A-class Muslimah november 2013 | Page 10

The 99 Names of ALLAH

In sha Allah each month we will be covering one of Allahs beautiful names, but befoe we begin we have to understand the importance of learning about these names. Knowledge of the Names of Allah is the basis for all other knowledge. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Knowledge of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah is the basis of all other kinds of knowledge, for all of these other branches of knowledge are devoted to either a command or a creation of His.” ([Badaa'i' al-Fawaa'id (1/163)].

Therefore, when a person occupies himself with learning about Allah, he is fulfilling the purpose for which he was created, but if he ignores this matter, he is neglecting what he was created for. The meaning of faith is not merely to utter words without knowing Allah, because true faith in Allah means that the slave knows the Lord in Whom he believes, and he makes the effort to learn about Allah through His Names and Attributes. The more he learns about his Lord, the more he increases in faith.

Calling upon Allah & praising Him by these names is one of the greatest deeds and best forms of dhikr. Allah says: “And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them.” [7:180]

Below is a short video of a sheikh explaing the importance of learning Allahs names.