad-Daar (The creator of Harm).
Furthermore, it should be noted that when these names are joined together, they are considered as one name. Hence, just as one cannot separate the alphabets in a particular word, so also we cannot separate these names from each other. So, if for example you call Allah by saying O the Avenger! You are not praising Allah rather you are diminishing His status but rather you should say the Avenger and the Pardoner by this you have perfected His status and this is more befitting.