About the Meaning
Allah calls Himself Al-Bari’ — The
Originator— three times in the Quran. One of these times can be found in
the last ayah of Surah al-Hashr. In this ayah al-Bari’ is mentioned in
between al-Khaaliq (The Creator, The Maker and al-Musawwir (The
Shaper, The Fashioner). All three of these Names are interrelated in meaning
and deal with the aspects of Allaah subhanahu wa ta’alaa as Creator. All the
rest is creation.
Scholars differ about the root word.
Some say it is bari’a, which means to be free from or distant from
something. Others say it is baree’a, which means creation. In the
context of the Divine Names of Allah it means He is the Creator, the
Originator, the One who gave the creatures distinct characteristics which would
distinguish them from each other.
There Are No Test-tube Babies!
This Name should give us confidence in
an era in which world scientists dazzle people with their discoveries and make
“fantastic” claims to creation. For example, years ago there were huge
headlines: The First Test Tube Baby! The way they worded it, they
made it sound as if they had mixed some ingredients in a test tube and produced
a baby, when in fact all they had done was to insert a fertilised egg into a
woman’s womb.
Our belief in Allah subhanahu wa
ta’alaa as Originator puts our feet back on the ground. In fact, true
specialists (including scientists) discover that the more they research, the
more they find out they don’t know. They come to see that their knowledge is
almost nothing compared to that of the Originator, the Bari’ and the Creator,
the Khaaliq.
The Fly in the Quran
In Surah al Hajj, ayah 73, Allah
al-Bari’ makes a parable: “O mankind! Here is an example for your
understanding, so listen to it carefully. Those deities whom you call besides
Allah, cannot create a single fly, even if they all combined their forces,
rather, if a fly snatches away anything from them they cannot even get it back;
how feebleminded are the suppliants and how powerless are those whom they
supplicate!”
Allah ‘azza wajal has revealed certain
knowledge to the Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and if he relates
something in the field of science then we have to believe that what he has
related is the truth. Allaah al-Bari’ is here challenging anybody, including
these scientists, to make a fly. They can’t! A fly is a complete living being
with a tiny yet comprehensive flight management, guidance, and surveillance
system without turbines or propellers, a marvellous nano-technological design!
Are You Insane?
To Al-Bari’ belongs all knowledge of
His Creation. If He says there’s a cure in a certain thing but scientists
haven’t found that cure, does that mean there is no cure? All it proves is that
they haven’t found it!
If a hundred years ago someone had said that in the venom of a cobra there was a cure for heart problems, what would people have said? Are you insane? This poison makes your heart stop beating, and now you say it cures heart diseases?
But in fact today in India and
Bangladesh there are cobra farms where the snakes are milked for their venom
which is then sent off to America to be used for heart patients. Allah is
Al-Bari’! If He says there is a cure in a certain thing, but scientists haven’t
found that cure, does that mean there is no cure? All it proves is that they
haven’t found it! Scientists reject the Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
simply because they don’t have knowledge!*
How Can You Live by This Name?
1. Have firm confidence in al-Bari’!
The effect of This Name on those who accept the Oneness of Allah ‘azza wajal in their lives is that it should restore their confidence in these times when modern science tries to divert us away from belief in a Creator. It is said that anyone who comes to know Who Al-Bari’ really is will dissociate himself from claiming to have anything to do with his own form or shape, fearing his Creator’s Might.
2.
Disassociate yourself from the bad and seek refuge with the King.
It is said that Al-Bari’ is the One Who is never surprised by whatever events take place. It is also said that anyone who recognizes Him as al-Bari will try his best to dissociate himself from committing anything prohibitive, seeking refuge with the King, the Most Forgiving One.
3. Know that everything
besides Him is created.
The Messenger of Allaah salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: There is no obedience to the creation, in disobedience to the Creator. Obedience is only in what is good. [al-Bukharee] Be very honest with yourself and look at how many occasions in your life you’ve actually try to please the creation instead of pleasing al-Baree’. Then renew your intention (niyaa) to strive for the Pleasure of Allaah Al-Bari’ only.
4. Worship Al-Bari’
alone.
Allaah al-Bari’ is the Creator, which means all the rest is creation. And is it logical to worship creatures who were themselves created? No. That is why we worship the Creator only. And there is only One.
5. Do da’wah in the
Light of this name!
Use your knowledge of this powerful name to do da’wah to those who do not believe in their Creator. The ayah in Surah al-Hajj (ayah 73) is an amazing example!
6. Ponder the
creation of al-Bari’.
Look at the morning or evening sun. Look at tiny insects, flies, plants, and flowers. Study science and do so with the intention of pondering His creation.
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Al-Bari’, make us confident
in our belief in You as the Originator of everything and worship you
alone; guide us to obey You, help us ponder Your creations
and appreciate Your power and greatness, and makes us of those who carry
the da’wah of Your Oneness to others in the best way, ameen!
