بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
11-8-1438H
COMPLETE: The Name of Allah Al-Aleem COMPLETE NOTES
One of the greatest blessings upon us is that Allah teaches us about His Noble Self. He chooses from among His servants those whom He teaches about Himself.
One of the greatest blessings upon us is that Allah teaches us about His Noble Self. He chooses from among His servants those whom He teaches about Himself.
Sha'ban is the month deeds are raised to Allah and a month in which the Prophet ﷺ used to fast. Another of its virtues:
عن أبي موسى الأشعري عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : " إن الله ليطلع في ليلة النصف من شعبان فيغفر لجميع خلقه إلا لمشرك أو مشاحن "
It was narrated from Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah looks down on the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan and forgives all his creation except a mushrik or one who harbours hatred against the Muslims.” [Ibn Maajah, 1390]
مشرك = The one who associates partners with Allah in worship
مشاحن = The one who has grudges in his heart
If we believe with certainty that this happens, it should motivate us to take an action. This is a call to clear our hearts from hatred, malice, and grudges against other Muslims. Our standard should be the verse in Surah Al-Hashr [59:10]:
"And those who came after them say: "Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful."
This verse is in the context of the distribution of the booty, which the Muslim get without war (Fay). Allah mentions those who are entitled for it, and then mentions the supplication of those who come after the Muhajiroon and Ansar:
"ربنا إغفرلنا و لإخواننا الذين سبقونا بالإيمان" - Our Lord, Forgive us and our Bethren who have Preceded us in Faith
As-Sa'di رحمه الله said in his Tafseer:
و هذا دعاء شامل لجميع المؤمنين، السابقين من الصحابة و من قبلهم و من بعدهم، و هذا من فضائل الإيمان أن المؤمنين ينتفع بعضهم ببعض و يدعو بعضهم لبعض بسبب المشاركة في الإيمان
This supplication comprises of all the believers, the foremost from the Companions, and those before them and after them. And this is the virtue of Al-Iman (Faith); that the believers benefit and supplicate for each other, due to the fact that they share in faith,
This is a comprehensive Dua. The common factor between you and other believers is إيمان. Having faith requires you to love your brothers and sisters and invoke for them. You should benefit your brothers and sisters in faith by including them in your Dua.
"و لا تجعل في قلوبنا غلا للذين آمنوا" - And Do Not Put in our Hearts Any Hatred against those who have Believed
و لهذا ذكر الله في الدعاء نفي الغل عن القلب ،الشامل لقليل الغل و كثيرة الذي إذا انتفى ثبت ضده، و هو المحبة بين المؤمنين و الموالاة و النصح و نحو ذالك مما هو من حقوق المؤمنين.
And for this, Allah mentioned in the supplication a negation of hatred from the heart, entailing hatred in both little and big amounts. If it is negated, then its opposite is affirmed, and that is love between the believers and friendship and sincerity, and similar to that from what is from the rights of the believers.
This means that you are asking Allah to put love in your heart for our brothers and sisters in faith. If we really are true believers, we should love each other. And supplicating for one another is an indication that we care and love our brothers and sisters and want good for them. It indicates your belief. How much are our brothers and sisters in faith included in our Dua?
The Prophet ﷺ said,
دعوة المرء المسلم لأخيه بظهر الغيب مستجابة، عند رأسه ملك موكل كلما دعا لأخيه بخير قال الملك الموكل به: آمين، ولك بمثل
The supplication of a Muslim for his (Muslim) brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Everytime he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: 'Ameen! May it be for you, too." [Muslim]
.....ووصفهم بالإقرار بالذنوب و الإستغفار منها واستغفر بعضهم لبعض و اجتهادهم في إزالة الغل و الحقد عن قلوبهم لإخوانهم المؤمنين لأن دعاءهم بذالك مستلزم لما ذكرنا و متضمن لمحبة بعضهم بعضا و أن يحب أحدهم لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه و أن ينصح له حاضرا و غائبا حيّا و ميتا و دلت الآية الكريمة {على} أن هذا من جملة حقوق المؤمنين بعضهم لبعض.
....And He attributed them with acknowledging their sins and asking Allah forgiveness from it, and asking Allah's forgiveness for one other, and struggling to remove hatred and malice from their hearts for their believing brothers, because their supplication necessitates what we have mentioned and it comprises of love for each other, and the loving of one of them for his brother what he loves for himself, and being sincere to him when present, absent, alive, and dead, and the word (على) in the honourable verse indicates that it is from the rights of the believers to one another.
That person could be your husband, your brother, your neighbour, it could be anyone. We should make Dua for them, not fight and have resentment in our hearts towards them.
This supplication indicates that we have to strive hard to remove all traces of resentment from our hearts. And one of the means of removing resentment is praying for them. It is one of the rights of the believers on each other to make Dua for them. We should include all the believers in our supplication.
"ربنا إنك رؤوف رحيم" - Our Lord, You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful
ثم ختموا دعاهم باسمين كريمين دالين على كمال رحمة الله و شدة رأفته و إحسانه بهم الذي من جملته بل من أجله توفيقهم للقيام بحقوق الله و حقوق عباده
Then they concluded their supplication with two Honourable Names, indicating the perfection of the Mercy of Allah and His Geat Compassion and Goodness with them, which is from His guidance with them in establishing the Rights of Allah and the Rights of His slaves.
You are imploring Allah by His compassion and mercy to guide us to fulfill Hs right and the rights of your brother and sisters in Islam. Allah shows the believers guidance, the right way, how to fulfill His rights and the rights of the Muslims.
One of the Salaf used to say that the most virtuous deed is soundness of the heart and advice to the Ummah and a bountiful soul, and that the best among the Muslims is the one who forgives and pardons.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
لاَ يَحِلُّ لِمُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَهْجُرَ أَخَاهُ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَلْتَقِيَانِ فَيُعْرِضُ هَذَا وَيُعْرِضُ هَذَا وَخَيْرُهُمَا الَّذِي يَبْدَأُ بِالسَّلاَمِ
It is not allowable for a Muslim to keep apart from his brother for more than three days. When they meet, this turns away from him, and that turns away from him. The better of the two is the one who initiates in salutation. [Sunan Abi Dawud]
We should take this opportunity to be among those whose sins Allah will forgive. We need our sins to be forgiven when we enter the month of Ramadan, so that we will have strong faith to fast and pray in Ramadan. But if we enter Ramadan with sins, it will be a burden on us when fasting and praying in the month of Ramadan. We should take advantage of this opportunity and start a new page with Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said regarding Ramadan,
إِذَا دَخَلَ رَمَضَانُ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ، وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ
When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained. [Al-Bukhari]
It either means that the gates of Paradise are really open, and this is the most preponderant and correct opinion, and As-Suyooti said it also may means that Allah opens all the acts of obedience available to enter Paradise.
In this month, the gates are closed. We have to knock the door in Sha'ban profusely.
Abu Dardaa said: من يكثر الدعاء عند الرخاء يستجاب له عند البلاء و من يكثر قرع الباب يفتح له
Whoever makes plenty of supplication in times of ease will be responded to at times of calamities, and whoever knocks a lot on the door, it will be opened for him.
Invoke Allah profusely, for the gate will open for whoever knocks a lot.
-> Knock the door with repentance. When you ask forgiveness after performing any good deed, you are asking Allah to rectify any deficiencies in the act of worship and to give you the full reward of that deed.
Even when you come to class, it is Sunnah to say: سبحانك اللهم و يحمدك أشهد أن لا اله الا أنت أستغفرك و أتوب إليك before you get up.
If you have done any deficiency in your act of worship, Allah will forgive you and give you the full reward. We have to knock the door of Paradise profusely while in this month, until the gate of Paradise are opened for us in the month of Ramadan.
-> We also have to remember Allah profusely. If you do not train yourself upon acts of worship now, it will be very difficult to perform them in the month of Ramadan. Seclude yourself from people and cry to Allah for the abundant sins you have. These drops of tears will be means of forgiveness of your sins and shade on the Day of Judgement.
-> We should also recite the Quran profusely. We should recite it, understand it, ponder over it, and act upon it. If you have memorized a portion of it, review your memorization. Ibn Baz and Ibn Othaimeen رحمهما الله said that it is permissible for the person who is praying Tahajjud alone in the house to hold the Quran and read from it in his Night prayer. But it is better to recite from your memorization.
-> Prepare for Ramadan with Faith + Worship.
-> Another way of preparing for Ramadan is by acquiring knowledge about the verdicts of fasting, the virtue of Ramadan, reading the Hadith related to Ramadan, etc. By doing this, you show Allah that you care for this month. If you are truthful, Allah will be with you in the month of Ramadan.
-> Prepare your family by teaching them about the virtues of the month of Ramadan and fasting, of the Sunan practiced in Ramadan, the verdicts of fasting, etc. Share whatever you learn with your family.
The Name of Allah العليم
Sheikh Abdur-Razzaq Al-Badr حفظه الله mentioned the virtues of knowing the Names of Allah in his book Fiqh Al-Asmaa. Of the virtues:
أن الله سبحانه يحب أسماءه و صفاته و يحب ظهور آثارها في خلقه، وهذا من لوازم كماله فهو وتر يحب الوتر، جميل يحب الجمال، عليم يحب العلماء، جواد يحب الأجواد، قويّ و المؤمن القوي أحب إليه من المؤمن الضعيف، حيي يحب أهل الحياء، تواب يحب التوابين، شكور يحب الشاكرين، صادق يحب الصادقين، محسن يحب المحسنين، رحيم يحب الرحماء، و إنما يرحم من عباده الرحماء، ستير يحب من يستر على عباده، عفوّ يحب من يعفو عنهم، بر يحب البر و أهله، عدل يحب العدل، و يجازي عباده بحسب وجود هذه الصفات وجوداً و عدماً. وهذا باب واسع يدل على شرف هذا العلم و فضله.
Allah loves His Names and Attributes and He loves its impacts to be shown on His creation. This is one of the requirements of His perfection, so He is Witr and He loves Witr, He is Beautiful and loves beauty, He is Knowledgeable and loves the knowledgeable, He is Jawwaad and He loves Generosity, He is Strong and the strong believer is more beloved to Him than the weak believer, He is Modest and loves the people of modesty, He is At-Tawwab and loves the repentant, He is Ash-Shakoor and loves the grateful, He is Truthful and loves the truthful, He is Muhsin and loves the good-doers, He is Merciful and loves those who show mercy - and He shows mercy to His slaves who are Merciful to others, He is As-Sitteer and loves those who conceal the defects of His slaves, He is Pardoning and loves those who pardon others, He is Barr and loves Birr and its people, He is Just and loves justice, And He recompenses His slaves in accordance to the amount of presence or absence of these attributes. And this is a vast door which points to the nobility of this knowledge and its virtues.
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"عليم يحب العلماء" - Allah is Al-Aleem and He loves the knowledgeable people.
When you know this, you should take care of knowing the meaning of each name, and check if you are attributed with its impact. Allah recompenses His servants according to how much of the impact of the attribute exists in them. He will reward you according to how merciful you are, how learned you are, etc. If your share in that impact of the attribute is more, your reward will be more.
Allah is Al-Aleem and loves العلماء. How diligent you are to learn and seek knowledge for the sake of Allah? It is in accordance to that Allah will reward you.
The Name العليم in Surah Al-Baqarah
The Name العليم is mentioned 150 times in the Quran and it is mentioned most profusely in Surah Al-Baqarah. It is mentioned 21 times in this Surah, which means we should take care of studying it.
Surah Al-Baqarah began with the story of Adam عليه السلام. In Verses 30 to 33:
"And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth." They said: "Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You." He (Allah) said: "I know that which you do not know."
"قالوا أتجعل فيها من يفسد فيها و يسفك الدماء و نحن نسبح بحمدك و نقدس لك"
When the Angel asked this statement, they did not ask out of envy nor in a way of dispute. They asked about the wisdom, because they had an earlier knowledge that this kind of creation would make mischief on earth.
Allah replied: "قال إني أعلم ما لا تعلمون"
It is as if Allah is saying: I know the benefit of putting such a creation on earth. The benefit outweighs the harm which they will cause. I will make among them Prophets, Messengers, Righteous People, Martyrs, Scholars who implement their Knowledge, etc. I know what you do not know.
Another meaning: I know what Iblees is concealing in his heart.
Allah wanted to show the virtue of Adam عليه السلام over the Angels. In Verse 31:
"And He taught Adam all the names (of everything) , then He showed them to the angels and said, "Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful."
This superiority was knowledge.
"علم" - Who taught Adam عليه السلام? Allah
Verse 32:
"They (angels) said: "Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise."
Many lessons can be derived from this verse:
"سبحانك لا علم لنا إلا ما علمتنا" - The Angels free Allah from every deficiency and affirm perfection to Him; that no creature could acquire any part of Allah's knowledge except by the permission of Allah.
No one can know anything except what Allah teaches Him. You will not be able to learn or acquire any knowledge, except what Allah wants. You should not blame anyone for you not understanding, or say it is beyond your level. Allah is the One who teaches you. He is the One who opens your heart and mind to understand. Whenever the gate of knowledge is closed for you and it is difficult for you to understand, it means that Allah has not yet permitted you to learn or understand. The teacher is just a tool through which Allah teaches you. The relationship is directly between you and Allah. If Allah permits you to learn, it will be made easy for you. If He does not, even if you bring Ibn Baz in front of you, there will be no way to understand. So ask Allah to mak it easy for you to understand.
"إنك أنت العليم الحكيم"
Allah knows who deserves to get knowledge and who does not. He knows everything about the person. He will not give knowledge to a person who does not deserve it, because He is الحكيم, and He will not deprive a person who deserves it, because He is الحكيم.
If you are grateful, Allah will bring more knowledge to you. Allah says in Surah Ibrahim [14:7]:
"And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe."
If you see the gate of knowledge opened for you, know that Allah is specifying you with this great blessing, so show more humility to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ، وَاللَّهُ الْمُعْطِي وَأَنَا الْقَاسِمُ، وَلاَ تَزَالُ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةُ ظَاهِرِينَ عَلَى مَنْ خَالَفَهُمْ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ وَهُمْ ظَاهِرُونَ
If Allah wants to do good for somebody, he makes him comprehend the Religion (i.e. Islam), and Allah is the Giver and I am Al-Qasim (i.e. the distributor), and this (Muslim) nation will remain victorious over their opponents, till Allah's Order comes and they will still be victorious. [Al-Bukhari]
المعطي = Allah is the True Giver. None can give what He withholds, nor can anyone withhold what He gives. If Allah wills knowledge for you, no one can withhold it from you no matter what he does. And if Allah withholds it, no one can give it to you no matter what he does.
The impact of this is having hope in Allah alone and no one else. Show humility to Allah, as Ibn Taymiyah used to do. Whenever he did not understand anything, he would put his cheek on the dust and humiliate himself saying, "يا معلم آدم و إبراهيم علمني" (O the one who taught Adam and Ibrahim عليهما السلام, teach me!)
We need to ask Allah for knowledge by showing humility, not coming to class with pride, self sufficiency. These feelings deprive a person from knowledge. We do not want this knowledge to be taken away from us. Allah gives those who He knows deserve it, and may take it away from those He knows they do not deserve it. Allah is the One who teaches us and no one else.
We should always thank Allah for every piece of information we acquire, in order that Allah increases us more and more in it.
Verse 33:
"He said: "O Adam! Inform them of their names," and when he had informed them of their names, He said: "Did I not tell you that I know the Ghaib (unseen) in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been concealing?"
Allah knows the wisdom of putting a successor on earth, and He knows what Iblees what was concealing in his heart.
In the Story of Talut in Verse 246:
"Have you not thought about the group of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Musa (Moses)? When they said to a Prophet of theirs, "Appoint for us a king and we will fight in Allah's Way." He said, "Would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "Why should we not fight in Allah's Way while we have been driven out of our homes and our children (families have been taken as captives)?" But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And Allah is All-Aware of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)."
After Musa عليه السلام died, Allah would send Prophet after a Prophet to Bani Israeel. For a long time there was no Prophet and Bani Israeel indulged in committing sins and innovation and differed among themselves until they became sects. Allah made other Kings overpower them and their Tabut was taken and they suffered a lot. Allah then sent them a Prophet. They asked their Prophet to appoint a King, in order that they can fight under his leadership against their enemy. When Allah sent a King for them, most of them retreated, which indicates they were not truthful.
Who did Allah choose for them as a King? In Verse 257:
"And their Prophet (Samuel ) said to them, "Indeed Allah has appointed Talut (Saul) as a king over you." They said, "How can he be a king over us when we are better fitted than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth." He said: "Verily, Allah has chosen him above you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah grants His Kingdom to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower."
"إن الله اصطفاه عليكم وزاده بسطة في العلم و الجسم"
Talut was not a descendant of a King and he was poor. But Allah chose him, for his knowledge and bodily strength. And this should be the description of any leader who has people under him.
"والله يؤتي ملكه من يشاء"
Allah chooses whomever He wills to be Kings
"والله واسع عليم"
Allah knows who deserves to be a King and who does not. And the true King with Allah is he who has knowledge.
Allah knows who deserves to be honoured with knowledge and who does not. Allah elevates those who have knowledge and loves those who have knowledge.
Then they went to fight Jalut. Who was a soldier in the army of Talut? Dawud عليه السلام, who was not a Prophet at that time. Ibn Kathir رحمه الله mentioned that Talut promised to give his daughter in marriage and a share in kingship to whoever killed Jalut. And Dawud عليه السلام killed Jalut.
In Verse 251:
"So they routed them by Allah's Leave and Dawud (David) killed Jalut (Goliath), and Allah gave him [Dawud (David)] the kingdom [after the death of Talut (Saul) and Samuel] and Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and taught him of that which He willed. And if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief. But Allah is full of Bounty to the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)."
"و علمه مما يشاء"
Whomever Allah chooses among His creation, the best thing He gives them is knowledge. Knowledge is a special provision of Allah, whom He does not just give to anyone. Feel with honour, that Allah chose you to acquire knowledge from among all the people in society. Allah particularized you with knowledge, so show more gratitude and humility, so that He will increase you in it.
At the end of the Surah, Verse 282:
"O you who believe! When you contract a debt for a fixed period, write it down. Let a scribe write it down in justice between you. Let not the scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him, so let him write. Let him (the debtor) who incurs the liability dictate, and he must fear Allah, his Lord, and diminish not anything of what he owes. But if the debtor is of poor understanding, or weak, or is unable himself to dictate, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And get two witnesses out of your own men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her. And the witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (for evidence). You should not become weary to write it (your contract), whether it be small or big, for its fixed term, that is more just with Allah; more solid as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves, save when it is a present trade which you carry out on the spot among yourselves, then there is no sin on you if you do not write it down. But take witnesses whenever you make a commercial contract. Let neither scribe nor witness suffer any harm, but if you do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So be afraid of Allah; and Allah teaches you. And Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything."
"وتقوا الله و يعلمكم الله"
Who does Allah teach? Some Scholars say that from this verse, according to the level of Taqwa you have - how much you try to please Allah by acting upon His commands and avoiding sins - will Allah give you of knowledge.
If Allah is the One who teaches, you have to take the means of acquiring knowledge and learning from Allah.
Allah teaches the humans by sending Prophets and Messengers. They are the true teachers who taught us about Allah, what He loves, what He hates, about this life, about the Day of Judgement, etc.
The Scholars are the inheritors of the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said,
Indeed, the scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, for the prophets do not leave behind a dinar or a dirham for inheritance, but rather, they leave behind knowledge. So whoever takes hold of it, has acquired a large share (i.e. of inheritance). [Abu Dawud]
Knowledge is better than wealth.
Allah commanded us with a command in Surah Al-A'raf [7:180]:
"And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do."
"ولله الاسماء الحسنى"
To Allah belongs the most beautiful Names, what should we do?
"فادعوه بها"
Allah commands us to call Him by them.
Dua is by:
1) دعاء العبادة - Worshipping Allah by this Name
All what we have discussed is of this type.
2) دعاء المسأله - To invoke Allah by this Name
There are many Supplications which contain this Name and the attribute of العلم.
Examples:
#1
"اللهم بعلمك الغيب و قدرتك على الخلق أحيني ما علمت الحياة خيرا لي و توفني إذا علمت الوفاة خيرا لي" - O Allah, by Your knowledge of the unseen and Your power over creation, let me live if you know that life is good for me, and let me die if you know that death is good for me.
Allah knows the unseen. He knows what is good for you and what is not good for you. He knows if being alive is better for you, or if death is better for you. Never wish for death, invoke with this supplication.
#2 - The Prophet ﷺ said, "O Shaddad bin Aws! If you see the people amassing gold and silver then say these statements a lot:
"و أسالك من خير ما تعلم و أعوذبك من شر ما تعلم و أستغفرك لم تعلم إنك آنت العلام الغيوب"
And I ask You for all the goodness that you Know, and I seek refuge in You from all the evils that You know; I ask forgiveness of You from all that You know; Verily, You are the All-Knower of the Unseen.
We may commit sins ignorantly and unknowingly. Allah is the One who knows. We ask Allah to forgive us what we do not know, but what Allah knows. He knows the little sins and the major sins we commit.
#3 - The Dua of Distress
#4 - The Dua of Istikharah
"اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك" - O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your Knowledge.
"و تعلم و لا أعلم" - And You Know, and I know not.
You are consulting Allah because He knows and you do not. So be pleased with whatever Allah decrees for you after that. You are invoking Allah with His attribute of knowledge, so then why are you unhappy?
Our problem is that when we supplicate we do not understand what we are saying.
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