The Divine Names: Oneness of Majesty and Beauty 2
The Beautiful Names of Allah
Module Description
This course, in two modules over two terms, comprehensively explores the Divine Names of Allah, emphasizing their linguistical, theological and spiritual significance. The work of Imam al-Ghazali, ‘ The Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God,’ is the core text informing this course, divided into three main parts. Part one comprises four chapters discussing linguistical and spiritual significance regarding the Divine names. Part two consists of three chapters, which elaborate on the meaning of each of the Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. Part 3 comprises three chapters examining God’s infinite names, the merit of His Ninety-Nine names, and whether He can be expressed by an attribute-based solely on reason or must have come from Himself.
Module Outline
Please find below detailed plan for each lesson, the Topic and a description of what will be covered in this lesson
Week | Content | Page | |
---|---|---|---|
Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. | Week 1 | Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (8) Al- Muhaymin (The Guardian), (9) Al-‘Aziz (The Eminent), (10) Al-Jabbar (The Compeller), (11) Al-Mutakabbir (The Proud). (12) Al-Khaliq (The Creator), (13) Al-Bari’ (The Producer), (14) Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner), (15) Al-Ghaffar (He who is full of forgiveness). 16) Al-Qahhär (The Dominator), (17) Al- Wahhab (The Bestower), (18) Al-Razzäq (The Provider) | P64-79 |
Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. | Week 2 | Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; ((19) Al-Fattah (The Opener). (20) Al- Alim (The Omniscient), (21) Al-Qabid (He who contracts), (22) Al-Basit (He who expands), (23) Al- Khäfid (The Abaser), (24) Al-Raf (The Exalter), (25) Al-Mu’izz (The Honourer), (26) Al-Mudhill (He who humbles) (27) Al- Sami (The All-Hearing), (28) Al-Basir (The All-Seeing) | P79 – 84 |
Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. | Week 3 | Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (29) Al-Hakam (The Arbitrator), (30) Al-‘ Adl (The Just), (31) Al- Latif (The Benevolent), (32) Al-Khabir (The Totally Aware), (33) (33) Al-Halim (The Mild), (34) Al- Azim (The Tremendous), (35) A1- Ghafür (The All-Forgiving), (36) Al-Shakür (The Grateful), (37) Al- Al (The Most High), (38) Al-Kabir (The Great), (39) Al- Hafiz (The All-Preserver), (40) Al-Muqit (The Nourisher) | P85 – 109 |
Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. | Week 4 | Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name (41) Al-Hasib (The Reckoner), (42) Al-Jalil (The Majestic), (43) Al- Karim (The Generous), (44) A1-Raqib (The All-Observant), (45) Al-Mujib (The Answerer of prayers), (46) Al- Was” (The Vast), (47) Al-Hakim (The Wise), (48) Al-Wadüd (The Lovingkind), (49) Al-Majid (The All-Glorious), (50) Al-Ba’ ith (The Raiser of the dead), | P110 – 123 |
Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. | Week 5 | Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (51) Al-Shahid (The Universal Witness), (52) Al- Haqq (The Truth), (53) Al-Wakil (The Guardian), (54) Al- Qawi (The Strong), (55) Al-Matin (The Firm), (56) Al- Wali (The Patron), (57) Al-Hamid (The Praised), (58) Al-Muhsi (The Knower of each separate thing), (59) A1-Mubdi (The Beginner, The Cause), (60) Al-Mu id (The Restorer), (61) Al-Muhyi (The Life-Giver), (62) Al-Mumit (The Slayer) | P123 – 129 |
Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. | Week 6 | Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (63) Al-Hayy (The Living), (64) A1-Qayyüm (The Self- Existing), (65) Al-Wajid (The Resourceful), (66) Al-Majid (The Magnificent), (67) Al- Wahid (The Unique), (68) Al-Samad (The Eternal), (69) Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful), (70) Al-Muqtadir (The All-Determiner), (71) Al- Muqaddim (The Promoter), (72) Al-Mu’akhkhir (The Postponer), (73) Al-Awwal (The First), (74) Al-Akhir (The Last) | P129 – 134 |
Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. | Week 7 | Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (75) Al- Zahir (The Manifest), (76) Al-Batin (The Hidden), (77) Al-Wali (The Ruler), (78) Al-Muta ali (The Exalted), (79) Al- Barr (The Doer of Good), (80) At-Tawwäb (The Ever-relenting), (81) Al- Muntaqim (The Avenger), (82) Al- Afu (The Effacer of sins), (83) Al-Ra’uf (The All-Pitying) | P134 – 139 |
Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. | Week 8 | Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (84) Malik al-Mulk (The King of Absolute Sovereignty), (85) Dhü’ 1-Jalal wa’1-Ikram (The Lord of Majesty and Generosity), (86) A1-Mugsit (The Equitable),3 (87) Al-Jami (The Uniter), (88) Al-Ghani (The Rich), (89) Al- Mughni (The Enricher), (90) Al-Mani (The Protector), (or) Al-Darr (The Punisher), (92) Al-Näfi (He who benefits) | P139 – 144 |
Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. Epilogue to this chapter, and an apology – CHAPTER TWO | Week 9 | Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (93) Al-Nür (Light), (94) Al-Hadi (The Guide), (95) Al- Bad (The Absolute Cause), (96) Al-Baqi (The Everlasting), (97) Al-Warith (The Inheritor), (98) Al-Rashid (The Right in Guidance), (99) Al-Sabür (The Patient) Concerning the Meanings [of the Names], Offering an Explanation how these many names resolve to the Essence with seven Attributes, according to the people of the Sunna. | P145 – 163 |
CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE | Week 10 | CHAPTER ONE On explaining that the names of God most high are not limited to ninety-nine so far as divine instruction is concerned. CHAPTER TWO Explaining the advantage of enumerating the names and of specifying them as ninety-nine. In this chapter we will also offer reflections on some things in the form of questions. CHAPTER- THREE Are the names and attributes applied to God-great and glorious- -based on divine instruction’7 or permitted on the basis of reason? | P167-181 |
Module Text
Al-Ghazali on the Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God: Al-Maqsad Al-Asna Fi Sharh Asma’ Allah Al-Husna
(The Islamic Texts Society’s al-Ghazali Series
In this work, here presented in a complete English edition for the first time, the problem of knowing God is confronted in an original and stimulating way. Taking up the Prophet’s teaching that ‘Ninety-nine Beautiful Names’ are truly predicated of God, the author explores the meaning and resonance of each of these divine names, and reveals the functions they perform both in the cosmos and in the soul of the spiritual adept. Although some of the book is rigorously analytical, the author never fails to attract the reader with his profound mystical and ethical insights, which, conveyed in his sincere and straightforward idiom, have made of this book one of the perennial classics of Muslim thought, popular among Muslims to this day.
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Location
Bury Park Community Centre, 161, 161b Dunstable Rd, Luton LU1 1BW.
Zoom: links will be provided via email
Date/Time
Starting – 27th April 2023 for 10 weeks
Saturday – 10.30am to 11.30pm
Module Content
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