The Names and Attributes of Allah.

By Dr Ibrahim Nuhu
*Disclaimer: The note below was prepared by the School of Deen Team based on the audio lessons taught by
Dr Ibrahim Nuhu

TOPIC NOTES
5 Pillars of Imaan (Part  The names and attributes of Allah are essentials. Remembering them is
1) the only way, according to our Prophet SAW that can lead a person to
success in life. That is the greatest fiqh. And not only that, every
knowledge in Islam is serving these names.

 The Shaykh gives an outline on Hadith Jibreel, where Jibreel asked the
Prophet SAW about Islam, Iman, Ihsan, the day of judgement and the
signs of the day of judgement and the Prophet SAW gave Jibreel
answers to each and every questions asked. (refer Hadith below)

Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: We were sitting with the Messenger of

Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, one day when a man appeared
with very white clothes and very black hair. There were no signs of travel
on him and we did not recognize him. He sat down in front of the
Prophet and rested his knees by his knees and placed his hands on his
thighs. The man said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.” The Prophet
said, “Islam is to testify there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month
of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if possible.” The
man said, “You have spoken truthfully.” We were surprised that he asked
him and then said he was truthful. He said, “Tell me about faith.” The
Prophet said, “Faith (al-iman) is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books,
His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in providence, both its good
and its evil.” The man said, “You have spoken truthfully. So tell me about
excellence.” The Prophet said, “Excellence (al-ihsan) is to worship Allah
as if you see Him, for you do not see Him but He certainly sees you.” The
man said, “Tell me about the final hour.” The Prophet said, “The one
asked does not know more than the one asking.” The man said, “Tell me
about its signs.” The Prophet said, “The servant girl will give birth to her
mistress and you will see barefoot, naked, and destitute shepherds
compete in constructing tall buildings.” Then the man returned and I
remained. The Prophet said to me, “O Umar, do you know who he was?”
I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “Verily,
he was Gabriel who came to teach you your religion.” [Source: Sahih
Muslim]

 The Shaykh discusses on the part of Iman, (Refer to Hadith below)

emphasizing on the importance of believing in Qadr.

It is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Ya'mur that the first man who
discussed about Qadr (Divine Decree) in Basra was Ma'bad al-Juhani. I
along with Humaid b. 'Abdur-Rahman Himyari set out for prilgrimage or
for 'Umrah and said: Should it so happen that we come into contact with
one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
we shall ask him about what is talked about Taqdir (Division Decree).
 Accidentally we came across Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab, while he
was entering the mosque. My companion and I surrounded him. One of
us (stood) on his right and the other stood on his left. I expected that my
companion would authorize me to speak. I therefore said: Abu Abdur
Rahman! there have appeared some people in our land who recite the
Holy Qur'an and pursue knowledge. And then after talking about their
affairs, added: They (such people) claim that there is no such thing as
Divine Decree and events are not predestined. He (Abdullah ibn Umar)
said: When you happen to meet such people tell them that I have
nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. And verily
they are in no way responsible for my (belief). Abdullah ibn Umar swore
by Him (the Lord) (and said): If any one of them (who does not believe in
the Divine Decree) had with him gold equal to the bulk of (the mountain)
Uhud and then, it (in the way of Allah), Allah would not accept it unless
he affirmed his faith in Divine Decree. [Source: Sahih Muslim, Book 1
(Book of Iman), Chapter 1, Number 0001].

 The Shaykh stresses in summary that Qadr is part of our Iman. A person
will not be accepted by Allah SWT, except if he has Iman. Our Iman
would never be completed if there is no believe in Qadr in it. Qadr is
part of it. If you have something as a pillar, if it does not exist, the
building will collapse.

 Next, the Shaykh elaborates more on the answers the Prophet SAW
gave to Jibreel pertaining Iman. Iman is:
a) to believe in Allah SWT
b) to believe in the Angels
c) to believe in the Books
d) to believe in the Messengers
e) to believe in the Day of Judgement
f) to believe in the Divine Decree of Allah SWT (Qada and Qadr)

a) To Believe in Allah
 This area will be further discussed in the later part of the audio. (Part 3
onwards)

b) To Believe in the Angels

 We should believe in all angels in general, regardless of whether or not
we know them. They are a creation of Allah who were made of lights
and they do not go against of the law of Allah SWT. They are the most
straight forward creation of Allah SWT who knows no disobedience.
That is what a life of a believer should be. Showing no disobedience.

 # Reflection: As human, sometimes we naturally we will go against the

law of Allah SWT. However, Allah SWT granted us a way out through His
Mercy. That is why, Allah says the best among the creation of Allah SWT
are those who, whenever they commit sins they repent. Because its a
part of our human nature to go against it (the law of Allah SWT)
sometimes. Sometimes intentionally, but Allah SWT grant us a part of
his mercy a way out or otherwise we will be in trouble. If the religion is
about if we comit sins it will remain with you, nobody will pass. But Allah
 SWT, no matter how much further you go astray, you can always come
back to Him. This is illustrated in the ayat below:

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." (Surah Az-
Zumar,39:53)

 #Reminder: Do not be in a state of despair from the mercy of Allah SWT,

Allah SWT forgives all the sins. There is no exceptions. Even shirk if
somebody repent, then Allah SWT forgives him. That’s the blessings and
the uniqeness this religion of Allah SWT.

5 Pillars of Imaan (Part c) To Believe in the Books of Allah SWT

2)  We should believe in all the books of Allah SWT, given by Allah SWT to
the Prophets and the Messengers. The one that mentioned by Allah
SWT are the major one - Quran, Taurah, Injeel, Zabur and Suhuf of
Prophet Ibrahim and Suhuf of Prophet Musa.

We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent
down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may
maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is
great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may
make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen.
Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. (Surah Al-Hadid,57:25)

 And Allah SWT says we send along with each and everyone of them a
book, as Illustrated in the above ayah. Thats the correct approach
among the scholars. What is your stand? Your stand is to believe in any
books given by Allah SWT to the Prophets of Allah SWT whether you
know it or you do not know it.

d) To Believe in the Rasul and the Messengers of Allah SWT.

 The first is Adam AS who was a Nabi. The first Rasul was Nuh AS and the
last was Muhammad SAW. There were around 124000 of prophets and
the messengers that Allah SWT has sent. Thats the correct approach
among the scholars.

 The Shaykh discussses why we are told to believe in the books before
the Rasuls and Messengers, what is the wisdom behind it.

Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon

him, said, “I have left you with two matters which will never lead you
astray, as long as you hold to them: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of
his Prophet.” (Source: al-Muwaṭṭa’ 1661) Grade: Sahih (authentic)
according to Ibn Abdul Barr.

e) To Believe in the Divine Decree of Allah SWT

 The last one in the pillar of Iman is to belive in the Qadr of Allah (Divine
Decree) whether it is good or or whether it is bad.
  The Shaykh explains to us that here is such thing as evil in the action of
Allah SWT. Allah SWT does not do evil. It is just our limited human
perception, understanding or concept that we perceive it as evil. But
who created it? Allah SWT. If you look at it properly, things like disasters,
illnesses, and troubles which we often regarded as bad yield beautiful,
good and eternal benefits .

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor
sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick
he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for
that." [Source : Sahih Bukhari, Book 75 (Book of Patient) Hadith no 2]

#Reflection: Based on this hadith, we must remember that disasters and

troubles are Qadr of Allah. There are many points of justice, wisdom and
mercy which are unknown to us in creation of what we perceived as evil.
Take it with a positive stride.
 The Shaykh tells short example of how your adab should be with Allah
when calamity strikes.

The Names & Attributes  In the first part of this audio, the Shaykh continues explaining on the
of Allah: First Pillar of concept of Qadr.
Imaan (Part 1)
 According to the Shaykh, the scholars in the past has mentioned that
Qadr is the secret of Allah SWT.

 Q: What does secret means? A: It means the confidential affair is under

issue of somebody. When it is a secret of Allah SWT . It means it is the
confidential affair of Allah SWT whereby we are not supposed to
interfere.

 The Shaykh cautions us that when you go deep in the matter of Qadr
you are going to get deviated.

 Q: What is our job concerning that? A: Just understand that which Allah
SWT wants us to do and get busy with that. To understand just
thatwhich Allah SWT wants you to stay away from it and get busy with
that, get away from those evil.

 This should be the stand of the Muslim.

To Believe in Allah SWT (First Pillar of Iman)

 The first thing mentioned by the Prophet SAW is to believe in Allah SWT.

 Allah SWT talks about to believe in him in various places in the Quran
and in the Sunnah.

 Q: When the Prophet say believe in Allah SWT ,what is the requirement
of the believer concerning this matter?
 A: Allah wants you to believe in 4 things
 1- To believe in the wujud of Allah (the existence of Allah)
2- To believe in the rububiyah of Allah (the Divine Lordship)
3 - To believe in uluhiyah of Allah (the Divinity)
4 -To believe in the Al Asma Wa As Sifat (names and the attributes of
Allah)

A) To Believe in the Wujud of Allah SWT

 The first one to believe in Allah' existence, this one has not been an
issue except in a few instances. To believe in Allah SWT is part of our
nature. Its in our fitrah to accept the truth and reject falsehood. Allah
SWT is the truth. This is illustrated in the Hadith below.

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,
said, “No child is born but that he is upon natural instinct. His parents
make him a Jew, or a Christian, or Magian. As an animal delivers a child
with limbs intact, do you detect any flaw?” Then, Abu Huraira recited the
verse, So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere
to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change
should there be in the creation of Allah . That is the correct religion, but
I9most of the people do not know. (Surah Ar-Rum,30:30). [Source: Sahih
Muslim, (Book 46) Book of Destiny, Hadith no:34]

 The Shaykh gives example based on this Hadith.

 The Shaykh tells us that throughout the history, Allah SWT narrated this
rejection of His existence in 2 places only, concerning the matter of two
people. One is the Dahriyin (the athiest) and the Pharoah.

 The Shaykh relates the story of Pharoah.

First Pillar of Imaan B) To Believe in The Rububiyah of Allah SWT

(Part 2)
 Shaykh says that according to scholars to believe in tauhid al-rububiyah
is to believe that Allah SWT creates, Allah SWT owns and Allah SWT
controls. He SWT is Al-Khaliq, Al-Malik and Al-Mudabbir.

 If you accept this, then it will lead you in the tawhid of uluhiyah and
tawhid asma ul sifat.

 If you believe Allah SWT creates you,by nature you must believe Allah
SWT owns you. If you believe that Allah SWT owns you then you believe
that we are nothing but his property. Then it means Allah has the right
to put us in a place and to command us to do whatever He wants to do.

And most of them believe not in Allah except while they associate others
with Him. [Surah Yusuf,12:106]

 According to the Shaykh vast majority of people believe that Allah SWT
is the creator but unfortunately they associate Allah SWT with partners
in this regards.
 Q: To believe that Allah SWT creates, what does that mean? A: That
means there is 2 things in existence. Allah SWT and those that He, SWT
created.

‫ّعْ مِّبَا هّا‬

Allah SWT says ْ‫ِ ُ ح مَْح لا‬ ‫ُ ح ميم مَ ما‬
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds [Surah Al-Fatihah,1:2]

 According to the Shaykh, the scholar said the definition of "alam" is

anything other than Allah. Q: What does that mean? A: It means
whatsoever apart from Allah SWT is created by Allah SWT.

C) To Believe in the Uluhiyyah of Allah

 This is called Tawhid of Worship. Which is to believe in Allah SWT to be
the only one whom you direct all of your deeds. All the Ibadah you do in
this life (whether verbally or through action, concealed or exposed) has
too be directed to Allah SWT.

 If you look for some help and some support you get it from Allah SWT
not from some other entities.

D) To Believe in the Al Asma Wa Sifat of Allah SWT

 To believe in the names and attribute of Allah SWT. Allah SWT has
beautiful names and attributes.

Asma ul wa sifat  The Shaykh relates the story of Luth as example.

 The Shaykh relates the story of the Mongols as example.

Q: What is the believe in the names and attributes of Allah is all about?
A: first of all, Allah SWT said He has the most excellent and beautiful
names and therefore you should call Him by using them and leave the
way that will lead you deviate concerning the matter of the names and
attributes of Allah SWT.

Q: How many names does ALLAH SWT have? A: A lot.

Q: What should be the stand of the believer concerning His names? A:
To believe in them (the names and attributes of Allah SWT) whether we
know them or otherwise.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be

upon him, said, “Allah has ninety-nine names and whoever preserves
them will enter Paradise.”
(Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2677)

 The Shaykh explains on the above hadith and its misconception

As-Sami  In this audio Shaykh recaps about the names and attributes of Allah and
what should be the stand of the believer concerning this matter.
 Muslim should believe in that Allah SWT has names and attributes and
they are the most beautiful names and the most beautiful attributes.
 In a hadith, Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, ‫ ﷺ‬said,
“Allah has ninety-nine names and whoever preserves them will enter
Paradise.”
(Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2677)

 The scholars said, preservation the names of Allah SWT means to

believe in them, to remember them, and to put them into practice and
action.
 Q: How are we supposed to put them into practice and action? A: By
trying to emulate the attitude of the righteous predecessor.

The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬mentioned that Allah SWT is As-Sami'. Allah SWT says
‫( ُ ر يمصّ ع لاِّ ُ يعَّع لاس مهو ماله‬text taken from following ayah)
[He is] Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you from
yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you
thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the
Seeing. (Surah Ash-Shuraa, 42:11)

 Q: How am I supposed to put this into practice and action? A: First, I

believe that Allah SWT hears and He sees.
 Q: So I agree and I believe that Allah SWT hears and see, what should I
do concerning this matter? A: I should reflect upon this.
 Q: How do I do that? A: I reflect upon the mention of the Prophet SAW
that describe how powerful and how strong that we cannot imagine by
human being is the hearing of Allah SWT.

 The Shaykh gives an example of the story of Khawlah binti Tha'labah.

Following is the Hadith on that story:
It was narrated from 'Urwah bin Zubair, that 'Aishah said:
"Blessed is the One Whose hearing encompasses all things. I heard some
of the words of Khawlah bint Tha'labah, but some of her words were not
clear to me, when she complained to the Messenger of Allah (‫)ﷺ‬
about her husband, and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, (‫ )ﷺ‬he has
consumed my youth and I split my belly for him (i.e., bore him many
children), but when I grew old and could no longer bear children he
declared Zihar upon me; O Allah, I complain to You.' She continued to
complain until Jibra'il brought down these Verses: 'Indeed Allah has
heard the statement of she who pleads with you (O Muhammad)
concerning her husband, and complains to Allah"[Sunnah Ibn Majah]
Grade: Sahih.

 #Background story, the room was small, Khawla was having a heated
debate with the Prophet SAW whispering, even Aisha' RA who was in
the room could not hear a word. But Allah heard her predicament and
revealed it in the Quran. That is how powerful the hearing of Allah SWT.
 Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O
Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah
. And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and
Seeing.(Surah Al-Mujadila,58:1)

 What does that mean? It means that whatever we say with our tongue,
Allah SWT hears, we should be very careful. We will never pronounce
statements and words except that Raqib and Atid were there. Not even
Allah SWT, the Angels also very strong in their hearing, they will write
down whatever we say.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must
either speak good or remain silent." [Source : Sahih Muslim].

#Reminder:
1)Words can be a double-edge sword. Control and monitor what is
coming out of our tongue!
2)Take care of your own affairs and do not interfere with other people's
affairs except with advice (if there is a need) . We are not qualify to look
at other people's affair. We sin a lot too.

Al-Basir, Al-A'lim, Al-  The Shaykh says, "The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, "Cry to Allah when you
Khabir
commit sins. Cry to Allah so that He can forgives those sins)"

 If you believe that Allah SWT is the Al-Basir, the same application. You
know that there is no barrier between Allah SWT and his creations and
He sees everything.

 That’s why the scholars said the unseen to Allah SWT is just like
something present in front of Him. Nothing can be hidden.

 The Shaykh tells of the Knowlegde of Allah SWT and how strong and
how powerful is the sight of Allah SWT when it comes to what Allah SWT
sees and nothing can disappear from the sight of Allah SWT.

 The keys to the unseen are with Allah SWT. These are 5 things
mentioned by Allah SWT in the last part of Surah Luqman.

Indeed, Allah [alone] has knowledge of the Hour and sends down the
rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives what it will
earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed,
Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (Surah Luqman,31:34)

 Shaykh explains further on the 5 things which knowledge are only

known to Allah SWT.
 The knowledge about the day of judgement, nobody knows except for
Allah SWT.
 The time the rain is going to fall down, only Allah knows that precisely,
people can only predict. Only Allah knows of the volume,quantity and in
what place the water going to fall down etc.

 That which is in the womb (who knows whether the child will be coming
out or not, who knows whether the child will be righteous or not, who
knows what type of a creation he is going to be in the future etc)

 That what he will be doing tomorrow/the future - The Shaykh tells the
story of a Beduin. The Beduin was asked how do you know that Allah
SWT exist? He says because so many time i make my own plans and
something would come up and interfere and i would not be able to
execute my plans, so I know from this that somebody in control and we
are not the only one, otherwise I should be able to do whatever I plan
for

 The knowledge of when and where that one is going to die.

And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him.
And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that
He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and
no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record. [Surah Al-
An'am,6:59].

 Q: If I understand this and I believe in that what does that mean? A: I

will never do an act, every action that will going to come from my side is
going to be monitored because i know that nothing can escape in the
sight of Allah SWT.

 The same goes to the rest of the names of Allah SWT such as Al-Aziz, Al-
Jabbar, Al -Qahhar. If people believe in that and they put that into
practice and action then nobody is going to be oppressed in this life.

Abu Mas'ud al-Badri reported: I was beating my slave with a whip when I
heard a voice behind me: Understand, Abu Masud; but I did not
recognise the voice due to intense anger. He (Abu Mas'ud) reported: As
he came near me (I found) that he was the Messenger of Allah (‫)ﷺ‬
and he was saying: Bear in mind, Abu Mas'ud; bear in mind. Abu Mas'ud.
He (Aba Maslad) said: threw the whip from my hand. Thereupon he (the
Holy Prophet) said: Bear in mind, Abu Mas'ud; verily Allah has more
dominance upon you than you have upon your slave. I (then) said: I
would never beat my servant in future. [Source: Sahih Muslim, Book 27
(Book of Oath), Hadith No.54]
  Based on the above Hadith, Abu Mas'ud reflected upon the attributes of
Allah when he was reminded by the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬

 Reflection : If every Muslims understand that Allah SWT exists and He is

the Most Powerful, who is going to oppress others? Nobody. This is
what it means by putting the ttribute of Allah SWT into practice and
action.

 In the time of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬there was no issue concerning the

matter of the attributes and the names of Allah SWT. The ummah was
united. No deviation and no different sects and groups. The root of this
deviation start since the time of the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬

The Beginning of  The Shaykh briefs on the story on the above matter and the danger of
Deviations the Khawarij.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon
him, said, “There will come a people from the east, who recite the Quran
but it does not go beyond their throats. They will go out of the religion,
just as an arrow pierces through its target, and they will not return to it,
just as the arrow does not return to the bow.” It was said, “What will be
their sign?” The Prophet said, “Their sign is shaving.” Or he said, “It is
shearing.”
[Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 7123]

 The Shaykh elaborates on the Qadariah, Jabariah and Murji'ah.

 The Shaykh elaborates the stand of the groups regarding the concept of
Qadr.

 Takeef, Takweel  The Shaykh reminds that every names of Allah SWT has its attributes,
& Tarteel but not every attributes of Allah SWT has a name.

 There are attributes mentioned by Allah SWT but we can not extract
names from them.

 Example: Allah SWT call himself 'Ghadibullahu alaihim', Allah SWT is

angry with them, Al-Ghadib this is one of the attributes of Allah SWT,
can we call Allah Al-Ghadib? No!

 When Allah says He is As-Sami', this is a name. Can we extract an

attribute from it? Yes! One of the attribute of Allah is As-Sam' u (hear).
The name is As-Sami'. The attribute is As-Sam'u.

 Q: So what shall i do? A: I believe in the names of Allah and its attributes
according to the way they are mentioned by the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬or Allah
 SWT in the quran.

 The Shaykh concluded that as a believer, whatsoever names Allah call

himself with we accept that, that should be our stand. We believe in
that whatsoever Allah describe himself with, We believe in that, with no
modification no takweel, no takeef and no takteel.

 The Shaykh elaborates on these 3 things a) takweel b) takeef c) takteel.

 The Shaykh also says, we as Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah should accept
Allah's name and its attributes without description, without nagation,
without modification, no explaination about the way they exist and no
interpretation. We keep them in the way they are literally.

The Ahli Sunnah Wal Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be
Jamaah upon him, said, “The Jews were divide into seventy-one or seventy-two
sects, and the Christians were divide as well. My nation will divide into
seventy three-sects.”
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2640
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Tirmidhi

 The Shaykh summarizes that there will be no unity among the believer
unless if we comeback to the principle given to us by the the Prophet
‫ﷺ‬. The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬has given us a very simple concept to be
followed by us:

 We are ahli sunnah wal jamaah, it means we are the person who
follows the book of Allah according to the interpretation of the
companions of The Prophet ‫ﷺ‬, we follows the Sunnah of the Prophet
‫ ﷺ‬according to the understanding of those rightous people who are
based on the first 3 generations from the time of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬- the
generation of the companions, the generation of the tabiien, and the
generation of the tabii tabiien. Whatever you do you must make sure
that you lead to those generations. When it comes to knowledge they
are the most peaceful and the most knowledgeable people.