The Attributes of Allah (11-20) – JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

The attributes of Allah are His perfect and beautiful qualities, as described in the Quran and by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. name attributes 11 to 20 of Allah and give the meaning of each;
2. quote or recall one Quranic verse linked to each attribute;
3. explain how Allah’s knowledge, sight, hearing and power differ from those of human beings;
4. describe how these attributes should affect the way a Muslim thinks, speaks and acts;
5. explain why we cannot fully understand Allah’s attributes.

What are attributes 11 to 20 of Allah?

Attributes 11 to 20 are ten qualities of Allah: Al-Alim, Al-Basir, As-Sami, Al-Qadir, Al-Latif, Al-Khabir, Al-Halim, Al-Azim, Al-Ghafur and Ash-Shakur.

• Source: Allah has 99 beautiful names, and each name points to a quality of His.
• Purpose: knowing them helps Muslims know Allah better and strengthens their faith.
• Effect: they guide how a Muslim thinks, speaks and behaves.

Attribute 11: What does Al-Alim (The All-Knowing) mean?

Al-Alim means that Allah knows everything, past, present and future.

• Quran: “Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on earth” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:16).
• Meaning: nothing is hidden from Allah, including our thoughts, feelings and actions.
• Difference from humans: human knowledge is limited, can contain mistakes, grows and is forgotten. Allah’s knowledge never changes and is always complete.
• Lesson: be honest and careful, even when alone.
• Lesson: ask Allah for guidance in hard decisions, because He knows what is best for us.

Attribute 12: What does Al-Basir (The All-Seeing) mean?

Al-Basir means that Allah sees everything, everywhere, at all times.

• Quran: “Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:1).
• Meaning: nothing is too small or too hidden for Allah to see.
• Difference from humans: our sight is limited by distance, darkness and barriers. Allah’s sight has no limits.
• Lesson: do good and avoid wrong even when nobody is watching.
• Lesson: believers find comfort, because Allah sees their struggles and efforts.

Attribute 13: What does As-Sami (The All-Hearing) mean?

As-Sami means that Allah hears everything, however quiet or far away.

• Quran: “Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:39).
• Meaning: Allah hears the prayers of all people at the same time, including silent prayers in the heart.
• Difference from humans: we hear only within a certain range and distance, and we cannot listen to everyone at once. Allah hears without confusion or difficulty.
• Lesson: pray with confidence, especially in hard times.
• Lesson: avoid hurtful or disrespectful words, and use speech for kind words and remembering Allah.

Attribute 14: What does Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful) mean?

Al-Qadir means that Allah has complete power over everything.

• Quran: “Indeed, Allah has power over all things” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:20).
• Meaning: nothing is too difficult for Him. When He wants something, He says “Be,” and it is.
• Difference from humans: Allah never gets tired and needs no help. Human power is very limited.
• Lesson: face difficulties with courage, because Allah can change any situation.
• Lesson: rely on Allah and avoid pride in our own strength.
• Lesson: saying “Insha’Allah” (if Allah wills) about future plans recognises His power.

Attribute 15: What does Al-Latif (The Most Subtle, The Most Kind) mean?

Al-Latif means that Allah is gentle and kind to His creation and knows the finest details.

• Quran: “Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills” (Surah Yusuf, 12:100).
• First meaning: gentle and kind.
• Second meaning: one who understands the finest and most hidden matters.
• Example: Allah provides for every creature in a way that suits its needs, and sends help in unexpected ways.
• Lesson: notice Allah’s kindness in small daily things.
• Lesson: be kind and gentle to others.
• Lesson: something that seems bad at first may turn out to be good, because Allah sees the whole picture.

Attribute 16: What does Al-Khabir (The All-Aware) mean?

Al-Khabir means that Allah is fully aware of the smallest and most hidden details of everything.

• Quran: “Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13).
• Meaning: nothing escapes His awareness, whether visible or invisible, spoken or unspoken.
• Meaning: He knows our inner thoughts and what troubles us, even when we say nothing.
• Lesson: be honest and sincere, because we cannot hide our true intentions from Allah.
• Lesson: find comfort when others do not understand what we are going through.
• Lesson: keep patience and hope in times of injustice, because Allah will judge with perfect justice.

Attribute 17: What does Al-Halim (The Forbearing) mean?

Al-Halim means that Allah is patient and does not rush to punish those who do wrong.

• Quran: “And know that Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:235).
• Meaning: Allah gives people time to realise their mistakes, repent and change.
• Meaning: forbearance does not mean He ignores wrongdoing for ever.
• Lesson: be patient with other people’s mistakes and weaknesses.
• Lesson: keep hope after mistakes, because the door of forgiveness stays open to those who sincerely repent.

Attribute 18: What does Al-Azim (The Magnificent, The Great) mean?

Al-Azim means that Allah is greater than anything we can imagine.

• Quran: “So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great” (Surah Al-Waqi’ah, 56:96).
• Meaning: He is great in His essence, attributes, power and actions.
• Example: when Muslims say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greater), they acknowledge this attribute.
• Difference from humans: human greatness is relative and temporary. Allah’s greatness is absolute and never reduces.
• Lesson: be humble, as servants of Allah.
• Lesson: find strength, because no problem is too big for Allah to solve.

Attribute 19: What does Al-Ghafur (The All-Forgiving) mean?

Al-Ghafur means that Allah forgives sins again and again for anyone who sincerely repents.

• Quran: “Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:23).
• Meaning: no sin is too big for Allah to forgive when a person truly repents.
• Hadith: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that Allah stretches out His hand at night to forgive those who sinned by day, and by day to forgive those who sinned at night.
• Meaning: Allah can remove the effects of a forgiven sin, and may replace bad deeds with good ones for those who repent sincerely (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:70).
• Lesson: keep hope after mistakes.
• Lesson: forgive others, if we hope Allah will forgive us.

Attribute 20: What does Ash-Shakur (The Most Appreciative) mean?

Ash-Shakur means that Allah appreciates and rewards even the smallest good deed many times over.

• Quran: “If you loan Allah a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you and forgive you. And Allah is Most Appreciative and Forbearing” (Surah At-Taghabun, 64:17).
• Meaning: Allah never overlooks or forgets any good action.
• Meaning: a good deed may be rewarded ten times, seventy times, seven hundred times or more.
• Difference from humans: people may forget or undervalue what others do for them. Allah never forgets.
• Lesson: keep doing good, even when it seems small or people do not notice.

How do Allah’s attributes differ from those of human beings?

Allah’s attributes are perfect and unlimited, while human qualities are limited and temporary.

How do these attributes help us in daily life?

These attributes guide a Muslim’s thoughts, speech and actions every day.

• Al-Alim and Al-Basir: help us stay honest and careful about our actions, even when alone.
• As-Sami: encourages us to pray and to speak good words.
• Al-Qadir: gives us confidence and hope in difficult situations.
• Al-Latif and Al-Khabir: help us notice our blessings and be grateful.
• Al-Halim and Al-Ghafur: give us hope after mistakes and teach us to be patient and forgiving.
• Al-Azim: puts life’s challenges in perspective and reminds us that we are Allah’s servants.
• Ash-Shakur: motivates us to do good even when nobody notices.

Can we fully understand the attributes of Allah?

No, we can learn about Allah’s attributes, but we cannot fully understand them as they truly are.

• Reason: Allah’s qualities are perfect and beyond human understanding.
• Quran: “There is nothing like Him” (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:11).
• Our understanding: we grasp them only in a way that suits the human mind.
• Benefit of learning: a stronger relationship with Allah, and signs of His attributes seen in the world and in our lives.
• Result: knowing that Allah is All-Knowing makes us mindful of our actions.
• Result: knowing that Allah is All-Forgiving makes us hopeful and more forgiving towards others.

Evaluation

1. List attributes 11 to 20 of Allah with their meanings.
2. Give one way in which Allah’s seeing differs from human seeing.
3. What does a Muslim show when he or she says “Insha’Allah” or “Allahu Akbar”?
4. Explain how knowing that Allah is Al-Ghafur should affect the way we treat people who wrong us.
5. Why can we not fully understand Allah’s attributes?

Assignment

Choose any three of attributes 11 to 20. For each one, write its meaning, one Quranic verse linked to it, and one way it should affect the behaviour of a Muslim.