The name Allah (SWT) – is it the same as the other beautiful names of Allah (SWT), or is there more importance or significance of one name over the other? Some scholars were of the opinion that all the names of Allah (AWJ) are equal and none are superior to the other; because they are all his names and there could not be a difference in the value or esteem given to one over the other, and to establish this point, they referred to the saying of Allah (SWT): “Call him as Allah or call him as Ar-Rahman – whichever one you call, Allah (SWT) possesses all of the beautiful names.” Allah (SWT) says, “Allah (SWT) has all of the beautiful names, so call him through them.” They say that one name is not given preference over the other. The majority of the Ulama say that there are some names that are more esteemed in the sight of Allah (SWT) than others. Why? The prophet (SAW) referred to “Al ism ul-A’zam.” When he heard sahaba saying certain things, he said, “You have called upon Allah (SWT) with his greatest name that whenever he is called upon with that name, he always answers. Some hadith mention that Ism A’zam is in two ayats; Ayat ul-Kursi and the opening of surah Al-Imran. Based on this, there are numerous opinions of Ulama. One is that the Ism A’zam is Allah (SWT) and is the greatest name of Allah (SWT) and the name that he has referred to himself as frequently. This is what is referred to as his proper name. This name is exclusive to Allah (SWT) and cannot be given to anyone else. Other Ulama say that it is the combination of “Al Hayyul Qayyum,” and the prophet (SAW) has also mentioned in some hadith, “Call upon Allah (SWT) by saying, ‘O Hayyu, O Qayyum.” This is in one of the du’as of the prophet (SAW) which was recited on the night of the battle of Badr. They say that this is Ism A’zam. Others have said that it is Ar-Rahman because it invokes the mercy of Allah (SWT) that is the most widespread and he responds because of his mercy.
There are numerous narrations, and it is difficult to reach one as an absolute – however, what we should do is look at all the names that have been referred to as Ism A’zam and frequently use them in our du’as, whether it is Allah (SWT), Hayyul Qayyum, Rahman, and other aqwal as well. The idea is to call upon Allah (SWT) through these names as frequently as possible and whenever we make du’a. The prophet (SAW) has taught us to praise Allah (SWT) before we make du’a. In some narrations, “When a person praises Allah (SWT), Allah (SWT) immediately responds.” In another hadith, “ٱللَّٰهُمَّ” is a very powerful name, and the meem that we add to it, as said by some scholars, is used to encapsulate all the asma’ of Allah (SWT). We call upon Allah (SWT) and say “ٱللَّٰهُمَّ,” we should have the thought in our mind that we are invoking Allah (SWT) with all of his beautiful names. These names make the basmala more powerful because we are invoking Allah (SWT) with his proper name. When we start something or do an act and say basmala, we should have the awareness of what a powerful and enormous name we are taking. A person on the day of judgement will be brought and have a record of 99 sins, and when these records of sins will be brought to this person, he will be asked, “Is this correct? Have any of my angels written something wrong in recording this?” He will say, “it is true.” And feel that it is time for him to be doomed. Allah (SWT) will ask, “If there any good deeds of his?” A small piece of paper will be brought that will say, “There is none worthy of worship but Allah (SWT).” Allah (SWT) will say, “Put these records of sins on one side of the scale and put this piece of paper on the other side of the scale.” When this will happen, that slip of paper will drop because of the weight, so hard that the other records will go flying into the air. This one deed of his will be heavier than all his sins. “Nothing can be heavier than the name of Allah (SWT).” This hadith can be used to explain the virtues of “لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ”. There is no doubt about that. “Nothing can stand in front of the name of Allah (SWT).” The only thing that varies now is who takes the name of Allah (SWT) and how they do it – what type of connection they have with Allah (SWT) and their urgency upon taking his name. All these things have an impact on our consequences and outcomes.
