The Names & Attributes Of Allaah, by Abu Talhah Dawood Burbank
Bismillaah
Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah
Amma-ba'd
Allaah, Subhanahu wa Ta'aala, said:
وَلِلَّهِ الأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِهِ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do. (Al-A'raf, ayah 180)
Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Allaah has ninety-nine Names - one hundred minus one - (that) whoever correctly preserves them and acts in accordance with them will enter Paradise. [Bukhaaree, Muslim]
Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: I ask You - oh Allaah! - by every one of Your Names by which you have named Yourself, or revealed in Your Book, or those which You have taught to anyone from Your creation, or You have kept for Yourself in the Knowledge of the Ghayb (the Unseen). [Ahmad, Ibn Hibbaan; (Saheeh)]
Allaah said about Himself:
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ
...There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (Ash-Shoora, ayah 11)
The Names & Attributes Of Allaah, by Abu Talhah Dawood Burbank (d. 1432H, rahimahullaah)
Indeed, all praise is for Allaah. We praise Him, We seek His aid and His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of our souls and the evils of our actions. Whomsoever Allaah guides, none can misguide. And whomsoever Allaah allows to go astray, none can guide him. And I bear witness that there is none worshipped in truth except Allaah, Alone without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).
Amma-ba'd
Then to continue with Kitab at-Tawheed, then we just completed chapter 50: Chapter: The Statement of Allaah, The Most High:
وَلِلَّهِ الأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِه
To Allaah belongs The Most Perfect and Most Beautiful Names. So worship Him in accordance with them, and call upon Him by them. And abandon those who deviate with regards to His names.... (Al-A'raf, ayah 180) The ayah.
And we had in the chapter the hadeeth of Abu Hurrairah (radiallaahu 'anhu): Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Allaah has 99 Names, 100 except for one, (that) whoever correctly preserves them - and acts in accordance with them - will enter Paradise... [Bukhaaree, Muslim] The hadeeth.
And we heard that the addition actually gives a list of Names after it, reported by at-Tirmidhee in one narration, and reported by Ibn Majaah, reported by Ibn Khuzaimah and Ibn Hibaan and others (rahimahumullaah). The actual list of the Names given along with the hadeeth is not authentic from the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). But rather, it was from the ijtihaad of some of the scholars. And they strove to look through the Book of Allaah and what they could find in the Sunnah. So the scholars from the early, early times til this day have striven to look through the Book of Allaah and the authentic Sunnah to extract these 99 Names. So each scholar who has done that has come with a slightly different list of Names, and no one scholar will be able to say this is definitely the list, which is why scholars have continued to strive in that regard right til this time.
And as we mentioned, one of the scholars in these times was Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-'Uthaimeen (d. 1421H, rahimahullaah) in his Book al-Qawaa`id al-Muthlaa. So he compiled a list, as the scholars have done, hoping to enter into the hadeeth. One of the parts of correctly preserving these Names is to look for these Names and to compile them. So amongst these scholars, as we said, was Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah), and he compiled a list of 99 Names. Not to say that Allaah's Names - as we have heard many times - are restricted to these 99 Names, but hoping and striving to establish the 99 Names which are given that promise, that whoever preserves them correctly and acts upon them will enter Paradise.
So I'll read initially the list that Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen brought, and then try to give a brief explanation...
So the shaikh initially brought a list of 81 Names extracted from the Book of Allaah - the Qur`aan - and then he brought 18 Names, the last 18 - 82nd through 99th - from the authentic Sunnah.
So he said: From the Book of Allaah, The Most High, are:
1- Allaah
2- Al-AHad
3- Al-A'laa
4- Al-Akram
5- Al-Ilaah
6- Al-Awwal
7- Al-Aakhir
8- Adh-Dhaahir
9- Al-Baatin
10- Al-Baari`
11- Al-Barr
12- Al-Baseer
13- At-Tawwab
14- Al-Jabbaar
15- Al-Haafidh
16- Al-Haseeb
17- Al-Hafeedh
18- Al-Hafee
19- al-Haqq
20- Al-Mubeen
21- Al-Hakeem
22- Al-Haleem
23- Al-Hameed
24- Al-Hayy
25- Al-Qayyoom
26- Al-Khabeer
27- Al-Khaaliq
28- al-Khallaaq
29- Ar-Raauf
30- Ar-Rahmaan
31- Ar-Raheem
32- Ar-Razzaaq
33- Ar-Raqeeb
34- As-Salaam
35- As-Samee'
36- Ash-Shaakir
37- Ash-Shakoor
38- Ash-Shaheed
39- As-Samad
40- Al-'Aalim
41- Al-'Azeez
42- Al-'Adheem
43- Al-'Afuww
44- Al-'Aleem
45- Al-'Alee
46- Al-Ghaffaar
47- Al-Ghafoor
48- Al-Ghanee
49- Al-FattaaH
50- Al-Qaadir
51- Al-Qaahir
52- Al-Quddoos
53- Al-Qadeer
54- Al-Qareeb
55- Al-Qawee
56- Al-Qahhaar
57- Al-Kabeer
58- Al-Kareem
59- Al-Lateef
60- Al-Mu`min
61- Al-Muta'aali
62- Al-Mutakabbir
63- Al-Mateen
64- Al-Mujeeb
65- Al-Majeed
66- Al-MuHeet
67- Al-Musawwir
68- Al-Muqtadir
69- Al-Muqeet
70- Al-Malik
71- Al-Maleek
72- Al-Mawla
73- Al-Muhaymin
74- Al-Naseer
75- Al-WaaHid
76- Al-Waarith
77- Al-Waasi'
78- Al-Wadood
79- Al-Wakeel
80- Al-Walee
81- Al-Wahhaab
And from the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam):
82- Al-Jameel
83- Al-Jawwaad
84- Al-Hakam
85- Al-Hayiyyu
86- Ar-Rabb
87- Ar-Rafeeq
88- As-SubooH
89- As-Sayyid
90- Ash-Shaafee
91- At-Tayyib
92- Al-Qaabid
93- Al-Baasit
94- Al-Muqaddim
95- Al-Mu`akh-khir
96- Al-MuHsin
97- Al-Mu`tee
98- Al-Manaan
99- Al-Witr
Then, with regards to a brief explanation of these Names - with a slightly longer explanation of just one or two of them - then a number of books have been written in this present age depending upon earlier books. And this list of brief explanations is based upon these references, so you have an idea where these explanations are taken from:
Firstly, the Tafseer of Ibn Jareer At-Tabaree (d. 310H), Jaami'-ul-Bayaan.
Secondly, the Tafseer of Ibn Katheer (d. 774H).
Thirdly, the Tafseer of As-Sa'dee (d. 1376H), Tayseer ul-Kareem-ir-Rahmaan.
Fourthly, the Tafseer of al-Baghawee (d. 516H).
Fifthly, Majmoo'-ul-Fataawa of Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (d. 728H).
Sixthly, An-Nooniyah of Ibnul-Qayyim (d. 751H).
Seventhly, 'Idat-us-Saabireen, also of Ibnul-Qayyim.
Eighthly, Ar-Radd 'alal Jahmeeyah, by Imam Ahmad (d. 241H).
Ninthly, Badaa-il-Fawaa`id of Ibnul-Qayyim.
Tenthly, Sha`nu-Du'aa, of al-Khataabe (d. 386H).
Eleventhly, Tafseer of Asmaa`illaah al-Husna, by Az-Zajjaaj
Twelvthly, al-Hujjah Fee Bayaan il-Mahajjah, by Asbahanee (d. 535H)
Thirteenth, at-Tawheed, by Ibn Mandah (d. 395H)
Fourteenth, An-Nihaayah fee ghaarib al-Hadeeth, by Ibn Atheer
Fifteenth, Tafseer Ghaarib al-Qur`aan, by Ibn Qutaybah (d. 276H)
Sixteenth, Al-Mufradaat, by Ar-Raghib
Seventeenth, Lisaanul 'Arab, by Ibn Mandhoor
Eighteenth, Al-Haqq ul-Waadih ul-Mubeen, by As-Sa'dee. Rahimahumullaah (may Allaah have mercy on them).
With regards to the first name that Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen brought, then the name of Allaah:
1- Allaah: Concerning the name Allaah, Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said in Madaarij as-Salikeen:
"The Name Allaah indicates all of the Perfect Names and Lofty Attributes in all three ways of indication, since it indicates His Divinity which indicates affirmation of all the attributes of Divinity for Him, along with negation of their opposites for Him. So the Attributes of Divinity are: the attributes of Perfection; being free from any likeness to the creation; and free of any deficiency or imperfection."
And the explainer of Kitab at-Tawheed in Tayseer Al-'Azeez Al-Hameed, he also brought a quote from Ibnul-Qayyim regarding the exellent qualities of the name Allaah. And Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:
"As for the particular virtues of the meaning of this Name Allaah, then in this regard the most knowledgeable from the creation (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) himself said [to Allaah]: I could not praise You enough as You deserve. You are as You have praised Yourself. [Narrated by 'Aa`ishah, radiallaahu 'anha, recorded in Muslim]
So how could we enumerate the special virtues of the Name of The One Who comprises every Perfection unrestrictedly and every praise and commendation and every laudation and exaltation and all splendour and all Pefection and all glory and all beauty and all good and all eminence. And all generosity, excellence and goodness is for Him and is from Him.
So this Name Allaah is not mentioned upon a small amount of something except that it causes it to increase. Nor is it mentioned in a state of fear except that it removes it. Nor is it mentioned upon any misfortune except that it relieves it. Nor in any state of anxiety or distress except that it brings relief. Nor upon any state of difficulty except that it brings ease to it. None who is weak resorts to it except that it brings strength to him. Nor anyone who is in a state of humiliation except that it brings honor to him. Nor anyone in poverty except that he is enriched. Nor anyone who feels estranged and uneasy except that it causes him to feel at ease. Nor is it mentioned by one who is overcome except that it brings aid and victory for him. Nor by one who is in straightened circumstances except that his difficulty is removed. Nor is it mentioned by a fugitive except that he finds refuge.
So it (The Name Allaah) is the Name through which distress is removed, through which the descent of blessings is sought, and through which supplications are answered. Through it, slips are corrected, sins are warded away, and good deeds are brought closer. It is the Name through which the heavens and the earth were established, and with which the revealed Books were sent down, and with which the Messengers were sent. With it, the legislated laws were prescribed. Through it, the prescribed punishments were established. And with it, Jihaad was prescribed.
Through this Name, the creation will become divided into the fortunate and the wretched. With it, the true and tremendous Day is established. And with it, the scales of justice are set up, the bridge laid down, and the Paradise and the Fire established. With it, The Lord of all creation is worshipped and praised. For its right, the Messengers were sent, and it will be asked about in the grave. And for it, there will be the Resurrection. Dispute is regarding it, and judgement is to it, and alliance and disassociation are for it. Through it, those who know it and establish its rights will be the fortunate ones. And through it, those who are ignorant of it and leave its rights will be the wretched ones. So it is the reason for creation and command and, through it, they are established and confirmed. And to it, they arrive at conclusion.
So the creation comes about through it, returns to it and exists because of it. So there is nothing in creation and no command nor reward and no punishment except that it starts from it and ends with it. That is what brings it about and its reason.
Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose. Free and far removed are You from that. So save us from the punishment of the Fire. (Aali 'Imran, ayah 191)
Then with regard to the Name Allaah, the brief indication of the meaning is: The One Who is truly venerated and worshipped. The One deserving that He be singled out with all worship because of His Perfect Attributes of Divinity.
2- Al-AHad: The Unique. The One Who is Alone and Unique in every sense. The One Alone in His Oneness, in His Self, and His Attributes. Alone in His Divinity.
3- Al-A'laa: The Most High. The One Who is above everything, having power and control over everything. And The One Who is Exalted above every deficiency.
4- Al-Akram: The Most Generous. The One unequalled in His Perfect Generosity.
5- Al-Ilaah: The One Who Alone deserves to be worshipped.
6- Al-Awwal: The First Who was before everything without any beginning.
7- Al-Aakhir: The Last. The One Who remains after everything else, without any end.
8- Adh-Dhaahir: The Uppermost One. The One such that nothing is above Him. He is above everything, and He encompasses everything with His Knowledge.
9- Al-Baatin: The Innermost One, The One Who encompasses and knows the innermost secrets of everything.
[Abu Talha said: The Shaikh mentioned these preceding four Names together - out of alphabetical order - since they were explained together by our Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) in a hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim.*]
10- Al-Baari`: The Originator. The One Who - by His Power - originated and created and fashioned the created beings upon their separate forms without any prior example to follow. And Who created and fashioned the souls in the wombs.
11- Al-Barr: The Most Benign and Kind. The One Who treats the creation in an excellent and kind manner, Who does not interrupt His fine treatment of them, and Who rectifies their affairs for them.
12- Al-Baseer: The All-Seeing. The One Who sees everything, such that nothing whatsoever is hidden from Him.
13- At-Tawwab: The one Who guides His servants to repent, and accepts their repentance. The One Who guides the servants that they should repent to Him, grants to them that they should repent, and accepts their repentance again and again.
14- Al-Jabbaar: The Exalted and Almighty Compeller. The One to Whose Might everything in the creation submits. The Exalted One Who rectifies the affairs of His creation for them, and Who restores the weak and the broken-hearted.
15- Al-Haafidh: The Protector. The One Who Alone guards and protects the heavens and the earth and whatever they contain, and Who protects His servants from destruction and from evil.
16- Al-Haseeb: The Reckoner Who suffices. The One Who preserves the deeds of the creation and will bring them to account for them. And The One Who suffices and protects His servants.
17- Al-Hafeedh: The Guardian. The One Who protects the servants from harm. And Who perfectly perserves whatever deeds His servants have done - not losing any of their deeds. And The One Who preserves and protects His beloved servants from falling into sins and from Satan.
18- Al-Hafee: The Benevolent. The One Who is ever kind to His servants and ever responding to supplication.
19- al-Haqq: The True One. The One True and Certain in His existence, in His Self, in His Attributes, in His Sayings, and in His Actions.
20- Al-Mubeen: The Clear and Manifest One. The One Whose sole Lordship and right to worship is clear and manifest.
21- Al-Hakeem: The All-Wise. The One completely Wise in everything He decrees, and completely Wise in His Sayings, and in His Actions. There is no deficiency in anything He decrees, says or does.
22- Al-Haleem: The Forbearing. The One Who does not immediately punish His servants for their sins, their Shirk or their Kufr. But rather, He gives them the opportunity to repent.
23- Al-Hameed: The One Who is deservedly praised. The One Who is praised and completely deserves to be praised for His Self, His Perfect Names and Attributes, and for His Perfect Actions.
24- Al-Hayy: The Ever-Living Who always remains without any beginning or any end, with Perfect and Ever-Lasting Life, Who never dies nor passes away.
25- Al-Qayyoom: The Self-Subsisting One upon Whom everything depends. The One Who sustains everything that exists. The One Who has no need whatsoever of anything but rather everything in existence has total need of Him.
26- Al-Khabeer: The All-Aware. The One knowing completely everything that is, has been, or will be. Knowing whatever will bring harm or benefit. Knowing the true condition of everything and the outcome of everything.
27- Al-Khaaliq: The Creator and Maker of everything. The One Who brought everything into existence after it had previously not existed. The One Who has always had the attribute of being The Creator even when there was no creation in existence. This is a fine point that Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah) brought and made clear that Allaah did not become The Creator when He created - when the creation came into existence - rather He has always been The Creator. This has always been His Attribute. So He did not gain this attribute upon the arrival of the creation, rather He has always had this attribute.
28- Al-Khallaaq: The Creator Who creates again and again. The One for Whom it is not difficult to create anything.
29- Ar-Raauf: The Compassionate and Kind. The One Who is Kind and Compassionate to His servants.
30- Ar-Rahmaan: The Extremely Merciful. The Merciful One Who has Mercy as His attribute. The One possessing tremendous and extensive Mercy.
31- Ar-Raheem: The Bestower of Mercy. The One Who has mercy upon the creation. The difference between Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem is Ar-Rahmaan is with regards to the attribute of Allaah's Self, the attribute He has of extreme Mercy. Ar-Raheem is His bestowing mercy upon the creation, with regards to His action.**
32- Ar-Razzaaq: The Great Provider. The One Who provides extensively for the whole of creation, whatever they need. And Who also provides the provision of beneficial knowledge and Eemaan for the hearts of His obedient servants, indicating a Rizq that is general that which is for the whole creation, that He provides whatever the whole creation needs as regards to provision and sustenence. And the particular that which He provides for His beloved servants - in addition to the general provision - the particular provision. The special provision of beneficial knowledge and Eemaan, providing sustenence for the hearts of His believing servants.
33- Ar-Raqeeb: The Ever Watchful Guardian. The One Who misses nothing whatsoever, aware of all deeds and whatever thoughts are contained in the hearts of the creation.
34- As-Salaam: The Flawless One, without any fault. The One free from all imperfections and deficiencies, because of His Perfection in His Self, His Attributes and His Actions, and The One Who renders His creation safe from punishing anyone who does not deserve punishment, and Who renders the creation safe from His oppressing them.
35- As-Samee': The All-Hearing. The One Who has perfect hearing as His attribute. The One Who hears everything within the creation - even that which is most quiet and secret.
36- Ash-Shaakir: The Appreciative. The One Who rewards a small deed with a great reward, as mentioned by At-Tabaree and Ibn Katheer in their tafseers in explanation of it.
37- Ash-Shakoor: The One Most Ready to appreciate and reward abundantly. The One Who rewards abundantly and multiplies the rewards of His obedient servants for their deeds - deeds which He Himself favored them with, deeds which He Himself granted to them. The One Who does not allow any of their deeds to be lost.
38- Ash-Shaheed: The Witness. The One Who witnesses everything - that which is apparent and that which is hidden.
39- As-Samad: The Perfect Lord and Master upon Whom all of creation depends. The Lord and Master Whose control is complete. Upon Whom the whole of creation depends for its needs, because of His Perfection in His Self, His Names, His Attributes and His Actions. The One Who remains and never passes away. The One Who neither eats nor drinks. Free of all needs.
40- Al-'Aalim: The All-Knower of the seen and unseen. The Knower of whatever is hidden and whatever is manifest, clear, apparent.
41- Al-'Azeez: The Almighty. The Invincible. The Almighty One Whom nothing can overcome. The One Mighty in vengeance when He punishes His enemies. The All-Powerful One Who overcomes all, and before Whose Might all submit, and Who has no need of anyone.
42- Al-'Adheem: The Tremendous One, or The Magnificent. The One Tremendous in Greatness, and The Only One deservingly held in awe and venerated by the creation for His Greatness in every sense.
43- Al-'Afuww: The One Who pardons again and again. The One Who continues to pardon the sins of His servants, and leaves off punishment for them. The One Who pardons His slaves so that they do not suffer the consequences of their sins if they repent.
44- Al-'Aleem: The All-Knowing. Imaam Ahmad said: "The One Who knows everything in the seven heavens and the seven earths and whatever is between them and whatever is beneath the ground and whatever is in the depths of the oceans and who knows the places where every hair grows and every tree and the place where every leaf falls and the number of stones there are and the number of the grains of sand and the number of grains of soil and the weight of the mountains and all of the actions of the servants and the traces they leave behind and their speech and every breathe they take. He knows everything. Nothing is hidden from Him while He is above the Throne, above the seven heavens. He, The Perfect and Most High." So He knows whatever was, whatever is, and whatever will be before it occurs, and He knows the true and hidden reality of everything, and He knows whatever is not going to be, and how it would be if it were to exist. He has always been The All-Knowing, Perfect in His knowledge.
45- Al-'Alee: The Exalted One. Exalted in His Attributes and His Greatness, High above what the wrongdoers say. The One Who is Himself above the creation, ascended above the Throne, and The One Who has ascendancy over the creation by His Might. The three meanings of 'Uluww are all affirmed for Allaah:
(1) The 'Uluww of His being Exalted and far above what the wrongdoers say - Exalted in His Attributes,
(2) The One Who Himself is above and is ascended above the Throne,
(3) The One Who has ascendancy by His might over the creation.
46- Al-Ghaffaar: The Oft-Forgiving. The One Who forgives the sins of His servants again and again whenever the servant repents, and Who hides the sins of His servants, and does not expose them.
47- Al-Ghafoor: The One Who forgives extensively. The One Who covers up the sins of the servants to an extent that cannot even be comprehended, and Who forgives them so that He does not punish them for their sins.
48- Al-Ghanee: The Independent One Who is free of all need. The One Who has no need whatsoever of the creation. The One Who is free from any poverty or need. The One in Whose Hand are the treasures of the heavens and the earth, and of this world and the hereafter.
49- Al-FattaaH: The Judge and Opener Who distinguishes the truth from falsehood. The Judge Who judges between His servants with the truth and with justice with His legislation and with His decree. And Who is never unjust, and The One Who opens the gates of mercy and provision and whatever is closed to His servants. And Who opens the eyes and hearts of His servants for them to see the truth. And The One Who aids and grants victory to His believing servants. And Who distinguishes the truth from falsehood.
50- Al-Qaadir: The Completely Able One. The One completely able to do anything He wills. Nothing renders Him incapable or wearies Him...
51- Al-Qaahir: The Invincible Subduer. The One Who subdues His creation from above. The One to Whom everything submits. None can repel what He ordains or depart from what He decrees.
52- Al-Quddoos: The Pure and Perfect. The Pure and Exalted One. High above every impurity. The One Whom the noble angels venerate. The One free of any opposites, rivals, consorts, and children. Having Perfection as His attribute. The One declared free of all deficiencies and imperfections. And free of having anyone with the like of His Perfection, or anyone close to it.
53- Al-Qadeer: The All-Powerful. The One Who is able to do all things; nothing renders Him incapable or wearies Him. The One Perfect in His Power. The One Who - by His power - created everything in existence. And with His power, He controls them, completes them and gives life and death to them. And with His power, He will resurrect His servants, and reward and punish them. Whenever He wills something, He says "Be" and it is.
54- Al-Qareeb: The One Who is Near. The One Who is Near to the servants. He draws nearer to those who perform acts of worship and seek nearness to Him, And He is close to their hearts. He is near to everyone who makes supplication to Him. In addition, He is near to the people with His knowledge and awareness, witnessing and encompassing everything while He is above the Throne ('Arsh).
55- Al-Qawee: The One Perfect in Strength. The One completely able to do anything. None can overcome Him. None can repel His decrees.
56- Al-Qahhaar: The Overwhelming Subduer Who is never overcome. The One Who alone subdues the whole of the creation with His sovereign authority and Power. Nothing occurs except with His permission. Everything submits to Him. The One Who subdues the most obstinate and renegade tyrants with His punishment, and Who subdues the whole of the creation with death.
57- Al-Kabeer: The Incomparably Great. The Tremendous One Who is greater than everything. Everything else is insignificant before Him. He is greater than anything imagined by the creation. Whatever they imagine, He is greater than that.
58- Al-Kareem: The Bountiful, The Generous One. Abundant in good. The One Who causes and makes easy every good. And Who bestows generously. The One so generous that He even bestows favors upon those who reject His favors, and use them as a means to disobey Him.
59- Al-Lateef: The Subtle and Kind. The One Who is completely aware of the hidden details of all affairs and of that which will benefit the servants, and Who is kind to them, and causes that which is good for them to reach them by a means which they had no expectation of.
60- Al-Mu`min: The True and Trustworthy. The Granter of security. The One Who is true in His words and true in His promise which He has made to the servants, and Who does not disappoint His believing servants. The One Who safeguards His servants in this world and the hereafter, and Who renders His believing servants safe from His punishment, and Who renders the whole of the creation safe from His oppressing them.
61- Al-Muta'aali: The Supreme and Exalted One. The One supremely Exalted above everything by His power. The One Exalted above His creation in His being above them, having power over them, and His subduing them. The One high above and far removed from having anything else like Him. And The One free and far removed from the lies of those who invent lies against Him, and free from the characteristics of the creation.
62- Al-Mutakabbir: The One Supreme in Glory. The Justly and Rightfully Proud. The One Who is Alone, truly High and Mighty, Exalted in glory above everything. The One Who disdains - and is Exalted above - all evil and oppression against His servants, and above everything not befitting Him.
63- Al-Mateen: The Strong. The One Mighty in strength. The Powerful One Whose strength does not end, and Who does not experience any difficulty in His actions. Nor does He experience any tiredness.
64- Al-Mujeeb: The Responsive. The Who responds to supplications of those who call upon Him wherever they are and whatever situation they are in - no matter how many they are in number. And Who responds in particular to those who submit to Him and those in dire need.
65- Al-Majeed: The One Perfect in Glory and Honor. The One Great in Honor. The One greatly extolled and praised. The Magnificent One, having the attributes of glory, majesty, greatness, and splendour. The One greater, more tremendous, and more exalted than everything. The One glorified and venerated in the hearts of His beloved servants.
66- Al-MuHeet: The All-Encompassing. The One Who encompasses everything with His power and His knowledge, and has completely enumerated everything. And The One Who encompasses everything with His mercy and His subjugation.
67- Al-Musawwir: The Bestower of forms. The One Who forms and fashions His creation however He wills. The One Who gives form to everything in existence, giving each created thing a particular form and appearance which distinguishes it from all other created things.
68- Al-Muqtadir: The Omnipotent. The One Whose power is absolute. The One for Whom nothing is impossible. He is completely able to do whatever He wills.
69- Al-Muqeet: The All-Powerful Maintainer. The All-Powerful. The Guardian Who witnesses everything. The One Who provides each created being with the sustenance it requires.
70- Al-Malik: The King. The sole, absolute and true sovereign King. Complete and Perfect in His Kingship. The One Who there is no kingship above His Kingship, nor anywhere near it. Everything being incomparable to Him, and beneath Him. The sovereign Owner of everything, Who does whatever He wills with regards to the creation, with nothing to prevent or hinder Him, Whose commands are completely effective within His dominion. The King of all kings.
71- Al-Maleek: The Omnipotent Sovereign. The Sovereign Who is completely able to do whatever He wills. The Tremendous King Who created and decreed everything.
72- Al-Mawla: The Patron Lord, or The Master and Supporter. The One Who supports and aids the creation, supporting all of them in general and aiding the believers in particular. The Lord and Master Who aids the believers against their enemies. The One Who causes whatever will benefit His believing servants to reach them.
73- Al-Muhaymin: The Trustworthy and Ever Watchful Witness. The One Who witnesses all the deeds and sayings of the creation. The One Who sent down His Book, and is a Witness to His Truth. The Trustworthy One Who confirms the Truth of everything He says. And The Ever Watching Guardian over His creation.
74- Al-Naseer: The Helper. The One Who aids the believers against their enemies, and makes their feet firm when they face their enemy, and Who casts terror into the hearts of their enemies. Concerning this Name of Allaah (Al-Naseer) and because of its meaning, Al-Asbahanee (rahimahullaah) said: "It is right and proper that every person when he sees an evil being done that he should forbid it, and he should firmly believe that Allaah will help him because Allaah 'Azza wa Jall (The Mighty and Majestic) said:
إِنْ تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ
...If you give aid to Allaah's Religion, He will help you... (Muhammad, ayah 7)
So everyone who wishes - by his saying and his action - to attain the pleasure of Allaah, then Allaah will aid him and help him."
75- Al-WaaHid: The One and Only. The One Who always has been and always will be One and Alone with regards to His Self (Dhaat). The One Who has no partner, no sharer, and no equal.
76- Al-Waarith: The Inheritor. The One Who remains forever. The One Who remains after everything else perishes. The One Who inherits the earth and everything upon it. The One Who remains forever and never passes away.
77- Al-Waasi': The Vast One. The One vast with regards to His Attributes, such that none encompass and fulfill the praise due to Him. The One vast and tremendous in His greatness, His authority, and His sovereignty. And The One Who encompasses the whole of creation with His generosity, His blessings, and with the tremendous good that He grants to them, and with His mercy.
78- Al-Wadood: The Loving One, and The Beloved One. The One Who loves His believing servants, and The One Who is loved by them. The One Who loves His Prophets and Messengers, and their followers, and is loved by them such that nothing is more beloved to them than Him.
79- Al-Wakeel: The Trustworthy Disposer of affairs. The One Who is depended upon and is true to His promise. The All-Encompassing Guardian Who suffices those who place their trust and reliance in Him. The One Who takes care of the affairs of His creation with His perfect knowledge and power, and so is the finest disposer of their affairs.
80- Al-Walee: The Guardian Lord. The One Who aids, assists, guides and grants success to the believers. The Guardian. The Master of everything, in control of everything.
81- Al-Wahhaab: The Bestower. The One Who bestows His bounties universally and perpetually, giving them freely for no compensation. The One Who gives His bounties throughout the ages to all the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth. The One Who alone grants health, wellbeing and strength. The One Who grants guidance, successful attainment of what is correct, tawfeeq, and firmness upon His Religion to the believers.
And from the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam):
82- Al-Jameel: The Beautiful One. The One beautiful in His Self, His Names, His Attributes, and His Actions. The One such that everything beautiful in existence is a result and an effect of His beauty. The One so beautiful that when the people of Paradise see Him, they forget all the delights and bliss which they enjoy in Paradise because of His beauty. The One perfect in beauty such that nothing is like Him.
83- Al-Jawwaad: The Munificent. The One Whose generosity covers everything in existence. The One Who gives liberally and generously to those in need - even when they reject and disbelieve in Him. The One Who - from His generosity - has prepared in Paradise for His believing servants that which no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and which has never been imagined by anyone.
84- Al-Hakam: The Judge. The One Who judges between the creation in this world by His Revelation, and Who judges between them in the Hereafter with His knowledge, and Who establishes justice for those Who have been wronged by others.
85- Al-Hayiyyu: The One Who honorably disdains anything unbecoming His mercy and generosity. The One Who honorably disdains to leave the servants who supplicate to Him empty-handed. The One Who covers up the sins of the servants, and does not expose them. The One Who does not do anything unbecoming His extensive mercy, His perfect generosity, and His forbearance. Rather, He pardons the faults of the servants and He covers them.
86- Ar-Rabb: The Lord and Nurturer. The Lord and Master Who has none like Him in His Lordship. The One Who nurtures and rectifies the affairs of the creation by the favors which He showers upon them. The sovereign Owner Who alone creates and commands. The One Who controls the affairs and grants blessings. The One Who nurtures. The Creator. The Provider. The One Who aids. And The One Who guides.
87- Ar-Rafeeq: The Gentle. The One Who is gentle with His servants, gentle in His actions, having created the creation in stages in accordance with His wisdom and gentleness.
88- As-SubooH: The Venerated and Perfect. The One Venerated and declared free of every deficiency. The One Who the angels venerate.
89- As-Sayyid: The Lord and Master. The Owner of the whole creation. All of the creation are His slaves. The Lord Whom all of the creation is in total need of.
90- Ash-Shaafee: The One Who cures. The One Who alone removes from the servants that which causes harm or pain to their hearts and their bodies. The One Who cures whomever He wills, such that none can cure except Him.
91- At-Tayyib: The Pure One. The One Perfect and The One rightly declared free of all deficiencies and shortcomings.
[It is befitting to mention the next two Names together:]
92- Al-Qaabid: The Withholder. The One Who withholds His Provision and other than it from the servants in accordance with His wisdom and subtle kindness. And The One Who takes the souls at the point of death.
93- Al-Baasit: The Granter of Ample Provision. The One Who grants ample and extensive provision to His servants. And The One Who defuses the souls of the living in their bodies.
[It is befitting to also mention the next two Names together:]
94- Al-Muqaddim: The One Who gives precedence. The One Who gives precedence to whatever He loves should be given precedence to - with regards to their status and order - in accordance with His wisdom.
95- Al-Mu`akh-khir: The One Who puts back. The One Who puts back whatever He wills, whatever wisdom and rectitude necessitates should be put back.
96- Al-MuHsin: The One Who acts in a good and fine manner. The One such that all His Actions are perfect.
97- Al-Mu`tee: The Giver. The One Who gives to whom ever it is fitting should be given.
98- Al-Manaan: The Beneficent Bestower of Bounties. The One such that all favors and blessings originate from Him. He is The One Who granted them and favored the creation with them.
99- Al-Witr: The One. The One Who has no partner nor anyone like Him. He Who is One in His Self. One in His Attributes. One in His Actions, Having no partner and no helper.
Subhanahu wa Ta'aala.
So that's the list that Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) compiled from his ijtihaad from the Book and the Sunnah with regards to Allaah's Names.
[Abu Talha then mentioned that since Ijtihaad is involved, Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen mentioned that there are other Names that could be included in place of some of these Names, for example, Names that are in the form of compound Names such as The Creator of the heavens and the earth, and Maalik al-Mulk (The Owner of Kingship), and so on. And from the Sunnah, the Name Ad-Dayyan (The Recompenser, The One Who will bring the creation to account), and Al-A'az (The Most Mighty). And there are certain Names such as Al-Hafee (The Benevolent) - the 18th Name on the list - that some scholars may not mention due to it being mentioned in a particular, restricted sense. And also Al-'Aalim (The All-Knower of the seen and unseen) - the 40th Name on the list - because you'll find it in the Qur`aan in attached form.
And then Abu Talha concluded by saying Allaah knows best, and then asked Allaah to reward Shaikh Al-'Uthaimeen, jazahu Allaahu khairan.]
In response to a question in the Q&A, Abu Talha mentioned that the Names with Alif and Lam "Al-" (The One) are only for Allaah. As for Jameel, without the "Al-", then the creation can be described as jameel (beautiful). But with the "Al-" - Al-Jameel (The Beautiful One) - then that is only for Allaah.
Many of those Names of Allaah in the Qur`aan are also in the Sunnah. As for Ar-Rabb, then it is mentioned of course in Soorah al-Faatiha, but without the Alif and Laam.
Amma-ba'd
Allaah, Subhanahu wa Ta'aala, said:
وَلِلَّهِ الأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِهِ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do. (Al-A'raf, ayah 180)
Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Allaah has ninety-nine Names - one hundred minus one - (that) whoever correctly preserves them and acts in accordance with them will enter Paradise. [Bukhaaree, Muslim]
Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: I ask You - oh Allaah! - by every one of Your Names by which you have named Yourself, or revealed in Your Book, or those which You have taught to anyone from Your creation, or You have kept for Yourself in the Knowledge of the Ghayb (the Unseen). [Ahmad, Ibn Hibbaan; (Saheeh)]
Allaah said about Himself:
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ
...There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (Ash-Shoora, ayah 11)
The Names & Attributes Of Allaah, by Abu Talhah Dawood Burbank (d. 1432H, rahimahullaah)
Indeed, all praise is for Allaah. We praise Him, We seek His aid and His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of our souls and the evils of our actions. Whomsoever Allaah guides, none can misguide. And whomsoever Allaah allows to go astray, none can guide him. And I bear witness that there is none worshipped in truth except Allaah, Alone without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).
Amma-ba'd
Then to continue with Kitab at-Tawheed, then we just completed chapter 50: Chapter: The Statement of Allaah, The Most High:
وَلِلَّهِ الأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِه
To Allaah belongs The Most Perfect and Most Beautiful Names. So worship Him in accordance with them, and call upon Him by them. And abandon those who deviate with regards to His names.... (Al-A'raf, ayah 180) The ayah.
And we had in the chapter the hadeeth of Abu Hurrairah (radiallaahu 'anhu): Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Allaah has 99 Names, 100 except for one, (that) whoever correctly preserves them - and acts in accordance with them - will enter Paradise... [Bukhaaree, Muslim] The hadeeth.
And we heard that the addition actually gives a list of Names after it, reported by at-Tirmidhee in one narration, and reported by Ibn Majaah, reported by Ibn Khuzaimah and Ibn Hibaan and others (rahimahumullaah). The actual list of the Names given along with the hadeeth is not authentic from the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). But rather, it was from the ijtihaad of some of the scholars. And they strove to look through the Book of Allaah and what they could find in the Sunnah. So the scholars from the early, early times til this day have striven to look through the Book of Allaah and the authentic Sunnah to extract these 99 Names. So each scholar who has done that has come with a slightly different list of Names, and no one scholar will be able to say this is definitely the list, which is why scholars have continued to strive in that regard right til this time.
And as we mentioned, one of the scholars in these times was Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-'Uthaimeen (d. 1421H, rahimahullaah) in his Book al-Qawaa`id al-Muthlaa. So he compiled a list, as the scholars have done, hoping to enter into the hadeeth. One of the parts of correctly preserving these Names is to look for these Names and to compile them. So amongst these scholars, as we said, was Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah), and he compiled a list of 99 Names. Not to say that Allaah's Names - as we have heard many times - are restricted to these 99 Names, but hoping and striving to establish the 99 Names which are given that promise, that whoever preserves them correctly and acts upon them will enter Paradise.
So I'll read initially the list that Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen brought, and then try to give a brief explanation...
So the shaikh initially brought a list of 81 Names extracted from the Book of Allaah - the Qur`aan - and then he brought 18 Names, the last 18 - 82nd through 99th - from the authentic Sunnah.
So he said: From the Book of Allaah, The Most High, are:
1- Allaah
2- Al-AHad
3- Al-A'laa
4- Al-Akram
5- Al-Ilaah
6- Al-Awwal
7- Al-Aakhir
8- Adh-Dhaahir
9- Al-Baatin
10- Al-Baari`
11- Al-Barr
12- Al-Baseer
13- At-Tawwab
14- Al-Jabbaar
15- Al-Haafidh
16- Al-Haseeb
17- Al-Hafeedh
18- Al-Hafee
19- al-Haqq
20- Al-Mubeen
21- Al-Hakeem
22- Al-Haleem
23- Al-Hameed
24- Al-Hayy
25- Al-Qayyoom
26- Al-Khabeer
27- Al-Khaaliq
28- al-Khallaaq
29- Ar-Raauf
30- Ar-Rahmaan
31- Ar-Raheem
32- Ar-Razzaaq
33- Ar-Raqeeb
34- As-Salaam
35- As-Samee'
36- Ash-Shaakir
37- Ash-Shakoor
38- Ash-Shaheed
39- As-Samad
40- Al-'Aalim
41- Al-'Azeez
42- Al-'Adheem
43- Al-'Afuww
44- Al-'Aleem
45- Al-'Alee
46- Al-Ghaffaar
47- Al-Ghafoor
48- Al-Ghanee
49- Al-FattaaH
50- Al-Qaadir
51- Al-Qaahir
52- Al-Quddoos
53- Al-Qadeer
54- Al-Qareeb
55- Al-Qawee
56- Al-Qahhaar
57- Al-Kabeer
58- Al-Kareem
59- Al-Lateef
60- Al-Mu`min
61- Al-Muta'aali
62- Al-Mutakabbir
63- Al-Mateen
64- Al-Mujeeb
65- Al-Majeed
66- Al-MuHeet
67- Al-Musawwir
68- Al-Muqtadir
69- Al-Muqeet
70- Al-Malik
71- Al-Maleek
72- Al-Mawla
73- Al-Muhaymin
74- Al-Naseer
75- Al-WaaHid
76- Al-Waarith
77- Al-Waasi'
78- Al-Wadood
79- Al-Wakeel
80- Al-Walee
81- Al-Wahhaab
And from the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam):
82- Al-Jameel
83- Al-Jawwaad
84- Al-Hakam
85- Al-Hayiyyu
86- Ar-Rabb
87- Ar-Rafeeq
88- As-SubooH
89- As-Sayyid
90- Ash-Shaafee
91- At-Tayyib
92- Al-Qaabid
93- Al-Baasit
94- Al-Muqaddim
95- Al-Mu`akh-khir
96- Al-MuHsin
97- Al-Mu`tee
98- Al-Manaan
99- Al-Witr
Then, with regards to a brief explanation of these Names - with a slightly longer explanation of just one or two of them - then a number of books have been written in this present age depending upon earlier books. And this list of brief explanations is based upon these references, so you have an idea where these explanations are taken from:
Firstly, the Tafseer of Ibn Jareer At-Tabaree (d. 310H), Jaami'-ul-Bayaan.
Secondly, the Tafseer of Ibn Katheer (d. 774H).
Thirdly, the Tafseer of As-Sa'dee (d. 1376H), Tayseer ul-Kareem-ir-Rahmaan.
Fourthly, the Tafseer of al-Baghawee (d. 516H).
Fifthly, Majmoo'-ul-Fataawa of Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (d. 728H).
Sixthly, An-Nooniyah of Ibnul-Qayyim (d. 751H).
Seventhly, 'Idat-us-Saabireen, also of Ibnul-Qayyim.
Eighthly, Ar-Radd 'alal Jahmeeyah, by Imam Ahmad (d. 241H).
Ninthly, Badaa-il-Fawaa`id of Ibnul-Qayyim.
Tenthly, Sha`nu-Du'aa, of al-Khataabe (d. 386H).
Eleventhly, Tafseer of Asmaa`illaah al-Husna, by Az-Zajjaaj
Twelvthly, al-Hujjah Fee Bayaan il-Mahajjah, by Asbahanee (d. 535H)
Thirteenth, at-Tawheed, by Ibn Mandah (d. 395H)
Fourteenth, An-Nihaayah fee ghaarib al-Hadeeth, by Ibn Atheer
Fifteenth, Tafseer Ghaarib al-Qur`aan, by Ibn Qutaybah (d. 276H)
Sixteenth, Al-Mufradaat, by Ar-Raghib
Seventeenth, Lisaanul 'Arab, by Ibn Mandhoor
Eighteenth, Al-Haqq ul-Waadih ul-Mubeen, by As-Sa'dee. Rahimahumullaah (may Allaah have mercy on them).
With regards to the first name that Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen brought, then the name of Allaah:
1- Allaah: Concerning the name Allaah, Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said in Madaarij as-Salikeen:
"The Name Allaah indicates all of the Perfect Names and Lofty Attributes in all three ways of indication, since it indicates His Divinity which indicates affirmation of all the attributes of Divinity for Him, along with negation of their opposites for Him. So the Attributes of Divinity are: the attributes of Perfection; being free from any likeness to the creation; and free of any deficiency or imperfection."
And the explainer of Kitab at-Tawheed in Tayseer Al-'Azeez Al-Hameed, he also brought a quote from Ibnul-Qayyim regarding the exellent qualities of the name Allaah. And Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:
"As for the particular virtues of the meaning of this Name Allaah, then in this regard the most knowledgeable from the creation (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) himself said [to Allaah]: I could not praise You enough as You deserve. You are as You have praised Yourself. [Narrated by 'Aa`ishah, radiallaahu 'anha, recorded in Muslim]
So how could we enumerate the special virtues of the Name of The One Who comprises every Perfection unrestrictedly and every praise and commendation and every laudation and exaltation and all splendour and all Pefection and all glory and all beauty and all good and all eminence. And all generosity, excellence and goodness is for Him and is from Him.
So this Name Allaah is not mentioned upon a small amount of something except that it causes it to increase. Nor is it mentioned in a state of fear except that it removes it. Nor is it mentioned upon any misfortune except that it relieves it. Nor in any state of anxiety or distress except that it brings relief. Nor upon any state of difficulty except that it brings ease to it. None who is weak resorts to it except that it brings strength to him. Nor anyone who is in a state of humiliation except that it brings honor to him. Nor anyone in poverty except that he is enriched. Nor anyone who feels estranged and uneasy except that it causes him to feel at ease. Nor is it mentioned by one who is overcome except that it brings aid and victory for him. Nor by one who is in straightened circumstances except that his difficulty is removed. Nor is it mentioned by a fugitive except that he finds refuge.
So it (The Name Allaah) is the Name through which distress is removed, through which the descent of blessings is sought, and through which supplications are answered. Through it, slips are corrected, sins are warded away, and good deeds are brought closer. It is the Name through which the heavens and the earth were established, and with which the revealed Books were sent down, and with which the Messengers were sent. With it, the legislated laws were prescribed. Through it, the prescribed punishments were established. And with it, Jihaad was prescribed.
Through this Name, the creation will become divided into the fortunate and the wretched. With it, the true and tremendous Day is established. And with it, the scales of justice are set up, the bridge laid down, and the Paradise and the Fire established. With it, The Lord of all creation is worshipped and praised. For its right, the Messengers were sent, and it will be asked about in the grave. And for it, there will be the Resurrection. Dispute is regarding it, and judgement is to it, and alliance and disassociation are for it. Through it, those who know it and establish its rights will be the fortunate ones. And through it, those who are ignorant of it and leave its rights will be the wretched ones. So it is the reason for creation and command and, through it, they are established and confirmed. And to it, they arrive at conclusion.
So the creation comes about through it, returns to it and exists because of it. So there is nothing in creation and no command nor reward and no punishment except that it starts from it and ends with it. That is what brings it about and its reason.
Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose. Free and far removed are You from that. So save us from the punishment of the Fire. (Aali 'Imran, ayah 191)
Then with regard to the Name Allaah, the brief indication of the meaning is: The One Who is truly venerated and worshipped. The One deserving that He be singled out with all worship because of His Perfect Attributes of Divinity.
2- Al-AHad: The Unique. The One Who is Alone and Unique in every sense. The One Alone in His Oneness, in His Self, and His Attributes. Alone in His Divinity.
3- Al-A'laa: The Most High. The One Who is above everything, having power and control over everything. And The One Who is Exalted above every deficiency.
4- Al-Akram: The Most Generous. The One unequalled in His Perfect Generosity.
5- Al-Ilaah: The One Who Alone deserves to be worshipped.
6- Al-Awwal: The First Who was before everything without any beginning.
7- Al-Aakhir: The Last. The One Who remains after everything else, without any end.
8- Adh-Dhaahir: The Uppermost One. The One such that nothing is above Him. He is above everything, and He encompasses everything with His Knowledge.
9- Al-Baatin: The Innermost One, The One Who encompasses and knows the innermost secrets of everything.
[Abu Talha said: The Shaikh mentioned these preceding four Names together - out of alphabetical order - since they were explained together by our Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) in a hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim.*]
10- Al-Baari`: The Originator. The One Who - by His Power - originated and created and fashioned the created beings upon their separate forms without any prior example to follow. And Who created and fashioned the souls in the wombs.
11- Al-Barr: The Most Benign and Kind. The One Who treats the creation in an excellent and kind manner, Who does not interrupt His fine treatment of them, and Who rectifies their affairs for them.
12- Al-Baseer: The All-Seeing. The One Who sees everything, such that nothing whatsoever is hidden from Him.
13- At-Tawwab: The one Who guides His servants to repent, and accepts their repentance. The One Who guides the servants that they should repent to Him, grants to them that they should repent, and accepts their repentance again and again.
14- Al-Jabbaar: The Exalted and Almighty Compeller. The One to Whose Might everything in the creation submits. The Exalted One Who rectifies the affairs of His creation for them, and Who restores the weak and the broken-hearted.
15- Al-Haafidh: The Protector. The One Who Alone guards and protects the heavens and the earth and whatever they contain, and Who protects His servants from destruction and from evil.
16- Al-Haseeb: The Reckoner Who suffices. The One Who preserves the deeds of the creation and will bring them to account for them. And The One Who suffices and protects His servants.
17- Al-Hafeedh: The Guardian. The One Who protects the servants from harm. And Who perfectly perserves whatever deeds His servants have done - not losing any of their deeds. And The One Who preserves and protects His beloved servants from falling into sins and from Satan.
18- Al-Hafee: The Benevolent. The One Who is ever kind to His servants and ever responding to supplication.
19- al-Haqq: The True One. The One True and Certain in His existence, in His Self, in His Attributes, in His Sayings, and in His Actions.
20- Al-Mubeen: The Clear and Manifest One. The One Whose sole Lordship and right to worship is clear and manifest.
21- Al-Hakeem: The All-Wise. The One completely Wise in everything He decrees, and completely Wise in His Sayings, and in His Actions. There is no deficiency in anything He decrees, says or does.
22- Al-Haleem: The Forbearing. The One Who does not immediately punish His servants for their sins, their Shirk or their Kufr. But rather, He gives them the opportunity to repent.
23- Al-Hameed: The One Who is deservedly praised. The One Who is praised and completely deserves to be praised for His Self, His Perfect Names and Attributes, and for His Perfect Actions.
24- Al-Hayy: The Ever-Living Who always remains without any beginning or any end, with Perfect and Ever-Lasting Life, Who never dies nor passes away.
25- Al-Qayyoom: The Self-Subsisting One upon Whom everything depends. The One Who sustains everything that exists. The One Who has no need whatsoever of anything but rather everything in existence has total need of Him.
26- Al-Khabeer: The All-Aware. The One knowing completely everything that is, has been, or will be. Knowing whatever will bring harm or benefit. Knowing the true condition of everything and the outcome of everything.
27- Al-Khaaliq: The Creator and Maker of everything. The One Who brought everything into existence after it had previously not existed. The One Who has always had the attribute of being The Creator even when there was no creation in existence. This is a fine point that Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah) brought and made clear that Allaah did not become The Creator when He created - when the creation came into existence - rather He has always been The Creator. This has always been His Attribute. So He did not gain this attribute upon the arrival of the creation, rather He has always had this attribute.
28- Al-Khallaaq: The Creator Who creates again and again. The One for Whom it is not difficult to create anything.
29- Ar-Raauf: The Compassionate and Kind. The One Who is Kind and Compassionate to His servants.
30- Ar-Rahmaan: The Extremely Merciful. The Merciful One Who has Mercy as His attribute. The One possessing tremendous and extensive Mercy.
31- Ar-Raheem: The Bestower of Mercy. The One Who has mercy upon the creation. The difference between Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem is Ar-Rahmaan is with regards to the attribute of Allaah's Self, the attribute He has of extreme Mercy. Ar-Raheem is His bestowing mercy upon the creation, with regards to His action.**
32- Ar-Razzaaq: The Great Provider. The One Who provides extensively for the whole of creation, whatever they need. And Who also provides the provision of beneficial knowledge and Eemaan for the hearts of His obedient servants, indicating a Rizq that is general that which is for the whole creation, that He provides whatever the whole creation needs as regards to provision and sustenence. And the particular that which He provides for His beloved servants - in addition to the general provision - the particular provision. The special provision of beneficial knowledge and Eemaan, providing sustenence for the hearts of His believing servants.
33- Ar-Raqeeb: The Ever Watchful Guardian. The One Who misses nothing whatsoever, aware of all deeds and whatever thoughts are contained in the hearts of the creation.
34- As-Salaam: The Flawless One, without any fault. The One free from all imperfections and deficiencies, because of His Perfection in His Self, His Attributes and His Actions, and The One Who renders His creation safe from punishing anyone who does not deserve punishment, and Who renders the creation safe from His oppressing them.
35- As-Samee': The All-Hearing. The One Who has perfect hearing as His attribute. The One Who hears everything within the creation - even that which is most quiet and secret.
36- Ash-Shaakir: The Appreciative. The One Who rewards a small deed with a great reward, as mentioned by At-Tabaree and Ibn Katheer in their tafseers in explanation of it.
37- Ash-Shakoor: The One Most Ready to appreciate and reward abundantly. The One Who rewards abundantly and multiplies the rewards of His obedient servants for their deeds - deeds which He Himself favored them with, deeds which He Himself granted to them. The One Who does not allow any of their deeds to be lost.
38- Ash-Shaheed: The Witness. The One Who witnesses everything - that which is apparent and that which is hidden.
39- As-Samad: The Perfect Lord and Master upon Whom all of creation depends. The Lord and Master Whose control is complete. Upon Whom the whole of creation depends for its needs, because of His Perfection in His Self, His Names, His Attributes and His Actions. The One Who remains and never passes away. The One Who neither eats nor drinks. Free of all needs.
40- Al-'Aalim: The All-Knower of the seen and unseen. The Knower of whatever is hidden and whatever is manifest, clear, apparent.
41- Al-'Azeez: The Almighty. The Invincible. The Almighty One Whom nothing can overcome. The One Mighty in vengeance when He punishes His enemies. The All-Powerful One Who overcomes all, and before Whose Might all submit, and Who has no need of anyone.
42- Al-'Adheem: The Tremendous One, or The Magnificent. The One Tremendous in Greatness, and The Only One deservingly held in awe and venerated by the creation for His Greatness in every sense.
43- Al-'Afuww: The One Who pardons again and again. The One Who continues to pardon the sins of His servants, and leaves off punishment for them. The One Who pardons His slaves so that they do not suffer the consequences of their sins if they repent.
44- Al-'Aleem: The All-Knowing. Imaam Ahmad said: "The One Who knows everything in the seven heavens and the seven earths and whatever is between them and whatever is beneath the ground and whatever is in the depths of the oceans and who knows the places where every hair grows and every tree and the place where every leaf falls and the number of stones there are and the number of the grains of sand and the number of grains of soil and the weight of the mountains and all of the actions of the servants and the traces they leave behind and their speech and every breathe they take. He knows everything. Nothing is hidden from Him while He is above the Throne, above the seven heavens. He, The Perfect and Most High." So He knows whatever was, whatever is, and whatever will be before it occurs, and He knows the true and hidden reality of everything, and He knows whatever is not going to be, and how it would be if it were to exist. He has always been The All-Knowing, Perfect in His knowledge.
45- Al-'Alee: The Exalted One. Exalted in His Attributes and His Greatness, High above what the wrongdoers say. The One Who is Himself above the creation, ascended above the Throne, and The One Who has ascendancy over the creation by His Might. The three meanings of 'Uluww are all affirmed for Allaah:
(1) The 'Uluww of His being Exalted and far above what the wrongdoers say - Exalted in His Attributes,
(2) The One Who Himself is above and is ascended above the Throne,
(3) The One Who has ascendancy by His might over the creation.
46- Al-Ghaffaar: The Oft-Forgiving. The One Who forgives the sins of His servants again and again whenever the servant repents, and Who hides the sins of His servants, and does not expose them.
47- Al-Ghafoor: The One Who forgives extensively. The One Who covers up the sins of the servants to an extent that cannot even be comprehended, and Who forgives them so that He does not punish them for their sins.
48- Al-Ghanee: The Independent One Who is free of all need. The One Who has no need whatsoever of the creation. The One Who is free from any poverty or need. The One in Whose Hand are the treasures of the heavens and the earth, and of this world and the hereafter.
49- Al-FattaaH: The Judge and Opener Who distinguishes the truth from falsehood. The Judge Who judges between His servants with the truth and with justice with His legislation and with His decree. And Who is never unjust, and The One Who opens the gates of mercy and provision and whatever is closed to His servants. And Who opens the eyes and hearts of His servants for them to see the truth. And The One Who aids and grants victory to His believing servants. And Who distinguishes the truth from falsehood.
50- Al-Qaadir: The Completely Able One. The One completely able to do anything He wills. Nothing renders Him incapable or wearies Him...
51- Al-Qaahir: The Invincible Subduer. The One Who subdues His creation from above. The One to Whom everything submits. None can repel what He ordains or depart from what He decrees.
52- Al-Quddoos: The Pure and Perfect. The Pure and Exalted One. High above every impurity. The One Whom the noble angels venerate. The One free of any opposites, rivals, consorts, and children. Having Perfection as His attribute. The One declared free of all deficiencies and imperfections. And free of having anyone with the like of His Perfection, or anyone close to it.
53- Al-Qadeer: The All-Powerful. The One Who is able to do all things; nothing renders Him incapable or wearies Him. The One Perfect in His Power. The One Who - by His power - created everything in existence. And with His power, He controls them, completes them and gives life and death to them. And with His power, He will resurrect His servants, and reward and punish them. Whenever He wills something, He says "Be" and it is.
54- Al-Qareeb: The One Who is Near. The One Who is Near to the servants. He draws nearer to those who perform acts of worship and seek nearness to Him, And He is close to their hearts. He is near to everyone who makes supplication to Him. In addition, He is near to the people with His knowledge and awareness, witnessing and encompassing everything while He is above the Throne ('Arsh).
55- Al-Qawee: The One Perfect in Strength. The One completely able to do anything. None can overcome Him. None can repel His decrees.
56- Al-Qahhaar: The Overwhelming Subduer Who is never overcome. The One Who alone subdues the whole of the creation with His sovereign authority and Power. Nothing occurs except with His permission. Everything submits to Him. The One Who subdues the most obstinate and renegade tyrants with His punishment, and Who subdues the whole of the creation with death.
57- Al-Kabeer: The Incomparably Great. The Tremendous One Who is greater than everything. Everything else is insignificant before Him. He is greater than anything imagined by the creation. Whatever they imagine, He is greater than that.
58- Al-Kareem: The Bountiful, The Generous One. Abundant in good. The One Who causes and makes easy every good. And Who bestows generously. The One so generous that He even bestows favors upon those who reject His favors, and use them as a means to disobey Him.
59- Al-Lateef: The Subtle and Kind. The One Who is completely aware of the hidden details of all affairs and of that which will benefit the servants, and Who is kind to them, and causes that which is good for them to reach them by a means which they had no expectation of.
60- Al-Mu`min: The True and Trustworthy. The Granter of security. The One Who is true in His words and true in His promise which He has made to the servants, and Who does not disappoint His believing servants. The One Who safeguards His servants in this world and the hereafter, and Who renders His believing servants safe from His punishment, and Who renders the whole of the creation safe from His oppressing them.
61- Al-Muta'aali: The Supreme and Exalted One. The One supremely Exalted above everything by His power. The One Exalted above His creation in His being above them, having power over them, and His subduing them. The One high above and far removed from having anything else like Him. And The One free and far removed from the lies of those who invent lies against Him, and free from the characteristics of the creation.
62- Al-Mutakabbir: The One Supreme in Glory. The Justly and Rightfully Proud. The One Who is Alone, truly High and Mighty, Exalted in glory above everything. The One Who disdains - and is Exalted above - all evil and oppression against His servants, and above everything not befitting Him.
63- Al-Mateen: The Strong. The One Mighty in strength. The Powerful One Whose strength does not end, and Who does not experience any difficulty in His actions. Nor does He experience any tiredness.
64- Al-Mujeeb: The Responsive. The Who responds to supplications of those who call upon Him wherever they are and whatever situation they are in - no matter how many they are in number. And Who responds in particular to those who submit to Him and those in dire need.
65- Al-Majeed: The One Perfect in Glory and Honor. The One Great in Honor. The One greatly extolled and praised. The Magnificent One, having the attributes of glory, majesty, greatness, and splendour. The One greater, more tremendous, and more exalted than everything. The One glorified and venerated in the hearts of His beloved servants.
66- Al-MuHeet: The All-Encompassing. The One Who encompasses everything with His power and His knowledge, and has completely enumerated everything. And The One Who encompasses everything with His mercy and His subjugation.
67- Al-Musawwir: The Bestower of forms. The One Who forms and fashions His creation however He wills. The One Who gives form to everything in existence, giving each created thing a particular form and appearance which distinguishes it from all other created things.
68- Al-Muqtadir: The Omnipotent. The One Whose power is absolute. The One for Whom nothing is impossible. He is completely able to do whatever He wills.
69- Al-Muqeet: The All-Powerful Maintainer. The All-Powerful. The Guardian Who witnesses everything. The One Who provides each created being with the sustenance it requires.
70- Al-Malik: The King. The sole, absolute and true sovereign King. Complete and Perfect in His Kingship. The One Who there is no kingship above His Kingship, nor anywhere near it. Everything being incomparable to Him, and beneath Him. The sovereign Owner of everything, Who does whatever He wills with regards to the creation, with nothing to prevent or hinder Him, Whose commands are completely effective within His dominion. The King of all kings.
71- Al-Maleek: The Omnipotent Sovereign. The Sovereign Who is completely able to do whatever He wills. The Tremendous King Who created and decreed everything.
72- Al-Mawla: The Patron Lord, or The Master and Supporter. The One Who supports and aids the creation, supporting all of them in general and aiding the believers in particular. The Lord and Master Who aids the believers against their enemies. The One Who causes whatever will benefit His believing servants to reach them.
73- Al-Muhaymin: The Trustworthy and Ever Watchful Witness. The One Who witnesses all the deeds and sayings of the creation. The One Who sent down His Book, and is a Witness to His Truth. The Trustworthy One Who confirms the Truth of everything He says. And The Ever Watching Guardian over His creation.
74- Al-Naseer: The Helper. The One Who aids the believers against their enemies, and makes their feet firm when they face their enemy, and Who casts terror into the hearts of their enemies. Concerning this Name of Allaah (Al-Naseer) and because of its meaning, Al-Asbahanee (rahimahullaah) said: "It is right and proper that every person when he sees an evil being done that he should forbid it, and he should firmly believe that Allaah will help him because Allaah 'Azza wa Jall (The Mighty and Majestic) said:
إِنْ تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ
...If you give aid to Allaah's Religion, He will help you... (Muhammad, ayah 7)
So everyone who wishes - by his saying and his action - to attain the pleasure of Allaah, then Allaah will aid him and help him."
75- Al-WaaHid: The One and Only. The One Who always has been and always will be One and Alone with regards to His Self (Dhaat). The One Who has no partner, no sharer, and no equal.
76- Al-Waarith: The Inheritor. The One Who remains forever. The One Who remains after everything else perishes. The One Who inherits the earth and everything upon it. The One Who remains forever and never passes away.
77- Al-Waasi': The Vast One. The One vast with regards to His Attributes, such that none encompass and fulfill the praise due to Him. The One vast and tremendous in His greatness, His authority, and His sovereignty. And The One Who encompasses the whole of creation with His generosity, His blessings, and with the tremendous good that He grants to them, and with His mercy.
78- Al-Wadood: The Loving One, and The Beloved One. The One Who loves His believing servants, and The One Who is loved by them. The One Who loves His Prophets and Messengers, and their followers, and is loved by them such that nothing is more beloved to them than Him.
79- Al-Wakeel: The Trustworthy Disposer of affairs. The One Who is depended upon and is true to His promise. The All-Encompassing Guardian Who suffices those who place their trust and reliance in Him. The One Who takes care of the affairs of His creation with His perfect knowledge and power, and so is the finest disposer of their affairs.
80- Al-Walee: The Guardian Lord. The One Who aids, assists, guides and grants success to the believers. The Guardian. The Master of everything, in control of everything.
81- Al-Wahhaab: The Bestower. The One Who bestows His bounties universally and perpetually, giving them freely for no compensation. The One Who gives His bounties throughout the ages to all the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth. The One Who alone grants health, wellbeing and strength. The One Who grants guidance, successful attainment of what is correct, tawfeeq, and firmness upon His Religion to the believers.
And from the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam):
82- Al-Jameel: The Beautiful One. The One beautiful in His Self, His Names, His Attributes, and His Actions. The One such that everything beautiful in existence is a result and an effect of His beauty. The One so beautiful that when the people of Paradise see Him, they forget all the delights and bliss which they enjoy in Paradise because of His beauty. The One perfect in beauty such that nothing is like Him.
83- Al-Jawwaad: The Munificent. The One Whose generosity covers everything in existence. The One Who gives liberally and generously to those in need - even when they reject and disbelieve in Him. The One Who - from His generosity - has prepared in Paradise for His believing servants that which no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and which has never been imagined by anyone.
84- Al-Hakam: The Judge. The One Who judges between the creation in this world by His Revelation, and Who judges between them in the Hereafter with His knowledge, and Who establishes justice for those Who have been wronged by others.
85- Al-Hayiyyu: The One Who honorably disdains anything unbecoming His mercy and generosity. The One Who honorably disdains to leave the servants who supplicate to Him empty-handed. The One Who covers up the sins of the servants, and does not expose them. The One Who does not do anything unbecoming His extensive mercy, His perfect generosity, and His forbearance. Rather, He pardons the faults of the servants and He covers them.
86- Ar-Rabb: The Lord and Nurturer. The Lord and Master Who has none like Him in His Lordship. The One Who nurtures and rectifies the affairs of the creation by the favors which He showers upon them. The sovereign Owner Who alone creates and commands. The One Who controls the affairs and grants blessings. The One Who nurtures. The Creator. The Provider. The One Who aids. And The One Who guides.
87- Ar-Rafeeq: The Gentle. The One Who is gentle with His servants, gentle in His actions, having created the creation in stages in accordance with His wisdom and gentleness.
88- As-SubooH: The Venerated and Perfect. The One Venerated and declared free of every deficiency. The One Who the angels venerate.
89- As-Sayyid: The Lord and Master. The Owner of the whole creation. All of the creation are His slaves. The Lord Whom all of the creation is in total need of.
90- Ash-Shaafee: The One Who cures. The One Who alone removes from the servants that which causes harm or pain to their hearts and their bodies. The One Who cures whomever He wills, such that none can cure except Him.
91- At-Tayyib: The Pure One. The One Perfect and The One rightly declared free of all deficiencies and shortcomings.
[It is befitting to mention the next two Names together:]
92- Al-Qaabid: The Withholder. The One Who withholds His Provision and other than it from the servants in accordance with His wisdom and subtle kindness. And The One Who takes the souls at the point of death.
93- Al-Baasit: The Granter of Ample Provision. The One Who grants ample and extensive provision to His servants. And The One Who defuses the souls of the living in their bodies.
[It is befitting to also mention the next two Names together:]
94- Al-Muqaddim: The One Who gives precedence. The One Who gives precedence to whatever He loves should be given precedence to - with regards to their status and order - in accordance with His wisdom.
95- Al-Mu`akh-khir: The One Who puts back. The One Who puts back whatever He wills, whatever wisdom and rectitude necessitates should be put back.
96- Al-MuHsin: The One Who acts in a good and fine manner. The One such that all His Actions are perfect.
97- Al-Mu`tee: The Giver. The One Who gives to whom ever it is fitting should be given.
98- Al-Manaan: The Beneficent Bestower of Bounties. The One such that all favors and blessings originate from Him. He is The One Who granted them and favored the creation with them.
99- Al-Witr: The One. The One Who has no partner nor anyone like Him. He Who is One in His Self. One in His Attributes. One in His Actions, Having no partner and no helper.
Subhanahu wa Ta'aala.
So that's the list that Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) compiled from his ijtihaad from the Book and the Sunnah with regards to Allaah's Names.
[Abu Talha then mentioned that since Ijtihaad is involved, Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen mentioned that there are other Names that could be included in place of some of these Names, for example, Names that are in the form of compound Names such as The Creator of the heavens and the earth, and Maalik al-Mulk (The Owner of Kingship), and so on. And from the Sunnah, the Name Ad-Dayyan (The Recompenser, The One Who will bring the creation to account), and Al-A'az (The Most Mighty). And there are certain Names such as Al-Hafee (The Benevolent) - the 18th Name on the list - that some scholars may not mention due to it being mentioned in a particular, restricted sense. And also Al-'Aalim (The All-Knower of the seen and unseen) - the 40th Name on the list - because you'll find it in the Qur`aan in attached form.
And then Abu Talha concluded by saying Allaah knows best, and then asked Allaah to reward Shaikh Al-'Uthaimeen, jazahu Allaahu khairan.]
In response to a question in the Q&A, Abu Talha mentioned that the Names with Alif and Lam "Al-" (The One) are only for Allaah. As for Jameel, without the "Al-", then the creation can be described as jameel (beautiful). But with the "Al-" - Al-Jameel (The Beautiful One) - then that is only for Allaah.
Many of those Names of Allaah in the Qur`aan are also in the Sunnah. As for Ar-Rabb, then it is mentioned of course in Soorah al-Faatiha, but without the Alif and Laam.
http://www.salafitalk.com/threads/1831-The-Names-amp-Attributes-Of-Allaah-by-Abu-Talhah-Dawood-Burbank
