الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا، ومن سيئات أعمالنا ، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، وأشهد أن سيدنا محمداً عبده ورسوله ، اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه  ومن تبعه إلى يوم الدين

We are continuing in this talk with the study of the names of Allah as part of our answer to the fourth question in the series of the topic entitled:” Your Life in Light of Eternity”, as a reminder, this topic addresses the following four questions:

1. What is the purpose of our lives on earth?
2. What is the nature of this life on earth?
3. What is our role on earth to fulfil the purpose of our lives on it?
4. What are the traits and qualities that we must possess to fulfill our role and achieve our purpose on earth?

We already addressed the first three questions, and we started the answer to the fourth question which is adopting in our character elements of the Names/Attributes of Allah.  We already discussed 12 names and today, we will Insha’Allah discuss Allah’s names Al-Bari and Al-Musawwir.

13 Al-Bari’ (البارئ) – The Producer

Allah’s name Al-Bari’ (البـارئ) came in the Quran once in combination with the names Al-Khaliq (الخالق) and Al-Musawwir (المصور) in verse 24 of Surat Al-Hashr.  Allah says: 

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ )٢٤(

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Producer, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (Al-Hashr 59:24)

In the discussion on Allah’s name Al-Khaliq, we highlighted that while the three names Al-Khaliq (الخالق), Al-Bari’ (البـارئ) and Al-Musawwir (المصور) refer to Allah’s power of creation, having them together means that there are some differences in their role in the process of creation.  We suggested that Al-Khaliq is the planner, Al-Bari is the executor of the plan, and the Al-Musawwir is the attribute associated with the final and delicate finishes.  But if any of the names come by itself, it will refer to the One responsible for the whole creation process. Therefore, when Allah says:

{مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا} [الحديد:22].

“No disaster befalls the earth or yourselves, but it is in a Book before we bring it into being – Indeed that is easy for Allah” (Al-Hadid 57:22)

The term (نَّبْرَأَهَا) in this verse is related to Allah’s name Al-Bari’ (البارئ) emphasizing the role of Al-Bari’ (البـارئ) as the executer of the plan that already existed.  This verse infers that serious events such as hurricanes and earthquakes are not haphazard but occur according to divine plans of the conditions that are necessary to bring them to reality when these conditions are met. 

 But when Allah says:

{فَتُوبُوا إِلَى بَارِئِكُمْ} [البقرة من الآية:54].

“So, turn in repentance to your (Bari’okum) Creator” (Al-Baqara 2:54)

In this verse Allah’s attribute as Al-Bari’ (البـارئ) refers Al-Bari’ (البـارئ) as responsible for the whole process of creation.  Therefore, the role of Allah’s attribute Al-Bari’ (البـارئ) in this case includes the roles of Allah’s attributes Al-Khaliq (الخالق), and Al-Musawwir (المصور).

Also, derived from Allah’s name Al-Bari, the word referring to His creations, Allah says:

 إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَآ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمۡ شَرُّ ٱلۡبَرِيَّةِ (٦) إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمۡ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡبَرِيَّةِ (٧)

“Those who disbelieved from among the People of the Book and the Polytheists, will be in Hellfire, to dwell in it forever. They are the worst of (bari’ah) creations. (6) As for those who believed and did righteous deeds― they are the best of (bari’ah) creatures.” (Al-Bayyina 98:6-7)

Allah’s name Al-Bari’ (البارئ) references other attributes that are derived from the root of the name and have the following classical Arabic connotations:

• to create something of value out of nothing
• to be free from fault or blemish
• to cure and heal from illnesses
• to be free of a claim put forth by others,
• to cut and sharpen something

The root is used in the common Arabic words such as: patent (برأة الاختراع), innocent (برئ), sharpen the pen (برى القلم), and cured from illness (برأ من المرض).

Allah’s name Al-Bara’a (البـارئ) implies the following key attributes:

1. Allah, Al-Bari, brings about something out of nothing and this involves creating the basic materials, that are used to create all things without precedent (i.e. no previous model).

Allah informs us that everything was created from water.

أَوَلَمۡ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ ڪَانَتَا رَتۡقً۬ا فَفَتَقۡنَـٰهُمَا‌ۖ وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ حَىٍّ‌ۖ أَفَلَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ  [الأنبياء من الآية:30]،

“Have The disbelievers not recognized that the heavens and the earth were one united piece, then We parted them? And We created from water every living thing. Would they still not believe.” (Al-Anbiya 21:30) 

Therefore, Allah’s attribute Al-Bari creates the basic components of the water that are Hydrogen and Oxygen and use them to create water and then all creations.  Note that even Oxygen was created from Hydrogen, which was with Helium, the first atoms that were created by Allah, Al- Bari, based on the plan that was set by Allah, Al-Khaliq.  

Also, Allah, Al-Bari, created all the elements that are required to form the dust from which mankind were created, Allah says:

 وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦۤ أَنۡ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ۬ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ۬ تَنتَشِرُونَ [الروم من الآية:20]

“And among His signs that He created you of dust, then soon you are humans being scattered around.” (Al-Rome 30:20)

2. Allah’s attribute, Al-Bari, is responsible for curing or healing of individuals.

Allah quoted to us the declaration made by Prophet Ibrahim who said regarding Allah:

وَإِذَا مَرِضۡتُ فَهُوَ يَشۡفِينِ (٨٠)

“And when I become sick, He heals me.” (Al-Shuara 26:80) 

3. Allah, Al Bari is the defender of the believers against the claims and action of the transgressors as He said:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدَٲفِعُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ۬ كَفُورٍ (٣٨)

“Surely, Allah defends those who believe.  Allah does not love anyone treacherous, ungrateful.” (Al-Hajj 22:38)

4. Allah’s attribute, Al-Bari, is responsible for purifying societies from evil by first giving them warning before imposing punishment.

Allah does not cleanse them by subjecting the transgressors among them to severe punishment except after giving sufficient warning. As example, Allah gave warning to the idolators by saying:

بَرَآءَةٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۤ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ عَـٰهَدتُّم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ [التوبة من الآية:1].

“Freedom from obligation (is proclaimed) from Allah and His messenger towards those of the idolators with whom you made a treaty.” (Al-Tawba 9:1)

مَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ى‌ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ عَمَّآ أُنذِرُواْ مُعۡرِضُونَ (٣)

“We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them but for true purpose and for a specified term but those who disbelieve turn away from what they are warned of.’ (Al-Ahqaf 46:3)

The Prophet (PBUH) emphasized the point that Allah always gives warning before punishment by saying:

عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «لا شخصٌ أحبَّ إليه العذرُ من الله، منْ أجلِ ذلك بعثَ الله المرسلين، مبشِّرين ومنذرِين» (صحيح البخاري: ، وصحيح مسلم).

“No one love accepting excuses other than Allah and this is why He sent Messengers to deliver good news and warnings.”

Allah does not punish immediately but gives many warnings to eliminate the excuse from anyone.

5. Allah, Al-Bari exercises His power to eliminate and remove elements of a society to free the society from evil

When transgressors in a society reach the point that there is no hope in their rehabilitation, Allah cuts them off.  History presents us with many examples including the people of Nuh. Allah drowned all the transgressor after Prophet Nuh exhausted all means to guide them. 

وَقَالَ نُوحٌ۬ رَّبِّ لَا تَذَرۡ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ دَيَّارًا (٢٦) إِنَّكَ إِن تَذَرۡهُمۡ يُضِلُّواْ عِبَادَكَ وَلَا يَلِدُوٓاْ إِلَّا فَاجِرً۬ا ڪَفَّارً۬ا (٢٧)

“And Nuh (Noah) said: “My Lord, do not leave on earth a single one of the disbelievers (26) “If You leave them, they will mislead Your slaves, and they will beget none but wicked disbelievers.” (Nuh 71:26-27)

Elements to Adopt in our Character

Muslims need to adopt the following elements of character from Allah’s name Al-Bari

1/ Since Allah’s Al-Bari’ (البـارئ) is the executer of the plan that already exists and brings the plan to reality when the conditions for it are met, this should encourage Muslims to study the conditions that need to exist for disasters to occur and thus be able to predict their happening to protect themselves against their effects

2/ When a plan for any project is established, a Muslim who becomes responsible for executing the plan needs to establish the best procedure and select the optimum materials to implement the plan to its fullest.

3/ A Muslim needs to purify himself from any wrong practices and to dissociate himself from any relationship that can lead to his disobedience or tolerating evils.

4/ A Muslim must always give excuses to others when mistakes are made and give advice before imposing penalties. Imam Gafar Al-Sadiq said:

روى البيهقي في شعب الإيمان عن جعفر الصادق رحمه الله قال: “إذا بلغَكَ عن أخيكَ الشيءُ تُنْكِرُه فالتَمِسْ له عذْرًا واحدًا إلى سبعين عذر، فإن أصبتَه وإلا قلْ: لعلَّ له عذرٌ لا أعرفُه”.

“If you hear something about your brother that you do not like, find for  him  excuses up to seventy ones and if you cannot come with any excuse for him say, may be he has an excuse that I just do not know.”

5/ One must realize that he is created from soil and thus he should always be humble and never act arrogantly.

6/ Muslims should always show gratitude towards Allah who is the healer and thus they also need to be a source of comfort and healing to others.

The next name that we will discuss is Al-Musawwir (المصور)

14 Al-Musawwir (المصور) – The Fashioner

Allah’s name Al-Musawwir (المصور) came in the Quran once in combination with the names Al-Khaliq (الخالق) and Al-Musawwir (المصور) in verse 24 of Surat Al-Hashr.  Allah says: 

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ )٢٤(

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Producer, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (Al-Hashr 59:24)

In the discussion on Allah’s names Al-Khaliq and Al-Bari, we highlighted that while the three names Al-Khaliq (الخالق), Al-Bari’ (البـارئ) and Al-Musawwir (المصور) refer to Allah’s power of creation, having them together means that there are some differences in their role in the process of creation.  We suggested that Al-Khaliq is the planner, the Bari is the executor of the plan, and the Al-Musawwir is the attribute responsible for the final and delicate finishes to ensure uniqueness for every creation.  Allah says:

وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَـٰڪُمۡ ثُمَّ صَوَّرۡنَـٰكُمۡ ثُمَّ قُلۡنَا لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ ٱسۡجُدُواْ لِأَدَمَ (١١)

“We have created you then gave you a shape, then We said to the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam.” (Al-Araf 7:11)

The verse suggests that the creation (Khalq) is a step that precedes the step of making the final shape (Tasweer) which is derived from Allah’s name, Al-Musawwir.   In this verse Allah is speaking about the creation (Khalq) and the shaping (Tasweer) of human beings and this may highlight the emphasis on the vast variations of shapes among human being than any other creation. When you look at animals such as lions, you note the similarity among them, but even children from the same father and mother look different to be easily distinguished.  

The word Musawwir comes from the root letters ṣa wa ra (ص و ر) and it has the following Arabic connotations:

• to form, fashion, sculpt, imagine, or picture something
• to have an inclination or desire towards something

From this we can conclude that the attributes of Allah as Al-Musawwir include:

• Being responsible for bestowing the form and the shape of all creations.
• Ensuring that everything is in perfect harmony and proportion, without blemish or fault.
• Giving everything its uniqueness and special features.

Allah says regarding His attribute as Al-Musawwir:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَوِّرُڪُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡحَامِ كَيۡفَ يَشَآءُ‌ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ (٦)

“He it is the One who shapes you in the wombs as He likes. There is no God but He, the Almighty, the Wise” (Al-Emran 3:6)

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ قَرَارً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَصَوَّرَڪُمۡ فَأَحۡسَنَ صُوَرَڪُمۡ (٦٤)

“Allah is the One who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place, and the sky as a canopy, and shaped you and made your shape beautiful.” (Ghafer 40:64)

خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَصَوَّرَكُمۡ فَأَحۡسَنَ صُوَرَكُمۡ‌ۖ وَإِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ (٣)

“He created the heavens and the earth in just proportions, and He shaped you and made your shape beautiful and to Him is the final return.” (Al-Taghabun 64:3)

Allah’s attribute Al-Musawwir ensures the perfection of the creation as He said:

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبۡعَ سَمَـٰوَٲتٍ۬ طِبَاقً۬ا‌ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلۡقِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍ۬‌ۖ فَٱرۡجِعِ ٱلۡبَصَرَ هَلۡ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ۬ (٣) ثُمَّ ٱرۡجِعِ ٱلۡبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيۡنِ يَنقَلِبۡ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡبَصَرُ خَاسِئً۬ا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ۬ (٤)

“He is Who has created the seven heavens one above the other, you can see nothing out of proportion in the creation of the Rahman (the encompassing all the glorious names). Then look again: “Can you see any rifts?” (3) Then look again and yet again, your sight will return to you abased and in a state of weariness.” (Al-Mulk 67:3-4)

Elements to Adopt in our Character

Some elements from Allah’s name Al-Musawwir to adopt in our character

1/ Ponder on Allah’s creation and express your gratitude by enjoying the beauties of the birds, flowers, trees, fruits, lakes, and mountains that Allah created to please you. Honor and respect all of Allah’s creations and look at the differences as manifestation of Allah’s attribute as Al-Musawwir. 

2/ Be assured that Allah created you in the best form, be content with your appearance and trust Allah’s wisdom.  Beware that if we were as beautiful as the Prophet Yusuf, we would not be able to withstand the temptations he faced.

3/ When you look at yourself in the mirror, thank Allah for making you the way you are but when you look at the mirror look at the personality and character of the person you see and ask Allah to beautify them as He beautified the look.

4/ Live up to your Potential, after all Allah created you in the best form as He said:

لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ فِىٓ أَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيمٍ۬ (٤)

“Indeed, We have created the human being in the best of forms.” (Al-Teen 95:4)

Allah gave you brain, limbs, skills, and knowledge, now it is up to you on how to use them. Always strive to perfect any task assigned to you and always focus your efforts on only what is important.  The Prophet (PBUH) said:

عن عائشة رضي الله تعالى عنها قالت : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ” إن الله يحب إذا عمل أحدكم عملاً أن يتقنه. )أخرجه أبو يعلى والطبراني(

“Allah loves that whenever anyone does something should perfect it.”

إنَّ اللهَ تعالى يُحِبُّ مَعاليَ الأُمورِ ، و أَشرافَها ، و يَكرَهُ سَفْسافَه ) أخرجه الطبراني عن الحسين بن علي أمير المؤمنين(

“Allah loves the serious matters and hates the trivial ones”.

Note:  A question may be raised, how can we claim that everything Allah created is perfect while we see some deficiencies in some creations?  This question is improper because Allah says:

{لَا يُسْأَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْأَلُونَ} الأنبياء:23]،

He is not questioned of what He does, but they are questioned. (Al-Anbiya 21:23) 

But we must know that anything that appears to us imperfect has wisdom behind and our lack of understanding the wisdom should not negate the perfection of Allah’s creations.  As example, Allah may create a person blind because Allah wants to guarantee such a person paradise if the person accepts Allah’s will:  The Prophet (PBUH) said:

«من فقد حبيبتيه فإن الله عز وجل يبدله بهما  الجنة يصبر على ذلك» (مسند أحمد بن حنبل)،

“If a person loses his eyes, Allah, All Mighty, will grant him paradise if he is patient about his loss”.

In the next talk, we will, inshallah, discuss Allah’s name Al-Kakeem (The Wise).

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ )٢٤(

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Producer, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (Al-Hashr 59:24)

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