why should we try to understand the names of allah?
TRANSCRIPT
Why should we try to understand the names of Allah?
Because Allah says so in the Qur’an
…. ه� ل� ه� وى و� س� ح س� و�اء ا س� و�� ح� ال ح�و س� و�او�ا �ه
The most beautiful names belong to Allah : so call on Him by them;..."
(Surah Al A’raf 7:Verse180)
Reported by Abu Hurayrah (RA) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
To God belong 99 names, 100 minus 1, anyone who memorizes them will enter Paradise; {Bukhari}
Because we say:
لا الہ الا اللہThere is no god but Allah
La ilaaha ill AllahWe are declaring that ALLAH is:
SingleUnique
UnequalledIndependent
CreatorMaster
The one we pray to The one we call upon The one we obey The one we ask for help The one we think of in times of
need The one we thank in times of joy
This concept is called
Tawheed
Names and attributes of Allah are an essential
part of Tawheed.
Misconceptions about God in different religions and cultures
Image of God
In western cultures:
An old man with a long white beard who sits in the clouds
Different imaginary portrayals of Jesus
(AS)
Michelangelo painted an image of God in the Sistine Chapel
Greek God
Some religions have a concept of:
God of Good
God of Evil
Some religions believe anything that “looks” more powerful than man is god.
Sun God
God to some is personified in animals or some super
natural being.
Holy Person
Most common misconceptions
God is in everything
Allah Himself has given us an idea about Himself
Chapter 112 : Surah Al Ikhlaas
د� ح ح�ا ه �ل ح ح� ال ه� ل� ه� ه� ح� ح�� ه ال �ل ح ال
ل� حل ه�� ل� حل ح� ل� لل ح� ل� حل د� ح ح�ا و�ا �ه �ه ه �ل ح ه�ن ح� ل� حل ح�
• Say (O Muhammad) He is Allah, (the) one.
• Allah the Self Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need
• He begets not, nor was He begotten.
• And there is none co-equal or comparable to Him.
Understanding Allah’s names is understanding with:
knowledge clarity sincerity
who we are worshipping.
There are Four Classes of
origins of Allah’s Names
1. The Proper name that includes all the meanings of each name and
quality or characteristic or attribute.
2. Those which include a characteristic of Allah’s self
The All Hearing
The All Seeing
The All Knowing
3. Those which indicate nullification, negation or impossibility of any imperfection or fault
The Holy
The Source of Peace
4. Those which characterize Allah’s actions
The Creator
The Evolver
The Shaper of Beauty
The Sustainer
All things Bright . . .
… and Beautiful
All creatures great …
… and small
All Things wise …
And Wonderful
The Lord God made them all
Each little Flower that opens
And Each little Bird that sings
He made their glowing colours
He made their shiny wings
The Purple Headed Mountains
The Rivers Flowing by …
The Sunset
. . . and the morning
The Brightness of the Sky
The Cool Winds in the Winter
The Pleasant Summer Sun
The ripe fruit in the garden
He made them everyone
The Sovereign Lord
The Guardian of Faith
The Protector
The Mighty