A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The importance of knowledge regarding the beautiful names and sublime attributes of Allah.
There is no doubt that the nobility of a branch of knowledge is derived from the nobility of its subject matter.
Since the subject matter studied in the names and attributes is Allah, the Almighty and Majestic,
this knowledge is the most noble of all sciences.
And if the preceding concepts have clarified the foundations of the oneness of the names and attributes,
as well as those who oppose these foundations, their schools of thought, their misconceptions, and the refutations against them,
then all of this serves as necessary introductions to understanding this noble science.
It clears the rust and the dust of the skeptics' misconceptions from the heart of the believing servant,
thereby preparing him to believe in these sublime attributes,
with a sound and complete faith,
and to realize the effects of that faith.
This is the primary and fundamental purpose of knowing the names and attributes:
to worship Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, through them,
and to act in accordance with their implications.
As the Almighty said:
“Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them. And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names. They will be requited what they do.” (7:180)
"And leave those who deviate concerning His names."
“Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them. And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names. They will be requited what they do.” (7:180)
Reflect on how the verse explicitly commands calling upon Allah by His beautiful names,
for that is the essence of worship.
And note how it commands, at its end, to abandon those who deviate in this matter,
and to distance oneself from their misguided methodologies for which they will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection.
In what follows are matters, in addition to what has preceded,
that clarify the importance and nobility of this science.
First: Knowledge of the names and attributes of Allah is the foundation of all knowledge,
the basis of faith, and the first of all obligations.
As the Almighty said:
"So know that there is no god but Allah."
When people truly know their Lord,
they fulfill His worship in the correct manner,
and they realize the reality of this world and what is required of them within it.
Allah, the Glorified, has described Himself
as possessing both creation and command.
Every known thing other than Allah
is either a creation or a command.
The verse clarifies that the source of creation and command
is Allah, the possessor of the beautiful names and sublime attributes.
Therefore, enumerating the attributes
is the foundation for enumerating all known things,
because all information is linked to the attributes and follows from them.
Second:
One infers from what is known of the attributes of Allah, the Almighty,
the nature of what He decrees and the laws He legislates.
For the decrees and laws of Allah revolve between justice and grace,
wisdom and mercy.
Whoever knows this about his Lord
will not harbor evil thoughts about Him, the Glorified,
nor will he object to His decrees or His laws.
Third:
The close connection between the attributes of Allah, the Almighty,
and the outward and inward acts of worship they necessitate.
For every attribute, there is a specific form of servitude
that is among the requirements of knowing it and realizing that knowledge.
As will become clear in the fruits of knowing the names and attributes.
Fourth:
Contemplating the meanings of the names of Allah and realizing His attributes, the Almighty and Majestic,
assists in contemplating the Book of Allah, the Almighty,
which we are commanded to do in more than one of His verses.
As the Almighty said:
"A blessed Book which We have revealed to you, that they might reflect upon its verses,"
"and that those of understanding would be reminded."
Fifth:
A servant's lack of knowledge regarding the names and attributes of Allah
results in evil effects and dire consequences in his life.
Sixth:
True knowledge of the names and attributes of Allah
is the fundamental building block of Islamic upbringing,
as the young Muslim is raised upon the belief that Allah is the Creator, the Originator,
the Provider, the Giver of benefit, the Bringer of harm,
the Giver of life, the Bringer of death, the Master of the Day of Judgment and Recompense, and so on.
This has immense fruits in the heart of the believer, his worship, his conduct, and his character.