Posts: 180
Threads: 9
Joined: Jun 2004
Reputation:
0
15. Al-Qahhâr: The Subduer
"The day they come forth and naught of theirs is hidden from Allah. 'Whose is the kingdom today?' `'llah, the Unique, the Subduer' (Al-Qahhar)" (40:16).
The Subduer is the quality of Allah that breaks the backs of Allah's enemies. The Subduer dominates over them by killing and humiliating them. Everything in existence is subjected to the Subduer's dominance and power. The strength and power of the Subduer is counterbalanced by the quality of the Subtle (Al-Latîf) for they are contained one within the other.
Posts: 180
Threads: 9
Joined: Jun 2004
Reputation:
0
16. Al-Wahhâb: The Bestower
"...`Our Lord! Let our hearts not deviate now that You have guided us but grant us mercy from Your own presence for You are the Bestower' ( Al-Wahhâb)" (3:8).
A gift is a present that is given free of thought of compensation or any other selfish interests. The Bestower is the quality of Allah that gives many gifts of this nature. Generosity, gifts, and presents of this kind are truly inconceivable other than from Allah the Bestower which gives every needy person that which is needed and does this without regard to compensation or other selfish interests either now or later.
Posts: 180
Threads: 9
Joined: Jun 2004
Reputation:
0
17. Al-Razzâq: The Provider
"...And He is the Provider (Al-Razzâq)..." (51:58).
The Provider is that quality of Allah which creates the means of sustenance as well as the need for it and enjoyment of it. This includes the ability to gain nourishment from food or knowledge for there are two kinds of sustenance: the first is evident like food and the need for it is caused to exist in physical bodies to which it provides strength for the human body for a limited period of time. The other is hidden and consists of knowledge. The need for this is caused to exist in the human heart and inner self. It is the more noble of the two kinds of sustenance. It is a fruit which, once eaten, can bring eternal life. The Provider is the quality which assumes responsibility for the creation of both types of sustenance, graciously making them available to both bodies and the human heart. "Our Lord, You have not created this universe in vain" (3:191). The Provider grants ample sustenance to some and a measured amount to others.
Posts: 180
Threads: 9
Joined: Jun 2004
Reputation:
0
18. Al-Fattâh: The Opener
"...Our Lord will gather us together and will in the end decide" (34:26).
The Opener is the quality of Allah by which means everything that is closed is opened and through the guidance of which everything that is unclear is made clear. The quality connotes three meanings: first, the victorious who vanquishes difficulties and brings about victory; second, the one who makes decisions known; and third, the revealer who discloses that which had been concealed. At times the Opener causes kingdoms to be conquered for Allah's Prophets. It takes them out of the hands of Allah's enemies and says, "Lo! We have given you (oh Muhammad) a clear victory (literally, opening) that Allah may forgive you" (48:1).
Posts: 180
Threads: 9
Joined: Jun 2004
Reputation:
0
07-02-2004, 09:20 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-02-2004, 09:21 PM by Abunuran.)
19. Al-`Alîm: The Knower
"...and of all things He is the Knower (Al-`Alîm)" (2:29).
The meaning of the Knower is obvious. It is Allah who knows: the hidden and the manifest, the small and the great, first and last, inception and outcome, in the most complete manner possible. The perfection of this quality is to fully comprehend the knowledge of everything, including both the manifest and the hidden, that of little and that of great importance, the first and the last, the end and the beginning. All being is present at all times in the knowledge of the Knower. The comprehensive knowledge in terms of clarity and disclosure is the most perfect knowledge. It is possible in view of the fact that it is inconceivable to find one more observing and disclosing than the Knower. Furthermore, the Knower's knowledge, which is to know everything that is knowable in a perfect manner, cannot be derived from objects of knowledge. Rather, objects of knowledge are derived from it. A common Arabic expression is Allâh Al-`Alîm, 'Allah knows best'.
Posts: 180
Threads: 9
Joined: Jun 2004
Reputation:
0
20. Al-Qâbid: The Constrictor
"...Allah constricts and expands..." (2:245).
The Constrictor-Expander are qualities of Allah that takes the souls of people at the time of death and places souls in human bodies at the time of the inception of life. The Constrictor withholds the means of subsistence and of other things from his servants by His graciousness and wisdom. It takes the souls at the time of death. The Expander, on the other hand, is that quality which amplifies or makes plentiful the means of subsistence to whomsoever Allah wills through Allah's liberality and mercy and who breathes the souls in the bodies at the time of their being given life. The Constrictor-Expander takes alms from the rich and gives sustenance to those without resources. The Constrictor oppresses human hearts and makes them heavy by revealing to them how unconcerned, exalted and majestic Allah is. The Expander then delights them with charitable gifts, kindness, and beauty.
Posts: 180
Threads: 9
Joined: Jun 2004
Reputation:
0
21. Al-Bâsit: The Expander
"...Allah constricts and expands..." (2:245).
The Constrictor-Expander are qualities of Allah that takes the souls of people at the time of death and places souls in human bodies at the time of the inception of life. The Constrictor withholds the means of subsistence and of other things from his servants by His graciousness and wisdom. It takes the souls at the time of death. The Expander, on the other hand, is that quality which amplifies or makes plentiful the means of subsistence to whomsoever Allah wills through Allah's liberality and mercy and who breathes the souls in the bodies at the time of their being given life. The Constrictor-Expander takes alms from the rich and gives sustenance to those without resources. The Constrictor oppresses human hearts and makes them heavy by revealing to them how unconcerned, exalted and majestic Allah is. The Expander then delights them with charitable gifts, kindness, and beauty.
Posts: 180
Threads: 9
Joined: Jun 2004
Reputation:
0
22. Al-Khâfid: The Abaser
"When the Event Inevitable comes to pass then will no soul entertain falsehood concerning its coming. Many will it abase and many will it exalt" (56:1-3).
The Abaser abases the unbelievers by means of misfortune. The Exalter exalts the believers by means of good fortune. Allah exalts believers by drawing them near to Him. Allah abases His enemies by isolating them from Himself.
Posts: 180
Threads: 9
Joined: Jun 2004
Reputation:
0
23. Al-Râfi`: The Exalter
"When the Event Inevitable comes to pass then will no soul entertain falsehood concerning its coming. Many will it abase and many will it exalt" (56:1-3).
The Abaser abases the unbelievers by means of misfortune. The Exalter exalts the believers by means of good fortune. Allah exalts believers by drawing them near to Him. Allah abases His enemies by isolating them from Himself.
