#namesofallah

Each Name and Attribute nourishes a kind of consciousness and humility in man and their study leads one to constantly better their actions.

Calling upon Allah (Lord of the worlds) by His Names and attributes is actually a form of worship if we realise the meanings of the Names, and internalise them in our hearts, such that we are motivated as a result of this awareness of Allah (The Most Glorified) Names.

There is nothing more sacred and blessed than understanding the Names of Allah (Glorious and Exalted is He) and living by them. How do we expect to worship, love, fear and trust our Lord, The Almighty Allah, if we don’t know who He is?

Calling upon the Names of Allah (the most Merciful) leads to greater awareness of Almighty Allah and His Lordship:

Abu Huraira reported that the prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “Verily, there are ninety nine names of Allah and whoever preserves them will enter Paradise.”

But this is only one of the virtues of learning the names of the Exalted; memorizing and understanding the meaning of each name will help a person develop a stronger connection with their Creator when they realize the depth of the Creator’s attributes -- the true denotation of mercy, richness, ownership, and size. These meanings can come in handy when a person is facing a struggle and forgets who to turn to first for help. These names can also be used in prayers. For instance, for every situation, there is a name for it. Most importantly, knowledge attained with the right intentions increases wisdom, and wisdom enhances a person’s character. Knowledge about the creator will instill a love, awe, and veneration in the heart, contribute to richness in soul, and generate a higher consciousness and wisdom of the world. It will benefit the person both in this life and in the hereafter. 

Remember: the best learning is done with others and with consistency. Even if you learn slowly, let each meaning soak in and become a part of your life. Also, if you have someone to share the knowledge with, share it. That is always better. 

The Witness.

Shaheed comes from the root sheen-haa-daal, which points to three main meanings. The first meaning is “to bear witness.” The second meaning is to offer testimony, and the third is to have knowledge of something.

This root appears 160 times in the Quran in nine derived forms. Examples of these forms include yashhadu (“to testify”), ashhidoo (“to take witness”), shahaadati (“the seen”) and shuhadaa (“witnesses, martyrs”).

Shaheed refers to Allah’s awareness of everything; He hears every sound, loud and quiet, and sees the small and the large. In addition, He is the One who will testify for or against His servants for their deeds.

Ash-Shaheed Himself says:

Say: What thing is the greatest witness? Say: Allah is shaheed between you and I; this Qur’an has been revealed to me that I may warn therewith – you and whomsoever it may reach. [Quran, 6:19]

Allah is Witness over all things. [Quran, 58: 6] Allah is sufficient as Witness. [Quran, 4: 79]

Allah (Himself) is Witness that there is no god save Him. And the angels and the people of knowledge (too are witnesses). [Quran, 3:18]

Trust in Ash-Shaheed.

Ash-Shaheed says in this beautiful soothing ayah: “So wait patiently for your Lord’s decree, for surely you are in Our sight.” [Quran, 52: 48]