أَسْمَاءُ الْعِلْمِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ

Al-'Aliim and Al-Khabiir: a knowledge without limit • Al-'Aliim (the All-Knowing): He knows everything, what has been, what is, what will be, and what is not and how it would be if it were. "With Him are the keys of the unseen, which none knows but Him. He knows what is on land and in the sea; not a leaf falls without His knowing it" (meaning of 6:59, text below). • Al-Khabiir (the All-Aware): He knows hidden details, the inside of things, intentions. "Does He not know what He created, when He is Al-Laṭiif, Al-Khabiir?" (meaning of 67:14). • Five things belong to the unseen that only Allah knows: the hour of the end of the world, rain, what wombs carry, what one will earn tomorrow and the land in which one will die (31:34; Bukhari 4697) [À VÉRIFIER : numéro].

As-Samii' and Al-Baṣiir: He hears and He sees • As-Samii' (the All-Hearing) hears every voice, in every language, at the same time, and even the whisper of the heart. A woman, Khawla, came to complain about her husband to the Prophet ﷺ; 'Aa'isha, in the same room, did not hear everything, and Allah revealed: "Allah has heard the words of the woman who argued with you about her husband" (meaning of 58:1). 'Aa'isha said: "Glory be to the One whose hearing encompasses all voices" (reported by Bukhari without a full chain, and by others) [À VÉRIFIER : référence]. • Al-Baṣiir (the All-Seeing) sees everything, the black ant on the black stone in the black night, as scholars say to illustrate it. • To Muusaa and Haaruun, who were afraid of going to Pharaoh, Allah said: "Do not fear, I am with you: I hear and I see" (meaning of 20:46). These names reassure as much as they warn.

Ar-Raqiib and Ash-Shahiid: He watches and He is witness • Ar-Raqiib (the Watchful): "Allah is ever watchful over you" (meaning of 4:1). • Ash-Shahiid (the Witness): nothing escapes Him, and He will be witness to everything on the Day of Judgement. • From these names comes muraaqaba: living in the awareness that Allah sees. This is the meaning of iḥsaan (Bukhari 50, Muslim 8, lesson 3).

Al-Ḥakiim: the Wise Al-Ḥakiim has two meanings combined: the Wise, who puts each thing in its place and does nothing in vain; and the One who judges and decides (from ḥukm). His wisdom can be seen in His creation, His law and His decrees, even when we do not understand it. "It may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you… Allah knows, and you do not know" (meaning of 2:216).

Al-Laṭiif: the Subtle, the Kind Al-Laṭiif combines the finest knowledge (He knows the most hidden things) and gentleness in the way He brings about good, through paths one does not see. After years of trials (the well, slavery, prison), Yuusuf found his parents again and said: "My Lord is subtle (laṭiif) in what He wills; He is the All-Knowing, the Wise" (meaning of 12:100). The whole story of Yuusuf is an illustration of this name.

Living these names: istikhaara When hesitating between two permitted choices, the Prophet ﷺ taught his companions to pray two rak'as, then to say: "Allaahumma innii astakhiiruka bi-'ilmik, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratik…" ("O Allah, I ask You to choose for me by Your knowledge, and I ask You to enable me by Your power…") (Bukhari 1162). The supplication is an act of trust in Al-'Aliim: "You know and I do not know".

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Knowing that Allah knows everything has two effects at once. The first is vigilance: nothing I do, say or think escapes Him. The second is comfort: nothing I live through escapes Him either, neither my hidden pain nor my silent prayer. The story of Khawla shows this: a poor woman, in a corner of the house, complains in a low voice, and Allah reveals a surah that begins with "Allah has heard". No one is too small to be heard by As-Samii'. Al-Ḥakiim and Al-Laṭiif teach patience before what we do not understand. Yuusuf understood the meaning of his trials only at the end; we too often see the path only after having travelled it. Istikhaara puts these names into practice: one does what depends on oneself (thinking, consulting), then one entrusts the choice to the One who knows.

Lessons to draw from it • Remember that Allah sees, especially when you are alone in front of a screen. • Speak to Allah about what no one else knows: He hears. • Before a trial you do not understand, remember 2:216 and the story of Yuusuf. • Learn istikhaara and perform it before important decisions (work, marriage, moving house). • Do not claim to know the unseen, and beware of those who claim it.

Key points to remember • Al-'Aliim: the keys of the unseen are with Him (6:59). • Al-Khabiir and Al-Laṭiif: He knows the innermost and brings about good through hidden paths (67:14; 12:100). • As-Samii': "Allah has heard the words of the woman who argued with you" (58:1). • "I hear and I see" (20:46): these names reassure as much as they warn. • Istikhaara: "I ask You to choose for me by Your knowledge" (Bukhari 1162).

The main message Allah knows, hears and sees everything, and He acts with wisdom and gentleness: live under His gaze and entrust your choices to Him, for He knows and you do not know.

The text: Surah Al-An'aam (6), verse 59 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 6:59]

The text: Surah Al-Mulk (67), verses 13 to 14 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 67:13-14]

Meaning: 6:59: "With Him are the keys of the unseen, which none knows but Him. He knows what is on land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls without His knowing it, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry, but it is in a clear Book." 67:13-14: "Whether you conceal your speech or reveal it, He knows well what is in the breasts. Does He not know what He created, when He is the Subtle, the All-Aware?"

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.