Holy Qura'n bestows the Attribute <strong>of</strong> greatness upon the Almighty <strong>in</strong> Surat al-Jathiya: "ToHim be Glory throughout the heavens and the earth, and He is Exalted <strong>in</strong> Power, full <strong>of</strong>Wisdom" (Qura'n, 45:37). Pride due to the sense <strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g great is <strong>of</strong> two k<strong>in</strong>ds:One is when actions <strong>of</strong> such a person are <strong>in</strong>deed great and better than those <strong>of</strong> anyone else's;He is "... the Source <strong>of</strong> peace (and perfection), the Guardian <strong>of</strong> Faith, the Preserver <strong>of</strong>security, the One Exalted <strong>in</strong> Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme" (Qura'n, 59:23).<strong>The</strong> other is that one conceives himself artificially to be as such, and this applies to mostpeople:Thus does <strong>Allah</strong> set a seal over the heart <strong>of</strong> everyone who is proud, haughty. (40:35) Surelyevil is the dwell<strong>in</strong>g place <strong>of</strong> those who are proud. (16:29) Isn't there <strong>in</strong> hell an abode for thosewho are proud? (39:60)Quot<strong>in</strong>g the Lord <strong>of</strong> Greatness, the Almighty God, the Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> has said, "Pride isMy cloak; Greatness is My garment; whoever disputes with Me regard<strong>in</strong>g either, I shall surelyhurl him <strong>in</strong>to the fire." Here the Almighty <strong>in</strong>forms and admonishes us that greatness, mightand pride are all His prerogatives, that none among His servants is worthy <strong>of</strong> claim<strong>in</strong>g any <strong>of</strong>them for himself.In one <strong>of</strong> his supplications, the Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> says, "I seek refuge with You, Lord,aga<strong>in</strong>st the evil <strong>of</strong> pride." He is also quoted as say<strong>in</strong>g that pride is an <strong>in</strong>dication <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>gratitudetowards the Truth, the Almighty; he has said, "Pride is <strong>in</strong>gratitude towards the Truth." Imam`Ali has said, "<strong>The</strong> son <strong>of</strong> Adam is truly amaz<strong>in</strong>g! A wound can end his life, a bug can causehim a pa<strong>in</strong>, his sweat can make him st<strong>in</strong>k, so how can he ever feel proud?"<strong>The</strong> Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> has warned us aga<strong>in</strong>st pride and <strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g proud <strong>of</strong> ourselves, say<strong>in</strong>g,"Nobody will enter Paradise if he has even the weight <strong>of</strong> a mustard seed <strong>of</strong> pride, and nobodywill enter the fire if there is a likewise weight <strong>of</strong> conviction <strong>in</strong> his heart." As the lucky [2]ones enter Paradise, their hearts will be purged <strong>of</strong> any pride and jealousy: "And we will rootout whatever rancor there is <strong>in</strong> their hearts" (Qura'n, 15:47).<strong>The</strong> Attribute "al-Mutakabbir" is mentioned only once <strong>in</strong> the text <strong>of</strong> the Holy Qura'n <strong>in</strong> 59:23,and <strong>Allah</strong> knows best.12. "Al-Khaliq"<strong>Allah</strong> has said, "He is <strong>Allah</strong> the Creator..." (Qura'n, 59:24)."Al-Khaliq" is derived from khalq, creat<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>Allah</strong>, al-Khaliq, the Creator, is the One Whobr<strong>in</strong>gs th<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong>to existence after their non-existence, Who <strong>in</strong>vents and <strong>in</strong>novates without a
prior model. Some scholars say that al-Khaliq is the One Who creates th<strong>in</strong>gs out <strong>of</strong> naughtthen bestows upon them their characteristics <strong>of</strong> movement and other qualities. Others say thatHe is the One Who <strong>in</strong>vents whatever the eyes can see, Who perfects their creation. Still otherssay that He is the One Who determ<strong>in</strong>ed the measure <strong>of</strong> all th<strong>in</strong>gs when they were enshroudedby void, perfect<strong>in</strong>g them by His bounties and goodness, br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g them <strong>in</strong>to existenceaccord<strong>in</strong>g to His will, desire and wisdom. Anyone who th<strong>in</strong>ks that there is anyone elsebesides Him who creates is <strong>in</strong>deed one who commits kufr, apostasy, blasphemy, disbelief.<strong>Allah</strong> Almighty has said the follow<strong>in</strong>g:... the Creator <strong>of</strong> everyth<strong>in</strong>g; therefore, worship Him. (6:102)... is there any creator besides<strong>Allah</strong>...? (35:3) Yea, <strong>in</strong>deed! For He is the Supreme Creator, <strong>of</strong> (<strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>ite) skill and knowledge.(36:81) ... so blessed is <strong>Allah</strong>, the best <strong>of</strong> creators. (23:14) Is it not His to create and togovern? Blessed is <strong>Allah</strong>, the Cherisher and Susta<strong>in</strong>er <strong>of</strong> the worlds. (7:54)Ibn `Abbas is reported as say<strong>in</strong>g that whenever the Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> looked <strong>in</strong> the mirror,he would say, "Praise to <strong>Allah</strong> Who has made both my creation and my manners good, Whobeautified <strong>in</strong> me what He has not done <strong>in</strong> others." Accord<strong>in</strong>g to a narration by our masterImam `Ali ibn Abu Talib, the Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> used to say the follow<strong>in</strong>g whenever helooked <strong>in</strong> the mirror, "Praise is due to <strong>Allah</strong>! Lord! Just as You have made my form good, Iimplore You to make my manners, too, good." [3]13. "Al-Bari"<strong>Allah</strong> has said, "He is <strong>Allah</strong> the Creator, the Evolver, the One Who bestows forms (or colors)upon what He creates. To Him belong the Attributes" (Qura'n, 59:24).<strong>The</strong>re are viewpo<strong>in</strong>ts regard<strong>in</strong>g the explanation <strong>of</strong> "al-Bari": One says it refers to the OneWho br<strong>in</strong>gs about someth<strong>in</strong>g out <strong>of</strong> noth<strong>in</strong>g, the One Who creates someth<strong>in</strong>g which was neverthere before. It is said that <strong>Allah</strong> is al-Bari <strong>of</strong> creation, the One Who brought about all th<strong>in</strong>gs<strong>in</strong>to existence out <strong>of</strong> non-existence.<strong>The</strong> other mean<strong>in</strong>g conveys the cutt<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>f or sever<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> someth<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>The</strong> root verb <strong>of</strong> thisword means cutt<strong>in</strong>g and shap<strong>in</strong>g someth<strong>in</strong>g such as a twig or a pencil. One may say thatillness has parted from him, or that he is free <strong>of</strong> a claim put forth by another. It can also beapplied metaphorically such as one person sever<strong>in</strong>g his partnership with another, or a womanseparat<strong>in</strong>g from her husband. <strong>Allah</strong> has bara'a, created or <strong>in</strong>itiated, the creation without amodel; bariyyah means those whom He has created. Another mean<strong>in</strong>g is cur<strong>in</strong>g or heal<strong>in</strong>g. Awise say<strong>in</strong>g states that one who is cured should express gratitude to the One Who cured him.Ja`fer ibn Sulayman is quoted as hav<strong>in</strong>g said that he passed once by a bl<strong>in</strong>d old womangriev<strong>in</strong>g over herself and wail<strong>in</strong>g, so he asked her, "What does it take to susta<strong>in</strong> you?" Sheanswered him say<strong>in</strong>g, "Stop stick<strong>in</strong>g your nose where it does not belong; I have reached this
- Page 2 and 3: AllahThe Concept of God in Islam (a
- Page 5 and 6: IntroductionIn any theistic religio
- Page 7 and 8: eminded him of the bloody and shame
- Page 9 and 10: Knowing AllahMuhammed, the Messenge
- Page 11 and 12: All Praise is due to Allah, the One
- Page 13 and 14: The Praised One has said, He is the
- Page 15 and 16: you then made you complete, then He
- Page 17 and 18: The Ninety Nine Attributesof AllahI
- Page 19 and 20: The Almighty is Endless regarding H
- Page 21 and 22: produce it. They will also realize
- Page 23 and 24: Who grants mercy beyond which there
- Page 25 and 26: Unity of Allah (Tawhid)Islam falls
- Page 27 and 28: is Allah, your Lord; so, worship Hi
- Page 29 and 30: keep closing their eyes to the fact
- Page 31 and 32: Abu Abdullah Imam Ja`fer al-Sadiq h
- Page 34 and 35: descends during the night of the mi
- Page 36 and 37: and the Exalted One, whereby He des
- Page 38 and 39: perfected their design and computed
- Page 40 and 41: [14] Ibid., p. 59.[15] al-Tusi, Al-
- Page 42 and 43: How to Supplicate to AllahBefore ad
- Page 44 and 45: me, and if I try to amend my steps,
- Page 46 and 47: Al-Qudds is the One Who is above ne
- Page 48 and 49: finished his prayers, he would seek
- Page 50 and 51: e overcome or in any way harmed, th
- Page 54: stage of life without needing you o
- Page 57 and 58: They desire to put out the light of
- Page 59 and 60: e called badee' at all; so, this At
- Page 61 and 62: said, "And most surely We bring to
- Page 63 and 64: Al-Saboor, Glory to Him, is the Cle
- Page 66 and 67: Whenever the Messenger of Allah pro
- Page 68 and 69: Linguistically, "al-Qahhar" is deri
- Page 70 and 71: descends from the heavens, the sky
- Page 72 and 73: desires to be blessed by it. Among
- Page 74 and 75: "Thul-Jalali wal Ikram" means: the
- Page 76 and 77: The subject of jami`, gathering or
- Page 78 and 79: apparent.Allah is the Enricher, yet
- Page 80 and 81: The Messenger of Allah used to say
- Page 82 and 83: Allah and is affected either throug
- Page 84 and 85: There are many derivations from thi
- Page 86 and 87: up so that I may get you out of you
- Page 88 and 89: too, perished. Then he saw a fourth
- Page 90: the sun and the moon subservient (t
- Page 93 and 94: A servant of Allah should never tir
- Page 95 and 96: your Lord do magnify. (74:3). To Hi
- Page 97 and 98: In the Holy Qura'n, we read: "Whoev
- Page 99 and 100: Were we to think for one moment abo
- Page 101 and 102: limit what is limitless," meaning t
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wise even if his share of all other
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The perfection of such following is
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(being left) behind them, have not
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Allah has said, "Is it not sufficie
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has said, "Labbayka Haqqan Haqqa!"
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for He is al-Wakeel, and He is your
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eached you; therefore, beware!"This
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thirsty. Tawd is a prerogative, a p
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overwhelming Power, controls all Hi
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something else has been dealt with
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Whom there can be no doubt entertai
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The root word of "al-Muta`ali" is `
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The Attribute "al-Basit" does not e
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Lord is Wise, Knowing" (Qura'n, 6:8
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servant of His more than one who is
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and to Him the truth in their regar
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whatever brings one closer to Allah
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The Messenger of Allah has desired
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penalty for it equal in size and ki
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This Attribute is derived from "mer
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His creation, and the norms of His
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perfection of the Self. All qualiti
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eminding those whom He forgives of
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"Wait, therefore; surely they (too)
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The Messenger of Allah used to say,
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taken account in a clear Book. (36:
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ing the dead to life, and He shows
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Al-Mumeet causes your heart to die
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thoroughly" (Qura'n, 27:88).The roo
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