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1154 As we contemplate Allah's nature, we can use the most beautiful names to express His attributes. There are hundreds
of such attributes. In the opening Sura, we have this indicated in a few comprehensive words, such as Rahman (most
Gracious), Rahim (most Merciful), Rabb-ul-'alamin (Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds). Our bringing such names
to remembrance is part of our Prayer and Praise. But we must not associate with people who use Allah's names
profanely, or so as to suggest anything derogatory to His dignity or His unity. Cf. xvii. 110. A) See also lxviii. 44 and n.
5626. (7.180)
17:110 - Say: "Call upon Allah or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call upon Him (it is well):
for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Neither speak thy Prayer aloud nor speak it in a
low tone but seek a middle course between." 232123222323
2321 Cf. vii. 180. Rahman describes one of the attributes of Allah,-His grace and Mercy which come to the sinner even
before he feels conscious of the need of it,-the preventive Grace which saves Allah's servants from sin. See n. 19 to i.
1. Allah can be invoked, either by His simple name, which includes all attributes, or by one of the names implying the
attributes by which we try to explain His nature to our limited understanding. The attribute of Mercy in Rahman was
particularly repugnant to the Pagan Arabs (see xxv. 60, and xxi. 36): that is why special stress is laid on it in
the Qur-an. (17.110)
2322 These Beautiful Names of Allah are many. The hadith related by Tirmizi, accepted by some as authentic, mentions 99
names of Allah. Qadhi Muhammad Sulaiman has published an Urdu monograph on the subject, published by the
Daftar Rahmatun-lil- 'Alamin Patiala, 1930. Those who wish to see a poetic Commentary on the names in the form of
stories in English may consult Sir Edwin Arnold's Pearls of the Faith. Sir Edwin's stories are of unequal merit, but a
fine example is furnished by No. 4, al-Malik. "The King". (17.110)
20:8- Allah! there is no god but He! To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. 2539
2539 Cf. xvii. 110 and n. 2322. Allah is The One and the most beautiful things we can think of are referable to Him. His
names refer to His attributes which are like titles of Honour and Glory. (20.8)
59:24 - He is Allah the Creator the Evolver the Bestower of Forms (or colors). To Him belong the
Most Beautiful Names: Whatever is in the heavens and on earth doth declare His Praises
and Glory: and He is the exalted in Might the Wise. 5405540654075408
5405 Allah's attributes of Goodness and Power having been referred to, we are now told of His creative energy, of which
three aspects are here mentioned, as explained in the following note. The point is emphasised that He does not
merely create and leave alone; He goes on fashioning, evolving new forms and colours, and sustaining all the
energies and capacities which He has put into His Creation, according to various laws which He has established.
(59.24)
BEAUTIFUL PATTERN OF CONDUCT:
33:21 - Ye have indeed in the Apostle of Allah a beautiful pattern of (conduct) for anyone whose
hope is in Allah and the Final Day and who engages much in the praise of Allah. 36943695
3694 We now have the psychology of the Believers,-God-fearing men, led by that pattern of men and of leaders,
Muhammad Al-Mustafa. (33.21)
Fiqh-us-Sunnah
Fiqh 2.109
At-Tabari records that Abu Munib al-Jarshi mentioned this verse to Ibn 'Umar and said: "We are safe now and are not in fear,
should we, then, shorten the salah'?" He answered him: "You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of
conduct)."
BEAUTIFUL PREACHING:
16:125 - Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with
them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best who have strayed
from His Path and who receive guidance. 21612162
2161 In this wonderful passage are laid down principles of religious preaching, which are good for all time. But where are
the Teachers with such qualifications? We must invite all to the Way of Allah, and expound His Universal Will; we
must do it with wisdom and discretion, meeting people on their own ground and convincing them with illustrations from
their own knowledge and experience, which may be very narrow, or very wide. Our preaching must be, not dogmatic,
not self-regarding, not offensive, but gentle, considerate, and such as would attract their attention. Our manner and
our arguments should not be acrimonious, but modelled on the most courteous and the most gracious example, so
that the hearer may say to himself, "This man is not dealing merely with dialectics; he is not trying to get a rise out of
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