All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the universe. Blessings and peace be upon the last of the prophets and messengers, Muhammad bin Abdullah, his family, Companions and those who follow his footsteps till the last day.
Knowledge of Allah’s names and attributes is one of the main studies which is a must for every Muslim. The Qur’an and authentic Sunnah are the two sources through which we know about Allah.
Why is this study important? Well, let’s take an example of man whom you haven’t seen or met personally. He has helped you a lot in your life through different channels. In such situations you even though you cannot meet him, you want to at least know what kind of person he is and in what ways can you please him. However with regards to Allah, “there is nothing like unto Him.” (Shuraa 42:11) If we really want to please Allah through our good deeds and ikhlaas (sincerity), then we must acknowledge His Names and attributes in order that we may worship Him as He deserves.
“The most beautiful Names are for Allah, so call on Him by them, but shun those who deny His Names” (Qur’an 7:180)
The study of the Names and Attributes of Allah is also known as ‘Tawheed Asma wa Sifaat’. We know that there are other two categories of Tawheed- Ruboobiyah (Lordship) and Uloohiyah (Worship). But the third category, i.e. Asma wa sifaat is the core of the two. For example: some of Allah’s Names are al-Khaliq (the Creator), al-Malik (the absolute Ruler), al-Wahhab (the Giver of all). These Names indicate Allah’s oneness in creation and its sustenance, in other words Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyah (Lordship). As-Samee’ (the All-hearer), al-Basheer (all-Seer), and al-‘Atheem (the Magnificent) indicates that Allah is all- powerful and only He deserves to be worshipped which is Tawheed al-Uloohiyah. So, it is from Tawheed Asma was Sifaat that we extract Tawheed Ruboobiyyah and Uloohiyyah. If we perfect ourselves in the Asmaa was Sifaat category, we’ll automatically refine ourselves in the other two, thereby perfecting our Aqeedah.
Maliha Rahmat,
Writer, AAT