14) al-Ghaffâr
The All-Forgiving, The Absolver, The Veiler of Sins and Faults, The Most Protecting One
The One who accepts repentance and veils or forgives our faults and sins, time and time again. The One who sets us free from the guilt and shame of our own sins and faults, such that we may discover inner harmony and peace.
The One who protects us from the effects of our faults and sins, both in the present world and the future. The One who accepts repentance and sets aright our faults and sins.
The One who veils, forgives or transforms our faults and sins in such a manner that we may go on without guilt or shame. The One who can set aright, or transform, wrong deeds and change them into what become good deeds.
From the root gh-f-r which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to cover, veil, conceal, hide
to pardon, to forgive, to set aright
to cover a thing to protect it from dirt
This name is used in the Qur'ân. For example, see 40:3
Abû Hâmid al-Ghazâlî said:
Every creature is bound to have perfection and imperfection, or ugliness and beauty, so whoever overlooks the ugly and mentions only the beautiful is one who shares in this attribute.
Note that the root gh-f-r has given rise to three Beautiful Names that are all used in the Qur'ân: Ghaffâr, Ghafûr and Ghâfir. However, only Ghaffâr and Ghafûr were included in the list of 99 Names narrated by Tirmidhi.
In Qastalânî's commentary on Bukhârî, it is said that the root gh-f-r means a covering or protection which is either between man and the commission of sin [protecting, or watching over], or between sin and the effects of that sin [forgiving, veiling or concealing].
In al-Nihâyah (a dictionary of hadîth), it is said that Ghâfir refers to the One who protects us from the commission of sins, and that Ghafûr refers to the One who forgives our sins and faults.
Sheikh Tosun Bayrak portrays the differences as:
... al-Ghâfir, the veiler of our faults from the eyes of other men; al-Ghafûr, who keeps the knowledge of our faults even from the angels; and al-Ghaffâr who relieves us from the suffering of continual remembrance of our faults.
The Arabic word astaghfirullâh (sometimes written as astghfrallâh or estaferallah) is from this same gh-f-r root, and is an invocation of Divine Protection having a range of possible connotations that include Allâh please forgive me, Allâh please hide away my faults, Allâh please watch over me and protect me from faults.
In the lexicon and commentary Tâj al-'Arûs it is mentioned that truly asking for forgiveness must be by both word and deed, not by the tongue alone.
The names Ghafûr, Ghaffâr and Ghâfir denote forgiving or protecting, while 'Afûw indicates complete removal or obliteration of the condition.
If Allah had willed to choose a son, He could have chosen what He would of that which He had created. Be He Glorified! He is Allah, the One, the Absolute. He has created the heavens and the earth with the truth; He makes the night cover the day and makes the day overtake the night, and He has made the sun and the moon subservient; each one runs on to an assigned term; now surely He is the Mighty, the GREAT FORGIVER.
(39:4,5)
15) al-Qahhâr
The Ever-Dominating, The Conqueror, The Prevailer
The One who prevails over all of creation. The One who overcomes all obstacles.
The One who is victorious over any opposition. The One whose will is irresistible.
The One who is dominant. The Ever-Dominating One.
The One who is master of all. The One to whom all submit.
From the root q-h-r which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to overcome, conquer
to overpower, master
to dominate over, prevail
to subdue, subjugate,
to compel against one's wishes
This name is used in the Qur'ân. For example, see 39:4
The names Qahhâr (ever-dominating, overpowering) and Latîf (subtle, refined) are sometimes used together to honor and appreciate the opposing, yet complementary, ways of the One.
Related names:
Qawî - Strong - the One who is all-mighty and possesses inexhaustible strength.
Matîn - Firm - the One whose nature it is to be firm, determined and steadfast.
Qahhâr - Dominator - the One who dominates, conquers, overpowers
Muqtadir - Determiner - the One who uses supreme power to enforce whatever Divine wisdom decrees or decides.
Say: Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?-- Say: Allah. Say: Do you take then besides Him guardians who do not control any profit or harm for themselves? Say: Are the blind and the seeing alike? Or can the darkness and the light be equal? Or have they set up with Allah associates who have created creation like His, so that what is created became confused to them? Say: Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Supreme. (13:16)
16) al-Wahhab
The Most Liberal Bestower, The Great Giver, The Giver of Gifts
The One who continually bestows gifts, favors and blessings upon all of creation.
The One who is the most generous and liberal giver.
The One who gives freely and endlessly, without expectation of any return.
From the root w-h-b which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to give for no compensation, to give as a gift
to donate, to offer as a present, bestow
to give liberally and freely
to grant, endow
to cause something to be
This name is used in the Qur'ân. For example, see 3:8
With regard to mankind's role in giving, Abû Hâmid al-Ghazâlî notes that:
... whoever bestows gifts with an eye to some interest to be realized by it sooner or later, be it appreciation, affection or release from blame, or or acquiring distinction of mention - he is neither a giver nor generous, but rather engaged in transaction and recompense.... But the one who sacrifices all he owns, even his life, for the sake of God alone - such a one is worthy of being named giver and generous.
Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Presence. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art THE BESTOWER. Our Lord! Lo! it is Thou Who gatherest mankind together to a Day of which there is no doubt. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the tryst. (On that Day) neither the riches nor the progeny of those who disbelieve will aught avail them with Allah. They will be fuel for Fire.
(3:8-10)
17) ar-Razzâq
The Provider, The Providence, The Supplier, The Bestower of Sustenance
The One who creates all means of nourishment and subsistence. The One who is the giver of all things beneficial, both physical and spiritual. The One who provides everything that is needed.
The One who causes the means of subsistence to come. The One who bestows all means of support and growth, for the body, the mind and the spiritual life.
From the root r-z-q which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to receive something beneficial, especially as a gift
to be provided with the necessities of life
to receive a portion, share or lot
to be supplied with a means of subsistence
This name is used in the Qur'ân. For example, see 51:58
The root r-z-k points to the idea of the receiving of anything beneficial, particularly a gift, whereby something is nourished, sustained, or helped to grow physically, mentally or spiritually.
Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth, and causeth water to descend from the sky, THEREBY PRODUCING FRUITS AS FOOD FOR YOU, and maketh the ships to be of service unto you, that they may run upon the sea at His command, and hath made of service unto you the rivers; And maketh the sun and the moon, constant in their courses, to be of service unto you, and hath made of service unto you the night and the day. And He giveth you of all ye ask of Him, and if ye would count the bounty of Allah ye cannot reckon it. Lo! man is verily a wrong-doer, an ingrate.
(14:32-34)