Al-Ahad, Al-Latif, Al-Muqtadir

They said, “Pray for us to your Lord that He makes it clear to us what sort (of cow) should she be.” He said, “He says she should be a cow neither too old, nor too young - of some middle age in between. Now, do what you are being asked to do.”

They said, “Pray for us to your Lord that He makes it clear to us of what colour it should be.” He said: “He says that she should be a yellow cow, rich yellow in her colour that should please the onlookers.”

They said, “Pray for us to your Lord that He makes it clear to us of what sort should she be, for this cow has made us confused and, if Allah wills, We shall certainly take the right course.”

He said, “He says that it should be a cow which is not tractable for tilling the soil or in watering the fields, (and it should be) sound and without blemish.” They said, “Now, you have come up with the right description.” Then they slaughtered her, although it appeared that they would not do it.

And when you killed a man, and started putting the blame for it on one another, while Allah was to bring forth what you were holding back.

[2:68-73],

 

- Al-Ahad (The One): This attribute emphasizes the uniqueness and oneness of Allah. It is reflected in the story of the cow, where the guidance provided by Allah through a series of specific instructions demonstrates His singular authority and wisdom.

 

- Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Gentle): This attribute signifies Allah's subtle care and consideration for His creation. Despite the seeming complexity of the instructions regarding the cow, Allah provides guidance that is gentle and understandable, taking into account the concerns and capacities of the people seeking guidance. Waking the dead was an indirect example of how people will come to life after death.

 

- Al-Muqtadir (The All-Powerful): This attribute is evident in Allah's ability to provide precise instructions and fulfill His promises. Despite the initial confusion of the people, Allah's guidance proves to be accurate, and they eventually find the cow as described. Allah Almighty disclosed the killer.

The Event of the Cow in Surah Al-Baqarah: A Reflection on Divine Attributes

 

Verily, Allah has chosen ’Ādam and NūH (Noah) and the House of Ibrāhīm and the House of ‘Imrān over all the worlds

- a progeny some of whom resembles the others (in faith). Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

(Remember) when ‘Imrān’s wife said: “O my Lord, I have vowed that what is in my womb will be devoted exclusively for You. So, accept (it) from me. You, certainly You, are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”

So, when she delivered her, she said: “O my Lord, I have delivered her, a female child.”-And Allah knew better what she had delivered, and the male was not like the female -” I have named her Maryam, and I place her and her progeny under Your shelter against Satan, the rejected.”

[3:33-36],

 

1. **Al-Ahad (The One)**: Allah is described as the One who has chosen Adam, Noah, the House of Ibrahim, and the House of Imran over all the worlds. This highlights Allah's uniqueness and singularity in His selection and divine plan. Despite the diversity of creation, Allah's choice is unified and singular. The unity of Allah's choice reflects His oneness in decision-making and authority over all creation.

 

2. **Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Gentle)**: The subtlety of Allah's divine intervention is evident in the story of Imran's wife, who, despite her fervent desire for a son, vowed to dedicate whatever was in her womb exclusively to Allah. This act of devotion illustrates Allah's subtlety in fulfilling the intentions of His servants and guiding them towards what is best for them, even if it is not what they initially desired. Additionally, Allah's knowledge of the unseen (ghaib) is highlighted when Imran's wife delivers a female child instead of a male, emphasizing His subtle wisdom in fulfilling her vow.

 

3. **Al-Muqtadir (The All-Powerful, The Dominant)**: Allah's power and dominance are manifested in His ability to decree and fulfill His divine plan despite human expectations and limitations. Despite Imran's wife's vow and desire for a male child, Allah decrees the birth of Maryam (Mary), a female child who would become one of the most honored women in history. This underscores Allah's ultimate power and control over all affairs, transcending human understanding and expectations.

 

In summary, these verses highlight Allah's oneness in His choices, His subtlety in fulfilling the intentions of His servants, and His ultimate power and control over all matters. Reflecting on these attributes can deepen one's understanding of Allah's divine wisdom and sovereignty in shaping the course of human history.

 

The example of those who have adopted patrons other than Allah is like the spider that has made a house, while indeed the weakest of houses is the house of the spider. If only they know.

[29:41],

 

1. **Al-Ahad (The One)**: This verse emphasizes the futility of those who take protectors or patrons other than Allah. The analogy of the spider's web as the weakest of houses serves to highlight the insignificance and frailty of relying on anything other than Allah. By likening these false protectors to the flimsy structure of a spider's web, the verse underscores the singular and unparalleled strength and reliability of Allah as the ultimate protector and sustainer. It reflects Allah's oneness in His unmatched power and sovereignty over all creation.

 

2. **Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Gentle)**: The subtlety of Allah's guidance is evident in the imagery of the spider's web. Despite its apparent intricacy, the spider's web is fragile and easily destroyed. This serves as a subtle reminder of the deceptive nature of relying on anything other than Allah. Through this analogy, Allah gently guides believers to recognize the true source of strength and protection, urging them to turn exclusively to Him. It reflects Allah's gentleness in guiding His servants towards what is best for them, even if it is through subtle reminders and warnings.

 

3. **Al-Muqtadir (The All-Powerful, The Dominant)**: The verse underscores Allah's absolute power and dominance over all creation. The spider's web, despite its fragility, is a creation of Allah, yet it pales in comparison to His infinite might and strength. Allah's decree and power render any reliance on false protectors futile and ultimately doomed to failure. It reflects Allah's dominance over all things and His ability to dispel false beliefs and misguided reliance. This attribute emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Allah's sovereignty and submitting to His will entirely.

 

In summary, this verse highlights Allah's oneness in His unmatched strength and reliability, His subtlety in guiding His servants towards truth, and His ultimate power and dominance over all creation. Reflecting on these attributes can deepen one's understanding of the folly of relying on anything other than Allah and the importance of placing one's trust solely in Him.

 

The Romans have been defeated

in the nearer land; and they, after their defeat, will triumph

within a few years. To Allah belonged the matter before and (to Him it belongs) thereafter. And on that day the believers will rejoice

[30:2-4],

 

1. **Al-Ahad (The One)**: The verses highlight Allah's ultimate control and sovereignty over events. The defeat of the Romans mentioned in the nearer land is followed by a promise of their eventual triumph within a few years. This sequence of events, predetermined by Allah, underscores His oneness in decreeing the outcome of historical events. It emphasizes that all matters belong to Allah, both before and after their occurrence, affirming His exclusive authority and control over the universe.

 

2. **Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Gentle)**: The subtlety of Allah's plan is evident in the unfolding of events mentioned in these verses. Despite the apparent defeat of the Romans, Allah foretells their eventual triumph, demonstrating His subtle wisdom and knowledge of the unseen. This serves as a reminder that Allah's plan may not always be immediately apparent to humans, but His gentle guidance ensures that justice ultimately prevails. It reflects Allah's subtle intervention in human affairs, guiding them towards their destined outcomes in ways that may not be immediately obvious.

 

3. **Al-Muqtadir (The All-Powerful, The Dominant)**: The verses underscore Allah's ultimate power and authority over the course of history. Despite the fluctuating fortunes of nations, Allah's decree ultimately prevails. The promise of the Romans' eventual triumph reaffirms Allah's dominance over all worldly affairs. It highlights His ability to overturn situations and bring about victory for those whom He wills. This attribute emphasizes that all power and authority ultimately belong to Allah, and He alone determines the fate of nations.

 

In summary, these verses emphasize Allah's oneness in His control over events, His subtlety in guiding the course of history, and His ultimate power and dominance over all worldly affairs. Reflecting on these attributes deepens one's understanding of Allah's wisdom and sovereignty in shaping the destiny of nations and individuals alike.

 

We gave wisdom to Luqmān, and said, “Be grateful to Allah;” and whoever is grateful is, in fact, grateful for his own benefit, and whoever is ungrateful, then Allah is free of all needs, worthy of all praise.

(Remember) when Luqmān said to his son, while he was advising him, “My dear son, do not ascribe partners to Allah. Indeed, ascribing partners to Allah (shirk) is grave transgression.”

We commanded man (to be good) in respect of his parents. His mother carried him (in her womb) despite weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. (We said to man,) “Be grateful to Me, and to your parents. To Me is the ultimate return.

However, if they force you to ascribe partners to Me about whom you (can) have no (source of) knowledge, then do not obey them. Remain with them in this world with due fairness, but follow the way of the one who has turned himself towards Me. Then, towards Me is your return, so I shall tell you what you had been doing.”

(Luqmān went on saying to his son,) “My dear son, in fact, if there be anything to the measure of a grain of rye, and it be (hidden) in a rock or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Surely, Allah is All-Fine, All-Aware.

[31:12-16],

 

1. **Al-Ahad (The One)**: The verses emphasize the oneness of Allah's guidance and the importance of monotheism. Luqman advises his son against associating partners with Allah, emphasizing the grave transgression of shirk (polytheism). This highlights Allah's uniqueness and singular authority as the only deity worthy of worship. It reflects Allah's oneness in His guidance and the importance of adhering to monotheism in all aspects of life.

 

2. **Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Gentle)**: The subtlety of Allah's guidance is evident in Luqman's advice to his son. He gently counsels him to be grateful to Allah and warns against the grave consequences of shirk. Luqman's gentle yet firm guidance reflects Allah's subtle intervention in guiding His servants towards righteousness and protecting them from spiritual harm. It underscores Allah's gentleness in imparting wisdom and guidance to humanity, urging them towards what is beneficial for their spiritual well-being.

 

3. **Al-Muqtadir (The All-Powerful, The Dominant)**: The verses emphasize Allah's ultimate power and knowledge over all things. Luqman reminds his son that Allah, with His infinite knowledge and power, is aware of even the smallest details, whether they are hidden in the heavens, the earth, or within the depths of a rock. This highlights Allah's dominance over all aspects of existence and His ability to bring forth even the most hidden of matters. It reflects Allah's ultimate authority and control over the universe, reassuring believers of His omnipotence and omniscience.

 

In summary, these verses underscore Allah's oneness in His guidance, His subtlety in imparting wisdom, and His ultimate power and knowledge over all creation. Reflecting on these attributes deepens one's understanding of Allah's role as the sole deity worthy of worship, His gentle guidance towards righteousness, and His unmatched power and authority over all aspects of existence.

 

Only those people believe in Our verses who, when they are reminded of them, fall in prostration and pronounce the purity and praise of their Lord, and who do not wax proud.

[32:15]

 

1. **Al-Ahad (The One)**: The verse emphasizes the importance of sincere belief in Allah's signs and verses. Those who truly believe in Allah's signs are described as falling into prostration when reminded of them. This act of prostration signifies submission to the oneness of Allah, acknowledging His exclusive right to worship. It reflects Allah's attribute of being the One and Only, deserving of unwavering devotion and submission from His servants.

 

2. **Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Gentle)**: The subtlety of Allah's guidance is evident in the response of the believers described in the verse. They humbly submit to Allah's signs, expressing their gratitude and praise for their Lord. This act of prostration is a gentle reminder of Allah's presence and mercy, guiding believers towards humility and gratitude. It reflects Allah's gentle guidance, leading His servants towards spiritual fulfillment and closeness to Him.

 

3. **Al-Muqtadir (The All-Powerful, The Dominant)**: The verse highlights the importance of humility and avoidance of pride in belief. True believers are those who do not wax proud when reminded of Allah's signs but instead humble themselves in prostration. This emphasizes Allah's ultimate power and authority over all creation, as believers recognize their dependence on Him and submit to His will. It reflects Allah's dominance over all things, guiding believers towards humility and obedience in their relationship with Him.

 

In summary, this verse underscores the importance of sincere belief in Allah's signs, humility, and submission to His will. Reflecting on these attributes deepens one's understanding of Allah's oneness, His subtle guidance towards righteousness, and His ultimate power and authority over all creation.

 

Surely, those who have rejected Our signs and stood arrogant against them, the gates of the heavens shall not be opened for them, and they shall not enter Paradise unless a camel passes through the eye of a needle. This is how We recompense the sinners.

For them there is a bed from the Jahannam, and over them there are coverings. This is how We recompense the transgressors.

Those who believe and do good deeds,-We do not obligate anyone beyond his capacity-they are the people of Paradise; they shall remain there for ever.

[7:40-42]

 

- Al-Ahad (The One): The verses emphasize the consequence of disbelief and arrogance, highlighting Allah's exclusive authority and power over judgment and retribution.

 

- Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Gentle): Despite the severity of the consequences described for the disbelievers and transgressors, Allah's warning is delivered with subtlety, allowing room for reflection and repentance.

 

- Al-Muqtadir (The All-Powerful): This attribute is evident in the description of the consequences for different groups based on their beliefs and deeds. Allah's power is manifest in His ability to decree and execute His divine plan accordingly.

 

- As-Saboor (The Patient): Though not explicitly mentioned in the verses, the attribute of patience can be inferred from Allah's giving of chances and opportunities for repentance, as well as His enduring mercy despite the persistent disobedience of some.

- As-Samad (The Self-Sufficient, The Absolute): Believers who do good within their capacity are granted eternal Paradise, reflecting that true fulfillment comes only through reliance on As-Samad. 

The thunder proclaims His purity with His praise, and (so do) the angels, out of His awe. And He sends the thunderbolts and strikes with it whom He wills. They are quarrelling about Allah, and He is stern in His plan.

[13:13]

let's examine these verses from the perspective of Asma ul Husna, specifically focusing on the attribute of "Al-Ahad, Al-Latif, Al-Muqtadir and Ar Raqeeb"

 

- Al-Ahad (The One): The thunder's proclamation of Allah's purity and the angels' awe reflect the oneness and uniqueness of Allah's dominion over the universe.

 

- Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Gentle): Allah's subtle signs in nature, such as thunder, serve as reminders of His greatness and power, subtly guiding humanity towards recognition and awe of His existence.

 

- Al-Muqtadir (The All-Powerful): This attribute is evident in Allah's control over natural phenomena, such as thunderbolts, which He employs according to His will and wisdom.

 

- Ar-Raqeeb (The Watchful): Although not explicitly mentioned in the verses, this attribute signifies Allah's constant vigilance and awareness of all things, including the disputes and arguments among His creation.