Allah calls Himself Al-Khabeerโ The Acquainted, the All-Aware โ on six occasions in the Quran. He is the one who knows the true reality of all that is created. Al-Khabeer is aware of, knows about, and has understanding of all inner states, internal qualities, and the meanings of all things!
The Acquainted, All-and Fully Aware, Knower of Reality
Khabeer comes from the root khaa-baa-raa, which points to two main meanings. The first main meaning is to know, to be aware, and to understand the reality or inner nature of something. The second main meaning is to test, prove, and try by experience which results in inner knowledge.
This root appears 52 times in the Quran in four derived forms. Examples of these forms are akhbaarakum (โyour affairsโ), khubran (โany knowledge, informationโ), and akhbaarahaa (โits newsโ).
Linguistically, khabeer is derived from khibrah, which is the concept of comprehending and encompassing the inner and outward realities of things. It is said, khabartu ash-shay (I attained proper knowledge of something) when I came to know it upon its reality (i.e. as it truly is). Hence, He, the Sublime, is al-Khabeer, meaning the one who has encompassed the innermost, and the hidden realities of things, and the outward realities of things. [Sharh Aqidatul-Wasitiyyah of al-Fawzan]
Al-Khabeer Himself says: โฆ [He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed; and He is the Wise, the Acquainted. [Quran, 6:73] โฆ Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted [Quran, 6:103] [All] praise is [due] to Allah , to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and to Him belongs [all] praise in the Hereafter. And He is the Wise, the Acquainted. [Quran, 34:1]
The ultimate awareness and knowledge of Allah
Allah is the one whose knowledge encompasses all that is outward and hidden, all things that occur, have occurred, and will occur of the affairs of the whole creation. There is nothing that is hidden from Him. Allah โazza wa jall paired His attribute of being khabeer with His attribute of all-encompassing knowledge.
Allah says: Verily Allah! With Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow and no person knows in what land he will die. Indeed Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. [Quran, 31:34]
It is Allah who has knowledge of both the seen and unseen and it is He who can perceive our inner nature and intentions. O Mankind! We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily, the most honourable of you in the Sight of Allah is the most God-Fearing of you. Indeed Allah is the All-Knower, the All-Aware. [Quran,49:13]
In the Quran, Allahโs being khabeer is most often combined with His attribute of wisdom (Al-Hakeem), of seeing (Al-Baseer), and subtleness (Al-Lateef).
How Can You Live by This Name?
1. Be comforted by Al-Khabeer.โจAllah Al-Khabeer is the only one who is aware of all you do, say, hide, and want. Let this amazing fact comfort you in times of hardship, and in times of ease remind yourself to not get too attached to this world and its material benefits. Allah beautifully says: Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?[Quran, 67:14]
2. Know that Al-Khabeer will inform you.โจNot only is Allah acquainted with all your deeds, on the Day of Judgement He will inform you about all you used to do. Remember this each day and let it motivate you to do good deeds. When you slip, ask Him for forgiveness in this life so you will be saved from His punishment in the next.
That is Allah, your Lord; to Him belongs sovereignty. And those whom you invoke other than Him do not possess [as much as] the membrane of a date seed. If you invoke them, they do not hear your supplication; and if they heard, they would not respond to you. And on the Day of Resurrection they will deny your association. And none can inform you like [one] Acquainted [with all matters]. [Quran, 35:13-14]
3. Understand the reality of this world.โจThe Prophet salallahu โalayhi wa sallam happened to walk through the bazaar coming from the side of โAliya and people were on both sides of him. There he found a dead lamb with very short ears. He took hold of its ear and said: โWho amongst you would like to have this for a dirham?โ They said: โWe would not like to have it even for less than that as it is of no use to us.โ He said: โDo you wish to have it (free of any cost)?โ They said: โBy Allah, even if it were alive (we would not have liked to possess it), for there is defect in it, as its ear is very short; on top of that it is dead now.โ Thereupon, Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: โBy Allah, this world is more insignificant in the eyes of Allah than (this dead lamb) is in your eyes.โ [Muslim]
Understand the insignificance of this world, but know that at the same time this life is your only chance to strive for your eternal place in Paradise. So make your life worth something by paying heed to the reminders of Allah and His Prophet and fill it with actions that will benefit your next life!
4. Make sure to do hidden good deeds.โจAl-Khabeer says: If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds [thereby]. And Allah , with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted. [Quran, 2:271]
Be motivated to do good deeds not for the eye of the people but for Allah Al-Khabeer! This means you will thoroughly enjoy those good deeds you can hide as you know you do them for Al-Khabeer and the fact only He knows about them will make you feel close to Him.
5. Adhere to the laws of Al-Khabeer.โจIn the Quran Allah โazza wa jall mentions His attribute of being acquainted with all you do often after He has mentioned one of His laws. Follow the rules and laws Al-Khabeer laid out for you in the Quran and through the sunnah to your best ability.
6. Donโt judge people too quickly.โจWe are often quick to judge others. Donโt forget that you donโt have knowledge of the inner reality of others; only Al-Khabeer does. Therefore be careful in judging others not only by criticising them but also by over-praising them. Always say: I leave your judgement to Allah!
O Allah, Al-Khabeer, we know that You are aware of all things. Guide us to the best inner and outer characteristics and aid us in our manners with others. Assist us in abiding by Your rules and make us aware of the reality of this world and how to strive best for Your Paradise, ameen!
