These most beautiful names of Allah (S.W.T) are specific to His Being. These excellent names denote His perfect qualities to the highest degree. Only the Creator of the Universe possesses acme of perfection. No one can claim this perfection. So invoke Him in your prayers (Du'a) by these beautiful Names.
Calling on in prayer or supplicating is synonymous with du'a in Arabic language. In the Qur'an the word "Du'a" is used with two meanings:
a) Remembrance of Allah with Hamd, Thana, Thasbeeh and Thamjeed.
b) On the occasion of feelings of needs and at the time of difficulties to ask Allah earnestly for his help and relief. In the above mentioned Ayah 'Fa'd ooho bihaa' [call on Him in prayer (du'a) by them] includes both these meanings. Only the Supreme Being of Allah deserves all praises (Hamd Thana) and glorification (Thasbeeh). Only He can deliver one from difficulties and hardships and only He has the power to fulfill one's needs. Therefore only extol His praises (Hamd Thana) and seek His assistance in difficulties. Ask of your needs only from Him. He has also taught you how to call on Him in prayer by His Most Beautiful Names.
It is narrated by Sayyidina Abu Huraira (r.a.) that the Messenger of Allah said, "There are ninety nine names of Allah. He who commits them to memory would get into Paradise."
By the means or medium (WASILA in urdu) of whichever Name out of ninety nine Names of Allah (s.w.t.) whatever (allowable) purpose or object is besought in prayer it is granted. Allah promises that if you pray to Him He would answer you.
For dealing with the necessaries and difficulties of life there is no better plan than that of supplication to Allah. One of its benefits is immedate reward, because Du'a is a form if worship and it's recompense (Thawab) is written down in one's deeds and the purpose of the invocation is also realised.
In the books of Hadith, Bukhari and Muslim, it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said,
"whoever feels grief, restlessness or difficulties, he should recite the following from the Most Beautiful Names of Allah (Asmaa'e Husna). Then all his difficulties would be alleviated thorough the medium of Asmaa'e Husna: La ilah illallah-ul Azim-ul-Halim. La Ilaha, illallaho Rabbu-Arshil-Azim, La Ilaha illallaho Rabissamawate wal-ardhe wa Rabbul Arshil Azim"
And after this he should humbly present his difficulties for alleviation.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) his daughter, Fatima Azzuhra (R.A.), thus,
"Every morning and evening pray to Allah by means of the following sacred names of Allah. Ya Hayyo ya Qayyumo Berahmateka Astaghith. Asleh li shani kullahu wa la Takilni ila Nafsi Tarfata Ainin."
One person was praying, "O Allah, I only ask of you because you are Allah and there is no God except you, you are One and Independent of all, all are in need of you, your attribute is that you do not beget anyone and you are not begotten and no one is your compeer or equal."
On hearing this the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) said,
"This person is supplicating by means of 'The Greatest Names of Allah' (Ism-e-A'zam), whenever anyone supplicates by means of Ism-e-A'zam Allah grants him his requirement and answers his prayer (du'a)."
Similarly, a person was praying to Allah in the Prophet's Grand Mosque (Masjidul Nabawi) through the medium of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah, Hannaan and Hayyo Qayyum. The Messenger of Allah said, "This slave of Allah has entreat Allah by Ism-e-A'zam. An invocation thorough this means means is granted by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala".
It is enjoyed upon Muslims that they should praise Allah and pray to Him for their needs and alleviation of their hardships through the medium of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah and must also add their salutation to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) (salaam wa Salaam) both at it's beginning and at it's ending.
It is sinful to use names like Rehman, Razzaq, Khaliq, Ghaffar, Quddoos for anyone else but Allah (s.w.t). One should abstain from calling Abdul Rehman as Rehman , Abdul Khaliq as Khaliq, Abdul Ghaffar as Ghaffar and Abdul Razzaq as Razzaq, for to do so is very wrong.
(Extracted from "Ma'ariful Quran by Mufti Muhammad Shafi"- Renedered into English by Dr. Mohammed Sayied)
YOU ARE READING
99 Names of Allah
SpiritualThis book is about the attributes and powers of Allah subhanahu wa Ta'ala. He is one and only god. The Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, himself. May we call Him in our prayers with these names and He's sure to answer them In Shaa Allah.
