By Dr. Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi
The Beautiful Names of Allah, the Exalted, are not merely blessed names that we recite in remembrance and supplication. Through these names we recognize Allah’s attributes, understand His majesty, and learn the path to improving our lives.
Allah’s Essence is far beyond our intellect and understanding, limitless and incalculable. We cannot fully encompass His Essence, but through His Names and Attributes we can strive to understand His mercy, power, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and generosity. These very Names guide us to strengthen our relationship with our Creator and to live in accordance with His pleasure.
In Islamic gnosis, the Divine Names are described as stages of the human spiritual journey. This means that knowledge of Allah’s Names is not merely repeating them with the tongue; it also requires understanding their meanings and adopting the moral teachings they convey in one’s life. For example, when we call Allah “Rahim” (Most Merciful), we too should try to treat others with mercy and kindness; when we believe Him to be “Adil” (Just), we should act justly in our affairs; and when we call Him “Karim” (Most Generous), we too should behave with generosity and respect toward others.
In this way, knowledge of the Divine Names plays an important role in refining human character and spiritual training. True morality is not merely that a person knows the principles of good deeds; it is that goodness becomes part of his personality and daily life.
It is attributed to Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him):
“مَن عَرَفَ اللهَ بِأسمائِهِ حَقَّ مَعْرِفَتِهِ، عَرَفَ مَا يُصِيبُهُ وَيُفِيدُهُ”
One who truly recognizes Allah through His Names comes to better understand what is beneficial and harmful for him.
The Holy Quran states:
“وَلِلّٰهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا“
“And to Allah belong the most beautiful names, so call upon Him by them.”
(Surah Al-A’raf, verse 180)
This verse teaches us that calling upon Allah through His beautiful names, supplicating to Him, and understanding His attributes is an important part of our servitude. But the purpose of this knowledge is not limited to the words of supplication; it also means giving the meanings of these names a place in our lives.
When a person reflects on Allah’s Beautiful Names, there arises within him a desire to examine his actions, correct his mistakes, and improve his morals. Instead of self-conceit, he moves toward humility; instead of ignorance, toward knowledge and insight; instead of hatred, toward love; and instead of heedlessness, toward a sense of responsibility.
In reality, Allah’s Names and Attributes not only give us knowledge of our Lord, but also teach us how to become better human beings. The true knowledge of these names affects our lives only when it produces positive change in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
Therefore, the real purpose of knowledge of the Divine Names is not merely to know Allah’s names, but to recognize our Lord through them, reform our own selves, and adorn our lives with lofty moral values. This is the journey from knowledge of God to moral training and spiritual perfection.
Knowledge of the Beautiful Names: The Meanings and Spiritual Message of “Al-Jalil” and “Al-Majid”
Among Allah’s Beautiful Names, each name carries within it a profound meaning of knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual training. Among these blessed names, “Al-Jalil” and “Al-Majid” hold special importance, because they guide us toward Allah’s majesty, glory, grandeur, dignity, and limitless perfections.
“Al-Jalil”: The Manifestation of Majesty and Glory
The word “Al-Jalil” expresses Allah’s majesty and greatness before which every creature is powerless. Allah’s Essence is free from every defect, weakness, and limitation. His majesty is not merely outward authority or power; rather, it is the expression of the incomparable greatness, sublimity, and perfection of His holy Essence.
Knowledge of this blessed name creates in a person a sense of servitude, humility, submission, and reverence before Allah. When a person recognizes Allah’s majesty, he feels his own limited status and tries to stay away from arrogance, pride, and self-conceit. Thus the concept of “Al-Jalil” turns a person toward humility, piety, and obedience to God.
“Al-Majid”: A Comprehensive Meaning of Grandeur, Honor, and Perfection
Allah’s blessed name “Al-Majid” expresses His limitless grandeur, majesty, honor, and perfections. His Essence possesses all virtues and perfections; His mercy is vast and His giving is boundless. There is no limit to His praise and grandeur, and His glory is far beyond the conception of every creature.
Knowledge of “Al-Majid” draws a person toward the truth that the source of true honor, grandeur, and perfection is Allah’s Essence. When a person understands this truth, he begins to value moral elevation, good deeds, sincerity, and God’s pleasure in his life. At the same time, hope in Allah’s mercy and grace becomes stronger in his heart.
Spiritual and Moral Message
The study of the Divine Names “Al-Jalil” and “Al-Majid” is not limited to knowing the meanings of words; it is also necessary to adopt their message in one’s life. “Al-Jalil” teaches a person humility and servitude, while “Al-Majid” calls him toward the pursuit of true grandeur, moral nobility, and perfection.
Knowledge of these two blessed names makes a person aware of the truth that Allah’s majesty and grandeur are incomparable, and that man’s true elevation lies in acquiring knowledge of his Creator, choosing obedience to Him, and adorning his life with goodness, sincerity, and moral purity.