A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The Greatest Name of Allah.
It is mentioned in the hadith.
That the Greatest Name of Allah, if He is called upon by it, He answers.
And if He is asked by it, He gives.
Narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi.
There are several opinions regarding its identification.
Perhaps the most likely of these are two opinions.
First, that this Greatest Name is "Allah".
For it is the greatest of names and the most comprehensive.
No one other than Him, the Almighty and Majestic, has ever been named by it.
That is why it is neither dualized nor pluralized.
This is one of the interpretations of His saying:
“Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them! Therefor, worship thou Him and be thou steadfast in His service. Knowest thou one that can be named along with Him?” (19:65)
Meaning: Do you know of anyone who shares the name "Allah"?
It is the name of the True Allah.
The one who encompasses the attributes of divinity.
The one described with the attributes of Lordship.
The truly Unique.
There is no god but He.
Several points support this opinion.
Among them is that it appears in the hadith.
Which points to the Greatest Name.
Which, if one calls upon Allah by it, is answered.
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, heard.
One of the Companions saying:
"O Allah, I ask You by the fact that I bear witness."
"That You are Allah, there is no god but You."
"The One, the Eternal Refuge."
"Who neither begets nor is born."
“And there is none comparable unto Him.” (112:4)
So he, peace be upon him, said:
"You have asked Allah by His Greatest Name."
"Which, if He is asked by it, He gives."
"And if He is called upon by it, He answers."
Narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi.
Another point is its frequent occurrence in the Holy Qur'an.
It has appeared 2,724 times.
Another point is the relationship of all other names.
The Most Beautiful Names to it, and not the reverse.
For they follow the name "Allah" as attributes.
We say, for example, among the attributes of Allah is the All-Knowing.
The Wise, the Almighty.
And so on.
We do not say, among the attributes of the All-Knowing is:
Allah.
Another point is that Allah, the Exalted,
Revealed Himself to Musa, peace be upon him,
By this name.
Allah, the Exalted, said:
“And I have chosen thee, so hearken unto that which is inspired.” (20:13)
“Lo! I, even I, am Allah, There is no Allah save Me. So serve Me and establish worship for My remembrance.” (20:14)
"So worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance."
Likewise, He, glory be to Him, introduced Himself.
To His servants in the greatest verse.
In His Book, which is the Verse of the Throne (Ayat al-Kursi).
Beginning with this name.
For He, the Exalted, said:
"Allah—there is no god but He."
Another point is that Allah is frequently called upon using the term:
"Allahumma" (O Allah).
Which means "O Allah."
This is why the word "Allahumma" is not used.
Except in supplication.
One does not say:
"O Allah, Forgiving, Merciful."
Rather, one says:
"O Allah, forgive me and have mercy on me."
It is the name by which He is called upon most often.
And by which He is asked most often.
Thus, it is fitting that it should apply to it.
The statement of the Messenger, peace be upon him:
"If He is asked by it, He gives."
"And if He is called upon by it, He answers."
The second opinion:
That all of Allah's names are beautiful.
And each one of them is great.
But the Greatest Name among them is:
Every name, whether singular.
Or coupled with another.
If it indicates all of Allah's essential and active attributes.
Or indicates the meanings of all divine attributes.
Such as:
"Allah."
Because it is comprehensive of all the meanings of divinity.
And "al-Hamid" (the Praiseworthy) and "al-Majid" (the Glorious).
For "al-Hamid" indicates all praises and perfections for Allah, the Exalted.
And "al-Majid."
Indicates the descriptions of greatness and majesty.
Close to that also are:
The names.
"Al-Jalil" (the Majestic).
"Al-Jamil" (the Beautiful).
"Al-Ghani" (the Self-Sufficient).
"Al-Karim" (the Generous).
And "al-Ghani al-Hamid" (the Self-Sufficient, the Praiseworthy).
And "al-Hayy al-Qayyum" (the Ever-Living, the Sustainer).
For "al-Hayy" indicates the One who possesses perfect, great life.
Which encompasses all essential attributes.
And "al-Qayyum."
Indicates His self-subsistence.
And His independence from all His creation.
And the dependence of all existing things upon Him, glory be to Him.
Thus, all active attributes are included within it.
And like the saying:
"Ya Dha al-Jalali wa al-Ikram" (O Possessor of Majesty and Honor).
For "al-Jalal" indicates the attributes of greatness and pride.
And various perfections.
And "al-Ikram."
Indicates His entitlement, glory be to Him.
To the utmost love from His servants.
And the utmost of their humility before Him.
The summary of this opinion is:
That the Greatest Name.
Is every generic name that indicates all of Allah's essential and active attributes.
A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.