Importance of Knowing the names of Allah
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allah has ninety-nine names and whoever preserves them will enter Paradise.” Simply put, the knowledge of Allah (SWT) and His attributes is paramount in attaining success in this life and the Hereafter. The First pillar of Islam is the testimony of faith, which is based upon the knowledge of Allah (SWT) and the way to knowing Allah (SWT) is through His Names and Attributes. Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “Knowledge of the Most Beautiful Names of ALLAH is the basis of all other kinds of knowledge.” Tawhid revolves around knowing Allah (SWT) and then worshipping Him. Hence, the knowledge of the Names of Allah and His attributes is the half of Tawhid and the other half is worshipping Him. Therefore, we have to know who Allah (SWT) is and then we can fulfill the right of worshipping Him alone. Hence, there is no knowledge more sacred than knowing who Allah (SWT) is, the Sustainer of existence.
“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been doing.” [Surah Al-Araf, 180]
Allah (SWT) affirms this in several places in the Quran, where He commands us to learn and know who He is:
“..then know that Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” [Surah Baqarah, 209]
“..fear Allah and know that Allah is Knowing of all things.” [Surah Baqarah, 231]
“..And know that Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.” [Surah Baqarah, 235]
“..And know that Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” [Surah Baqarah, 260]
“..And know that Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Surah Al-Maeda, 34]
“..and know that Allah is severe in penalty.” [Surah Al-Anfal, 25]
Because Allah (SWT) wants us to know who He is.
How can we expect to worship Him, if we don’t know who He is? How will we love Him, if we don’t know who He is? How will we fear Him, if we don’t know who He is? How will we put our trust in Him or develop certain faith in Him, if we don’t have knowledge of Him? That is why knowledge of Allah (SWT) is the central tenant of our Iman and Tawheed. There is no science that causes our iman to increase as much as the knowledge of Allah (SWT).
Shaykh Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Saadi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Believing in and knowing the Most Beautiful Names of Allah includes the three types of Tawheed:
Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah (Oneness of Allah’s Lordship),
Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah (Oneness of Worship) and
Tawheed al-Asma’ wa’l-Sifaat (Oneness of Allah’s Names and Attributes).”
There is nothing of this names and attributes except that a knowledge of it will tremendously increase our love of Allah (SWT).
“He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” [Surah Al-Hashr, 24]
