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"Allah is the Protecting Guardian of those who believe. He bringeth them out of darkness into light." — Holy Qur'an 2:257

 

Invoking the Divine Name, Al-Ali, for Global Peace and Sustainable Development

I. Divine Names

The following verse of the Holy Qur'an1 list some of the Divine names of Allah and the concept of beautiful names of Allah. Each Divine name has its own luminosity, power, blessing and ta'id (spiritual help) for believers.

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Surah Hashr Ayat 22-24

Transliteration English Translation
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Huwallaa-hullazi Laaa-'illaaha 'illaa Huu: -'Aalimul-gaybi wash-shahaadah; Huwar-Rahmaanur-Rahiim. (59:22) He is Allah, than Whom there is no other Allah, the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible. He is the Beneficent, Merciful. (59:22)
Huwallaa hullazii Laaa 'illaaha 'illaa Huu: Al-Malikul Qudduusus Salaamul Mu'minul Muhay-minul 'Aziizul Jabbaarul Mutakabbir: Subhaanallaahi 'ammaa yushrikuun. (59:23) He is Allah, than Whom there is no other Allah, the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One, Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Majestic, the Compeller, the Superb. Glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him). (59:23)
Huwal laahul Khaaliqul Baari 'ul Musawwiru lahul 'Asmaa-'ul-Husnaa: yusabbihu lahuu maa fis-samaawaati wal-'arz: wa Huwal-'Aziizul-Hakim. (59:24) He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of naught, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (59:24)

In addition to this, the Holy Prophet has encouraged Muslims to recite beautiful names of Allah according to the following hadith2:

"Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "God most high has ninety-nine names. He who retains them in his memory will enter paradise."

II. The Holy Prophet's List of Divine Names includes the name Al-Ali (The Most High)

In addition to this, the Holy Prophet has encouraged Muslims to recite beautiful names of Allah3:

La ilaha illallah, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim, Al-Malik, Al-Quddus, As-Salam, Al-Mu'min, Al-Muhaymin, Al-'Aziz,

Al-Jabbar, Al-Mutakabbir, Al-Khaliq, Al-Bari', Al-Musawwir, Al-Ghaffar, Al-Qahhar, Al-Wahhab, Ar-Razzaq, Al-Fattah, Al-'Alim,

Al-Qabid, Al-Basit, Al-Khafid, Ar-Rafi', Al-Mu'izz, Al-Muzill, As-Sami', Al-Basir, Al-Hakam, Al-'Adl, Al-Latif, Al-Khabir, Al-Halim, Al-'Azim, Al-Ghafur, Ash-Shakur, Al-'Ali, Al-Kabir, Al-Hafiz, Al-Muqit,

Al-Hasib, Aj-Jalil, Al-Karim, Ar-Raqib, Al-Mujib, Al-Wasi', Al-Hakim, Al-Wadud, Al-Majid, Al-Ba'ith, Ash-Shahid,

Al-Haqq, Al-Wakil, Al-Qawi, Al-Matin, Al-Wali, Al-Hamid, Al-Muhsi, Al-Mubdi', Al-Mu'id, Al-Muhyi, Al-Mumit, Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyum,

Al-Wajid, Al-Majid, Al-Wahid, Al-Ahad, As-Samad, Al-Qadir, Al-Muqtadir, Al-Muqaddim, Al-Mu'akhkhir, Al-Awwal, Al-Akhir,

Az-Zahir, Al-Batin, Al-Wali, Al-Muta'ali, Al-Barr, At-Tawwab, Al-Muntaqim, Al-'Afuw, Ar-Ra'uf, Malik-ul-Mulk, Dhul-Jalali-wal-Ikram,

Al-Muqsit, Aj-Jami', Al-Ghani, Al-Mughni, Al-Mani', Ad-Daarr,

An-Nafi', An-Nur, Al-Hadi, Al-Badi', Al-Baqi,

Al-Warith, Ar-Rashid, As-Sabur.

III. Surah Al-Aalaa (The Most High) describes the Power and Luminosity of the Name (Al-Aalaa)

The first five verses of Surah Al-Aalaa4 (The Most High) show the power and function of this Divine attribute of Allah. I have reproduced these below:

Transliteration
Holy Quran
English Translation
Sabbihisma Rabbikal-'A-laa;
(87:1)
Praise the name of thy Lord the Most High,
Allazii khalaqa fasawwa;
(87:2)
Who creates, then disposes;
Waallazii qaddara fahadaa;
(87:3)
Who measures, then guides;
Waallazii 'akhrajal-mar-'aa,
(87:4)
Who brings forth the pasturage,
Fa-ja-'alahuu gusaaa-an 'ahwaa.
(87:5)
Then turns it to russet stubble.

The word Ali and Alaa have a common meaning. These can be used as synonyms.

IV. Jews, Christians and Muslims have been advised to pray

The last six verses of Surah Al-Aalaa5 (The Most High)advise believers to pray and develop the spiritual dimension of their lives. This teaching has been given to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Transliteration
Holy Quran
English Translation
Qad 'aflaha man-tazakkaa.
(87:14)
He is successful who grows,
Wa zakarasma Rabbihii fasallaa.
(87:15)
And remembers the name of his Lord, so pray,
Bal tu'-siruunal-hayaatad-dunyaa;
(87:16)
But you prefer the life of the world
Wal-'Aakhiratu khayrunw-wa 'abqaa.
(87:17)
Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.
'Inna haazaa lafis-Suhufil-'uulaa --
(87:18)
Lo! This is in the former scrolls.
Suhufi 'Ibrahiima wa Muusaa.
(87:19)
The Books of Abraham and Moses.

V. Invoking the Divine Name Al-Ali

Each Divine name can be converted into a prayer by changing the prefix 'Al' to 'Ya'. For example, Al-Ali is a Divine attribute which means the One who is the Most High. A prayer from this name is Ya-Ali (O the One who is the Most High). Each attribute is also a Light, so when one invokes the name Ya-Ali, he/she is invoking the Light of Ali.

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Ya Ali Agisani, Ya Ali Adrikni,
Har Bala Tu(n) Dur Kar, Mushkil Kusha Mawla Ali
O the Light of Ali come to my rescue, O the Light of Ali extend to me Thy help,
Reduce all my calamities, O the Light of Ali, the Remover of all difficulties

Recited by Noorallah Juma

Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!

Please click here to hear a chanted recital of God's Beautiful Names ('Asmaaa-'ul-Husnaa).

End Notes

  1. Pickthall, M. M. The Meaning of the Glorious Koran, 394-395.
  2. Robson, J., Book X. God's Names. Chapter I. In: Mishkat al Masabih Vol. I (English translation with explanatory notes), 483.

References

  1. Pickthall, M. M. The Meaning of the Glorious Koran. The New American Library, 12th. Edition.
  2. Robson, J. Mishkat al Masabih Vol. I (English translation with explanatory notes), Sh. Muhammad Ashraf, Lahore, r1990.