مُرَاجَعَةٌ وَخُلَاصَةٌ

The course on one page • The most beautiful names: ninety-nine names have a particular merit, "whoever enumerates them will enter Paradise" (Bukhari 2736, Muslim 2677); memorising them, understanding them, acting by them (lesson 1). At-Tirmidhi's list is discussed; the names are not limited to this number according to the majority. • The rule: "There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing" (42:11); no taḥriif, no ta'ṭiil, no takyiif, no tamthiil (lesson 2). • Knowing and living them: the Qur'an, the Sunna, creation, supplication; imitating mercy, never greatness (lesson 3). • Mercy and forgiveness: Ar-Raḥmaan, Ar-Raḥiim, Al-Ghafuur, Al-'Afuww, At-Tawwaab, Al-Waduud → hope and repentance (lesson 4). • Power and majesty: Al-Malik, Al-Qudduus, Al-'Aziiz, Al-Jabbaar, Al-Qadiir, Al-'Aliyy, Al-'Aẓiim, Al-Kabiir → humility, courage, justice towards the weak (lesson 5). • Knowledge and wisdom: Al-'Aliim, Al-Khabiir, As-Samii', Al-Baṣiir, Ar-Raqiib, Al-Ḥakiim, Al-Laṭiif → vigilance and trust in the decree (lesson 6). • Provision and care: Ar-Razzaaq, Al-Kariim, Al-Wahhaab, Al-Ghaniyy, Al-Ḥafiiẓ, Al-Wakiil, Al-Qariib, Al-Mujiib → tawakkul together with effort (lesson 7). • Justice: Al-Ḥakam, Al-Ḥasiib, Al-Ḥaqq, Maalik yawm ad-diin (and the question of Al-'Adl) → being just and returning what is owed (lesson 8). • Living by the names: calling on Him by the fitting name (lesson 9), thanking Ash-Shakuur (lesson 10), moving forward between hope and fear, guided by love (lesson 11).

The end of Surah Al-Ḥashr The last three verses of Surah Al-Ḥashr (59:22-24, text below) bring together about fifteen names: almost all the groups of this course are found there. Verse 24 ends with "To Him belong the most beautiful names", as if to close the list.

A plan to continue • One name a week: learn it in Arabic, its meaning, a verse in which it occurs, a supplication in which it appears, and one concrete change in your life. • Read the Qur'an underlining the names at the end of the verses. • Learn a few supplications from this course: Abu Bakr's (lesson 9), "Allaahumma innaka 'afuwwun…" (lesson 4), the advice to Mu'aadh (lesson 10), istikhaara (lesson 6). • Go back to the courses "The six pillars of faith" and "Discovering Islam" to place the names within the whole of belief.

Questions to ask the imam • Which list of names does the centre use for learning, and how should the question of At-Tirmidhi's list be presented? • How does the centre teach attributes such as the rising over the Throne, the hand or the descent (lesson 2)? • Which view should be adopted on the greatest name, and on the balance between hope and fear? • Which names composed with a name of Allah should be recommended for children, and which avoided?

Understanding the lesson

Explanation The aim of this course was not to fill the memory with a list, but to open the heart to the One whom these names designate. Each group of names bears a fruit: hope, humility, vigilance, trust, justice, gratitude. The last three verses of Al-Ḥashr are a fine synthesis of it: in a few lines, Allah presents Himself through His oneness, His knowledge of the unseen and the seen, His mercy, His kingship, His holiness, His power and His creation, then He concludes: "To Him belong the most beautiful names". Knowledge of the names never ends: scholars studied them all their lives. One name a week for a year is already some fifty names understood and lived. Finally, this course has presented the differences between scholars without deciding. The right reflex is to put one's questions to the imam and to keep, with those who think otherwise, the respect that scholars had for one another.

Lessons to draw from it • Choose the first name of your plan this very week. • Learn the end of Surah Al-Ḥashr (59:22-24) with its meaning. • Reread the page "The course on one page" once a month. • Share a name and its meaning with your family, for example at a meal. • Write down your questions for the imam and put them to him.

Key points to remember • The rule: 42:11. • Five groups of names: mercy, power, knowledge, provision, justice. • Living by the names: supplication (7:180), gratitude (14:7), hope and fear (15:49-50). • 59:22-24: about fifteen names brought together, "to Him belong the most beautiful names". • One name a week: the meaning, a verse, a supplication, a change.

The main message Knowing Allah through His most beautiful names is the journey of a lifetime: continue it name after name, letting each one transform your heart, your supplication and your conduct.

The text: Surah Al-Ḥashr (59), verses 22 to 24 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 59:22-24]

Meaning: "He is Allah: there is no god but Him, the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Most Merciful. He is Allah: there is no god but Him, the King, the Most Holy, Peace, the Giver of security (Al-Mu'min), the Overseer (Al-Muhaymin), the Mighty, the Compeller (Al-Jabbaar), the One to whom all greatness belongs. Glory be to Allah, far above what they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator (Al-Baari'), the Fashioner (Al-Muṣawwir). To Him belong the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and on the earth glorifies Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise." The translations of the names Al-Mu'min, Al-Muhaymin and Al-Baari' vary between translators [À VÉRIFIER].

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.