Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Muhyi
The Restorer, The Giver of Life.
The One who took out a living human from semen that does not have a soul. He gives life by giving the souls back and regenerating our bodies on Resurrection Day. He is The One who makes the hearts alive by the light of knowledge.
The name Al-Muhyi describes His nature of not only being the living but the one who gives life to His creation so that they may glorify and praise Him.
No verse in the Qur’an mentions this name, but there are close derivatives and other verses that describe this attribute:
(كَيۡفَ تَكۡفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَكُنتُمۡ أَمۡوَٰتٗا فَأَحۡيَٰكُمۡۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمۡ ثُمَّ يُحۡيِيكُمۡ ثُمَّ إِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ)
“How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.” Al-Baqara 2: 28
(هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ)
“He gives life and causes death, and to Him you will be returned” Yunus 10:56
Although Allah Almighty Alone is the Muhyi and brings life to the dead, yet He has given this miracle to His Prophet Isa pbuh.
The Qur’an mentions the miracle of Prophet Isa (Jesus) Pbuh in several places, including his ability to bring the dead back to life with the permission of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). One such instance is mentioned in Surah Al-Imran (3:49), where Allah says:
“And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead – by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.”
This verse highlights Prophet Isa’s pbuh miraculous abilities, including bringing the dead back to life by the permission of Allah. Such miracles serve as signs of his prophethood and the power of Allah.
It’s important to note that in Islamic belief, all prophets were given miracles as a sign of their authenticity and to support their message. These miracles were granted to them by Allah to demonstrate His power and to strengthen the faith of the people.
The Concept of Life in Islam: Al-Muhyi’s Role in Creation and Resurrection
In Islamic theology, the concept of life—both physical and spiritual—is intrinsically linked to the divine attribute of Al-Muhyi, the Giver of Life. This attribute not only encompasses the beginning of life but also its continuation and transformation. The Quran states in Surah Al-Hajj (22:6-7):
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنَّهُ يُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ وَأَنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَأَنَّ السَّاعَةَ آتِيَةٌ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهَا وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْعَثُ مَن فِي الْقُبُورِ
“That is because Allah is the Truth, and He gives life to the dead, and He is over all things competent. And [that they may know] the Hour is coming – no doubt about it – and that Allah will resurrect those in the graves.”
These verses underline that life and death are under Allah’s direct control, emphasizing His power to resurrect and judge all beings. For Muslims, this understanding reinforces the transient nature of earthly life and the reality of resurrection, urging them to live in accordance with Allah’s commands, aware of the eventual return to Him. This belief in life after death significantly impacts Muslim ethical conduct and spiritual commitments, shaping their everyday actions and long-term goals.
Al-Muhyi’s Reflection in the Natural World
The divine attribute of Al-Muhyi is evident throughout the natural world, where the cycles of life and death showcase Allah’s power to give life. The process by which dead land revives after rain is often cited in the Quran as a sign of Allah’s life-giving power, as in Surah Fussilat (41:39):
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنَّكَ تَرَى الْأَرْضَ خَاشِعَةً فَإِذَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا الْمَاءَ اهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ إِنَّ الَّذِي أَحْيَاهَا لَمُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“And of His signs is that you see the earth barren, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells and grows [something] of every beautiful kind.”
This metaphor not only illustrates physical revival but also spiritual rejuvenation, reminding believers that Allah who revives the dead earth can revive hearts with faith and guidance. For Muslims, observing these natural phenomena reinforces their faith in Allah’s omnipotence and mercy, encouraging them to seek spiritual growth and renewal. It also calls for a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world as a manifestation of Allah’s creative power and as a source of spiritual lessons.
Al-Muhyi and Human Responsibility
Understanding Allah as Al-Muhyi also highlights human responsibility towards the gift of life. This attribute calls on individuals to respect life as a divine gift and to strive for its betterment. Muslims are taught to value life’s sanctity, evidenced in how they are commanded to preserve and improve their lives and those of others. This responsibility extends to all aspects of life: maintaining one’s health, seeking knowledge, helping others, and preserving the environment.
The Quranic instruction in Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:32) reflects this:
مَنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّهُ مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَلَقَدْ جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي الْأَرْضِ لَمُسْرِفُونَ
“Whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.”
This verse encapsulates the immense value Islam places on life, encouraging actions that uphold life’s sanctity and deter those that harm it. It guides Muslims to engage in actions that promote well-being, justice, and compassion, reflecting the divine attribute of Al-Muhyi in their own lives. This principle influences various aspects of daily life, from medical ethics to social justice, ensuring that the preservation of life remains a paramount concern.
Al-Muhyi’s Role in Spiritual and Ethical Guidance
Reflecting on Al-Muhyi provides profound insights into the relationship between divine power and human existence. By recognizing Al-Muhyi’s role in giving life, sustaining it, and decreeing its end, Muslims find a comprehensive framework that not only explains the world around them but also dictates a way of life that aligns with divine will. This framework is characterized by reverence, gratitude, and responsibility.
Al-Muhyi’s influence encourages believers to lead lives filled with purpose and dedication to Allah’s commands. It promotes a balanced approach to life, integrating physical well-being with spiritual growth. The awareness of Al-Muhyi’s power to grant and take life inspires Muslims to live ethically, knowing that their actions are accountable to Allah. It also fosters a deep sense of community, as the preservation and enhancement of life extend beyond personal boundaries to include family, society, and the environment.
In essence, the reflections on Al-Muhyi offer a holistic understanding of life, encompassing both its physical and spiritual dimensions. This understanding not only enhances a Muslim’s connection with Allah but also instills a profound sense of duty towards the preservation and betterment of all forms of life.