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 14 names and today, we will Insha’Allah discuss the 15^th name of Allah, it is Al-Hakeem.

15 Al-Kakeem (ٱلۡحَكِيمُ) – The All-Wise

Allah’s name Al-Hakeem (ٱلۡحَكِيمُ) came in the Quran 38 times with the definite article “al” and 53 times as Hakeem (حكيم) without the definite article “Al” (the).  It came most often associated with Allah’s names Al-Aziz (العزيز) (The Mighty/The Honorable) and Al-Aleem (العليم) (The All-Knowing).  It also came associated with other names such as Al-Khabeer (الْخَبِيرُ) (The All-Aware). 

In 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 All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (Al-Hashr 59:24)

The association of Allah’s attribute Al-Hakeen (The All-Wise) with Allah’s names Al-Aziz (The Mighty/The honorable), Al-Aleem (the All-Knowing) and Al-Kabeer (the All-Aware) means the Allah’s wisdom is a demonstration of His might and honor because all his decisions and action are based on full knowledge and complete awareness of their nature and their consequences. 

Wisdom is manifested by the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgment that allow placing the right thing in the right place at the right time and with the right quantity.  Wisdom requires full knowledge about all the circumstances to be able to differentiate between right and wrong to ensure that the decision and actions are perfect and error free.

Al-Hakeem is derived from the Arabic root H-k-m that has the following meanings:

• To constraint and restrain
• To know the true nature of things
• To pass judgement and deliver Justice

The verses mentioning Allah’s name Al-Hakeem manifest His attribute of absolute wisdom in all issues such as creation of heavens and earth, creation of mankind, perfection of creations, control over all creations, sending of the messengers, granting of blessings, controlling of provisions on earth, and deciding on who deserves punishment and who deserves forgiveness and granting each what he/she deserves.

Allah’s name Al-Hakeem mean that Allah has the ultimate wisdom to implement the following:

1. to judge, decree, inflict, and relieve in the most rightful way, place, and time.
2. to restrict and constrain based on knowing the true nature of all matters
3. to legislate, establish rules and deliver justice for the benefit of all his creations.
4. to perform all His work most accurately and perfectly, including creating all things in perfect faultless measurements.
5. to reveal what is concise and beneficial
6. to teach wisdom to whoever He considers deserving it.

The attributes of Allah’s name Al-Hakeem are demonstrated by the following 10 aspects:

1/ Al-Hakeem has complete Legislative Power (الحكم المطلق الكامل) over all that exist.

All the commands and legislations of Allah are manifestation of His infinite wisdom to achieve justice, maintain the harmony of the universe and ensure the happiness of His creations. 

وَأَنِ ٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَہُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ وَٱحۡذَرۡهُمۡ أَن يَفۡتِنُوكَ عَنۢ بَعۡضِ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُصِيبَہُم بِبَعۡضِ ذُنُوبِہِمۡ‌ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَفَـٰسِقُونَ (٤٩) أَفَحُكۡمَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ يَبۡغُونَ‌ۚ وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكۡمً۬ا لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يُوقِنُونَ (المائدة[

“We order you to judge thou between them according to what Allah has revealed and do not follow their desires, and beware of them, lest they turn you away from some of what Allah has sent down to you. And if they turn away, be assured that Allah intends to make them suffer for some of their sins. Surely, many of the people are rebellious. (49)

Is it the judgment of (the time of) Ignorance that they seek? Who is better that Allah for judgment to people who have certainty of belief?” (Al-Maeda 5:48-50)

2/ Allah ‘s attribute Al-Hakeem is exhibited in the wisdom of His distribution of provisions among His slaves”.  Allah says:

وَلَوۡ بَسَطَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ لَبَغَوۡاْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَـٰكِن يُنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ۬ مَّا يَشَآءُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرُۢ بَصِيرٌ۬ (٢٧) )الشّوریٰ(

“If Allah were to enlarge the provision for His Servants (to its full extent), they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds in the earth; but He sends down what He wills in due measure. Surely, with regarding to His slaves, He is s All-Aware, Ever- Watchful.” (Al Shura 42:27) 

3/ Allah ‘s attribute Al-Hakeem is exhibited in His warning people using the history of past nations. But people often ignore lessons from history.  Allah says:

وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَنۢبَآءِ مَا فِيهِ مُزۡدَجَرٌ (٤) حِڪۡمَةُۢ بَـٰلِغَةٌ۬‌ۖ فَمَا تُغۡنِ ٱلنُّذُرُ [القمر].

“And surely there has come to them the news (or past nations) that should be enough to deter. (4) (containing) perfect wisdom, but the warnings are no avail (to them)” (Al-Qamar 54:4-5)

4/ Allah, Al-Hakeem, is in control of all what mankind will face.

وَإِن يَمۡسَسۡكَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ۬ فَلَا ڪَاشِفَ لَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ وَإِن يَمۡسَسۡكَ بِخَيۡرٍ۬ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬ (١٧) وَهُوَ ٱلۡقَاهِرُ فَوۡقَ عِبَادِهِۦ‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡخَبِيرُ (الأنعام  (

“If Allah causes you harm, none can remove it but He; if He causes you good, He has power over all things. (17) “He is the dominant over all His slaves; and He is the All-Wise, the All-Aware.” (Al-Ana’am 6:17-18) 

4/ Allah, Al-Hakeem, is fully aware of all what happens in the universe

وَعِندَهُ ۥ مَفَاتِحُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ لَا يَعۡلَمُهَآ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۚ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ‌ۚ وَمَا تَسۡقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا يَعۡلَمُهَا وَلَا حَبَّةٍ۬ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا رَطۡبٍ۬ وَلَا يَابِسٍ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ (٥٩) وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَتَوَفَّٮٰڪُم بِٱلَّيۡلِ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا جَرَحۡتُم بِٱلنَّہَارِ ثُمَّ يَبۡعَثُڪُمۡ فِيهِ لِيُقۡضَىٰٓ أَجَلٌ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ى‌ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيۡهِ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ (٦٠)

“With Him are the keys of the Unseen. No one knows them but He. He knows whatever is there in the earth, and in the sea. No leaf ever falls but He knows about it, and there is no grain in the dark layers of the earth nor anything fresh or dry but is recorded in a clear book. (59)  He is the One Who recalls your souls by night and know what you do by day, then He makes you rise up again so that a fixed term is fulfilled. And afterward to Him is your return. Then He will tell you what you used to do.” (Al-Ana’am 6:59-60)

5/ Allah, Al-Hakeem supports His righteous slaves and leashes His power against those who deserve it.

وَمَا ٱلنَّصۡرُ إِلَّا مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ (الأنفال (

“Victory comes only by the help of Allah. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Al-Anfal 8: 10)

وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا)  الفتح(   

“To Allah belong the forces of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Al-Fath 48:7)

6/ Allah, Al-Hakeem has the perfect wisdom that is demonstrated in the perfection of His creations

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۖ وَيَوۡمَ يَقُولُ ڪُن فَيَڪُونُ‌ۚ قَوۡلُهُ ٱلۡحَقُّ‌ۚ وَلَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ يَوۡمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ‌ۚ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَڪِيمُ ٱلۡخَبِيرُ) الأنعام (

“He is the One who created the heavens and the earth in Truth.  On the day He says “Be” Behold! it is. His Word is the truth. And His is the kingdom on the day the trumpet will be blown. He is the Knower of the Unseen and the seen.  For He is the All-Wise, the All-Aware”. (Al-Ana’am 6:73)

قَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ فِىٓ أَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيمٍ۬ (٤) ثُمَّ رَدَدۡنَـٰهُ أَسۡفَلَ سَـٰفِلِينَ (٥) إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرٌ غَيۡرُ مَمۡنُونٍ۬ (٦) فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعۡدُ بِٱلدِّينِ (٧) أَلَيۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَحۡكَمِ ٱلۡحَـٰكِمِينَ (٨)

“Surely, We created man of the best stature (4) Then we reduced him to the lowest of the low, (5) Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them there a never-ending reward. (6) So, what can make you deny the judgment? (7) Is Allah not the greatest of all judges?” (Al-Teen 95:4-8)

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

“He is the Ones Who shapes you in the wombs as He likes. There is no god but He, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” (Al-Emran 3:6)

7/ Allah, Al-Hakeem means there is wisdom behind every creation:

أَفَحَسِبۡتُمۡ أَنَّمَا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَبَثً۬ا وَأَنَّكُمۡ إِلَيۡنَا لَا تُرۡجَعُونَ (١١٥) فَتَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡحَقُّ‌ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡڪَرِيمِ [المؤمنون:115-116].

“Did you think that We created you for nothing, and that you would not be brought back to Us?” (115) High above all is Allah, the True King. There is no god but He, the Lord of the Noble Throne.” (Al-Mumenoon 23:115-116)

8/ Allah, Al-Hakeem provides guidance.  The Quran is the divine manual for mankind to gain wisdom. Allah says:

{كِتَابٌ أُحْكِمَتْ آيَاتُهُ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِنْ لَدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ} [هود:1].

“(This is) a book whose verses are perfected and then explained. (It comes) from the All-Wise, All-Aware.” Hud 11:1)

وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَكِتَـٰبٌ عَزِيزٌ۬ (٤١) لَّا يَأۡتِيهِ ٱلۡبَـٰطِلُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ يَدَيۡهِ وَلَا مِنۡ خَلۡفِهِۦ‌ۖ تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّنۡ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ۬ )    فصلت(

“Indeed, it is an exalted book. (41) No falsehood can approach it , neither from its front nor from its behind: it is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise.” (Fussilat 41:42) 

9/ Allah, Al-Hakeem, also sent a messenger to teach people both the book and the wisdom, Allah says:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى بَعَثَ فِى ٱلۡأُمِّيِّـۧنَ رَسُولاً۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيہِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ (٢)

“He it is One who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His signs, purifying them, and teaching them the Book (this Qur’an,) and the wisdom while they were before in clear error.” (Al-Jumma 62: 2) 

10/ Allah, Al-Hakeem, grants wisdom and it is the best award that any human being can receive.  Allah can grant people wealth and power, but this does not mean that He loves them.  But when Allah grants someone wisdom this is a clear proof that He loves this person. Allah says:

يُؤۡتِى ٱلۡحِڪۡمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ وَمَن يُؤۡتَ ٱلۡحِڪۡمَةَ فَقَدۡ أُوتِىَ خَيۡرً۬ا ڪَثِيرً۬ا‌ۗ وَمَا يَذَّڪَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ (٢٦٩)

“He grants wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever is given wisdom is certainly given abundant good.  Only those who have intellect note this,” (Al-Baqara 2:269]

When Allah grants a person wisdom, He also grants him knowledge as He did with Prophet Moses:

وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ ۥ وَٱسۡتَوَىٰٓ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُ حُكۡمً۬ا وَعِلۡمً۬ا‌ۚ وَكَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ (سورة القصص)

“And when he reached his maturity and became strong, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. This is how We reward those who are good.” (Al-Qasas 28:14) 

Elements to Adopt in our Character

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

1. Believing in Allah’s name “Al-Hakeem” will make it easier for you to accept situations you encounter that may appear to be bad. You accept them because you trust that everything happens according to Allah’s plan, and nothing happens haphazardly. Allah is aware of you and your needs, just be patient and heed Allah’s command

وَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ (48)﴾

“And be patient about the decision of your Lord because you are under Our Eyes and glorify the purity of your Lord when you get up from sleep.” (Al-Tur 52: 48) 

2. Realize that wisdom is the greatest attribute that you can attain, and it can be learned. Attain wisdom by studying both the Quran and the universe to appreciate the wisdom in and perfection of Allah’s creations and this is the way to truly know Allah-Al-Hakeem. The more you know Allah, the wiser you will become because you will be worthy of receiving knowledge and be granted wisdom form Him.
3. Know that when you lack wisdom, all your actions will lead to sorrows and losses, in this life and in the Day of Judgment.  Seek the wisdom form Allah and when Allah grants you wisdom, apply it and teach it.  The Prophet (PBUH) said:

عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا حَسَدَ إِلَّا فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَالًا فَسُلِّطَ عَلَى هَلَكَتِهِ فِي الْحَقِّ وَرَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْحِكْمَةَ فَهُوَ يَقْضِي بِهَا وَيُعَلِّمُهَا) البخاري ومسلم (

“There is no envy but in two cases: a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a man whom Allah has given wisdom and he judges according to it and teaches it to others.” (Bukhari and Muslim) 

In the next talk, we will, inshallah, discuss Allah’s name Al-Wadoud (The Most-Loving).

﴿إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ يُبۡدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ (١٣) وَهُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلۡوَدُودُ (١٤) ذُو ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡمَجِيدُ (١٥) فَعَّالٌ۬ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ﴾ سورة البروج

“Surely, He originates (creation), and He restores it (after death) (13)  And He is the Most-Forgiving, the Most-Loving, (14) The Master of the Throne of Glory, (15) The Doer of all that He intends.” (Al-Burooj 85:13-16)

Dua