كَيْفَ نَعْرِفُ الْأَسْمَاءَ وَنَعِيشُ بِهَا

Four paths to know the names 1. Reading the Qur'an attentively. Many verses end with one or two names of Allah, and this choice has a meaning: after a verse on forgiveness there often comes "Al-Ghafuur, Ar-Raḥiim"; after a law or a punishment, "Al-'Aziiz, Al-Ḥakiim" (the Mighty, the Wise). Get into the habit of asking yourself: why this name here? 2. Learning the supplications of the Sunna. The Prophet ﷺ called on Allah by His names and explained them. Thus, before sleeping, he would say: "O Allah, You are the First (Al-Awwal), there is nothing before You; You are the Last (Al-Aakhir), there is nothing after You; You are the Manifest (Aẓ-Ẓaahir), there is nothing above You; You are the Hidden (Al-Baaṭin), there is nothing beyond You" (Muslim 2713). These four names are those of 57:3 (text below). 3. Looking at creation. "In the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of night and day there are signs for those endowed with understanding" (meaning of 3:190). Creation shows the power, knowledge, wisdom and mercy of its Creator. 4. Calling on Him. By calling Allah by a name, one comes to understand it from within: whoever has asked for forgiveness and felt the relief knows Al-Ghafuur differently (lesson 9).

Living the names: the worship proper to each name Each name calls for a response of the heart and the body. A few examples: • As-Samii' (the All-Hearing): watching one's tongue, and speaking to Allah with confidence. • Al-Baṣiir (the All-Seeing): taking care of one's actions, even when alone. This is the meaning of iḥsaan: "To worship Allah as though you see Him; for if you do not see Him, He sees you" (Bukhari 50, Muslim 8). • Ar-Razzaaq (the Provider): seeking what is lawful without anxiety, and relying on Him (lesson 7). • Al-Ghafuur (the Forgiving): returning to Him without despair (lesson 4). Scholars say that the knowledge of the names is the noblest of sciences, because it concerns Allah; and "among His servants, only those who have knowledge truly fear Allah" (meaning of 35:28, text below): the more one knows Him, the more one reveres Him.

Living the names: character Some names refer to qualities that Allah loves to see in His servants, at their human measure: • Mercy: "Those who show mercy, Ar-Raḥmaan shows them mercy. Show mercy to those on earth, and the One above the heaven will show you mercy" (Abu Daawuud 4941, At-Tirmidhi 1924). • Gentleness: "Allah is gentle (rafiiq) and He loves gentleness in all things" (Muslim 2593) [À VÉRIFIER : formulation et numéro]. • Beauty and purity: "Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty" (Muslim 91); "Allah is good (ṭayyib) and accepts only what is good" (Muslim 1015). • Forgiveness, generosity, modesty, justice. Others are reserved to Allah and must not be imitated: greatness (kibriyaa'), pride, divinity. The Prophet ﷺ reports that Allah says: "Greatness is My cloak and majesty My garment; whoever contends with Me for either of them, I will cast him into the Fire" (Muslim 2620) [À VÉRIFIER : formulation]. What is perfection in Allah (Al-Mutakabbir, the One to whom all greatness belongs) is a grave flaw in man.

Living the names: personal names • "The names most beloved to Allah are 'Abd Allaah and 'Abd ar-Raḥmaan" (Muslim 2132). One may compose a name with "'Abd" (servant) followed by a name of Allah: 'Abd ar-Raḥiim, 'Abd al-Kariim, 'Abd al-Laṭiif… • Some names are given only to Allah: Allah, Ar-Raḥmaan, Al-Khaaliq (the Creator), Ar-Razzaaq… The Prophet ﷺ said that the vilest name with Allah is that of a man who has himself called "King of kings" (Bukhari 6205, Muslim 2143) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros]. • Other words may be borne by people with a human meaning, such as 'Ali, Kariim or Ḥakiim; in that case, they do not refer to the divine attribute [À VÉRIFIER : présentation]. • A practical tip: when calling someone named 'Abd ar-Raḥmaan, avoid saying only "Raḥmaan".

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Knowing the names is not a cold study. The Qur'an, the Sunna, creation and supplication are four windows open onto the same Lord, and each one sheds light on the others. Verse endings are a fine example: reading "Al-Ghafuur, Ar-Raḥiim" after a verse about a fault, one understands that the door remains open; reading "Al-'Aziiz, Al-Ḥakiim" after a law, one understands that this law comes from a Mighty One who knows what He does. Living the names means letting each of them bear its fruit: vigilance for Al-Baṣiir, trust for Ar-Razzaaq, hope for Al-Ghafuur. It also means reflecting them in one's character, where this is permitted: being merciful, gentle, generous, just. But there is a clear limit: greatness and divinity belong to Allah alone. The believer imitates Allah's mercy, never His greatness: before Him, his place is that of the servant, 'abd.

Lessons to draw from it • When reading the Qur'an, pause on the names that end the verses and ask yourself why. • Learn the bedtime supplication (Muslim 2713) with its meaning. • Choose a character trait linked to a name (mercy, gentleness) and work on it for a week. • Flee from pride, which is a way of contending with Allah for what is His. • For a child's name, prefer 'Abd followed by a name of Allah, and ask the imam's advice in case of doubt.

Key points to remember • Four paths: the Qur'an (verse endings), the Sunna (Muslim 2713), creation (3:190), supplication. • Iḥsaan: "To worship Allah as though you see Him" (Bukhari 50, Muslim 8). • "Those who show mercy, Ar-Raḥmaan shows them mercy" (Abu Daawuud 4941, At-Tirmidhi 1924). • "Greatness is My cloak" (Muslim 2620): greatness is reserved to Allah. • "The names most beloved to Allah are 'Abd Allaah and 'Abd ar-Raḥmaan" (Muslim 2132).

The main message Know Allah through His names in the Qur'an, the Sunna and creation, then let each name transform your heart and your character, while staying in your place as a servant.

The text: Surah Al-Ḥadiid (57), verse 3 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 57:3]

The text: Surah Faaṭir (35), verse 28 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 35:28]

Meaning: 57:3: "He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden, and He knows all things." 35:28: "And among people, beasts and livestock there are likewise various colours. Among His servants, only those who have knowledge truly fear Allah. Allah is Mighty, Forgiving." The Prophet ﷺ himself explained the four names of 57:3 in the bedtime supplication (Muslim 2713).

Arabic text: deliberately not typed, to avoid any error; it is to be copied from the centre's mushaf (or a verified source) at the place indicated.