Difference between names and attributes o

Dear Brothers and Sisters, AsSalam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuhu



Question: I would greatly appreciate if you explain me the difference between the names of Allah and the attributes of Allah. I am confused because, for instance, Kar�m is a name of Allah, but isn't it also considered an attribute or quality of Allah too?

Answered by Sheikh Rash�d al-Hasan, professor at King Kh�lid University

The relationship between the names and the attributes of Allah can be understood by referring to the principles we use to know these names and attributes. One of the best books in this regard is Sheikh Muhammad Salih al-`Uthaym�n's short book entitled al-Qaw�'d al-Muthla f� Sif�t Allah wa Asm�'ih al-Husna.
[ Exemplary Foundations Concerning the Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allaah - Shaik Uthaimeen - 8p [PDF ]
Excerpts from the exemplary book al-Qawaa'idul-Muthlaa (The Lofty Principles) fee Asmaa'illaahi Ta'aalaa wa Sifaatihil-'Ulaa. <>]

In this book, he explains that Allah's names are both proper names and attributes at the same time. They are proper names in their indicating Allah Himself and they are attributes in that they indicate meanings that are applicable to Allah. As names, they are like synonyms that mean the same thing - in this case Allah Himself - but as attributes each one conveys a unique and distinct menaing.

Therefore, al-Hayy, al-`Al�m, al-Qad�r, al-Sam�`, al-Bas�r, al-Rahm�n, al-Rah�m, al-`Az�z, al-Hak�m are all names of one being � Allah. However, the meaning of al-Hayy (the Living) is different than the meaning of al-`Al�m (the All-Knowing) and the meaning of al-`Al�m is different than the meaning of al-Qad�r (the All-Capable).

It should be noted that our knowledge of Allah's attributes is vaster than our knowledge of His names, since each name implies an attribute, but not all of His attributes double as a name. For example, Allah has attributes indicate some of His numerous actions like coming, going, taking, catching, and using force. We attribute to Allah these actions but we do not refer to Him by names that indicate those actions.

And Allah knows best.

Source: http://islamtoday.com/show_detail_section.cfm?q_id=382&main_cat_id=18

You may be interested in the below related articles:

• Allah's Names & Attributes in Qur'an - usc.edu - Sh. Ibn Taymiyah
• <> Allah's Names & Attributes in Sunnah - usc.edu - Sh. Ibn Taymiyah
• To Allaah Belong the Most Beautiful Names - Part 1 - SalafiPubs - 8p [PDF]
  Source: Dawud Burbank - Lessons on Kitaab ut-Tawheed
• The Names and Attributes of Allaah - Shaikh `Abdul-`Aziz Bin Baz - Salafi Pubs
• Tawheedul Assama WasSifat - part1 to 4 - Uthaimen - 9p [PDF]
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• General Principles Regarding the Attributes of Allaah - Troid.org - 5p
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• Important Principles concerning Allaah's Names & Attributes - Uthaimeen - 5p
• The Explanation of the Beautiful and Perfect Names of Allaah - islaam.net
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• The Position of the later Ahlus Sunnah on the Names and Attributes of Allaah - Ab� Rumaysah - islaam.net
• 99 Names of Allah Good One ! Good One !! Link to Navigable web pages
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• Ninety-Nine Names/Attributes of Allah, subhana watala, according to Quran and Sunnah - Muttaqun.com - 5p
• On the Hadeeth Naming the 99 Names of Allah - Umar Al-Ashqar - Zarabozo - 2p
• Nice Flash Video on 99 Names of Allah [Other] Good One ! from http://www.eternalmultimedia.com/ <>

As Salam
mramu