Reflections on the Name of Allah: Ar-Rabb Ar-Rabb linguistically is the educator, the owner, the master and the provider of blessings. The closest meaning to man is Al-Murabbi (educator), since the word rabb is derived from tarbiyah (education). Allah the Almighty is Murabbi of His creations and Mudabbir (the Manager) of their affairs. Al-Murabbi has […]
Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Muqaddim. The Expediter, The Promoter, The One who puts things in their right places. He who promotes or advances. This includes fostering high-ranking servants with substantial incentives. First Interpretation – The Promoter:The first meaning is the promoter. Imam al-Ghazali mentions that the one who is brought close to Him is […]
Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Mu’akhkhir. Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Mu’akhkhir (in Arabic: ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ), The One who wisely delays or holds back. By His will, he can detain unbelievers and hold them back on the day of judgment. (O Allah, forgive me what I have sent before me and what I have left behind […]
Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Awwal The First, The One whose Existence is without a beginning. Tawhid & Tawakkul:The understanding and belief in the name establishes tawheed (oneness of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). Al-Awwal means He was first or is the first. But this does not mean that there was nothing before. Rather the beginning […]
Reflections on the Name of Allah: Az-Zaahir The Manifest. The Conspicuous. The Evident (هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ) ) الحديد 57 : 3 (He is the First and the Last, the Most High and Most Near,1 and He has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.) Al-Hadid 57:3 The four names in this verse are […]
Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Baatin The Hidden, The Secret One, The Inner One, The Knower of Hidden Things Allah is the hidden one, but knows every in and out of everything in the world. (هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ) الحديد 57 : 3 (He is the First and the Last, […]
Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Wali The Ruler. The one planner of everything is Al-Waali (Wali), the only one. He is very supportive. To be a ruler…This name is also not to be confused with Al-Wali (ٱلْوَلِيُّ) – The Protecting Associate. Here Al-Wali (ٱلْوَالِي) refers to being the ruler or guardian, and this encompasses three […]