Surah Hashr Last 3 Ayat

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The Names of Allah in Surat Al-Hashr: Tafsir of Verses 22-24

  • Meta Title: Meaning of Allah’s Names in Surat Al-Hashr (Verses 22-24) | Tafsir Ibn Kathir

  • Meta Description: Explore the profound meanings of Allah’s Beautiful Names (Al-Asma’ Al-Husna) mentioned in the final verses of Surat Al-Hashr, based on classical Tafsir.

  • Primary Keywords: Names of Allah in Surat Al-Hashr, Surat Al-Hashr last 3 verses, Al-Asma’ Al-Husna meaning, Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surat Al-Hashr, Al-Malik Al-Quddus As-Salam

The final verses of Surat Al-Hashr (Verses 22-24) are among the most profound passages in the Holy Quran. In these verses, Allah the Exalted glorifies Himself by mentioning His magnificent Names and Attributes.

Understanding these Names allows believers to draw closer to their Creator, recognizing His absolute power, mercy, and sovereignty over the universe. Below is the detailed Tafsir of these beautiful attributes.

Verse 22: The All-Knower and the Most Merciful

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَـدَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَـنُ الرَّحِيمُ

“He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”

1. Absolute Monotheism (Tawhid)

Allah states that He Alone is worthy of worship. There is no Lord, Creator, or God in existence except Him. Any other deity worshipped instead of Allah is false and powerless.

2. Alim al-Ghayb wash-Shahadah (All-Knower of the Unseen and the Seen)

Allah’s knowledge encompasses everything. He knows what is visible to His creation and what remains hidden in the unseen realms. Nothing in the heavens or on the earth ever escapes His knowledge—whether great or insignificant, big or small, including a tiny ant in the pitch darkness of the night.

3. Ar-Rahman & Ar-Rahim (The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful)

Allah is the Owner of a vast, all-encompassing mercy that extends to all of His creation in this life and the Hereafter. As Allah states in other verses of the Quran:

  • “And My mercy embraces all things.” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:156)

  • “Your Lord has written (prescribed) mercy for Himself.” (Surah Al-An’am, 6:54)

  • “Say: ‘In the bounty of Allah, and in His mercy;—therein let them rejoice.’ That is better than what (the wealth) they amass.” (Surah Yunus, 10:58)

Verse 23: The Sovereign, The Pure, and The Almighty

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَـمُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَـنَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

“He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Malik, Al-Quddus, As-Salam, Al-Mu’min, Al-Muhaymin, Al-`Aziz, Al-Jabbar, Al-Mutakabbir. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.”

The classical scholars have explained these sublime Names as follows:

  • Al-Malik (The King & Owner): The supreme Owner and King of all things. He has full, uncontested power and authority over His creation without any resistance or hindrance.

  • Al-Quddus (The Pure & Blessed): According to Wahb bin Munabbih, it means “The Pure.” Mujahid and Qatadah defined it as “The Blessed,” while Ibn Jurayj stated it means “He Whom the honorable angels glorify.”

  • As-Salam (The Giver of Peace): He Who is completely free from any defects, shortcomings, or flaws that could lessen His perfect attributes, actions, or decrees.

  • Al-Mu’min (The Giver of Security): Ibn Abbas (R.A.) explained that Allah has granted safety to His servants by promising He will never be unjust to them. Qatadah stated it means “Allah affirms that His statements are true,” while Ibn Zayd noted it means “He attested to His faithful servants’ having faith in Him.”

  • Al-Muhaymin (The Ever-Watcher / The Witness): Ibn Abbas and others explained this as “The Witness over His servants’ actions,” meaning He is the ultimate Watcher over everything. This is mirrored in other verses:

    • “And Allah is Witness over all things.” (Surah Al-Mujadila, 58:6)

    • “And moreover Allah is Witness over what they used to do.” (Surah Yunus, 10:46)

  • Al-`Aziz (The Almighty): The One Who is dominant over all things. His majesty and might are invincible, irresistible, and absolute.

  • Al-Jabbar & Al-Mutakabbir (The Compeller, The Supreme): He is the Only One worthy of being the Compeller and Supreme. Pride and greatness belong to Him alone. In a Hadith Qudsi in the Sahih collection, Allah says:

    “Might is My Izar (undergarment) and pride is My Rida (cloak); if anyone disputes with Me over either of them, I will punish him.”

Verse 24: The Creator, The Inventor, and The Fashioner

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَـلِقُ الْبَارِىءُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الاٌّسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَلِزُ الْحَكِيمُ

“He is Allah, Al-Khaliq (The Creator), Al-Bari (The Inventor), Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner). To Him belong Al-Asma’ Al-Husna (the Best Names). All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is Al-`Aziz (The All-Mighty), Al-Hakim (The All-Wise).”

1. Al-Khaliq, Al-Bari, Al-Musawwir

These three Names represent the stages of bringing creation into existence:

  • Al-Khaliq: The One Who measures, proportions, and plans the creation.

  • Al-Bari: The One Who invents, brings forth, and physically brings into existence what He has planned and measured.

  • Al-Musawwir: The One Who fashions and shapes His creation into the final, distinct forms He chooses. As Allah states: “In whatever form He willed, He put you together.” (Surah Al-Infitar, 82:8)

If Allah wills something, He merely says to it “Be” (Kun), and it comes into existence in the exact shape and form He decides.

Al-Asma’ Al-Husna (The Most Beautiful Names)

Allah states: “To Him belong Al-Asma’ Al-Husna (the Best Names).”

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized the weight of memorizing and understanding these Names. In the Two Sahihs (Bukhari and Muslim), it is recorded that Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Allah the Exalted has ninety-nine Names, one hundred less one; whoever then preserves (memorizes, understands, and acts upon) them, will enter Paradise. Allah is Witr (One) and He likes the Witr (odd numbers).”

Everything in the Universe Glorifies Allah

The passage concludes by asserting that everything in existence praises and glorifies the Creator:

يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ

“All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him.”

This is similar to the verse in Surah Al-Isra:

“The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:44)

The Surah ends with a reminder of two final, powerful Names:

  • Al-`Aziz (The All-Mighty): His greatness is never humbled or weakened.

  • Al-Hakim (The All-Wise): Perfect in His legislation, His decrees, and His plans for the universe.

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