Introduction Flashcards
what is the status of knowing Allahs Names and Attributes?
(say at least one of the points, but read the rest)
- No topic within Islam is more noble and important than knowing Allah and His Names and Attributes and Actions.
- Iman in Allah and His Names and Attributes is the ultmate foundation where everything else is built upon. the stronger this foundation is, the more you can build on top. You can branch out to all different sciences. If this is strong then all things built on top will be strong.
- This topic should change every part and moment of our life, the way we see this world and our existance, and also our ibadah for the better.
- there are about 30 ayat that command us to know Allah’s Names and Attributes, also the greatest aya and surah revolve around it.
For what reason were we created?
We were created to:
1. know Allah
65:12
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ وَمِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ ٱلْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عِلْمًۢا
2. to worship no one except Him (the knowledge of Allah would lead us to worshipping Him alone)
51:56
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
- Tawhid is both knowledge and action
Name at least one virtue of knowing Allah’s Names and Attributes.
- Ibn al Qayyim رحمه الله said that the dawah of the prophets revolved around 3 things: 1. to teach who your Lord is, His Names, Attributes and Actions. 2. to know the path that leads to Allah by remembering Him, showing gratitude to Him, and worshipping Him. 3. to know all pleasures Allah has prepared for people who follow this path (receiving Allah’s pleasure, eternal safety and the greatest being Allah showing Himself)
- the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم went over the Names and Attributes and Actions of Allh until this knowledge became settled in the hearts of the believers.
- The only people who truly fear Allah are those who know Him.
- This knowledge is the most honorable, highest in position and greatest in status
(شَرَفُ العلم مِنْ شَرَفِ مَعلومِه) - knowing Allah’s Names and Attributes leads you to love, venerate, honor and fear Him, to have hope in Him and have sincerity in your actions. the stronger your knowledge of Allah, the more you’ll submit to him, obey Him and keep away from the haram.
- you’ll be rewarded depending on how much you apply His Names and Attributes. (Allah loves His names and attributes and to see its effects of the on His creation).
Where should we not become busy with?
Don’t become busy with what was created for you (the world), rather be busy with what you’re created for.
59:19
وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ نَسُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَأَنسَىٰهُمْ
أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ
- they became busy with the dunya, left knowledge of Allah, knowing Him and worshipping Him. Whoever forgets Allah, Allah will make them forget themselves, what’s good for them and all the causes to succes for them in the dunya and akhirah.
where do the Names and Attributes of Allah revolve around?
they revolve around justice, giving more than someone deserves, and wisdom.
49:8
فَضْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةًۭ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ
- Everything Allah gives you from rewards is a ni’mah from Him. What we did for Him and what He does for us is far from equal. We can never get even.
In what way is our relationship with Allah a trade?
2:16
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ فَمَا رَبِحَت تِّجَـٰرَتُهُمْ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُهْتَدِينَ
- Allah has given us a capital to trade with, the capital being: our lifespan, rizq, health etc. we’re told to buy anything with it, so we can either buy Jannah (profit: 60-70 years of striving for eternal bliss) with it or Jahannam (loss).
- knowing Allah’s Names and Attributes is the best way of profiting with what Allah has given you, because from it is:
+ feeling tranquil in your heart, at peace.
+ being of the people of al firdaws al alaa.
+ looking at Allah’s noble face.
+ being succesful with ALlah’s pleasure.
+ to be safe from Allah’s anger and punishment
what will knowing Allah’s Names and Attributes help you with?
- it stops you from slipping up.
- it opens the doors of hope.
- it helps you to be patient.
- it stops you from being lazy.
- it makes you want to do good deeds.
- it makes you scared of commiting sins.
- it gives you relief when going through calamities and pain.
+ how obedient or disobedient you are to Allah and how prtected you are from the shaytan is dependent on this knowledge.
what is the view of Ahlus Sunnah regarding the Names and Attributes
They take a straight path, because it venerates the Quran and Sunnah, is built on the Q&S and sticks to what the Q&S said about it without adding or taking away from it.
We affirm for Allah what He and the messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم affirmed for Him and we negate for Allah what He and the messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم negated for Him .
We do so:
- without denying His Names and Attributes.
- without asking “how”
- without comparing them to the creation
- wihtout changing & distorting the meaning
- without exceeding the Quran and ahadith.
What are the categories of the names of Allah?
Some names indicate:
1. صفة الذاتية = An attribute which is not connected to Allah’s will.
- e.g. الحي, Allah has the attribute of life, it’s permanent and unchangeable, just like for example His knowledge.
2. صفة الفعلية = An attribute connected to His actions
- when He wills He does it and when He doesn’t will this He doesnt, but He’s always described with it.
- e.g. الرزق = He gives whatever and however He wills to whomever He wills.
3. الأسماء دل على التنزيل و التقديس = Names that indicate that Allah is free of deficiency and flaws.
4. الأسماء دل على جملة أوصاف عديدة = A Name with many meanings within it
- e.g. الله و الصمد و المجيد
How do we learn the names and attributes of Allah?
We need to learn each name by itself and also some names come together in the Quran, so we learn also what they mean when they come together.
What is a very important principle regarding the Names and Attributes of Allah?
ALl these names come back to a single entity, to Allah.
What are the divisions of Allah’s Names based on their indications?
- that which indicates an Attribute of Allah which has an effect on His creation
-> in this case we take the Name, the Attribute of it and the effect that it has on the creation. - that which indicates and Attribute of Allah that doesnt have an effect upon the creation.
-> in this case we only take the Name and Attribute.
How should e interpret Allahs Name? for example Allah’s hearing etc
Allah’s Names and Attributes are only befitting for Him and it befits His Majesty.
How Allah hears, is alive etc is different from our hearing and living.
Do Allah’s Names have a limit?
No they are limitless
What are the 3 levels of having ihsaa of Allah’s names
- to know the Names and being able to repeat them.
- to know what they mean and indicate.
- acting upon them, making dua with them and dhikr with them.
