The difference between the names and attributes of Allaah
Question What is the difference between the names and attributes of Allaah? Praise be to Allah. The names of Allaah are all those names that refer to Allaah Himself and also refer to one of His perfect attributes that exist in Him, such as al-Qaadir (the All-Powerful), al-‘Aleem (the All-Knowing), al-Hakeem (the Most Wise), al-Samee’…
Question
Praise be to Allah.
The names of Allaah are
all those names that refer to Allaah Himself and also refer to one of His
perfect attributes that exist in Him, such as al-Qaadir (the All-Powerful),
al-‘Aleem (the All-Knowing), al-Hakeem (the Most Wise), al-Samee’ (the
All-Hearing), al-Baseer (the All-Seeing). These names refer to Allaah
Himself and to His qualities of knowledge, wisdom, hearing, sight. So the
names refer to two things, while attributes refer to one thing. And it was
said that the name includes the attribute and the attribute implies the
name. We must believe in all the attributes that have been narrated from
Allaah or from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
in a manner that befits Allaah, whilst also believing that He does not
resemble any of His creation in any of His attributes, just as He does not
resemble them in His Essence. Allaah says:
“Say (O Muhammad): He
is Allaah, (the) One.
Allaah-us-Samad
[Allaah — the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither
eats nor drinks)].
He begets not, nor was
He begotten.
And there is none
co-equal or comparable unto Him.””
[al-Ikhlaas]
“There is nothing like
Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer”
[al-Shoora 42:11]
And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our
Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.
