And Allah Knows, while you know not…

Firstly when learning about Allah’s attributes we must remember they are not mutually exclusive. Allah can be Subtle and Powerful, He can be the contractor and the expanser. Allah does not simply encompass one characteristic but many at once. Some names are often kept together because of how synergistic they are.

Al-Aleem means the All-knowing. Allah knows all things, he is omniscient – knowing what has passed, what is happening and what will come to pass. Allah’s knowledge differs from human knowledge in that we have had to learn what we know. Allah does not have to seek his knowledge from a book, a learned scholar or even empirically through experience.

The beautiful thing about understanding Allah’s omniscience is how well he knows us. Allah is closer to us than our jugular vein. He knows our thoughts, our desires, our struggles. In this knowledge, we can feel blessed. In Allah knowing our trials he can show us mercy for our shortcomings. He knows those moments of weakness when you wanted to do something bad but you didn’t, subhanAllah in his mercy we are even rewarded for these instances.

Context

Context is essential. How many times has someone’s actions angered you, maybe you got upset because you did not understand someone’s motives for treating you a certain way. Human interactions are marred by our inability to truly understand one another. But in Allah’s understanding of us, we can feel secure in his judgements…

Here is where al-Hakeem fits in beautifully. Al-Hakeem means the most wise. Allah is the most wise BECAUSE he is the all knowing. What judge can make a good decision without all the facts?

We often feel we know best, that if we want something it must be good for us. Perhaps you wanted something so badly, you asked Allah for it, you begged for it and it never happened. Should you despair, should you lose faith? No, because if you truly believe in Allah then you believe he is the all knowing and the most wise. That means trusting in his decisions.

“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you, and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.” (Qur’an, 2:216)

Take a few seconds to think of a time when you thought something bad happened to you but it turned out to be good and conversely a time when you wanted something so badly but when it happened you realised it wasn’t a good thing. Maybe you didn’t marry that man who turned out to be abusive Or you didn’t get into the university course that you now know you’d have hated. Allah giving someone something they want doesn’t mean he loves them and the opposite too. YOu being denied something you desire is not a sign of punishment. It just means it wasn’t right for you.

Who was more beloved than Prophet Muhammed PBUH . He went through many trials and he was most beloved to Allah. When things didn’t go to plan he still had trust in Allah and would say “if you are not angry with me I do not care”.

During the period of Muslim persecution, they were refused sanctuary in Taif but Allah planned for more, without being turned away, the Muslims would never have received the beautiful welcome they received from the Ansar of Madinah.

These characteristics should inspire humility in us. We were born knowing nothing,  Allah gave us the opportunity to learn what we know. So no matter how many letters you find behind your name, it is important to remain humble. To remember Allah and to not allow praise and accomplishments to make us arrogant. When praised Abu Bakr RA would say “O Allah! You know me more than I know myself, and I know myself more than they know me. O, Allah! Make me better than they say, forgive me what they do not know about me, and do not take me to account for that which they say about me.”

Last but not least we should be grateful for the knowledge and we should seek it always. To seek knowledge in Islam is encouraged and it is a privilege.

“… and say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’” (Qur’an, 20:114)

“… whoever is given wisdom is given a great good,” (Qur’an, 2:269)

We ask Allah to increase us in beneficial knowledge and in iman. Ameen.