Let’s Learn Names of Allah — Series (Part 06)
بِسْمِ ّللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيموَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا
Allah has the Most Beautiful Names. So call upon Him by them, (Al-Araf, 7:180)This is the 6th part of my series of: 👇🏻
1st Part: Click to Read (Introduction of series+ First 3 Names — Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem, Al-Malik)
2nd Part: Click to Read (4 Names: Al-Quddus, Al-Mumin, As-Salam, Al-Muhaymin)
3rd Part: Click to Read (4 Names: Al-Aziz, Al-Jabbar, As-Mutakbir, Al-Khaliq)
4th Part: Click to Read (4 Names: Al-Bari, Al-Musawwir, As-Gaffar, Al-Qahhar)
5th Part: Click to Read (4 Names: Al-Wahhab, Al-Razzaq, As-Fattah, Al-Aleem)
In this article, I’m gonna cover the next 4 Names In sha Allah! Let’s read for boosting our Iman & for knowing Allah Almighty.
→ AL-QAABID (The Withholder, The Constrictor)
→ Al-Baasit (The Expander, The Enlarger)
Allah is Al-Qaabid, the one Who enriches and makes poor. The Withholder is the One who takes away souls, provision, and whatever He pleases.
Allah is Al-Baasit, The One who amplifies all abundance, who makes the way wide open. He gives plentifully to whomever he wills. Allah gives provision and mercy as he wishes.
These two names are among those names of Allah which always come together, for absolute perfection is realized in their combination, and they cannot be used separately.
Qaabid comes from the root qaa-baa-daad (قبد), which refers to the attribute of withholding. It points to some of these meanings:
→ to lay hold of
→ to grasp
→ to have absolute ownership of something (to hold in the hand).
Baasit comes from the root baa-seen-taa (بسط), which refers to the attribute of expanding. Meanings are these:
→ to extend
→ to grant abundance
→ to provide amply and to widen
→ to make spacious.
Linguistically, the first name refers to decrease while the second to increase; these two actions embrace all things in existence. In other words, if Allah decreases something, this means that He withholds it, and if He increases something, this means that He extends it.
Our Provision
People substance for their life is dependent upon these two attributes. If Allah, the Al-Qaabid want, he will withhold the Rizq of anyone. And on the opposite side, Al-Baasit will increase Rizq, whenever he wants.
Allah’s extension of provision is for your honor or for your trial and His withholding of your provision is for treatment, trial or protection.
Allah says:
Allah extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts for him. Indeed Allah is, of all things, Knowing. (Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:62)
Our Hearts
Sometimes mostly because of committed sins, we feel very low and a bit depressed. We’re not feeling the taste of Iman. We can reduce the constriction of this heart by turning back to Allah, by taking steps for striving. Because Allah says:
Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort. (Surah Ar-rad, 13:28)
Then our Iman becomes strong and we feel spiritually enlightened and ready to face this world. This is the meaning of Al-Qaabid and Al-Baasit. Allah will withhold the hearts and will expand it upon his own will.
Our duty?
→ Test and trials are part of a Momin’s (Believer) life for testing him. Always know that ease will come after the hardship. The story of Hazarat Yusuf (AS) had many ups and downs, but He never complained. If you are ever feeling low or constriction of your hearts, go and strive for expansion.
→ Be a source of expansion to others. Be among those who offer relief to other people. Expand the hearts of others by reminding them of the blessings of Allah Almighty and that after hardship comes to ease!
→ Do da’wah (preaching) with these names. If you are one of them while doing da’wah, make the balance between reassuring people of Allah’s mercy and warning them of His punishment. You have to warn people if they disobey Allah and encourage them if they obey Him Because Allah is simultaneously Al-Qaabid and Al-Baasit.
→ If Allah stops your Rizq or you are facing any other problem then it’s doesn't mean at all that He is not happy with you. Actually, we think every blessing of this world is our right. We always want a reward for our hard work struggles. That’s why, if Allah takes that thing, blessing for our betterment purpose, we think that it’s unfair with us. Don’t think like that. Why Allah will take a thing from you without any purpose? It’s just for your betterment purpose.
→Beg Al-Qaabid, Al-Baasit to guide your heart. A happy heart is a heart filled with Imaan. The Prophet (salallaahu alayhi wasallam)made this dua often:
يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
(Yaa muqallibal quloob, thabbit qalbee ‘alaa deenik)
(O Turner of the Hearts, keep my heart firm on Your Religion).
→ Al-Khaafidh (The Reducer, The Abaser)
Al-Khaafidh (the Abaser) comes from the root kh-f-dh (خفض). It was used to refer to the camel when he lowers his head. When referring to Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala, a salaf said, “It is He who lowers the oppressors and humiliates them.”
Al-Khaafidh is the one who brings down tyrants and humiliates the arrogant Pharaohs of any time. He humiliates whom He will, lowering him in status and making him unknown and insignificant.
Some Examples:
- Do you know Hitler? He was unbelievably powerful during his time. He turned his country into a world power. But that power was only based on oppression. He killed a lot of persons. And at last, He was humiliated and brought down. Do you know what was his end? Yes, He ended up committing suicide. This is the way of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala. At times we see tyrants with great power, but eventually, they are toppled down.
- Al-Khaafidh is not just for rulers who are oppressive. Also, Allah lowers down those people who are arrogant. Allah says in Qur’an: “And Allah does not love any self-admirer, over-proud”(57:23). That’s why when Iblees said, “I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.” (38:76) He was expelled from Paradise. When Pharaoh said, “I am your most exalted lord.” (79:24) He was drowned in the sea.
Don’t be sad
Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala is not unjust. Everyone on this earth will be accountable for what they have done. The people who are killing innocent people for their personal gain will be handled by Al-Khaafidh. Although we forget, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala remembers all of the lost souls: the Kashmiri’s, the Palestinians, the Iraqis, the Bosnians, the African slaves, and every soul. Allah is Al-Aleem(The all Knowing). He sees, hears, and knows all things. And no injustice goes un-served, In sha Allah.
Our duty?
- Fear Al-Khaafidh. If Al-Khaafid can bring down strong tyrants like Pharaoh and Hitler, then where do we stand? How many of us have a little Pharaoh or a little Iblees within us, justifying our arrogance? The lesson for us is to be humble in front of Allah as soon as possible. Otherwise, Allah will humiliate us because of our arrogance. The Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,
من تواضع رفعه الله
Whoever humbles himself to Allah, Allah will raise him.(Muslim)
2. Ask Al-khaafidh. Hazrat Musa(AS) asked Allah for help. He asked Allah to give peace to His heart, make his task easy for him and remove knots from his tongue. Also, he asked Allah for making his brother a companion of his. Allah fulfilled his Pray. So, there is a lesson that Allah (Al-Khaafidh) always listens to his obedient servants.
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others]. (Al-Waqi’ah, 56:3)
→ Ar-Raafi (The Exalter, The Elevator)
Allah is Ar-Rafi, The One who chooses that who will be raised in rank. He elevates mankind above worldly possessions and selfishness.
The root word of Ar-Raafi has the following meanings:
→ to raise or elevate something to uplift
→ to take it up to make high
→ make honorable
He is the One Who raises His believing slaves through their acts of obedience; He is the One Who raises the heavens and the clouds.
Standards of Allah:
Allah exalts those who are true believers, who fulfill the standard defined by Qur’an and Hadiths. He raises God-fearing people who have a firm belief in Allah, Akhira, and prophets.
He elevates those who have sweet tongues, who prefer to give rather than receive, prefer to help without expecting anything in return. Who hide the faults of others instead of criticizing, who build instead of destroying.
He exalts & enlightens the hearts makes of those people who are stick to the commands of Allah. Who always strive for Allah’s pleasure no matter how much society will normalize haram things.
Allah will raise to high ranks, those of you who believe and are endowed with knowledge (Al-Mujadila, 58:11)
Our Duty?
→ No matter how much the definition of coolness will change by society, how much haram relationships, friendship, music will become normalized, always care for Allah’s pleasure by opposing them. As a salaf said: “Ya Allah, until you’re happy with me, I don’t care for others”.
→ Ask Ar-raafi to raise your ranks. Ask Ar-raafi to raise your ranks in sight of Allah and people. Ask for help to save yourself from arrogance, because Allah says: For Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful — (Surah Al-Hadid, 57:23)
→ Help people to raise them. Only your success by leaving them behind or by building empires on their heads is not a real success. Always help your circle to make them successful.
→ Al-Mu’izz (The Honourer, The Bestower)
Allah is Al-Aziz, who gives strength and honor to whom He willed and there is no one to degrade that person. He is the one who degrades whoever He willed and there is no one to give esteem to that person.
The root word of Al-Mu’izz has the following meanings:
→ To be mighty, strong, and powerful
→ To be high, noble, and exalted
→ to be honorable, and glorious,
Allah is Al-Aziz (possessor of glory) and Al-Mu’izz (giver of glory). He loves his obedient servants and raises their ranks. He gives material power to whomever he will. He strengthens, glorifies, and makes it possible for someone or something to be respected. He raises the status of a pious servant no matter how much poor or rich he is.
You honour whoever You please and disgrace who You please — all good is in Your Hands (Surah Ali-Imran, 3:26)
He is the One who empowers His prophets by protecting and helping them against troubles and hardships, granting them victory, raising their status among their people.
An Iman Boosting Example:
It was narrated that Sahl bin Sa’d As-Sa’idi said: “A man passed by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘What do you say about this man?’ They said: ‘We agree with your opinion concerning him. We say: He is one of the noblest of people. If he proposes marriage, his proposal deserves to be accepted; and if he intercedes, his intercession deserves to be accepted; and if he speaks, he deserves to be listened to.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) remained silent, and another man passed by. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘What do you think about this man?’ We said: ‘By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, this is one of the poor Muslims. If he proposes marriage, he does not deserve to get married; and if he intercedes, his intercession does not deserve to be accepted; and if he speaks, he does not deserve to be listened to.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘This one is better than an earth full of (men like) the other man.’ (Sunan Ibn Majah 4120)
Subhan Allah! This is how Allah loves his slaves and raises their ranks.
Our Duty?
→ Don’t make fun of anybody on this earth. You don’t know how many ranks he possesses in sight of Allah. Allah doesn't look at faces or figures of people. As Prophet(SAW) said: Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but He looks to your heart and to your deeds. (Muslim: 2564)
→ Always try to achieve perfection in your Ibadah and other tasks. Because for raising standards in Allah’s sight, you need this. Prophet (SAW) said: “Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but He looks to your heart and to your deeds.” (Muslim: 2564). So, strive for purification of your hearts and do good deeds with good intentions.
→ If someone insulted you, or make you feel low, then no problem at all. Always Ask Al-Mu’izz to help you. Try to please Allah, not the people. You need ranks from Allah, not from people.
→ In our daily basis routines, we left the Sunnah behind just to follow the standards of society. Like not arranging Nikkah in Masjid, Concept of Jahaiz and some other useless functions, etc. We all do this for pleasing people and in answer, we always say Izzat ka mamla hai yr!. But Isn’t Izzah in hands of Allah?
To be Continued ………………….
Jazak Allah for reading!
Keep remember me in your prayers & stay tuned for the next part of this amazing journey of learning the Names of Allah. Also, share it with your friends for earning blessings of Allah Exalted & virtues. Allah Hafiz!
