Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Qaadir
The Able. The Omnipotent One. The One attributed with Power
The name “Al-Qadir” truly profound. Indeed, belief in Allah’s ability to do as He pleases connects us to all His other attributes and fosters a deep sense of reliance and trust in Him.
Persistence in supplication, regardless of how distant or impossible our desires may seem, is immensely important. Sometimes, as time passes and our hopes seem unattainable, we may gradually lose faith and ask less from Allah. However, this is a mistake. We should continue to turn to Allah in prayer for as long as we live, recognizing that He alone has the power to fulfill our needs and desires.
The example of Prophet Ibrahim (as), who was granted a child at an advanced age, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unwavering faith and perseverance in supplication. Despite the apparent impossibility of his situation, he continued to trust in Allah’s ability to fulfill his prayer.
It’s crucial to remember that if something is not beneficial for us, Allah may withhold it from us out of His wisdom and mercy. However, this should not lead us to believe that it’s beyond our fate. Such a belief can indeed become self-fulfilling, causing us to ask less and take fewer actions to receive Allah’s blessings.
Trusting in Allah’s wisdom and continuing to supplicate with sincerity and perseverance is key to maintaining a strong connection with Him. One must see the importance of unwavering faith and reliance on Allah’s power and mercy.
قُلْ هُوَ الْقَادِرُ عَلَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابًا مِّن فَوْقِكُمْ أَوْ مِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِكُمْ أَوْ يَلْبِسَكُمْ شِيَعًا وَيُذِيقَ بَعْضَكُم بَأْسَ بَعْضٍ ۗ انظُرْ كَيْفَ نُصَرِّفُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَفْقَهُونَ ) الأنعام 6 : 65
(Say, “He ˹alone˺ has the power to unleash upon you a torment from above or below you or split you into ˹conflicting˺ factions and make you taste the violence of one another.” See how We vary the signs, so perhaps they will comprehend.) Al-Anam 6:65
It is mentioned 12 times in the Holy Quran
Al-Qaadir: Embracing Allah’s Absolute Power and Capability
Reflecting on the name Al-Qaadir, we delve into the profound realization of Allah’s absolute power and capability. Al-Qaadir signifies that Allah is the Able, the Capable, the One who can do anything He wills. This attribute underscores the essence of Tawhid, the oneness of Allah, and highlights His supreme authority over all creation. Believing in Al-Qaadir fosters a deep sense of reliance and trust in Allah, knowing that He alone has the power to bring about any outcome.
The Quran beautifully captures this concept in Surah Al-An’am (الأنعام):
قُلْ هُوَ الْقَادِرُ عَلَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابًا مِّن فَوْقِكُمْ أَوْ مِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِكُمْ أَوْ يَلْبِسَكُمْ شِيَعًا وَيُذِيقَ بَعْضَكُم بَأْسَ بَعْضٍ ۗ انظُرْ كَيْفَ نُصَرِّفُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَفْقَهُونَ
“Say, ‘He ˹alone˺ has the power to unleash upon you a torment from above or below you or split you into ˹conflicting˺ factions and make you taste the violence of one another.’ See how We vary the signs, so perhaps they will comprehend.” (6:65)
This verse underscores Allah’s ability to execute His will in ways that are beyond human comprehension, reminding us of His ultimate control over all situations. For Muslims, understanding Al-Qaadir instills a sense of humility and reverence, recognizing that all power and authority belong to Allah alone.
Al-Qaadir: The Importance of Unwavering Faith and Perseverance
The name Al-Qaadir encourages Muslims to maintain unwavering faith and perseverance in supplication, regardless of how distant or impossible their desires may seem. Persistence in prayer is a testament to one’s faith in Allah’s ability to fulfill any need or desire. The story of Prophet Ibrahim (as), who was granted a child at an advanced age, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of steadfast faith and continuous supplication.
Despite the apparent impossibility of his situation, Prophet Ibrahim never wavered in his trust in Allah’s power. His story is beautifully captured in the Quran, where Allah granted him a son, demonstrating that nothing is beyond Allah’s capability. This encourages believers to persist in their prayers and maintain their faith, trusting in Allah’s wisdom and timing.
Reflecting on this, we are reminded that if something is not granted, it may be due to Allah’s wisdom and mercy. Understanding that Allah knows what is best for us helps maintain a balanced perspective, preventing despair and fostering continued trust in Allah’s plan.
Trusting in Allah’s Wisdom and Mercy
Recognizing Allah as Al-Qaadir means understanding that His wisdom and mercy govern His actions. Sometimes, Allah withholds certain things from us out of His profound wisdom, knowing that they may not be beneficial for us. However, this should not lead to a loss of faith or reduced supplication. On the contrary, believers should continue to pray with sincerity and trust in Allah’s ultimate wisdom and mercy.
The Quran emphasizes this in Surah Ash-Shura (الشورى):
وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ رَبُّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
“And you do not will except that Allah wills—Lord of the worlds.” (81:29)
This verse highlights that everything happens according to Allah’s will, reinforcing the concept that He is the ultimate authority over all matters. By trusting in Al-Qaadir, Muslims learn to submit to Allah’s will, recognizing that His wisdom surpasses human understanding.
Reflecting on Al-Qaadir, believers are encouraged to persist in their prayers, maintain a strong connection with Allah, and trust in His power and mercy. Understanding that Allah is capable of fulfilling all needs fosters a deep sense of reliance and strengthens the bond between the believer and their Creator.
In these reflections on Al-Qaadir, Muslims find reassurance in Allah’s absolute power and capability. This divine name encourages believers to maintain unwavering faith, persevere in supplication, and trust in Allah’s wisdom and mercy. By embracing Al-Qaadir, Muslims are reminded of the limitless power of Allah and the importance of relying on Him in all aspects of their lives.