Juz 15: Al-Isrāʾ to Al-Kahf 74
Section 9 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
9. Beautiful Names of Allah
Among the magnificent closing passages of Surah Al-Isra, Allah (swt) reveals profound wisdom concerning His divine names. These verses serve as a spiritual culmination of the surah's themes, bringing attention to the proper manner of invoking Allah (swt) through His beautiful names.
In verse 110, Allah (swt) instructs believers regarding supplication:
قُلِ ادْعُوا اللَّهَ أَوِ ادْعُوا الرَّحْمَٰنَ ۖ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا فَلَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ
“Say, "Call (Him by the name of) Allah or Ar-Raḥmān, in whichever way you call, His are the Best Names.”
This verse offers profound theological guidance by clarifying that believers may call upon Allah (swt) by any of His beautiful names, as all these names belong to Him and reflect His perfect attributes. When we invoke "Allah," we address the essential divine nature, while when we invoke "Ar-Rahman," we specifically emphasize His all-encompassing mercy. The verse assures believers that regardless of which divine name they use in supplication, they are addressing the same One God who possesses all beautiful names.
This teaching carries special significance in establishing the proper Islamic monotheism (tawhid), reminding believers that all divine attributes belong exclusively to Allah (swt). The beautiful names are not separate deities but different aspects of Allah's perfection that humans can relate to and understand.
The surah concludes with verse 111, a magnificent declaration of Allah's perfection and independence:
وَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ وَلِيٌّ مِّنَ الذُّلِّ ۖ وَكَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيرًا
“And say, "Praise belongs to Allah who has neither taken a son, nor is there any partner to Him in His kingdom, nor is there anyone to help Him because of any weakness. And proclaim His greatness, an open proclamation.”
This final verse of Surah Al-Isra emphasizes three essential aspects of Islamic monotheism. First, it negates any concept of Allah having offspring, directly addressing the misconceptions of those who attribute sonship to Allah (swt). Second, it affirms Allah's absolute sovereignty without partners in His dominion. Third, it emphasizes Allah's self-sufficiency and omnipotence by rejecting the notion that He would require helpers due to any weakness.
The command to "proclaim His greatness" serves as a fitting conclusion to the surah, urging believers to actively declare Allah's majesty and perfection. The term "تَكْبِيرًا" (takbīran) implies continuous, emphatic, and public glorification of Allah's greatness.
These closing verses create a profound spiritual framework for understanding our relationship with Allah (swt) through His names. They remind us that while Allah can be approached through various divine attributes that resonate with human understanding, His essence remains unified, perfect, and wholly unique.
The teaching about Allah's names offers practical spiritual guidance for believers. When facing hardship, one might call upon "Al-Jabbar" (the Restorer) or "Al-Latif" (the Subtle, Kind One). When seeking knowledge, one might invoke "Al-Alim" (the All-Knowing). All these invocations reach the same One God, as He possesses all beautiful names and perfect attributes.
These verses encourage believers to deepen their connection with Allah (swt) through understanding and properly using His beautiful names, while maintaining absolute clarity about His oneness and perfection.