Knowledge & Devotion · Names & Attributes of Allah

Exploring Allah's Divine Names and Attributes

Test your knowledge of specific names and attributes of Allah in Islam.

8 questions · Hard · about 4 minutes

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8 questions, about 4 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 8 questions.

1. What is meant when Allah is described as planning against wrongdoers?

  • He plans for a good and true purpose, requiting their evil plots. (correct answer)
  • He schemes unjustly like human wrongdoers.
  • He does something blameworthy.
  • His planning has no real meaning.

Why

When Allah is described as planning against wrongdoers, it means that He counters their evil schemes with perfect justice and wisdom. Their plotting is blameworthy because it is used to support falsehood and harm the believers, whereas Allah’s planning causes truth to prevail and requites them for what they did. Nothing in Allah’s actions resembles the actions of His creation.

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2. What caution is required when speaking about Allah as causing harm and bringing benefit?

  • Do not treat al-Daarr or al-Naafi‘ as proven names; if mentioned, pair harm with benefit. (correct answer)
  • Use al-Daarr alone as a confirmed name of Allah.
  • Deny that Allah controls harm and benefit.
  • Call children ‘Abd al-Daarr because the name is proven.

Why

There is no sound evidence that al-Daarr is one of Allah’s names, and the famous list that includes it is weak. It is permissible to speak of Allah as the One Who causes harm and brings benefit, because all harm and benefit occur by His decree and control. But because mentioning harm alone may suggest imperfection, scholars said it should be paired with benefit, such as al-Daarr al-Naafi‘, and it should not be treated as a proven standalone name.

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3. Which kinds of names of Allah may not be given to human beings?

  • Names that belong only to Allah, such as Allah, al-Rahmaan, al-Khallaaq, and al-Razzaaq. (correct answer)
  • Any word that can ever describe a human being.
  • Names such as ‘Azeez or Baseer in every possible context.
  • Any respectful title used for righteous people.

Why

Some names are unique to Allah and cannot be given to any created being, such as Allah, al-Rahmaan, al-Khallaaq, al-Razzaaq, or Lord of the Worlds. Other words may be used for created beings in a limited human sense, such as ‘azeez meaning strong or honoured, or baseer meaning seeing or insightful. Allah alone has the most perfect level of every attribute.

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4. Why should the term “body” not be used when speaking about Allah?

  • It is an innovated and ambiguous term not found in the Qur’an or Sunnah. (correct answer)
  • It is one of Allah’s names.
  • It is required in order to affirm Allah’s attributes.
  • It was used by the early generations as the standard wording.

Why

Allah should be described only as He described Himself or as His Messenger ﷺ described Him. The word “body” is not found in the Qur’an, Sunnah, or the wording of the early generations when speaking about Allah’s attributes, whether by way of affirmation or denial. It is also ambiguous and may imply false meanings. The correct approach is to affirm Allah’s attributes as reported in the texts, without using innovated wording.

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5. Why is al-Mutakallim not counted as one of Allah’s names, even though Allah speaks?

  • Because Allah’s names must be praiseworthy names proven in the texts, and “speaker” can include good or bad speech. (correct answer)
  • Because Allah does not speak.
  • Because only Arabic grammar determines Allah’s names.
  • Because every attribute automatically becomes a divine name.

Why

Allah’s speech is affirmed, but not every affirmed attribute or action becomes a name. Divine names are those proven in the Qur’an and Sunnah and which indicate praise and perfection in themselves. Speech may be truthful and just, or it may be false and blameworthy in the case of created beings. Because of that broad possibility, Allah did not call Himself al-Mutakallim, even though He speaks in a manner that befits Him.

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6. Is al-Munji one of Allah’s names?

  • No, it is not proven as one of Allah’s names in the Islamic texts. (correct answer)
  • Yes, it is one of the established ninety-nine names.
  • Yes, because any action of Allah becomes a name.
  • Yes, and children may be named ‘Abd al-Munji.

Why

Al-Munji is not established as one of Allah’s names because it is not mentioned as a divine name in the texts. However, Allah may be described as saving His believing slaves from punishment and saving those in distress, because the Qur’an mentions that Allah saves and rescues. The action may be affirmed in the way mentioned in revelation, but it should not be turned into a divine name or used to form names such as ‘Abd al-Munji.

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7. What does it mean that Allah’s names are al-husnaa?

  • They are the Most Beautiful and each includes a quality of perfection. (correct answer)
  • They are ordinary titles with no meanings.
  • They are limited to what people can fully understand.
  • They may include imperfection if the wording sounds powerful.

Why

Allah’s names are al-husnaa, the Most Beautiful. This means they reach the utmost beauty and each name includes a quality of perfection. His names point to His perfect attributes, such as knowledge, mercy, wisdom, power, majesty, forgiveness, and self-sufficiency. Allah’s names are therefore names of praise, perfection, and majesty.

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8. What does Allah’s name al-Qayyum mean?

  • He is self-subsisting and independent, and all creation subsists by Him. (correct answer)
  • He needs creation to continue existing.
  • He only judges people on the Day of Resurrection.
  • He exists temporarily and then ceases.

Why

Al-Qayyum has two major meanings. First, Allah is self-subsisting, perfect in His attributes, and independent of all creation. Second, the heavens, earth, and all creatures subsist by Him: He brought them into existence, sustains them, and manages their affairs. He is rich beyond need of creation, while all creation is in need of Him in every way.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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