Means which aid a Person in Seeking Knowledge + Rules related to the Names of Allah + The Name of Allah Al-Malik (15/10/17)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

25/10/1439

The Scholars are in consensus that there is nothing better than acquiring knowledge in coming close to Allah. It is أجل العبادات (The loftiest act of worship).

It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said, 

مَنْ جَاءَ مَسْجِدِي هَذَا لَمْ يَأْتِهِ إِلاَّ لِخَيْرٍ يَتَعَلَّمُهُ أَوْ يُعَلِّمُهُ فَهُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَمَنْ جَاءَ لِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّجُلِ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى مَتَاعِ غَيْرِهِ 

Whoever comes to this mosque of mine, and only comes for a good purpose, such as to learn or to teach, his status is like that of one who fights in Jihad in the cause of Allah. Whoever comes for any other purpose, his status is that of a man who is keeping an eye on other people's property. [Ibn Majah]

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of knowledge. It is of the same level as Jihad in the way of Allah. Just as Allah said in Surah at-Tawbah [9:122]:

"And it is not (proper) for the believers to go out to fight (Jihad) all together. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may get instructions in (Islamic) religion, and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil)."

#2 - المثابرة و الإستمرار على طلب العلم

Diligence and Persistance on Seeking Knowledge

The student of knowledge should exert his utmost in acquiring knowledge and he should be patient. He should memorize whatever he acquires of knowledge. You have to go after the knowledge, do not expect it to come to you easily. You have to put effort and seek it. The student of knowledge seeks all the ways that lead him to knowledge, and he is rewarded for it. The Prophet ﷺ said,

من سلك طريقا يلتمس به علما سهل الله له طريقا إلى الجنة

 "Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make the way to Paradise easy for him." [Muslim]

The student of knowledge should write notes, neaten it, revise it, researche if he has any doubts, etc in order for him to benefit from his knowledge. Studying at night, as Ash-Shafi'i رحمه الله mentioned, is better than Tahajjud prayer. 

Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه was asked what he did to attain the knowledge he had. He said, 

بلسان سؤول و قلب عقول و بدن غير ملول

"By having a tongue which always asks, and a heart which understands, and a body which never gets tired."

Do not feel shy to ask. Ask and never feel tired. You will be rewarded for all the effort that you put. He said, 

إن كان ليبلغني الحديث عن الرجل فآتي بابه فأتوسد ردائي على بابه تسفي علي الريح من التراب فيخرج فيقول: يا إبن عم رسول الله ما جاء بك؟ الا أرسلت إليّ فآتيك؟ فأقول: أنا أحق أن آتيك فأسأله عن الحديث 

If a Hadith reached me with from a man, I would go to the gate of his house, lay on my Rida (waiting for him to come out) while the wind blew dust on me. The man would then come out and say, "O cousin of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, what has brought you here? Would you not have sent for me so that I could come to you?" I would say, "I am more deserving to come to you." And then I would ask him regarding the Hadith.

Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما humbled himself for knowledge, and Allah exalted him by it. This is how our state should be. 

One day Imam Ahmed رحمه الله invited Imam ash-Shafi'i رحمه الله to his house. He served him supper and then both men retired to their place of sleep. Imam ash-Shafi'i remained reflecting over the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ,

يا أبا عُمير ما فعل النغير

"O Aba Umayr, what did the little sparrow do?"

Abu Umayr was a little boy who had a tiny bird called 'Nugair' which died. Abu Umayr was saddened by this, and the Prophet ﷺ used to joke with the youth and speak with each person in a way which was suitable to them. 

Ash-Shafi رحمه الله remained the whole night deducing rulings from the Hadith, until he found over a thousand benefits, and the Athan of Fajr was pronounced. He stood up, prayed Fajr without performing Wudu', and left the house. 

Imam Ahmed رحمه الله praised Ash-Shafi'i رحمه الله to his family. They asked him how he could praise a man who ate all the food he gave him, and slept and did not stand up (to pray the night prayer), and prayed Fajr without taking Wudu? Imam Ahmed رحمه الله questioned Ash-Shafi'i regarding this, to which he replied:

أما كوني أكلت حتى أفرغت الاناء فذالك لأني ما وجدت تعامت أطيب من تعام الإمام أحمد فأردت أن أملأ بطني منه، و أما كوني لم أقم بصلاة الليل فإن العلم أفضل من قيام الليل و قد كنت أفكر في هذا الحديث، و أما كوني لم أتوضأ لصلاة الفجر فكنت على وضوء من صلاة العشاء (و لا يحب يكلفهم بماء الوضوء)

As for my eating until I emptied the plate, it is because I did not find food better than the food served by Imam Ahmed, so I wanted to fill my stomach with it. As for not standing to pray the night prayer, verily knowledge is more virtuous than night prayer, and I was reflecting over this Hadith. As for me not taking Wudu' for the Fajr prayer, it is because I had not broken my Wudu' since the 'Isha Prayer (and he did not like to burden them to fetch the water for Wudu').

This was the effort of the Salaf in acquiring knowledge. Compare their effort to our prayer. How diligent are we in studying the religious knowledge?

The student of knowledge should not despair if he comes across an issue he does not understand. He should try his best to understand. As-Sa'di رحمه الله mentioned the story of Imam Kasaai who was an Imam of Arabic grammar in Kufa. In the beginning of his life he tried to understand grammar but failed so he stopped. One day he was sitting and saw an ant carrying food trying to climb the wall. It climbed and fell down. It kept climbing and falling down repeatedly but remained diligent until it reached the top. Imam Kasa'i said, "This ant put effort until it reached its goal." so he put effort until he became an Imam of Arabic grammar.

Never despair, because if you despair, you are closing the gate of goodness in front of yourself. And the Shaytan is the one putting desperation in your heart, and putting obstacles obstacles in front of you, telling you that are not fit for it. Show Allah your truthfulness and Allah will be truthful to you. Be optimistic and promise yourself to do good. When you show Allah truthfulness, Allah will make it easy for you. But never despair from understanding knowledge. 

[Source: Kitab Al-'Ilm - Ibn 'Uthaimeen]

Continuation: The Rules regarding the Names of Allah

The Prophet ﷺ said:

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ اسْمَا مِائَةً إِلاَّ وَاحِدًا مَنْ أَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ ‏

"Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever أحصاها will go to Paradise." [Bukhari]

The difference between the Scholars in enumerating the 99 names is due to the difference of rules they follow in deducing the names from the Qur'an and Sunnah. 

There are more than 99 names of Allah, but we are seeking the specific 99 which have significance. The significance is that whoever knows them, understands them, worships Allah by them, and memorizes them, will enter Paradise.

Condition #4 -  دلالة الاسم على الوصف (Every Name of Allah should imply a Noble Attribute) 

E.g. The Name of Allah العليم (Al-'Aleem) indicates the Attribute of العلم (Al-'Ilm) 

E.g. The Name of Allah الحكيم (Al-Hakeem) indicates the Attribute of الحكمة (Al-Hikmah)

E.g. The Name of Allah الرحمن (Ar-Rahman) indicates the attribute of الرحمة (Ar-Rahmah)

Condition #5 - أن يكون الوصف دل عليه الاسم في غاية الجمال و الكمال

(The Attribute should reach the height of perfection and beauty. There can be no possibility of deficiency. It has to be purely perfect) 

E.g. The Attribute of Speech (صفة الكلام) 

Allah speaks with whatever He wills, whenever He wills, to whomever He wills. 

Generally, speech could be good, and could be evil. Therefore, we cannot call Allah "المتكلم" because this attribute can take both good and evil, and Allah's speech is never evil. 

E.g. The Attribute of Deception (صفة الخداع) 

Allah mentioned in Surah An-Nisa [4:142]:

"Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salat (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little."

Deception could be good and it could be evil, therefore we cannot call Allah "خادع"

E.g. The Attribute of Plotting (صفة المكر)

In Surah Aal-Imran [3:54], Allah says:

"And they (disbelievers) plotted [to kill 'Iesa (Jesus) ], and Allah planned too. And Allah is the Best of the planners."

The attribute of plotting takes both good and evil forms, therefore we cannot call Allah "ماكر", although He mentioned that He is خير الماكرين. 

E.g. The Attribute of Mocking

It implies the attribute of إستهزاء. Mocking can either be good or bad, therefore it is not one of the 99 names of Allah.

E.g. The Name الغفور (Al-Ghafoor) implies the attribute of مغفرة (To forgive; i.e. overlook the mistakes of the person) 

This attribute can never be evil; it is always good. Therefore one of Allah's 99 Beautiful Names is الغفور (Al-Ghafoor)

Applying these rules to the Story of Adam عليه السلام in Surah Al-Baqarah......

In [2:30-38]:

"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."

Name of Allah: 

جاعلٌ

This is a proper noun, and the Tanween indicates that. This is a restricted name of Allah.

ربك 

It is mentioned restricted to "ك" in this verse, but since it has been mentioned in unrestricted form in other verses, it is one of the 99 names of Allah.

Note: Actions of Allah come in the verb form in the Qur'an. 

E.g. Surah ad-Duha: 

أغنى 

هدى 

There are many actions of Allah in the Qur'an. And Allah's actions are of two kinds:

a) Affirmed Actions 

E.g. "أنزل من السماء" 

E.g. "يضل من يشاء"

b) Negated Actions

E.g. "إن الله لا يظلم" 

E.g. "لم يلد و لم يولد"

Benefits of Knowing the Actions of Allah: 

a) When you know an action is affirmed to Allah, you will use the verb which denotes the action when talking about Him. We should not invent words and actions from our own minds. 

b) You will use these actions in your supplications

E.g. اللهم اغنني 

E.g. اللهم ارزقني

c) The more you know the actions of Allah, the more your faith in Him will increase 

Actions of Allah:

قال - 

This implies the attributes of Speech. Allah speaks with a voice which was heard by the Angels, by Adam عليه السلام, by Iblees. There are deviated sects who deny that Allah speaks. This verse is evidence against that.

This is mentioned twice in this verse, and ten times in these 9 verses. We have to affirm this action to Allah. 

أعلم - 

This is one of the actions of Allah which implies the attribute of knowledge. This is mentioned five times in these set of verses. Allah knows and He teaches.

أتجعل - 

The Angels asked Allah if He would put on earth those who would make mischief. 

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."

Actions of Allah: 

علّم - Allah taught Adam 

عرضهم - Allah showed them to the Angels

فقال - Allah said 

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."

Actions of Allah:

علمتنا - Allah taught the Angels

Names of Allah:

العليم - Al'Aleem

الحكيم - AlHakeem

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?"

Actions of Allah:

قال + أقل - 

This is mentioned thrice in this verse 

أعلم غيب السماوات و الأرض - Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and earth 

و أعلم

This is mentioned twice 

And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves before Adam.". And they prostrated except Iblis (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah).

Actions of Allah: 

قلنا - Allah said

And We said: "O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zalimun (wrong-doers)."

Actions of Allah:

قلنا - Allah said

Then the Shaitan (Satan) made them slip therefrom (the Paradise), and got them out from that in which they were. We said: "Get you down, all, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time."

Actions of Allah:

قلنا - Allah said

"Then Adam received from his Lord Words . And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful."

Actions of Allah: 

تاب - Allah is the One who guides the person to repentance and then accepts it from him. This implies the attribute of التوبة (Repentance) 

Names of Allah:

التواب (At-Tawwab)

الرحيم (Ar-Raheem)

We said: "Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.

Actions of Allah: 

قلنا - Allah said

In your daily recitation, focus on the actions of Allah. This is how your faith will strengthen and how you will learn about Allah.

The Name of Allah Al-Malik (الملك)

This name is derived from the word "ملك", "يمْلك", "مِلْك" (To possess a thing and have full authority over its disposal) 

The whole dominion is called ملكوت. 

This name is mentioned in five places in the Qur'an:

#1 - Surah Ta-Ha [20:114]:

Then High above all be Allah, the True King. And be not in haste (O Muhammad SAW) with the Quran before its revelation is completed to you, and say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge."

#2 - Surah Al-Mu'minoon [23:116]:

So Exalted be Allah, the True King, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!

#3 - Surah Al-Hashr [59:23]:

"He is Allah than Whom there is La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him."

#4 - Surah An-Nas [114:2]:

"The Ilah (God) of mankind,"

#5 - Surah Al-Jumu'ah [62:1]: 

"Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth glorifies Allah, the King (of everything), the Holy, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."

It is mentioned in restricted form in this position.

Allah mentioned that He is "مليك" once in Surah Al-Qamar [54:54-55]:

"Verily, The Muttaqun (pious), will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers (Paradise)."

"In a seat of truth (i.e. Paradise), near the Omnipotent King (Allah, the All-Blessed, the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour)."

And the Name "المالك" (Al-Malik) is mentioned in restricted form in the Qur'an. In Surah Al-Fatihah [1:3]:

"The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)"

And in Surah Aal-Imran [3:26]:

Say (O Muhammad): "O Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things.

Some Scholars considered Al-Malik a name of Allah whereas others did not consider it a name, or considered it a restricted name. However, there is a Hadith where the Prophet ﷺ mentioned it in unrestricted form:

أَغْيَظُ رَجُلٍ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَأَخْبَثُهُ وَأَغْيَظُهُ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ كَانَ يُسَمَّى مَلِكَ الأَمْلاَكِ لاَ مَلِكَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ ‏

The most wretched person in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection and the worst person and target of His wrath would of the person who is called Malik al-Amlak (the King of Kings) for there is no king but Allah. [Muslim #2143]

That is why it is considered one of the 99 Names of Allah.

Ash-Shawkani said that the Scholars differed with regards to the two names Malik and Malik. Some of them said that the name Malik is more intensive and general, because every king owns, but not every owner can be a king, and because the command of the king is executed upon the owner. Others said Maalik more general and intensive than Malik when praising Allah because He is the Owner of mankind and the whole dominion. The truth is that every attribute has a speciality that is not found in the other one. [Faid Al-Qadeer]