The Names and Attributes of Allah:

The names of Allah are all those names that refer to Allah himself and also refer to one of his perfect attributes that exist in him, such as al-Qadir ( the all powerful), al-Aleem(the all knowing), al-Hakeen(the most wise), al-Samee(the all hearing) al-Baseer (the all seeing).

Attributes of Allah:

That includes believing that He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, the All-knowing, the most wise, and that his attributes include hearing, seeing, knowledge, wisdom, rising above the throne, coming , rejoicing,smiling , being angry and bring pleased: and that he has a countenance and two hands.

Attributes of Allah are as:

1. Eternal (qadim)
2. Omnipotent (qadir)
3. Omniscient (alim)
4. Independent in action(murid)
5. Aware(mudrik)
6. Truth(Sadiq)

In Islam Allah has 99 names, known as Asma al-Husna, that describe his attributes And characteristics. These names are not just labels., but rather reveal aspects of his divine nature and actions. Some of the most well known names includes Ar-Rehman( the most compassionate), Ar-Rahim(The most Merciful), Al-Malik( The king), Al-Qudoos( the holy), and As- Salam(the source of peace). Learning and understanding these names is considered a way to deepen one's faith and connection with Allah.

Names of Allah ( Asma al-Husna):

The 99 names of Allah are a collection of divine attributes mentioned in the Quran Paak and Hadith. They are not exhaustive, but rather a comprehensive representation of Allah's qualities. Some of the most prominent names includes:

• Ar-Rehman: the most compassionate emphasizing Allah's universal mercy.
• Ar-Rahim: The most Merciful, highlighting Allah's specific mercy towards believers.
• Al-Malik: the king signifying Allah's absolute sovereignty and authority.
• Al-Qudoos: the holy emphasizing Allah's purity and perfection.
• As-Salam: the source of peace, highlighting Allah's role in granting peace and security.
• Al-Momin: the inspirer of faith, signifying Allah's role in guiding and strengthening faith.
• Al-Mihaymin: the preserver of safety, highlighting Allah's role as protector and guardian.
• Al-Aziz: the mighty one, emphasizing Allah's power and strength.
• Al-Jabbar: the compeller, highlighting Allah's ability to restore and mend matters.
• Al-Mutakabir: the supreme, emphasizing Allah's greatness and majesty.

Significance of the names:

Deepening faith:

Learning and understanding the names  of Allah helps believes to understand his attributes and develop a stronger connection with him.

Seeking blessings:

Muslims often these names in their prayers and supplications seeking Allah's guidance and protection.

Living by divine attributes:

By understanding the names, Muslims are encouraged to reflect these attributes in their own lives, striving to be compassionate merciful just and so on.

Seeking Allah's pleasure:

Remembering and reflecting on the names of Allah is considered a way to seek his pleasure and draw closer to him.

Why are the attributes of Allah important:

Muslims believes that studying theses names and attributes is one of the most effective way of strengthening one's relationship with God. Each name and attribute nourishes a kind of consciousness and humility in man and their study leads one to constantly better their actions.

Which things only Allah knows:

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said: " The keys of the unseen are four and none knows them but Allah.

1. None knows what is womb, but Allah knows.
2. None knows what will happen tomorrow but Allah knows.
3. None knows when it will rain, but Allah knows 
4. None knows when it will die, but Allah knows.

Does Allah have more than 99 attributes:

Hence, from the above evidence and statements, it is clear that the names of Allah SWT are not limited only to the 99 names only, Indeed the names of Allah SWT are limited in number.

What attributes of Allah are identified:

"Ar-Rehman ar-Rahim" are two ix the attributes of Allah SWT which reminds people of his mercy , of the fact that his acta of affecting goodness and rewards reach whomsoever he pleases, thus warding off evil from them.

How to memorize names of Allah SWT:

Repetition, listening, reciting and writing the names of Allah SWT repetitively are key to completing your memorization of them. Our brains are constantly taking in information, even subconsciously so constantly listening to the names of Allah via headphones throughout the day will greatly help.

Main types of attributes of God:

The attributes of Allah may be classified under two main categories.

• His infinite powers.
• His personality attributes,  like holiness and love.

Is that Quran an attribute of Allah:

All of the attributes of Allah, may he be exalted, are uncreated; they are eternal, with no begining. The words of Allah are among these attributes, and that includes the Quran. Therefore the scholars said that the Quran is no created, because it is the words of Allah and that is one of his attributes.

Allah has descried himself in the Quran through his names and attributes. Muslims believes that studying these names and attributes us one the most effective ways of strengthening one's relationship with Allah. Each name and attribute nourishes a kind of consciousness and humility in man and their study leads one to constantly better their actions.

"The most beautiful names belong Allah: so call on him by them". 

How to choose tha right names of Allah to call upon:

Muslims are asked to call upon  Allah during their supplications by the most appropriate names that relate to what they are asking for.

Example:

If one is seeking forgiveness from Allah for a sin they have committed they would call upon him by his name " Al-Ghaffar" meaning "The ever forgiving". If one is asking for peace and tranquility in their life while experiencing a period of tension they would call on Allah by his name "As-Salaam" meaning " The ultimate source of peace."

Allah's names relating to Mercy:

The primary names of Allah specifically dealing with mercy are Ar- Rehman and Ar-Rahim. These two names frequently occur together in the Quran. They are both derived from the same root word rehmah which means mercy and also has elements of sympathy, kindness, gentleness, compassion and love intertwined with it. As with all the names of Allah, these are names of majesty and perfection. Allah therefore manifests  these qualities to the most perfect level with his creation. Ar-Rehman signifies a flood of mercy that covers us and is endless.

The mercy we see in this world which Allah has put among his creation is just a hundredth if all his mercy. Examples of mercy that we see in his creation includes the love a mother has for her child ( human and otherwise), the eyes with which wee are able to see the food which we are provided to consume, the generosity and kindness we show to other.

     Can we image what life would be like if these things, that we often take for granted, did not exist? When we realize that this is only a small portion of his mercy, we learn to better appreciate ( although we cannot comprehend) the extent of his Mercy. The other 99 parts are for the day of judgement and the hereafter, when Allah provides shade for the believers makes their accounting easy, and admits them to Paradise.

 There is no Sin that Allah cannot forgive:

Allah's mercy comes before and prevails over his anger. We take refuge in his mercy from his wrath 

"Say: O my servants who have acted extravagantly against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives the faults altogether; surely he is the forgiving the merciful".

Allah's name Al- Ghafaar" meaning " The ever forgiving" is related to his Mercy. If one is sincere in asking for forgiveness from Allah there is no Sin that it too great for him to forgive. When asking for forgiveness a person would ask directly of God and there is no intermediary of religious cleric that would intervene. Islam has the principle that one has a direct relationship with Allah and one should learn to have dependence, faith and trust in him for all their affairs.

People will enter paradise by the mercy of Allah SWT:

The Prophet Muhammad SAW is reported to have said that no man's good deeds are alone enough to get him admitted into paradise, but it is only by the mercy of Allah that people will enter paradise. Our deeds are a tool to get close to Allah to a place where we can be hopeful of his mercy.

Some names of Allah that are related to Mercy:

Ar- Rehman: 

The beneficent ( he who wills goodness and mercy for all his creatures).

Ar- Raheem:

The merciful ( He who acts with extreme kindness).

Al-Malik:

The king ( the sovereign lord, the one with the complete dominion, the one whose whose dominion is clear from imperfection)

Al-Qudoos:

The most sacred( the one who is pure, so far removed if Any imperfection. he has no shortcomings evil is not attributed to him).

As -Salaam:

The giver of peace ( the one who is free from every imperfection. It is because he is free of any defect that one who Is with him experiences tranquility).

Al-Mumin:

The infuser of faith ( the one who witnessed for himself that no one is Allah but him. And he witnessed for his believer's that they are truthful in their belief that no one is Allah but him.

Al-Mihaymin:

The Guardian ( the one who witnessed the saying and deeds of his creatures.

Al-Aziz:

The mighty one ( the strong, the defeated who is defeated.

Al-Jabbar:

The all compelling ( the one that nothing happens in his dominion except that which he Willed).

Al- Mutakabbir:

The Dominant one ( the one who is clear from the attributes of the creatures and from resembling them).

Al-Khaliq:

The creator ( the one who brings everything from non- existence to existence.

Al-Bari:

The Evolver/ the maker ( the maker, the creator who has the power to turn the entities).

Al-Musawwir:

The flawless shaper ( the one who forms his creatures in different pictures.

Al-Ghaffar:

The Great Forgiver ( the forgiver, the one who forgives the sins of his slaves time and time again).

Al-Qahaar:

The All prevailing one

The Dominant, the one who has the perfect power and is not unable for anything.

Al-Wahab:

The supreme bestower

The one who is generous in giving plenty without any return, he is everything that benefit whether halal or Haram.

Ar- Razzaq:

The total provider.

The sustainer, the provider.

Al-Fattah:

The opener

The solver, the reliever, the judge , the one who opens for his slaves the closed worldly and religious matters.

Al-Alim:

The All knowing one.

The knowledgeable, the one nothing is absent from his knowledge.

Al-Qabid:

The restricting one.

The constrictor, the withholder, the one who constricts the Sustenance by his wisdom and expands and widens it with his generosity and mercy.

Al- Basit:

The extender.

The englarger, the one who constricts the Sustenance by his wisdom and expands and widens it with his generosity and mercy.

Al- Khafid:

The reducer 

The abaser, the one who lowers whoever he willed by his destruction and raises whoever he willed by his endowment.

Ar- Rafi:

The elevating one

The exalter, the elevator, the one who lowers whoever he willed by his destruction and raises whoever he willed by his endowment.

Al- Muizz:

The honourer-bestower.

He gives esteem to whoever he willed, hence there is no one is degrade him; and he degrades whoever he willed, hence there is no one to give him esteem.

Al-Muzil:

The Abaser.

The diahonourer  the humiliator, he gives esteem to whoever he willed hence there is no one to degrade him, and he degrades whoever he willed hence there is no one to give you esteem.

As-Sami:

The All hearer.

The hearer, the one who hears all things, that are heard by his eternal hearing without an ear, instrument or organ.

Al-Baseer:

The all seeing 

The all nothing, the one who sees all things that are seen by his eternal seeing without a pupil or any other instrument.

Al-Hakam:

The impartial judge.

The judge, he is the ruler and the judge, he is the ruler and his judgement is his word. His judgement is his word.

Al-Adl:

The Embodiment of justice.

The just, the one who is entitled to do what he does.

Al-Lateef:

The knower of subtleties.

The subtle one, the gracious, the one who s kind to his slaves and endows upon them.

Purpose of reflecting on these names:

Muslims are encouraged to learn and live by these names as the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Allah has ninety -nine names.whoever memorizes and understand la them will enter Paradise."

Reflecting on these names helps believers deepen their faith, find comfort  in times of hardship, and improve their character by embodying the qualities these names represent such as mercy justice and patience.

Verses about the Names and attributes of Allah:

🌟 1. Allah has the Most Beautiful Names

> Surah Al-A'raf (7:180)

"And to Allah belong the best names, so call upon Him by them. And leave the company of those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been doing."

🔹 Key Attributes: Allah has Al-Asma' al-Husna (The Most Beautiful Names).

🌟 2. Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem – The Most Merciful

> Surah Al-Fatiha (1:1-3)

"In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds—The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful."

🔹 Key Attributes: Ar-Rahman (The Most Gracious), Ar-Raheem (The Most Merciful).

🌟 3. Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyum – The Ever-Living, Sustainer

> Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255) – Ayat al-Kursi

"Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence..."

🔹 Key Attributes: Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living), Al-Qayyum (The Sustainer of all existence).

🌟 4. Al-Aleem – The All-Knowing

> Surah Al-Hashr (59:22-24)

"He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful..."

🔹 These verses list many names, including:

Al-Malik (The Sovereign), Al-Quddus (The Pure), As-Salam (The Source of Peace), Al-Aziz (The Almighty), Al-Aleem (The All-Knowing), Al-Khaliq (The Creator), Al-Bari’ (The Evolver), Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner), and others.

🌟 5. Al-Ghafoor, Ar-Raheem – The Forgiving and Merciful

> Surah Az-Zumar (39:53)

"Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’"

🔹 Key Attributes: Al-Ghafoor (The Forgiving), Ar-Raheem (The Merciful)

🌟 6. As-Sami’, . – All-Hearing, All-Seeing

> Surah Al-Mujadila (58:1)

"Indeed Allah has heard the statement of her who argues with you [O Muhammad] concerning her husband and complains to Allah. And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing."

🔹 Key Attributes: As-Sami’ (All-Hearing), Al-Baseer (All-Seeing).

Important principles in understanding Allah's names and attributes:

1. Tawheed al-Asma wa Sifat:

Belief in the uniqueness of Allah's names and attributes without:

• Tasbeeh (comparing to creation)

• Tateel ( denying them)

• Tahrif ( distorting them)
• Takleef ( asking them).

2. Affirm what Allah affirms for himself.

Without adding, denying or imagining.

Importance in worship and life:

Dua:

Allah commands believer's to call upon him by his names:

"And to Allah belong the best names so invoke him by them".

 Tawakul:

Knowing Allah is the provider brings peace.

Forgiveness:

Belief in his names like Al-Ghaffar, Al -Tawwab gives  hope.

Accountability:

Awareness of Al-Aleem , As Shadeed reminds us that nothing is hidden from him.

Hearing:

He hears all.

Seeing:

He sees all 

Speech (Kalam):

Allah speaks as benefits his Majesty.

2. Attributes of actions(Sifat al-Fil):

Describes Allah's actions .

• Creating  (khalq)
• Providing ( rizq)
• Forgiving ( Maghfirah).
• Guiding ( Hidayat)
• Punishing (Iqab).

3.Attributes of essence (Sifat al-Dhat):

• Life ( Hayat): Allah bless s everliving.
• Knowledge (ilm): His knowledge encompasses all things.
• Power( Qudrah): He is capable of everything.
• Hearing (sam) He hears all.
• Seeing ( Basar): He sees all.
• Speech (Kalam): Allah speaks as befits his Majesty.

Conclusion :

The names and attributes of Allah are a foundation of Islamic belief, offering deep insight into the essence, power and mercy of the creator. Through these names, believers come to understand Allah's perfection that he is not only the All -powerful and All -knowing but also the most just, and most forgiving.

Each names reflects a unique and perfect quality of Allah and helps  us to:

• Know him more deeply.
• Strengthen our faith and trust.
• Shape our character and actions.
• Improve our worship and supplications.

"And to Allah belong the best names so invoke him by them".