Seerat Shahina
Feb.26th, 2021
Power of Asmaul Husna
ISM represents or identifies anything, for which it stands, in both word and its meaning.
The phrase Asma ul Husna, made up of the word Asma', the plural for "name", and husna, meaning beautiful or most beautiful, means "Allah's most beautiful names. The names which are attributes of Allah can be found in the Holy Quran.
“The Name of the Divine Essence, The Essential Name of God or Huu is distinguished from His Attribute, ‘Ismul-Sifah': Name of a Divine Attribute. "The Title `Allah' is called the `Ismuz-Zaat' or The Essential Name of God, all other Titles including `Rabb' being considered `Asmaa-us-Sifah’ or `The Attributes' of The Divine Being. These Attributes are called `Al-Asmaul Husna’, or `the Excellent Names.”
“Call upon Allah, or call upon Ar Rahman, by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names”. 17:110
In well-known Ahaadith, it is said that God has Ninety-nine Names. With the exception of His Name of Glory, all are derivatives and attributes, for example, Al-Hayyu, (The Alive), Al-Qayyum - (The Self-subsisting), Al-Ahad (The One), As-Samad (the Eternal), Al-Qadir (The Able), Al-Muqtadir (The Powerful), Ar-Raheem (The Merciful), and Al-Ghaffar (The Forgiver), all are His best beautiful names.
Every Name that belongs to Allah is perfect; every trait of Allah is perfect. All His actions are perfect and beneficial for us, even if something is taken away from us that we love. It is important to know the attributes of Allah Almighty. These names fill the heart with a peace of mind and tranquillity, as well as an awareness of Allah's mercy and bounty, which affirms hope. Knowing Allah makes a person love and feel His awe, and strengthen his faith in Him.
Our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“Allah has 99 Names. Whoever memorizes and embraces these qualities will enter heaven.” (Bukhari)
Allah has innumerable Best Attributes and they may be put under three broad categories.
Jalal, Jamal and Kamal:
The attributes of Allah that fall under the Name of Jalal are known to us through His infinite and divine Majesty which are apparent through His creation, throughout the universe.
The attributes of Jamal, on the other hand, become evident with their plentiful blessings for all creations.
The attributes of Kamal reveal work of arts and sciences that have been made manifest with perfection and wisdom. These invite people to contemplate on His manifestations.
"And He (Allah) is The Ever-All Hearer, The Ever All-Seer." 42:11
"Verily, Allah is Ever All-Powerful Able over all things." 4:133
Al-Ismul Azam literally "the greatest name (also known as Ismullah-al-Akbar) refers in Islam to the greatest names of Allah, known only to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Ismul Azam is believed to have a powerful effect with the act of blessings. According to Ahaadith who ever calls Allah using this name to supplicate then Allah grants whatever the supplicant ask for.
Islamic scholars have put forward different opinions regarding which name among Al-Asma al-Husna is Ismul Azam.Most of them hold the view that the name “Allah” is Ismul Azam, Allama Shaami has quoted Imam Abu Hanifa as saying that the Ismul Azam is the name, ‘Allah’. Al-Baizawi says, the word `Huu' (Huwa) i.e., `He’ (God) may be the `Ismul-Azam. Shaykh Abdul-Qadir Jailani, is also of the same view provided that at the time of reciting the word, Allah, there is nothing but Allah in his mind. Some Sufis say it should be recited in such a state of mind which is comparable to that of a drowning person when there is nobody to help him and he calls Allah for help with extreme sincerity.
Perhaps there is a mystery that Allah Almighty has hidden the Ismul Azam (the greatest of all His names) within His names. There is a wisdom to enable His slaves to pray Him mentioning all of His best and Beautiful Names.
“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them”. 59:24
“Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names”. 7:180
Each Name and Attribute nourishes a kind of consciousness and humility in man and their study leads one to constantly improving his/her actions. People who always remember and recite Asmaul Husna deeply feel the special effect and wonder of the nature and greatness of Allah. He is Allah, the Magnificent, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might.
“The Blessed is The Name of your Lord-Master-Sustainer (Allah), The Ever Full of Bounteous Majesty and Honour." 55:78
Allah’s creation of the entire universe is with great blessings for human beings. This shows us that we are under the control of the Omniscient Allah. Remembering Allah in supplication, leads to the acceptance of prayers and results in the accumulation of good deeds. The more we learn about Allah's Attributes the more we obey Him with devotion and live our life according to the Holy Qur`an.