99 Names of Allah - Asma ul Husna - And the Answer is . . . Al-’Qaabid and Al-Baasit!

The Names  Al-Qaabid, Al-Baasit— The Withholder, The Extender— are not specifically used as beautiful names in the Quran.  Al-Qaabid is the One whose wisdom decides when to withhold something or to make something scarce, either physically or spiritually. He is the One who holds all hearts in His hand.

Al-Baasit is the One Who expands and amplifies all abundance and the One whose glory and abundance fill and expand the heart!

Qaabid and Baasit are Opposites

Qaabid comes from the root qaa-baa-daad, which refers to the attribute of withholding. It points to meanings like to lay hold of, to grasp, to make scarce, and to have absolute ownership of something (to hold in the hand). It also means to contract the heart, which causes distress, depression, and lack of joy.

Baasit comes from the root baa-seen-taa, which refers to the attribute of expanding.  It means to extend, to grant abundance, to provide amply and to widen, to make spacious. The term Baasit includes a powerful and majestic sense of infusing something with a gift that will grow and flourish in great abundance.

Linguistically, the first name refers to decrease while the second to increase; these two actions embrace all things in existence. In other words, if Allah decreases something, this means that He withholds it, and if He increases something, this means that He extends it. Therefore these two names are mentioned together.

Our Provisions

There are different fields of Qabd (withholding) and Bast (expanding). One of the meanings  of Al-Qaabid and Al-Baasit has to do with people’s provision or sustenance.

Allah says: Allah extends provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and straitens it for whom (He wills). Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of all things. [Quran, 29:62]

Regarding people’s provision, we should not say this is due to someone being intelligent or talented, because Allah ‘azza wajal  is the One Who withholds or extends provision for people.

Allah’s extension of provision is for your honour or for your trial and His withholding of your provision is for treatment or protection. Allah says: And if Allah were to enlarge provision for His slaves, they would surely rebel in the earth, but He sends down by measure as He wills. Verily, He is, in respect of His slaves, the Well-Aware, the All-Seer (of things that benefit them). [Quran, 42:27]

Constriction and Expansion of Our Hearts

Allah ‘azza wajal withholds when it is good and gives when it is good. Sometimes our chests feel tight and our imaan feels low. This constriction of our hearts can bring us back to Allah if we take the step to strive. At other times our hearts feel spiritually expanded, our imaan, is strong, and we feel joy and strength to face the world. We daily struggle with the heart, which is called qalb in Arabic, which means to change or to turn. Just like Allah is Al-Qaabid, He is Al-Baasit who can remove any constriction we feel.

Special Equipment

Allah equipped you with a special criterion: Al-Qabd, whereby you feel depressed and dispirited as soon as you commit a sinful deed, like lying to others, looking at indecent things etc.  You feel Al-Qabd only if your heart is still alive and you are sensitive.

Why does Allah grant us our mind? So that we thereby know Him! Why does He grant us our pure original human nature? So that we know our mistakes! With our mind we know our Lord; with our pure original human nature we know our mistakes by feeling unhappy and depressed. But instead of staying in that state, we should get up, seek forgiveness, and follow up our bad deeds with good ones!

As well, sometimes Allah causes us to feel qabd (constriction) so that we reflect on its causes, like a stomachache tells us we ate something bad. Why do we feel like this? Did we put our trust in others than Allah? Did you seek the pleasure of others instead of the pleasure of Allah?

How Can You Live by This Name?

1. Know that after hardship comes ease.

If you feel in a state of constriction, look forward to expansion and lightness. Understand it is from Allah ‘azza wajal.  The Story of Yusuf ‘alayhi sallam is characterized by the ups and downs; from the well, to a palace, from prison to Minister, from separation to unity. He made the best of his situation and knew the relief was coming. Have this attitude and strength and you will succeed, no matter the situation!

2. Contemplate nature.

Allah withholds the clouds from some people and provides them to others, and in some places the rain would be much heavier than in others. This means that Allah withholds rain from some and provides it to some. Allah is also the One who ‘withholds’ (conceals) daylight and then brings it back. Allah says Then We withdraw it (daylight) to Us a gradual concealed withdrawal. [Quran, 25:46] Reflect on these types of qabd and bast every time you experience them!

3. Reflect on life and death.

Allah Al-Qaabid, Al-Baasit  infuses souls into us (bast) and gives us life, and He also seizes souls and causes them to die (qabd). Allah says:  Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent—[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed– and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving. [Quran, 67:1-2]

4. Be a source of expansion to others.

Be of those who offer relief to other people. Expand the hearts of others by reminding them of the blessings of Allah (swt) and that after hardship comes ease!

5. Do da’wah with these names!

While doing da’wah strike the balance between reassuring people of Allah’s mercy and warning them of His punishment. Because Allah is simultaneously Al-Qaabid and Al-Baasit, you as a da’ee or da’eeyah should also warn people away from disobeying Allah and encourage them to obey Him. Three things must always be dwelling together in your heart as a true believer: glorification of Allah (through contemplation on the miraculous universe), love for Allah (through contemplation of His divine favors), and fear of Him (through contemplation of His irresistible wrath and punishment).

6. Sleep in the name of Allah.

When you sleep it’s called a minor death. Allah withholds the souls of some and they will never wake up and He returns the souls of others and they do wake up. That’s why it’s very important to make your bedtime dua:  Allahumma bismika amootu wa ahyaa- O Allah in Your Name I die and live.

7. Remember the Day of Resurrection!

Allah says about another example of His power of qabd: They made no just esteem of Allah such as due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection, the whole of the earth will be in His Grasp, and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified is He and far Exalted is He above all that they associate as partners with Him! [Quran, 39:67)]

8. Beg Al-Qaabid, Al-Baasit to guide your heart.

A happy heart is the heart filled with imaan. The Prophet salallaahu alayhi wasallam made this dua often: Yaa muqallibal quloob, thabbit qalbee ‘alaa deenik– (O Turner of the Hearts, keep my heart firm on Your Religion).

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Al-Qaabid, Al-Baasit, lead us by Your withholding and expanding  to whatever is best for us in this life and the next. Guide our hearts and grant us strong faith to believe that after hardship comes ease. Make us contemplate your perfect power by reflecting on nature and by remembering our life, death, and resurrection, and favour us by being a source of expansion for others. Ameen!

99 Names of Allah - Asma ul Husna - And the Answer is . . . Al-Musawwir!

About the Meaning

Allah calls Himself Al-Musawwir— The Fashioner, or The Bestower of Forms— once in the Quran, in the last ayah of Surah al-Hashr.

Al-Musawwir has the root saad-waw-raa, which has the following meanings: to make something incline, lean or bend, and to form, fashion, sculpt, imagine, or picture something, or to have an inclination or desire towards something.

Al-Musawwir is the One who has given everything in creation its own distinct shape and He has bestowed things with a special inclination or desire even though His creation is so great and so varied.  He has bestowed forms and not by way of copying— every single thing is unique, Allahu Akbar!

The Relation of Al-Khaaliq, Al-Baari‘, and Al-Musawwir

In Surah al-Hashr, Al-Musawwir’ is mentioned after al-Khaaliq (The Creator, The Maker) and al-Baari’ (The Originator).

Some scholars have said that in this ayah the attribute of creation refers specifically to Allah’s determination of what He creates, so it comes first. The name Al-Bāarī’ refers to the creative act of bringing about what Allah wills to create. Finally, the name Al-Musawwir (the Fashioner) refers to giving each created thing its particular form. So Allah decrees what He creates, brings it into existence, and specifies its particular, unique form.

Scholars also have mentioned that Al-Khaaliq is a general word, Al-Baari’ is more specific,and Al-Musawwir is even more specific.

How Can You Live by This Name?

Be happy with how al-Musawwir shaped you.

We live in a time of cosmetic surgery. If you don’t like how you look, you can change yourself with a medical procedure.  Allah also says: He it is who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise. [Sūrah Āl `Imrān: 6] .

Live by the name Al-Musawwir by being content with how He shaped you by His ultimate wisdom. For example; if we were as beautiful as the Prophet Yuusuf alayhi salam, would we be able to withstand the temptations he faced?

When you look at yourself in the mirror, say alhamdulillah! If Shaitaan tempts you to complain about any of your facial or body features, remember those who are blind, sick, or handicapped.  Thank Allah (swt) that you are sound and healthy.

Ask Al-Musawwir.

When He wills a thing, He merely says to it, Be! and it is, with the attributes that He wills and the form that He has chosen for it. He does what He wills and creates what He wills in the form that He wills. Al-Musawwir perfected everything you see around you; don’t you think He can solve all your problems? So remember when you make duaa’ that nothing is impossible for al-Musawwir!

Reflect on the perfect creation of Al-Musawwir.

Allah ‘azza wajal says: Then We made the seed a clot, then We made the clot a lump of flesh, then We made (in) the lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We caused it to grow into another creation, so blessed be Allah, the best of the creators. [Sūrah al-Mu'minūn: 14] . Everything in the universe is Allah’s creation, and it attests by its very existence to its Creator, its Lord and Sustainer. Everything we see around us is proof of Allah’s existence!

To please our eyes, He has designed the flowers, trees, fruits, cows, and sheep to have very appealing shapes.  Amazingly, when it comes to outside our range of normal vision, the mosquitoes, bees, and other insects are very terrifying to look at.  He ensured that we live a pleasant life here, and we must thank Him for this too!

Worship Al-Musawwir alone.

Allah alone deserves our worship. Allah says: This is the Creation of Allah. Now show me that which those (you worship) beside Him have created. Nay, but the wrong-doers are in manifest error! [Sūrah Luqmān: 11]

Live up to your potential!

Allah Al-Musawwir says: Indeed, We have created the human being upon the best of forms.[Sūrah al-Tīn: 4]  We are created with a particular brain, heart, face, and limbs, which differentiates us from the animals. How do we use them? We will be questioned on the Day of Judgement as to how we use our hearing, our sight, and our hearts!

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Al-Musawwir’, make us of the shaakireen (the grateful ones) and in times of difficulty and ease may we ask and worship You only,  andhelp us ponder Your creations, ameen!

99 Names of Allah - Asma ul Husna - And the Answer is . . . Al-Ghaffaar

About the Meaning

Allah calls Himself Al-Ghaffaar— The All-and-Oft-Forgiving— five times in the Quran. However from the same root comes the name Al-Ghafour, which occurs more often. The names Al-Ghafour, Al-Ghaffaar and Al-Ghaafir all denote forgiving or protecting.

Al-Ghaffaar has the root ghaa- faa-raa, which has the following three main meanings: 1). to cover, veil, conceal, and hide;  2). to pardon, forgive and set aright; and 3). to cover a thing and to protect it from dirt.

Al-Ghaffaar is the One Who forgives our sins, veils our shortcomings, and protects us from the effects of our mistakes in this life and the next so we can go on without shame or guilt.

Ghaffaar (غفّار) is a hyperbolized noun, which points out that while we sometimes forgive and we sometimes forget, Allah (swt) forgives and forgives and forgives. He is the Oft-Forgiving. He, Al-Ghaffaar, forgives all kinds of sins everywhere and at all times. He is the All-Forgiving.

Al-Ghaffaar is the One Who forgives our sins and even turns them into good deeds as long as we turn back to Him with full devotion and repent to Him sincerely.

A Beautiful Ayah to Ponder

Allah Al-Ghaffaar gives us a message of beautiful hope: “‏وانيلغفارلمنتابوءامنوعملصالحاثماهتدى”
And indeed, I am the perpetual forgiver to whoever repented, had faith, and performed a righteous deed. Then he is guided.[Quran, 20:82]

After mentioning His beautiful name Al-Ghaffaar, Allah reveals to us what is expected from us: we must repent, believe, and do good deeds. Then, to be guided is better than the whole world and everything in it.

How Can You Live by This Name?

1. Call upon Al-Ghaffaar.

Do this when you do wrong to others or even yourself and never give up asking Him to forgive you. Never stop turning to Al-Ghaffaar and never despair of His mercy and forgiveness, no matter how often you’ve sinned and no matter how big your sins are.

2. Don’t hunt for other people’s mistakes.

As a true believer, always highlight the good of others and cover their faults. Never hunt for others’ mistakes!

3. Follow up a bad deed with a good one.

Al-Ghaffaar tells us: Except for those who repent, believe, and work righteous deeds. For those, Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Quran, 25 : 70] What often happens is that we sin and feel bad about it but remain passive. Never let a major sin go without repentance. Then Al-Ghaffaar will transform your evil deeds into good deeds. What a blessing!

4. Practice forgiveness in your daily life.

We hold too many grudges. We have too much ill-feeling towards others, whether they’re family or not. Try to cleanse your heart from these and try to go to sleep without them. Think of Al-Ghaffaar and be inspired to forgive more.

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Al-Ghaffaar, forgive our sins, the first one, the last one, the hidden and apparent, conceal our shortcomings in this life and on the Day of Judgement, protect us from the effects of our sins and aid us to be forgiving to others, ameen!

99 Names of Allah - Asma ul Husna - And the Answer is . . Al-Qahhaar!

Allah calls Himself Al-Qahhaar— The Subduer, The Ever-Dominating— six times in the Quran. All creatures surrender to Al-Qahhaar, Who submits and dominates the whole universe. This is a name of majestic strength!

Qahhaar comes from the root qaa-haa-raa which points to the attribute of overpowering something. It means to subdue, to dominate, to prevail, and to compel against one’s wishes. The Arabic word Al-Qahhaar has the structure of intensification, and is the intense form of Al-Qahir, The Irresistible.

Together with the name Al-Azeez and Al-Jabbaar, this beautiful name illustrates that Allah ‘azza wajal has the supreme authority and ultimate power to do anything. He can subdue anyone to compel him or her to His will.

The names Al-Qahhaar and Al-Lateef (subtle, refined) are sometimes used together to honor and reveal the opposing yet complementary ways of the One. He is The Subduer, but also The Most Wise and the Most Just. He’s never unfair, so be reassured.

The One and His Supreme Power

In all the six ayaat in the Quran in which this beautiful name is mentioned it is amazingly combined with the Name الْوَاحِدُ (the One). Allah ‘azza wajal is telling us that everything that is created submits to Allah willingly or unwillingly— that’s the power and force of Al-Qahhaar. And this supreme power rests with Him only.

The skies, the earth, the angels, and all the creatures obey Him. Al-Qahhaar left us the choice; either we come to Him willingly or He’ll make us come to Him anyway. Allah says:  “ . . . then said to it and to the earth, “Come up (you two) willingly (or: in obedience) or unwillingly!” They (both) said, “We come up willingly.” [Quran, 41:11]

Look at the gravity of the earth, which ensures that people can make an object go only so far. We as human beings can only go a limited speed. Regardless of how far technology advances, this technology will be subdued by Al-Qahhaar to comply to His will. It shows us how limited we are and how grand, powerful, and majestic Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa is.

A Soul-shaking Moment with Al-Qahhaar

One of the greatest examples is that the whole creation is subdued by death. Allah ‘azza wajal says about one of the most soul-shaking moments related to us: The Day when they will (all) come out, nothing of them will be hidden from Allah. Whose is the kingdom this Day? (Allah Himself will reply to His Question): It isAllah’s the One,Al-Qahhaar! [Quran,40:16]

How Can You Live By This Name?

Submit. Surrender. What does Islam mean? It means you submit. You surrender to the Lord of the Worlds. As his Lord said to him, “Surrender,” (i.e., be Muslim) he said, “I have surrendered to The Lord of the worlds.” (Quran 2:131). Does the Name Al-Qahhaar invite you to fear Allah ‘azza wajal and panic or to apprehend and surrender? So surrender your heart, your limbs, your actions, your speech, your senses, your talents and your skills all to Him. Don’t submit to your own desires and whims; submit to Al-Qahhaar willingly! Know that submission is not a sort of humiliation but rather an apprehension and a beautiful glorification!

Ponder on how Al-Qahhaar  expresses His will. The sea or a breeze of fresh air can be at times deadly and at other times beautiful and calm. He created the water with the ability to extinguish fire. Look at how Al-Qahhaar commanded nature to change at His Will; the fire that didn’t burn Ibrahim alayhi sallam, the knife when it didn’t slaughter Ismaeel alayhi sallam, the whale when it swallowed Yunus alayhi sallam, but didn’t digest him.  Teach your children at bedtime the story of the elephant, a powerful creature and Abrahah and how Allah destroyed him with the weakest of creatures; birds. Ponder upon the effect of His Will all around you.

Be kind to the weak. Be compassionate and kind to the weak, especially the orphans and the poor. Al-Qahhaar says: “Then, as for the orphan, then do not subdue (him), and as for the beggar, then do not scold (him).” [Quran, 93:9-10]. Imagine facing The Subduer, The Ever-Dominating, on the Day of Judgement, where people are either oppressors or oppressed. Who will be more fearful?

Be good to people at all times. Apprehension of Al-Qahhaar and His supreme power makes you treat people well, because it makes you remember His punishment. Look at how submissive Umar ibn al-Khattaab radiyallahu anhu was, when asking his son to put his face in the dust as he was dying so that Al-Qahhaar would have mercy upon him. Umar Ibn al-Azeez ordered his servant to remind him of Al-Qahhaar in case he saw him oppressing anyone. Live by this name by being good, just, and fair to others at all times.

Abandon your sins. Remind yourself of the power of Al-Qahhaar, and free your tears. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam says that whoever cries because of apprehension won’t enter hellfire. Al-Qahhaar compels your tongue at the time of your death. You might be unable to say la ilaaha illallaah because of your bad deeds. Or He may compel your tongue to say it because of your good deeds. Have you noticed what a simple phrase la ilaaha illallaah is and that you can say it without even moving your lips? Still it is the will of Al-Qahhaar that will enable or not enable you to say it. May we be of those who utter the shahada in our last breath, ameen!

Ask Al-Qahhaar!

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam used to say a certain dua at the end of any gathering: My Lord, grant us apprehension which keeps us away from disobeying you. Grant us submission which delivers us to Jannah, and grant us faith which makes us endure the worldly trials. Revive this sunnah in your life!

Al-Qahhaar started life on earth by a blow in Adam’s body and ends by a blow on the trumpet. Allahu Akbar!
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Al-Qahhaar, make us of those who bow to You in Islam, adorn us with apprehension of You and aid us to surrender our hearts and our actions to You only. Make us ponder Your power, abandon our sins, and be kind to the weak, ameen!

99 Names of Allah - Asma ul Husna - And the Answer is . . . Al-Razzaaq!

Allah calls Himself Ar-Razzaaq— The Provider, The Bestower of Sustenance, on one occasion in the Quran. Ar-Razzaaq provides all of His slaves with sustenance no matter how many they are or how great their need. That’s why it’s said: “If Allah gives, He astonishes.”

Razzaaq comes from the root raa-zaa-qaa which points to the attribute of providing or supplying, whereby something is nourished, sustained, or helped to grow physically, mentally, or spiritually.

The word rizq means provision. The Arabic word Ar-Razzaaq has the structure of intensification, He is The All-Provider.

This beautiful name illustrates the amazing way in which only Allah ‘azza wajal is able to provide for every single part of His creation.

What is Rizq?

Rizq (provision) is what benefits you and it can be material, but also emotional and spiritual. Rizq includes not just money but also knowledge, good manners, security, peace of mind, spiritual enhancement, etc.

Allah Ar-Razzaaq created your rizq, and He delivers it to you in the way He wants. Ar-Razzaaq Himself says: And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision [rizq], and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register. [Quran, 11:6]

Material and Spiritual Provisions

Some scholars say, Ar-Razzaaq is He Who provides people’s bodies (with sustenance) by His Grace, and adorns the hearts of the elite with true Faith. So provision is of two main types: material and spiritual. Allah’s Messenger salallaahu alayhi wa sallam said beautifully:  If the soul finds its provision, it feels secure.

How blessed are you if you pray with full devotion, if your heart is filled with humility when you read Allah’s Book, if you feel secure and tranquil for being near to Allah ‘azza wajal?

Some people have lots of money, they eat whatever they like, they buy the most beautiful houses and furniture, and they travel wherever they desire. They choose the best cars and the best clothes. Then there are other people who don’t have all this but who enjoy an incredible spiritual closeness to their Lord; connected to the upper world, they don’t care about material things.

In other words, either you dwell in material provision or you witness the All-Provider.

Spiritual Promotion

There are people who are committed to Allah’s commands yet Ar-Razzaaq withholds material provision from them in order to enhance their spiritual provision.

How many times does wealth divert us from the remembrance of Him?  Some people are honest and practice their religion, yet they don’t feel much spiritual comfort. This motivates them to hasten to do more righteous work, which helps them to go to the higher and better spiritual state that Allah Ar-Razzaaq wants them to reach. So you might feel deprived of spiritual rizq (like tranquility in the heart), but this is a way Allah ‘azza wajal causes you to be motivated to do more and therefore be elevated even more!

The Test of Rizq

Allah ‘azza wajal told us that if we don’t rule with justice there will be corruption on earth. These days resources are overused, people are being abused, and wealth is not being distributed the way it should be.

Some people ask: why is there poverty? Why are people starving? We have to understand that our actions have consequences. We human beings created a system that went against the way Allah the Allwise instructed us to live. These people’s tests may be hardship in this world and our test might be our inability to help them;  we don’t know of the many ways of ar-Razzaaq.

How Can You Live by This Name?

1. Be content. Worries about material things cause illnesses like depression and heart problems. Live by this name by being content with all the rizq you’re given. Complaining about your body or your wealth means you complain against Ar-Razzaaq. May He guide us to rida (contentment with His Decree)!

2. Work hard. Provision has to do with honesty and uprightness.  What you see of wealth given to some and poverty to others is only superficial; Allah ‘azza wajal will bestow the best types of rizq on the best types of people.  You need to work as if your rizq depends on how hard you try, but in your heart you know that nothing will come to you except what is has written for you.  Knowing that rizq is guaranteed is not an excuse to be lazy.

3. Don’t strive for material things.

It’s been said: more money, more problems. Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa reassures us that He has undertaken to grant us provision. Be wise and strive for the things that Allah has commanded you to strive for and do not waste time seeking the things that Allah has undertaken to provide for you. The Prophet ‘Esa alayhi sallam said, Do not worry about your bellies!

4. Ask Ar-Razzaaq. The Prophet Dawud alayhi sallam supplicated: O Allah, Who grants Provision to the baby raven in its nest! Grant us provision!

The Bughath, the baby raven, has an amazing story. When it hatches, it looks white and therefore its mother (black in color) denies it and does not recognize it. Then Allah Ar-Razzaaq sends it some insects to feed on until its feathers grow and become black. Only then its mother recognizes it.

As a baby this bird is left forsaken and helpless, but Allah sends it its provision, subhanAllah! So remember this and use the dua’ of Dawud as well as other supplications regarding rizq from the Quran and the Sunnah!

5. Ponder what Ar-Razzaaq has given you. Allah, Who is very compassionate toward us, placed us on fertile lands with countless blessings. Even without taking care of them green crops grow, flowers blossom, fruits and vegetables come out of the soil, and the blue oceans are bursting with tasty fish. Then Ar-Razzaaq places the meat of most animals and birds at our service and gives them pure milk and honey. All of these are the rizq of Allah.

Contemplate your environment and grow your love for Ar-Razzaaq and your will to please Him!

6. Remember the counterparts in the hereafter. All these blessings granted in this world have perfect counterparts in the hereafter. (Think of the food and drinks in Jannah.) So remember the rizq in Paradise and ask Ar-Razzaaq for Paradise each day. On the other hand, the people of the hellfire will have the most horrific foods and drink, so ask Ar-Razzaaq to protect you from Jahannam!

7.Use your rizq in the right way. Be honest and trustworthy with Allah’s provision; don’t seek haraam means. This also prevents our supplications from being answered.  One of the things that prevents our rizq from reaching us is our sins, so if you see these people who are disobeying Allah ‘azza wajal but they do have material rizq, Allah may have denied them their spiritual rizq, which is much worse.

8. Learn how to increase your rizq!

In the ayaat of the Quran and in the ahadeeth ways are mentioned for us to increase our rizq; look out for them. Examples are striving for taqwa,  praying with khushoo’, having tawakkul (reliance on Allah), upholding the ties of kinship, being thankful, asking for forgiveness and repenting, giving charity, and reading the Quran!

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Ar-Razzaaq, make us of thosewho are content with Your provisions, guide us to work hard and use Your provisions wisely and make us ponder them. Lead us to deeds which increase Your rizq and enter us into Your Gardens by Your rahmah, ameen!

99 Names of Allah - Asma ul Husna - And the Answer is . . . Al-Muqeet!

Allah calls Himself Al-Muqeet— The All-Sustainer, The All-Nourisher, The All-Preserver— on one occasion in the Quran. He is the powerful maintainer who sustains, nourishes, protects, and oversees all that exists. Al-Muqeet is taking care of all living beings by sending down all kinds of physical and spiritual nourishment for them!

The Ultimate Maintainer, Nourishing and Overseeing Creation

Muqeet come from the root qaaf-waw-taa, which carries four main meanings. The first meaning is to supply, maintain, and sustain. The second main meaning of this root is to feed and nourish. The third is to keep, preserve, and guard, and the fourth is to witness, observe, and watch over.

This root appears twice in the Quran in two derived forms. Examples of these forms areaqwātahā  (its sustenance) and muqeetan (a keeper).

Al-Muqeet sustains bodies and the souls and He has taken it upon Himself to sustain His creation. As He creates all things, Al-Muqeet also creates what sustains them; He makes accessible what is necessary and what is luxury.

He gives us what we need to survive, until He wills to put an end to life— then He simply withholds what keeps us alive. Al-Muqeet alone is capable and knowledgeable of everything.

Al-Muqeet Himself says: . . . And ever is Allah , over all things, a Keeper .” [Quran, 4:85]

Sustaining Body and Soul

Al-Muqeet protects and sustains living beings; in this sense this name is strongly related to Al-Hafeedh, The Preserver. He does not only sustain our bodies with provisions like food and drink, but Al-Muqeet also for example sustains the heart through knowledge. Sustaining us is even more specific than the attribute of providing for us (Ar-Razzaaq)!

Al-Muqeet and Al-Mugheeth

“Al-Muqeet is the Sustainer; He is taking care of all living beings, for when He causes parts of them to die over time, He compensates for that. At every moment He gives them what they need to survive, until He wills to put an end to their life – then He withholds what keeps them alive, and so they die.

Some reports give the name al-Mugheeth instead of al-Muqeet. Al-Mugheeth is interpreted as meaning the Helper, for He helps His slaves at times of difficulty when they call upon Him; He answers them and saves them. It also has the meaning of the One Who responds and the One Who is called upon. Ighaathah [help] refers to actions and istijaabah [responding] refers to words, but they may be used interchangeably.

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

‘He is the Helper of all His creatures, and He responds to those who are desperate.’

[Sharh Asmaa' Allaah ta'aala al-Husna, by Dr. Hissah al-Sagheer, p. 246]

~from IslamQA

How Can We Live By This Name?

1. Make abundant dua to Al-Muqeet.

Al-Muqeet hears the silent dua and responds to it and knows your affliction and is the only One Who removes it.  Ibn al-Qayyim said: “He is the Helper of all His creatures, and He responds to those who are desperate.” Call upon Al-Muqeet, using this beautiful name, to ask to sustain your body with provisions and your heart with the knowledge of Islam.

2. Recognize Al-Muqeet in every sustenance.

Let this name inspire you to equip yourself with this good manner: every time food is brought to you, recognize Al-Muqeet and His amazing grace through which you are provided with food. This goes for all the daily life provisions you never really think about, even the knowledge you are able to gain to strengthen your mind and heart. If you train yourself to such recognition you will be able to live by this Name.

3. Sustain others with the help of Al-Muqeet.

If you are grateful to Al-Muqeet for His sustenance, protection and nourishment He will make you treasure-house for His servants, enabling you to sustain others, teach them knowledge, and lead them to the ever-Living, the Sustainer!

4. Seek your wishes from Al-Muqeet only.

Only seek the fulfilment of all your wishes and desires from Him, for only Al-Muqeet holds the keys to the treasures of His sustenance. Al-Muqeet said in a hadith qudsi to Musa ‘alayhi sallam: “O Musa! Ask Me with regard to everything, including your shoe strings and the salt for your pot.”

5. Rely on Al-Muqeet.

He can sustain and look after the whole creation without ever getting tired, so be sure Al-Muqeet looks after you in the best possible way. Rely on Him to provide for you, nourish you and protect you by never seeking haram means of sustenance or doubting in His power to maintain you.

6. Nourish your soul by faith in Al-Muqeet.

Nourish your heart by having faith in His Oneness and nourish your soul by the five pillars of Islam; shahadah, prayer, zakat, fasting and Hajj.

7. Use your sustenance in the right way.

Whatever Al-Muqeet blessed you with, protected you with and gave you access to, show Him that you use it to please Him and not to anger Him. Pay your zakah over your belongings, give abundant sadaqah with your time and skills and don’t misuse your sustenance by using it for haram things or by being ungrateful or unsatisfied.

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Al-Muqeet, we know that You are the only One able to maintain all there ever was, is and will be. Sustain our bodies and souls , make us recognize Your sustenance and guide us to be of those who use their sustenance to gain Your Pleasure and become a way of sustenance for others, teaching others and leading them to You. Bless us with reliance on You and make us seek You only for everything we want or need, ameen!
The Understand Quran Academy Team

Reference:

http://understandquran.com/and-the-answer-is-al-muqeet.html