99 Attributes of Allāh: Al-Muʿmin - the Bestower of Security

Al-Muʿmin " ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ " - the Bestower of Security, the Source of Faith, the Remover of Fear is on of the 99 attributes of Allah. This attribute is mentioned in 23rd verse of Surah 59. Hashr along with many other attributes of Allah:

هُوَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِىۡ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ​ۚ اَلۡمَلِكُ الۡقُدُّوۡسُ السَّلٰمُ الۡمُؤۡمِنُ الۡمُهَيۡمِنُ الۡعَزِيۡزُ الۡجَـبَّارُ الۡمُتَكَبِّرُ​ؕ سُبۡحٰنَ اللّٰهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُوۡنَ‏ 

He is Allah: there is no god but He: the King, the Holy, the All-Peace, the Giver of security, the Overseer, the Most Mighty, the Overpowering, the All-Great. Exalted be He from whatever they associate with Him.

The word Al-Mu'min is derived from amun, which means to secure from fear, and Mu'min is one who provides security to others. Allah has been called Al-Mu'min in the sense that He provides security to His creatures. His creatures are secure from the fear that He would ever wrong them, or deprive them of their rights, or allow their rewards to go to waste, or would violate the promises He has made with them. Then, since no object has been mentioned with this subject, but the epithet of Al-Mu'min has been used absolutely, it automatically gives the meaning that His security comprehends the entire universe and all that it contains. [6]

Mu'min or Mo'min is an Arabic Islamic term, frequently referenced in the Quran, meaning "believer". It denotes a person who has complete submission to the Will of Allah and has faith firmly established in his heart, i.e. a "faithful Muslim". Also, it is used as a name and one of the names of God in Islam. So when Allah says He is Al Mu'min, it means it is He alone who instills faith in the believers and guides them to the righteous path. 

The Messenger of Allah has said, "Anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day should bring security to his neighbor against his own misdeeds."

Please listen to the meaning of Al Mu'min attribute of Allah, very eloquently explained by Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman:

You may refer to our post "99 Attributes of Allāh" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran

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99 Attributes of Allah:Al Khabir - The All-Aware

Al-Khabīr " ٱلْخَبِيرُ " (pronounced Al Khabeer), The All-Aware, and The Well-Acquainted is yet another attribute of Allah mentioned in the Qur'an.

Allah is The Knower of Reality whether hidden in the bosoms of its subjects or hidden from them. He is the One who has perfect knowledge and understanding of the true reality of all things.

وَهُوَ الۡقَاهِرُ فَوۡقَ عِبَادِهٖ​ ؕ وَهُوَ الۡحَكِيۡمُ الۡخَبِيۡرُ‏ 

"He has the supreme hold over His servants. He is All-Wise, All-Aware." (6:18) 

There is nothing can escape Allah’s knowledge and His grasp. A seed in the rock may be hidden for you, but it is known to Allah. A particle in the heavens may be very distant for you, but for Allah it is very near. A thing lying in the layers of the earth may be lying in darkness for you but for him it is in full light. Therefore, you cannot do anything good or bad, anywhere or any time, which may remain hidden from Allah. He is not only aware of it, but when the time for accountability comes, He will place before you a full record of each act of yours.

يٰبُنَىَّ اِنَّهَاۤ اِنۡ تَكُ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ فَتَكُنۡ فِىۡ صَخۡرَةٍ اَوۡ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ اَوۡ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ يَاۡتِ بِهَا اللّٰهُ ​ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَطِيۡفٌ خَبِيۡرٌ‏ 

(Luqman said): “Son, Allah will bring forth everything even if it be as small as the grain of a mustard seed even though it be hidden inside a rock or (anywhere) in the heavens or earth. Allah is Most Subtle, All-Aware." (Surah 31 Luqman: 16) 

He is Al-Khabīr from whom even an ant on a rock at night cannot be concealed from Him. A microbe that is impossible to see through the eyes cannot be concealed from Him. A leaf does not fall without His knowledge. An atom cannot move by hiding from Him.

That is why All says in Surah 17. Al-Israa, verse 30:

اِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبۡسُطُ الرِّزۡقَ لِمَنۡ يَّشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ​ؕ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهٖ خَبِيۡرًۢا بَصِيۡرًا

"Certainly Your Lord makes plentiful the provision of whomsoever He wills and straitens it for whomsoever He wills. He is well-aware and is fully observant of all that relates to His servants."

This amply highlights He knows what is their in the hearts and minds. Those who pray for His blessings are given plenty, but those who do not while still get plenty as test for Allah looks forward to them to be thankful to them for being given without being asked. But if they persist in not thanking hi, Allah may take back what has been given to them.

From the root kh-b-r which has the following classical Arabic connotations:[2]

to know, or be aware of the real inner nature of something to have understanding of the inner, intrinsic nature of something to know the reality of something to know the secret inner state of something to prove, try, test by experience (resulting in inner knowledge)

The Al-Khabīr  attribute looks same as the attribute Al-Alim (the Knower of All). However, there is a difference between them. When His knowledge is attributed to secret and esoteric things, that knowledge is called khibr and the owner of that knowledge is called Khabīr. Thus, Allah Almighty is Al-Alim since He knows everything; He is Al Khabīr since He knows the inside of everything.

يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنَّا خَلَقۡنٰكُمۡ مِّنۡ ذَكَرٍ وَّاُنۡثٰى وَجَعَلۡنٰكُمۡ شُعُوۡبًا وَّقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوۡا​ ؕ اِنَّ اَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِنۡدَ اللّٰهِ اَ تۡقٰٮكُمۡ​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِيۡمٌ خَبِيۡرٌ‏ 

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted."(Surat Al-Hujurat 49:13)

That is, this is only known to Allah as to who is really a man of high rank and who is inferior in respect of qualities and characteristics. The standards of high and low that the people have set up of their own accord, are not acceptable to and approved by Allah. May be that the one who has been regarded as a man of high rank in the world is declared as the lowest of the low in the final judgment of Allah, and maybe that the one who has been looked upon as a very low person here, attains to a very high rank there. The real importance is not of the honor and dishonor of the world but of the honor and dishonor that one will receive from Allah. Therefore, what man should be most concerned about is that he should create in himself those real qualities and characteristics which make him worthy of honor in the sight of Allah.

Allah warns in Surah 9. At-Tauba, verse 16:

اَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ اَنۡ تُتۡرَكُوۡا وَلَـمَّا يَعۡلَمِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِيۡنَ جَاهَدُوۡا مِنۡكُمۡ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذُوۡا مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ وَلَا رَسُوۡلِهٖ وَلَا الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ وَلِيۡجَةً​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَبِيۡرٌۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ

"Do you imagine that you will be spared without being subjected to any test? Know well that Allah has not yet determined who strove hard (in His cause), and has not taken any others instead of His Messenger and the believers as his trusted allies?  Allah is well aware of all that you do."

The addressees in above said verse were those Muslims who had recently embraced Islam. It means to tell them plainly: “Now that you have embraced Islam, you shall have to give a genuine proof by a trial that you have accepted it because you believe in its truth and not because it has become supreme in the country by the exertions of the true believers. The trial is that you shall have to sacrifice your lives, wealth, and your near and dear ones for the sake of Allah and His Way. Then and only then, you will be regarded as true believers. Remember: Allah is well aware of all that you do.

The attribute Al-Khabīr comes thus as a warning for all man, believers and non believers, for they are not being watched only, but Allah even knows what cooks in their hearts and minds. Thus we should make a routine to constantly pray to Allah to grant us what we ask for or even what is hidden our hearts. And when we are in need of something,  we should recite the 14th verse of Surah 67. Al-Mulk repeatedly till we fall asleep: 

اَلَا يَعۡلَمُ مَنۡ خَلَقَؕ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيۡفُ الۡخَبِيۡرُ 

"Does He not know, the One Who created?! He knows the subtleties, and He is the Aware" 

That is would He not know His own creatures? In the original text khalaqa has been used, which may mean: Who has created as well as whom He has created, In both cases the meaning remains the same. This is the argument for what has been said in the preceding sentence. That is, how is it possible that the Creator should be unaware of His creation? The creation may remain unaware of itself, but the Creator cannot be unaware of it. He has made every vein of your body, every fiber of your heart and brain. You breathe because He enables you to breathe, your limbs function because He enables them to function, How then can anything of yours remain hidden from Him.

[ Here another attribute of Allah Al Latif has been also mentioned which as used in the original means the One Who works in imperceptible ways as well as the One Who knows the hidden truths and realities.]

You may refer to our post "99 Attributes of Allāh" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Quranic Verses/Explanation: "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an"

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99 Attributes of Allah: Al Wadud - The Most Affectionate

Al Wadūd " ٱلْوَدُودُ " (pronounced Al Wadood) is the attribute of Allah which shows immense affection of Allah to His servants for He alone is the Most Affectionate, the One Who Tenders and Warm Hearts.

وَهُوَ الۡغَفُوۡرُ الۡوَدُوۡدُۙ‏ 

"and He is the Ever Forgiving, the Most Loving" (Surah 85 Al Buruj: 14) 

If we look around we will witness the marvel of Allah's endless and enduring love to His servants whether they believe in Him or not. He gives to everyone irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion one follows for His love is for every living being. In fact He endears Himself to His slaves by bestowing His divine love in the form of innumerable favors and gifts.

Al Wadūd is an emphatic name derived from the Arabic word “Woudd”, which means “Houbb” (Love), to be affectionate and to long for, to desire, to wish for.

There is a delicate difference between both words. “Al-Houbb” means “love as a noble feeling dwelling in the heart”; while “Al-Woudd” means “love substantiated by action”. In other words, if you love someone, your inner feelings towards him are called “Houbb” (i.e. love that exists in your heart), but when you translate such love into action by smiling to him, for example, or doing him a favor, this is “Woudd” (i.e. love that you put into action). If you offer him a present, it is “Woudd”. If you help him out of a problem, it is “Woudd”. If you visit him when he is ill, it is “Woudd”. If you offer him a present when he gets married, it is “Woudd”. In short, inner feelings of love are “Houbb”; while ostensible substantial acts of love are “Woudd”. All those who have “Woudd” must necessarily have “Houbb”, but not vice versa. This means that someone might love another but does not show that in his behavior, but if someone shows love to another, this means that he loves him.

Herein under is a fine example of word "Woudd":

اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ سَيَجۡعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحۡمٰنُ وُدًّا‏ 

"Indeed, the Most Compassionate Lord will soon create enduring love for those who believe and do righteous works." (Surah 19 Maryam: 96) 

This is to comfort the righteous people who were being persecuted and insulted in the streets of Makkah. They are being assured that the time is coming near when the people will honor and love them because of their righteous deeds and good conduct. Hearts will be attracted towards them and the world will hold them in high esteem. And this will happen according to a universal principle. Those who are wicked, proud and haughty and try to rule over the people with falsehood and hypocrisy can never captivate the hearts of the people. On the other hand, those who invite the people to the right way with truth, honesty, sincerity and good conduct succeed in winning their hearts in the end, even though at first they might have to face the indifference and opposition of the dishonest people.  So, We have only made this (Quran) easy in your tongue that you may give good tidings therewith to those who are righteous, and warn with it a contentious people.

In the above verse,  the "love" referred to here means that Allah will make His creation love them, that is, He will make His servants experience love and affection on their own account. Supporting this explanation is a tradition wherein the Messenger of Allah says, "If Allah loves one of His servants, He calls upon Gabriel to tell him so, whereupon Gabriel loves that person, so he calls upon the residents of the heavens saying, `Allah loves so-and-so; therefore, you, too, should love him,' whereupon the residents of the heavens respond to him in the affirmative. Love for him will thus be disseminated among the residents of the earth." 

Allah loves and likes to be loved. And if a people find Allah's love for them insignificant and show ingratitude toward Him, Allah has a stern warning for them:

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا مَنۡ يَّرۡتَدَّ مِنۡكُمۡ عَنۡ دِيۡـنِهٖ فَسَوۡفَ يَاۡتِى اللّٰهُ بِقَوۡمٍ يُّحِبُّهُمۡ وَيُحِبُّوۡنَهٗۤ ۙ اَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ اَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى الۡكٰفِرِيۡنَ يُجَاهِدُوۡنَ فِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ وَلَا يَخَافُوۡنَ لَوۡمَةَ لَاۤـئِمٍ​ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ فَضۡلُ اللّٰهِ يُؤۡتِيۡهِ مَنۡ يَّشَآءُ​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيۡمٌ‏ 

"Believers! If any of you should ever turn away from your faith, remember that Allah will raise up a people whom He loves, and who love Him; a people humble towards the believers, and firm towards the unbelievers; who will strive hard in the way of Allah and will not fear the reproach of the reproacher. This is the favour of Allah which He grants to whom He wills. Allah is vast in resources, All-Knowing." (Surah 5 Al Maida: 54)  

There is no one more loving and caring than the Al Wadūd. His Love is intense, constant and lasting. Al-Wadūd is the One Who is deserving of all love and affection! Al-Wadūd loves the believers and the believers love Him more than anything.

Please listen to an enlightened commentary on this attribute of Allah beautifully explained and elaborated by Imam Hasan Khalil:

You may refer to our post "99 Attributes of Allāh" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran

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99 Attributes of Allah: Al Hadi - The Guide of the Right Path

Allah is Al-Hādī " ٱلْهَادِي " (pronounced Al Haa'dee) The Guide of the Right Path.

وَاللّٰهُ يَدۡعُوۡۤا اِلٰى دَارِ السَّلٰمِؕ وَيَهۡدِىۡ مَنۡ يَّشَآءُ اِلٰى صِرَاطٍ مُّسۡتَقِيۡمٍ‏ 

(You are being lured by this ephemeral world) although Allah calls you to the abode of peace and guides whomsoever He wills to a straightway. (Surah 10 Yunus: 25) 

The straight path is a kind of way and Allah has given man the ability to make his own choices; and whosoever desires guidance; Allah guides him to a way that leads to the abode of peace for which man has been created. For that he has been given the ability to make his own choices. If he chooses the abode of peace (paradise) God guides him to the way that leads him to it.

That is why Muslims always ask Allah to guide them the right path:

اِهۡدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الۡمُسۡتَقِيۡمَۙ‏ 

(1:6) Direct us on to the Straight Way

The sixth verse of the Opener of the Quran, Surah Fatiha, explicitly explains the Guidance we seek from Allah. We beseech Allah to Guide us in all walks of life to a way which is absolutely true, which provides us with a properly-based outlook and sound principles of behaviour, a way which will prevent our succumbing to false doctrines and adopting unsound principles of conduct, a way that will lead us to our true salvation and happiness. 

This is man's prayer to Allah as he begins the study of the Qur'an. It is, in short, to illuminate the truth which he often tends to lose in a labyrinth of philosophical speculation; to enlighten him as to which of the numerous ethical doctrines ensures a sound course of conduct; to show which of the myriad ways and by-ways is the clear, straight, open road of sound belief and right behaviour.

وَكَذٰلِكَ جَعَلۡنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِىٍّ عَدُوًّا مِّنَ الۡمُجۡرِمِيۡنَ​ؕ وَكَفٰى بِرَبِّكَ هَادِيًا وَّنَصِيۡرًا‏ 

(Surah 25 Al Furqan: 31) (O Muhammad), thus did We make for every Prophet enemies from among those immersed in evil. Your Lord suffices you as a Guide and a Helper.

Verily Allah is the best Guide for those who believe in Him. It must be understood that Guidance does not only imply bestowing of the knowledge of the truth, but it also means giving the right guidance at the right time to guide the believers on the right lines so that they do not go astray from the right path, the path of Eternal Truth. 

Hadi comes from the Arabic triconsonantal root of ه د ي‎ , Is a name derived from the word Hidayah (Arabic: هداية‎, Hidāyah), which means (1) to guide rightly, (2) to show with kindness the proper path (3) to guide on the right path until reaching the goal, (4) to guide aright, (5) to lead the right way.

The following verse from Surah An Naml is a classic explanation of the Guidance Allah provides to the man. He has made starts and mountains landmarks for the man lest he loses his way both physically and spiritually:

اَمَّنۡ يَّهۡدِيۡكُمۡ فِىۡ ظُلُمٰتِ الۡبَرِّ وَ الۡبَحۡرِ وَمَنۡ يُّرۡسِلُ الرِّيٰحَ بُشۡرًۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَىۡ رَحۡمَتِهٖؕ ءَاِلٰـهٌ مَّعَ اللّٰهِ​ؕ تَعٰلَى اللّٰهُ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُوۡنَؕ‏ 

(Surah 27 An Naml: 63) Who is it Who guides you through the darkness on land and sea? And Who sends winds as heralds of good tidings ahead of His Mercy? Is there any god associated with Allah (in this task)? Exalted be Allah above whatever they associate with Him in His Divinity!

“He has made such arrangements by means of the stars that you can find your way even in the darkness of the night.” This is also because of the wise planning of Allah that He has created such means by which man can determine his direction and the way to his destination in his journeys by sea and land. In the day time he is guided by different land-marks and the direction of sunrise and sunset, and in the dark nights by the stars. In Surah An-Nahl this has been counted among the bounties of Allah: “He has placed land-marks to direct people, and by the stars, too, they are guided aright.”

Allah, the Al Hadi, is continually shows the right way and has been sending prophets and messengers to guide mankind. His revelations have been directed to the hearts and minds of those who seek truth and knowledge of the Divine essence.

You may refer to our post "99 Attributes of Allāh" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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99 Attributes of Allah: Al Hayy - The Ever Living

Al Hayy " ٱلْحَىُّ " is one of the most dominating attributes of Allah: The One Who is Ever Living, The One Who is eternally Whole, the One Who never dies:

اللّٰهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ الۡحَـىُّ الۡقَيُّوۡمُ 

Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence (Surah 2 Al Baqarah: 255)

This verse is the beginning of the famous Āyat al-Kursī. The attribute Al-Hayy is mentioned and many virtues are narrated in this ayat. In each sentence one or two attributes of Allah are mentioned: Every time we recite this ayah reflect on the Attributes of Allah and how they all emerge from His perfect Life: He is Al-Hayy!

Irrespective of the number of gods or objects of worship set up by ignorant people, the fact remains that godhead in its entirety, belongs exclusively to the Eternal Being, Who is indebted to no one for His existence. In fact, He is not only self-existent, but upon Him rests the entire order of the universe. He alone wields all sovereign authority over His dominion. None shares either His attributes or His power and might, and no one has the same claims against the creatures as He. Hence, if anywhere in the heavens or the earth someone sets up anything or anybody as an object of worship and service (ilah) either instead of or in addition to the One True God this amounts to declaring war on reality.

وَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى الۡحَـىِّ الَّذِىۡ لَا يَمُوۡتُ وَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِهٖ​ ؕ وَكَفٰى بِهٖ بِذُنُوۡبِ عِبَادِهٖ خَبِيۡرَ ا​ ۛۚ ۙ‏ 

"(O Muhammad), put your trust in Him Who is Ever-Living, Who will never die, and glorify Him with His praise. He suffices as the Knower of the sins of His servants," (Surah 25 Al Furqan: 58).

Each source of our problems and distress lies in this world, whether it is money, family etc and these will all perish one day. This ayah gives us a beautiful reflection: while you put your trust in Allah, really realize how great the One is in who you trust. 

The One attributed with a life that is unlike our life and is not that of a combination of soul, flesh or blood. Allah knows our faults better than we or anyone else. It is no use hiding anything from Him. We must put our trust completely in Him. His care is for all, and He is Allah Most Gracious, the Ever Living, for anything else will perish and die except what the Almighty keeps alive.

Hayy comes from the root haa-yaa-yaa, which points to many classical Arabic connotations: (1) to live, (2) to become apparent or distinct. (3) to revive, vitalize and call into being, (4) to be sound, or whole, (5) to animate, to revive.

In Surah 20 Ta Ha, verse 111, Allah says:

وَعَنَتِ الۡوُجُوۡهُ لِلۡحَىِّ الۡقَيُّوۡمِ​ؕ وَقَدۡ خَابَ مَنۡ حَمَلَ ظُلۡمًا‏ 

All faces shall be humbled before the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting Lord, and he who bears the burden of iniquity will have failed;

The attributes of Al-Hayy and Al-Qayyūm " ٱلْقَيُّومُ " are often used to together. This is a beautiful combination of the perfection of Allah’s Attributes and His Actions. Al-Hayy signifying the attribute of ever-lasting life, and Al-Qayyūm signifying the attribute of self-existing life. Thus, the attributes of Al-Hayy and Al-Qayyūm express two aspects of the One Life.

هُوَ الۡحَىُّ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ فَادۡعُوۡهُ مُخۡلِصِيۡنَ لَهُ الدِّيۡنَؕ اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَ‏ 

He is the Ever-Living: there is no god but He. So call upon Him, consecrating to Him all your devotion. All praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the whole Universe. (Surah 40. Al-Mu'min:65)

That is, His is the real and true life. He only is living by virtue of His own power. No one else has the eternal and everlasting lift but Him. All others have borrowed and temporary life, which is destined to death and perishable. There is none else the hymns of whose praise may be sung and who may be thanked. The real, self-subsisting Life is only in Him.

Abu Hurairah reported that whenever the Prophet, peace be upon him, was faced with a serious difficulty, he would raise his head to the sky and supplicate, "Subhan-Allah al-'Azim (glory be to Allah, the Mighty)." And when he implored seriously and strongly, he would say "Ya Hayyu, Ya Qayyum (O Ever-Living One, O Self-Existing One)."    (hadith of Tirmidhi)

Here it will be pertinent to mention two more attribute of Allah that explains the true meaning of Al Hayy:

Al-Mumeet " ٱلْمُمِيتُ " The Bringer of Death, causes your heart to die when you fail to remember Him, and your soul to die when you continuously permit yourself to slip away from His right path, and your mind to die when you permit your desires to take control of you. Al-Muhyi " ٱلْمُحْىِ " The Giver of Life, brings life to the hearts of those who know and who willingly submit to Him, while al-Mumeet causes the [spiritual] death of those who go against His will. 

We must remember Al Hayy much too often for it is He alone Who can come to our rescue when in distress for He is Ever Alive and never sleeps (as mentioned in the opening verse of the Ayat ul Kursi). The Prophet (peace be upon him) once mentioned to his beloved daughter Fatimah to recite the following supplication morning and evening: Yaa Hayyu yaa qayyoom bi-rahmatika astagheeth, aslih lee shaa-nee kullahu, wa laa takilnee ilaa nafsee tarfata ‘ayn – O Ever-Living One, O Self-Existing One, I seek assistance through the means of your mercy, correct for me all my affairs and do not entrust me to my nafs (myself) for the moment of a blink of an eye [An-Nasa’i] If Al-Hayy would even leave you to yourself for a split-second, you would perish!

You may refer to our post "99 Attributes of Allah" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.

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99 Attributes of Allah: Al Haqq - The Truth

Allah, the Creator of the entire Universe is The Truth, " ٱلْحَقُّ " The Only One Certainly Sound and Genuine in Truth, The Ultimate Reality.

ثُمَّ رُدُّوۡۤا اِلَى اللّٰهِ مَوۡلٰٮهُمُ الۡحَـقِّ​ؕ اَلَا لَهُ الۡحُكۡمُ وَهُوَ اَسۡرَعُ الۡحَاسِبِيۡنَ‏ 

Then all are restored to Allah, their True Lord. Behold, His is the judgement. He is the swiftest of those who take account.(Surah 6 Al-An'am: 62) 


The only Reality: Al-Haqq, the Truth, the only True One. The point is that our illusions of the life of this lower world now vanish, when we are rendered back to God, from Whom we came. And now we find that so far from the results of our actions being delayed, they follow more swiftly than we can express in terms of Time. Here is the answer to the taunt of those who were impatient of the working of God's Plans (Surah 6 Al-An'am: 57-58).

There is no reality or truth except the Ultimate Reality and the Truth, that is One True God, with no associates, no helpers or assistants. This is the Reality, this is The Truth. The One who acts in accord with the needs of every situation. The One through whom all righteousness, justice, and truth are revealed.

In fact His existence is undeniable and nothing else can exist except through Him. 

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنَّهُ يُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ وَأَنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

"Allah is the Truth, and He gives life to the dead, and He has power over all things." (Surah 22 Al-Hajj:6)

The verse clearly means three things: (1) Allah is telling the truth and you are wrong in presuming that there is no possibility of life-after-death. (2) Allah’s existence is not merely a supposition but it is a reality. He is not only the first cause but has supreme authority, and is conducting every affair in the universe according to His Will, Knowledge and Wisdom. (3) All His designs and works are based on truth and are, therefore, serious, meaningful and full of wisdom.

Haqq comes from the root haa-qaaf-qaaf, which points to three main meanings. (1) To be true, genuine, substantial and real. (2) To be right and to be suitable to the requirements of wisdom and justice. (3) To be established as fact, to be unavoidable and to happen without doubt. The forth main meaning is to be proper and to be in accord with the needs of the situation.


This root appears 287  times in the Quran in seven derived forms. Examples of these forms include haqqa (“proved true”), ahaqqu  (“more right”), al haqq (“the truth”) and al haqqatu (“the inevitable reality”).

فَتَعٰلَى اللّٰهُ الۡمَلِكُ الۡحَـقُّ​ ۚ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ​ۚ رَبُّ الۡعَرۡشِ الۡـكَرِيۡمِ‏ 

So, exalted be Allah, the True King! There is no god but He, the Lord of the Great Throne. (Surah 23. Al-Muminun: 116)


That is Allah is The Only True King. He is above this that He should create you without any purpose and that you may associate partners with Him with impunity. His words are the truth, His actions are the truth, meeting Him (in the Hereafter) is the truth, His messengers were sent in truth, His scriptures are the truth and His religion is the truth. Worshiping only Him alone, without taking partners, is the truth, and everything related to Him is the truth. &"That is because Allah is the Truth, and that which they call upon other than Him is falsehood, and because Allah is the Most High, the Grand.

Allah asks in Surah 10 Yunus verse 31: "Ask them: 'Who provides you with sustenance out of the heavens and the earth? Who holds mastery over your hearing and sight? Who brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living? Who governs all affairs of the universe?' They will surely say: 'Allah.' Tell them: 'Will you, then, not shun (going against reality)?"

And then replies for the ignorant who find no answer for they know the reality and the truth but due to their stubborn are not ready to confess:

فَذٰلِكُمُ اللّٰهُ رَبُّكُمُ الۡحَـقُّ ​ ۚ فَمَاذَا بَعۡدَ الۡحَـقِّ اِلَّا الضَّلٰلُ​​ ۚ فَاَنّٰى تُصۡرَفُوۡنَ‏ 

"Such, then, is Allah, your true Lord. And what is there after truth but error? How, then, are you being turned away?" (Surah 10 Yunus :32) 

That is, as you yourselves admit that Allah alone is your real Provider, Owner and Master, He alone is your true Lord, and, therefore, entitled to your servitude and worship. How have you, then, made others as partners with Him? This question has been posed at many places in the Quran to bring home the truth to the common people, but at every place the passive voice has been employed in order to keep back the names of the misguiding ones so that their followers should consider the matter coolly and objectively. This also contains a valuable piece of advice for those engaged in propagation work. By avoiding the names of the misguiding ones, the Quran has taken away a very strong weapon from the hands of those, who could otherwise incite the followers that their revered leaders were being made the target of ridicule and criticism.


"Al-Haqq" is the antithesis of falsehood. According to one tradition, the Messenger of Allah has said, "Labbayka Haqqan Haqqa!" that is, "Here I am, O Truth, O Truthful One, here I am, in obedience to You! Here I am, O antithesis of falsehood!" Surely He is the truth beyond any doubt. Allah has said, "Then are they sent back to Allah, their Master, the true One" (Quran, 6:62). He has also said, This is so because Allah is the Truth, and that which they call upon besides Him is falsehood. (31:30) And Allah will show the truth to be true by His words. (10:82)

Know this attribute of Allah, each Muslim and believer should embed this essence of this attribute of Allah in his personality. And should ooze out in his words and actions when dealing with others for a true believer does not hoodwink other for his personal gains. Even if by speaking the truth, a believer is suffering personal loss, he should be truthful for his reward for his truthfulness lies with Allah who may even bless him much more than the loss so suffered that may not be in his wild imagination.

You may refer to our post "99 Attributes of Allah" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.

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For more Q&A about Understanding Islam click here

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99 Attributes of Allah: Al-Muhaymin - The Overall Guardian

Al Muhaymin " ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ " The Overall Guardian, The Controller, the One Who has Absolute Authority Over All.

In the verse 23 of Surah 59 - Al-Hashr of the Holy Qur'an, this powerful attribute of Allah appears along with a few other attributes of Allah:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ۝

"He is Allah, besides Whom there is no god; the King " الْمَلِكُ ", the Holy " الْقُدُّوسُ ", the Giver of peace " السَّلَامُ ", the Granter of security " الْمُؤْمِنُ ", Guardian over all " الْمُهَيْمِنُ " , the Mighty " الْعَزِيزُ ", the Supreme " الْجَبَّارُ ", the Possessor of every greatness " الْمُتَكَبِّرُ " Glory be to Allah from what they set up (with Him)."

Muhaymin comes from the root haa-meem-noon which points to three main meanings: (1) The Guardian and Protector, (2) The Observer who sees what everyone does, and (3) The Being Who has taken up the responsibility to fulfill the needs and requirements of the people.

This root appears two times in the Quran in one derived form. Examples of this form are wamuhayminan (“and a guardian”) and al-muhayminu (“the Guardian”).

In the verse above, since the word Al-Muhaimin has been used absolutely, and no object has been mentioned of this subject, therefore, it by itself gives the implied meaning that He is guarding and protecting all creatures, is watching the acts and deeds of everyone, and has taken up the responsibility of sustaining and providing for every creature in the universe with its needs and requirements. Thus, "Al-Muhaimin" means that He is the One Who oversees His servants' actions, Who provides them with sustenance, and decrees their life-spans. It also becomes manifest by saving His creatures from dangers and protecting them.

Taken in the meaning of the One Being Watchful of His Creations,it is impossible for the His creations to be concealed from Allah. For, everything is under His observation. Nothing escapes Allah's observation.

“And He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah sees well all that ye do” (Surah 57 al-Hadid: 4)

In Surah 10. Yunus, verse 61 Allah tells His Prophet: 

"(O Prophet!) Whatever you may be engaged in, whether you recite any portion of the Qur'an, or whatever else all of you are doing, We are witnesses to whatever you may be occupied with. Not even an atom's weight escapes your Lord on the earth or in the heaven, nor is there anything smaller or bigger than that, except that it is on record in a Clear Book."

This clearly explains the attribute Al Muhaymin, the Overall Guardian the Watchful and the Witness, for unless a Creator has complete watch over His subjects, the affairs of the universe would go out of control, creating utter confusion and destruction. The smooth functioning and movement of countless galaxies, billions and millions of stars, all moving in  a precise timed direction is because Allah is All Watchful. Allah's watching over also means He knows what is harmful and what is beneficial for us. Allah covers us with His Mercy and Protection. Therefore, His criteria of good and bad have are to be followed.

Another meaning of al-Muhaymin is “the One Who is responsible for the care of something, the One Who has charge over it”. In Surah Ar-R`ad Ayah 33, He says, “Then is He who is a maintainer of every soul, [knowing] what it has earned, [like any other]?” 

“Seest thou not that Allah doth know (all) that is in the heavens and on earth? There is not a secret consultation between three, but He makes the fourth among― them nor between five but he is the sixth nor between fewer nor more, but He is with them, wheresoever they be.” (Surah 58 Al-Mujadila: 7)

While this attribute is exclusive for Allah, in verse 48 of Surah 5. Al-Maida, Quran is also being mentioned as "muhaymin":

وَاَنۡزَلۡنَاۤ اِلَيۡكَ الۡكِتٰبَ بِالۡحَـقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ مِنَ الۡكِتٰبِ وَمُهَيۡمِنًا عَلَيۡهِ​ فَاحۡكُمۡ بَيۡنَهُمۡ بِمَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ اَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ عَمَّا جَآءَكَ مِنَ الۡحَـقِّ

"Then We revealed the Book to you (O Muhammad!) with Truth, confirming whatever of the Book was revealed before,78 and protecting and guarding over it."

In Arabic, haymana, yuhayminu, hayamanah signify 'to protect, to witness, to keep trust, to back and to support'. The expression 'haymana al-rajul al-shay' means that the man protected and guarded the thing. Likewise, 'haymana al-ta'ir 'alafirdkhih' means that the bird took its young ones under the protection of its wings. Once 'Umar said to the people: 'Inni da'in fa hayminu' ('I am praying; support me by saying amen'). To say that the Qur'an is muhaymin of al-kitab means that it preserves all the true teachings of the earlier divine books; that it has secured them from loss. The Qur'an also confirms those Books in that the contents of the Qur'an testify to the truth of those parts which are indeed from God. The Qur'an is, further, a witness over those Books in the sense that, with its help, the elements which embody true revelations from God can be distinguished from the accretions which have corrupted them. Whatever in these Books accords with the Qur'an is from God, and whatever is not in conformity with it is from human beings. The Quran is muhaymin, trustworthy in highness, and a witness. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Verily, Allah elevates some people with this Quran and abases others. [Muslim] That is, those who fulfill the rights of the Quran will be raised high in this world and in the hereafter; those who leave it will be put down. Make the Quran a witness for you and not against you.

Related names:

• Raqīb refers to the One who has the attribute of watchfulness.
• Wakīl refers to the One who is the trusted administrator.
• Hafīz refers to the One who protects and preserves.
• Māni' - the One who protects and defends against harmful situations.
• Muhaymin refers to the One who is the ever-watchful guardian and protector.
• Mu'min - The One who grants security and freedom from fear.

So whenever in distress or in want of something, do not forget Allah, the Guardian - the Al Muhaymin: Call upon al-Muhaymin and seek His help and protection from harm or innate desires.

Also the mere fact that He is watching us, should keep us from committing sins, harming others or usurping others' rights. This would lead men to live a clean, honest and helpful life 

We should also seek guidance from Qur'an and live our life exactly as enunciated in the Divine Commandments as spelt out in the Quran and never ever deviate form the True Path that Quran shows us. May Allah help us to be true believers. Aameen.

You may refer to our post "99 Attributes of Allah" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.

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For Q&A about understanding Islam click here

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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