Dr. Ali Gomaa, former Grand Mufti of Egypt and a member of Al-Azhar’s Council of Senior Scholars, highlighted a Quranic verse that encourages believers to turn to Allah through His Beautiful Names:
“And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them.” [Al-A'raf: 180]
He explained that supplicating through Allah’s Names strengthens a believer’s relationship with his Lord and deepens trust in Allah’s mercy and power.
The Prophetic Supplication for Removing Distress and Grief
Ali Gomaa referred to a supplication attributed to the Prophet Muhammad that begins with acknowledging one’s complete dependence on Allah and asking Him through His Names and attributes.
The supplication includes:
“O Allah, I am Your servant, the son of Your servant, the son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your hand. Your command concerning me is fulfilled, and Your judgment concerning me is just. I ask You by every Name that belongs to You, by which You have named Yourself, revealed in Your Book, taught to any of Your creation, or kept with You in the knowledge of the unseen, to make the Quran the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the removal of my sadness, and the relief of my distress.”
The reported tradition describes the supplication as a means through which Allah removes grief and distress and replaces them with joy.
Three Categories of Allah’s Names
Ali Gomaa explained that Allah’s Names can be considered in three broad categories according to their meanings: Names of Beauty, Names of Majesty, and Names of Perfection.
Names of Beauty
Names associated with beauty include meanings related to mercy, kindness, and generosity.
A believer should reflect appropriate qualities such as mercy, patience, and kindness in dealings with others, while recognizing that divine attributes belong to Allah in a manner befitting Him.
Names of Majesty
Names of Majesty relate to Allah’s greatness, authority, and absolute power.
A Muslim should recognize Allah’s greatness and avoid arrogance, oppression, and pride when dealing with other people, remembering that absolute greatness belongs to Allah alone.
Names of Perfection
Names of Perfection refer to the perfection of Allah’s attributes.
A believer is expected to believe in these Names and recognize the perfection of Allah’s attributes and qualities.
Remembering Allah Through the Name “Al-Qahhar”
Ali Gomaa discussed the Divine Name “Al-Qahhar,” meaning the One whose power and authority prevail over all creation.
He emphasized the importance of remembering Allah and not underestimating the spiritual role of remembrance, particularly during periods of difficulty, anxiety, and uncertainty.
Remembering Allah During Times of Weakness
Ali Gomaa cited Allah’s saying:
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” [Al-Baqarah: 152]
Remembrance of Allah is among the acts of worship that help Muslims maintain awareness of Allah’s mercy and presence, providing spiritual steadiness during difficult circumstances.
What Is the Difference Between Contentment and Surrender?
Ali Gomaa explained that hope for improving circumstances is connected to two concepts: contentment and surrender.
He described contentment as relating to the present reality, while surrender relates to the future and involves trusting Allah while taking appropriate and lawful means.
Contentment Does Not Mean Abandoning Effort
According to Ali Gomaa’s explanation, contentment involves accepting the reality a person is experiencing without objecting to Allah’s decree.
Surrender regarding the future does not mean abandoning effort. Rather, it involves preparing, taking appropriate means, and relying upon Allah.
The Relationship Between Faith and Glad Tidings
Ali Gomaa emphasized a connection between faith and experiencing glad tidings, noting that a believer’s awareness of their meaning is connected to certainty in the statement “There is no power or strength except through Allah.”
This understanding is based on recognizing that all matters ultimately belong to Allah, while maintaining faith in Him as Lord and trusting His wisdom and mercy.
What Quranic verse encourages believers to call upon Allah through His Names?
Allah says: “And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them.”
What supplication is mentioned for relieving grief and distress?
The reported supplication begins: “O Allah, I am Your servant, the son of Your servant, the son of Your maidservant...” and asks Allah to make the Quran the spring of the heart and the removal of distress.
What categories of Allah’s Names did Ali Gomaa discuss?
He discussed Names of Beauty, Names of Majesty, and Names of Perfection.
What does the Divine Name Al-Qahhar mean?
Al-Qahhar refers to Allah’s absolute power and authority over His creation.
What is the difference between contentment and surrender?
Ali Gomaa explained that contentment relates to the present reality, while surrender concerns the future while maintaining trust in Allah and taking appropriate means.
