ALLAH AND HIS ATTRIBUTES

There are many verses in the Qur'an-e-Karim where Allah Ta'alaintroduces Himself to His servants through different names and attributes. Let us clarify from the outset that such an assertion in no way questions the oneness of Allah, who remains ONE and without partner.

Everyday life is full of examples where a single person is known by several names. For instance, Ibrahim is known not only by his patronymic name but also by the profession he practices, the position he occupies, or the many titles he has granted himself. This does not mean, however, that there are several Ibrahims. The same applies to Allah Ta'ala, who is unique—the Supreme Being whom no one can rival in greatness or equal in power. Nevertheless, Allah Ta'ala has a whole host of names.

In the Qur'an-e-Karim, Allah Ta'ala Himself affirms:

"Say: 'Call Allah, or call Ar Rahmaan. By whichever name you call to Him,to Him belongs the most beautiful names'." (17:110)

This verse shows us that Allah Ta'ala is One, although He is known by many names and has different attributes. A believer has the possibility to invoke Allah Ta'ala by any name he wishes, depending on the circumstances in which he finds himself. For instance, a repentant sinner who seeks forgiveness from Allah would gladly invoke Him by His attribute Al-Ghaffar or Al-Ghafur, which means "The Most Forgiving."

AL ISMUL A'ZAM

Literally, Al-Ismul-A'zam means "the greatest name of Allah."Rasulullah (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Whoever takes this name (Al-Ismul-A'zam) to invoke Allah Ta'ala will have his Du'a answered."

However, it is difficult to say precisely which of Allah’s names is Ismul-A'zam, asRasulullah (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned several supplications that containedIsmul-A'zam. Some of these formulas are cited below.

If there is one name common to all the formulas, it is indeed "Allah." This is why the majority of the 'Ulama have concluded that Al-Ismul-A'zam is the name "Allah" itself.

HOW TO INVOKE ALLAHTA'ALA?

The Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahuanhum) invoked Allah Ta'ala using supplications (du'as) they learned from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam). Each time they made du'afor a specific reason, Allah Ta'ala granted their request. The supplications used by the Sahabah (Radiyallahuanhum) are well-known and are still recited today. However, unlike in their time, we do not always see the results of our du'as.

This does not mean that we should stop making du'a. The mere act of pronouncing Allah’s name is meritorious. However, an important question arises: Why do our du'as have so little effect?

The reason is simple: theSahabah (Radiyallahuanhum) truly made du'a, while we merely reciteit. They invested themselves fully in their supplications, while we often chant memorized formulas without deep engagement.

It is not enough to simply make du'a by taking the name of Allah and then wait for it to be answered, assuming that merely pronouncing Allah’s name guarantees acceptance as according to the Ahaadith, it corresponds to the Ismul-A'zam. A du'a requires:

• Extreme concentration
• A state of mind free from all worldly distractions
• Deep conviction and sincerity

The Sahabah (Radiyallahuanhum) made du'a with unwavering faith and complete focus, which resulted in their supplications being accepted. Unlike our illustrious predecessors, we often recite our du'as without presence of mind or strong conviction.

To use an analogy: the tool is the same, but it has changed hands. It is not surprising that the desired results are now rarely achieved.

If a servant of Allah invokes Him with a heart full of submission and total trust in Him—detaching himself from all worldly means—how could he doubt that his du'a will be answered?

The essence ofIsmul-A'zam is not the length of the du'a, but rather the state of mind of the servant. This is why the 'Ulama affirm that Ismul-A'zam is not only about invoking the most appropriate attribute of Allah for a given situation but also about freeing one’s heart from all worldly attachments and placing complete reliance on Allah Ta'ala, and only Him.

Only then will the supplications taught by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam) have their full impact.

THE 99 NAMES OF ALLAH

Allah has 99 names. He whomemorizes them will enter Paradise.

قَالَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى وَلِلّٰهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنٰى فَادْعُوْهُ بِهَا

وَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلىاللهعليهوسلم إنَّ لِلّٰهِ تِسْعَةَ وَتِسْعِيْنَ اسْمًا مَنْ أَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ وَفِيْ رِوَايَةٍ مَنْ حَفِظَهَا

SEVERAL FORMULAS THAT  CONTAIN ISMUL-A'ZAM

1.  S2 : V163

وَإِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ لَا اِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيْمُ

2.  S3 : V1-2

الم (1) اَللّٰهُ لَا اِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ

3.  S20 : V111

وَعَنَتِ الْوُجُوهُ لِلْحَيِّ الْقَيُّومِ

4.  S21: V87

لَا اِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّيْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِيْنَ

5.       

          اَللّٰهُمَّ إنّي أَسْئَلُكَ بِأَنِّيْ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ اللّٰهُ، لَا اِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ، الَّذِيْ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُوْلَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

6.                  

اَللّٰهُمَّ إنّي أَسْئَلُكَ بِأَنَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدَ لاَ اِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ وَحْدَكَ ‏لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ، الْحَنَّانُ الْمَنَّانُ بَدِيْعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ، يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ

[English version of "Allah et ses attributs" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 3]