In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Naming the Creation with Some of Allah’s Attributes

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Aziz bin Abdillah bin Baaz may Allah have mercy on him

Question: Indeed I hear people naming the creation after some of the attributes of Allah such as: al-‘Azeez (the Exalted), or al-‘Adheem (the Almighty), or al-Kareem (The Most Benevolent), and so on. Is this something that goes against aqeedah (creed) or is this permissible?

Answer: As for these attributes, there’s no problem (in using them). They designate Allah or the creation. Thus, one says: “Allah al-‘Adheem, al-‘Azeez, al-Hakeem,” and it is said: “So and so is adheem (great), azeez (honorable, very dear), kareem (noble, generous), jawaad (kind, generous), and that which resembles these. And from this is the saying of Allah, exalted and glorious is He: “The wife of al-‘azeez said…” (surah Yusuf 12: 51). He (al-azeez) was the king of Egypt. So the point is that this wording designates Allah and other than Him. As for Allah, to Him belongs the most perfect attributes, glory be to Him who is free from all imperfections; and for the servant are the attributes that befit him.

Honor, nobility, and greatness befit him (the creation). From this is the saying of Allah, exalted and glorious, describing Bilqees: “…and she has a great throne” (surah Naml 27: 23). And from this: “The Lord of the Great Throne” (surah Naml 27:26). General readings (of this verse) make “al-‘adheem” an attribute of the Throne, “the Lord of the Noble Throne” (surah Mu’minoon 23:116) as such. So the point is that al-kareem and al-‘adheem are attributed to the creation among the children of Adam and other than them, but in that which befits them. To Allah is that which befits Him and He has perfect attributes. And for the creation is what befits them of greatness, nobility, and honor, and similar to that, such as al-samee’ (one who hears), al-baseer (who see), and al-hakeem (who is wise).

Translated by: Staff, Y.P

Source: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/9147