18) al-Fattâh
The Opener, The Revealer, The Granter of Success
The One who is the judge and revealer. The One who opens what is closed. The One who is the judge of what shall be opened.
The One by whose guidance that which was closed is opened and the unclear is made clear. The One who lifts veils and who opens the heart.
The One who unties the knots, and softens that which was hardened. The One who continually offers goodness and mercy.
The One who gives victory. The One who opens the door to success. The One who holds the keys to victory and success. The One who reveals the solution to all problems.
From the root f-t-h which has the following classical Arabic connotations
to open, unlock, unfold
to make victorious
to reveal, inform, explain, make clear
to judge, decide
to grant, permit
This name is used in the Qur'ân. For example, see 34:26
The name of first chapter of the Qur'ân, al-Fâtiha, is based on this same root, and is generally translated as The Opener, or The Opening.
The Arabic word miftâhî, translated as key, meaning that which opens or unlocks, is also based on this same root.
Say: Our Lord will gather us together, then will He judge between us with the truth; and He is THE GREATEST JUDGE, the All-knowing.
(34:26)
...And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, ALLAH WILL APPOINT A WAY OUT FOR HIM. And will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he hath no expectation. And whosoever putteth his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Lo! Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah hath set a measure for all things.
(65:2,3)
19) al-'Alîm
The All-Knowing, The Omniscient, The Certain-Knowing
The One who comprehends everything. The One who is intuitively aware of all things, even before they happen.
The One who knows with certainty. The One whose knowledge of past, present and future is deeply rooted and complete in all respects.
One from whom no knowledge is concealed. The One who is aware of the complete details of all matters. The Omniscient One.
From the root 'a-l-m which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to have knowledge, be cognizant, be certain
to be aware, thoroughly informed
to be find out, gather information
to have intuitive knowledge
to have firmly rooted knowledge of the minute particulars
to act according to knowledge
This name is used in the Qur'ân. For example, see 2:32
Related names:
'Alîm denotes knowing with certainty, especially intuitive knowing, omniscience.
Khabîr denotes an understanding of the inner qualities, secrets and true reality.
Lo! Allah! With Him is knowledge of the Hour. He sendeth down the rain, and knoweth that which is in the wombs. No soul knoweth what it will earn to-morrow, and no soul knoweth in what land it will die. Lo! Allah is KNOWER, Aware.
(31:34)
And with Him are the keys of the Invisible. None but He knoweth them. And HE KNOWETH WHAT IS IN THE LAND AND THE SEA. NOT A LEAF FALLETH BUT HE KNOWETH IT, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, naught of wet or dry but (it is noted) in a clear record.
(6:59)
20) al-Qâbid
The Withholder, The Restrainer, The Constrictor
The One whose wisdom causes withholding, either physically or spiritually. The One whose wisdom decides when to withhold something, or make something scarce.
The One whose wisdom may elect to withhold joy and expansion of the heart.
The One in whose hand all hearts are held. The One whose hand collects all souls at the time of death.
From the root q-b-d which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to take in the hand, clutch, lay hold of
to grasp, grip, seize, hold firmly
to have absolute ownership of something (hold in the hand)
to give and take (hand over and take in hand), barter
to contract, shrink, draw together, collect together
to draw in (as a bird contracting a wing)
to withhold, make scanty, make scarce
to contract the heart, i.e. distress, depression, lack of joy
The name Qâbid is not specifically used as a Beautiful Name in the Qur'ân.
The underlying roots of Qâbid give a sense of give and take, a movement back and forth, an underlying rhythm of ebb and flow, like the rhythmical folding and unfolding of a bird's wings in flight, or the rising and setting of the sun, or the endless cycles of life and death.
Qâbid (constrictor) and Bâsit (expander) are opposites.
The Arabic lexicon and commentary Tâj al-'Arûs, as interpreted by E.W. Lane, says:
Qabd [Qâbid] and Bast [bâsit] are terms applied by the investigators of truth among the Sûfîs to the two contrary states of the heart, from both of which it is seldom or never free: the former being an affection of the heart withholding it from dilation and joy; whether the cause thereof be known, as the remembrance of a sin or an offence, or of an omission, or be not known...
Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan, which Allah will double unto his credit and multiply many times? It is Allah that GIVES (you) WANT or plenty, and to Him shall be your return.
(2:245)
21) al-Bâsit
The Unfolder, The Expander, The Releaser
The One who makes ample and plentiful all that is needed. The One who expands and amplifies all abundance.
The One who makes the way wide and open. The One who stretches out a helping hand to mankind. The One whose open hand releases joy, comfort and abundance.
The One who infuses the soul into body. The One who has filled the heart with spiritual abundance. The One whose glory and abundance fill and expand the heart.
From the root b-s-t which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to expand, enlarge, extend
to grant abundance, to provide amply
to spread, widen, to make spacious
to extend a hand
The term Bâsit is not specifically used as a Beautiful Name in the Qur'ân.
The term Bâsit includes a powerful and majestic sense of infusing into something a gift which will grow and flourish in great abundance.
Qâbid (constrictor) and Bâsit (expander) are opposites.
The Arabic lexicon and commentary Tâj al-'Arûs, as interpreted by E.W. Lane, says:
Qabd [Qâbid] and Bast [bâsit] are terms applied by the investigators of truth among the Sûfîs to the two contrary states of the heart, from both of which it is seldom or never free: the former being an affection of the heart withholding it from dilation and joy; whether the cause thereof be known, as the remembrance of a sin or an offence, or of an omission, or be not known...
... Make not thy hand tied (like a niggard's) to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that thou become blameworthy and destitute. Verily thy Lord doth PROVIDE SUSTENANCE IN ABUNDANCE for whom He pleaseth, and He provideth in a just measure: for He doth know and regard all His servants. Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you verily the killing of them is a great sin. Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils) ...
(17:29...32)
22) al-Khâfid
The Humbler, The One who Softens, The Lowerer
The One who chooses the ones to be humbled, softened, made gentle.
The One who decides which ones to weaken or diminish.
The One who humbles the proud, haughty or insolent, to awaken them from their sleep.
From the root kh-f-d which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to lower, weaken, depress
to make humble, abase
to relax, diminish, subdue
to make gentle, tranquil, easy to deal with
to soften, make easy, facilitate
The name Khâfid is not specifically used as a Beautiful Name in the Qur'ân.
Râfi' (uplifter) is the opposite of Khâfid (humbler).
The names Khâfid and Râfi' are often used together to acknowledge the way that balance and harmony are established and maintained though the interplay of cause and effect.
Mudhill (dishonorer) is similar to, but much more intensive and unpleasant than, Khâfid (humbler).
The phrase al Khâfid ur Râfi' is recited in the audio sample.
Lo! those who oppose Allah and His messenger WILL BE ABASED EVEN AS THOSE BEFORE THEM WERE ABASED; and We have sent down clear tokens, and for disbelievers is a shameful doom
(58:5)