A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The name of Allah, al-Jabbar (the Compeller/Restorer), and the effects of believing in it.
The name of Allah, al-Jabbar, appears in the Noble Qur'an only once.
In the words of the Almighty:
"The Almighty, the Compeller, the Supreme."
Exalted is Allah above what they associate with Him.
In the Arabic language, the root 'j-b-r' carries three meanings.
First:
Compulsion toward something.
To compel a man to perform an action,
meaning he is forced into it.
Second:
Strength, loftiness, and height.
The Almighty says, recounting the words of the Children of Israel
regarding the inhabitants of the Holy Land:
“They said: O Moses! Lo! a giant people (dwell) therein and lo! we go not in till they go forth from thence. When they go forth from thence, then we will enter (not till then).” (5:22)
Meaning they are powerful, tall, and mighty.
It is also said of a tall palm tree
that is beyond the reach of one’s hand that it is 'jabbarah'.
Third:
Restoration, the opposite of breaking.
To set a bone, as in 'jabara al-'azm'.
Meaning he mended its fracture.
From this comes the splint (jabirah) placed on a broken bone.
And to 'restore' a man from poverty means to enrich him.
All these meanings are realized in Allah the Almighty.
He is the One who compels His creation to whatever He wills regarding His command,
in terms of His universal, predestined decree,
as opposed to His legislative command,
which He is pleased with for them but does not compel them to follow.
He is the Exalted, the Powerful,
whose might and strength no one can challenge.
He is the One who mends the broken and enriches the poor.
He is the Compassionate, the Restorer of broken hearts,
and for every weak and helpless person who seeks refuge and shelter in Him.
The effects of believing in the first two meanings of the name al-Jabbar
are the same as the effects of believing in His names:
The Great, the Most High, the Strong, and the Almighty.
As for believing in the third meaning of this noble name,
it cultivates in the heart of the believer a love for Allah, the Mighty and Majestic,
and the seeking of needs from Him alone.
Therefore, it was among the supplications of the Prophet, peace be upon him,
while sitting between the two prostrations in prayer:
"O Allah, forgive me and have mercy on me,
and restore me, elevate me, and guide me,
and grant me well-being and provide for me."