Four Attributes of Allah – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Attributes of Allah (Sifat Allah in Arabic) are the qualities that describe Allah. Allah has 99 beautiful names and attributes. This lesson teaches four of them: Al-Khāliq (The Creator), Ar-Rabb (The Lord), Ar-Rahmān (The Most Gracious) and Ar-Rahīm (The Most Merciful). Students learn what each means and how it should affect our behaviour.

Behavioural objectives

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

• state the meaning of Al-Khāliq, Ar-Rabb, Ar-Rahmān and Ar-Rahīm
• explain the difference between Ar-Rahmān and Ar-Rahīm
• say the four attributes in Arabic and in English
• say where the names are found, in Bismillah and in Sūratul-Fātihah
• give ways in which each attribute should affect how we behave
• make a short du’a using the four names

What are the attributes of Allah?

Attributes are qualities or characteristics that describe Allah.

In Arabic: صفات الله (Sifat Allah)

Allah has 99 beautiful names and attributes. Today we will learn four of them.

What are the four attributes of Allah?

1. Al-Khāliq (ٱلْخَالِقُ)

Meaning: The Creator

What it means:

• Allah created everything
• He made the heavens and the earth
• He made all people, animals and plants
• Nothing exists except what Allah created

The Qur’an says: “Allah is the Creator of all things” (Qur’an 39:62)

How this affects us:

• We should be grateful to our Creator
• We should worship only Him
• We should take care of His creation
• We should not destroy what Allah made

Examples:

• Allah created you and me
• Allah created the sun and moon
• Allah created the mountains and seas
• Allah created day and night

Du’a: “O Allah, You are Al-Khaliq, the Creator. You created everything so perfectly. Help me to appreciate Your creation.”

2. Ar-Rabb (ٱلرَّبُّ)

Meaning: The Lord, The Master, The Sustainer

What it means:

• Allah is our Lord and Master
• He takes care of us
• He provides for us
• He owns everything

The Qur’an says: “All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds” (Qur’an 1:2). This is from Sūratul-Fātihah.

How this affects us:

• We depend on Allah for everything
• We should ask Allah for our needs
• We should obey our Lord
• We should thank Him for taking care of us

Examples:

• Allah gives us food and water
• Allah gives us parents to care for us
• Allah gives us health and strength
• Allah protects us from harm

Du’a: “O Allah, You are Ar-Rabb, my Lord and Sustainer. Take care of me and my family always.”

3. Ar-Rahmān (ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ)

Meaning: The Most Gracious, The Most Beneficent

What it means:

• Allah is extremely merciful
• His mercy covers everything
• He is merciful to everyone, Muslims and non-Muslims
• His mercy is so vast

The Qur’an says: “The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” (Qur’an 1:3). This is from Sūratul-Fātihah.

How this affects us:

• We should always remember Allah’s mercy
• We should never despair or give up
• We should be merciful to others
• We should thank Allah for His endless mercy

Examples:

• Allah gives us life
• Allah gives us beautiful things in this world
• Allah provides for good people and bad people
• Allah’s mercy is in everything around us

Du’a: “O Allah, You are Ar-Rahman, the Most Gracious. Show me Your mercy and forgive my mistakes.”

4. Ar-Rahīm (ٱلرَّحِيمُ)

Meaning: The Most Merciful, The Especially Merciful

What it means:

• Allah is especially merciful to believers
• His special mercy is for those who obey Him
• He rewards good deeds greatly
• He forgives those who repent

The Qur’an says: “The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” (Qur’an 1:3)

Difference between Ar-Rahmān and Ar-Rahīm:

How this affects us:

• We should do good deeds to earn Allah’s special mercy
• We should repent when we sin
• We should be merciful to others
• We should hope for Allah’s forgiveness

Examples:

• Allah forgives our sins when we say sorry
• Allah rewards us for our prayers
• Allah gives us special blessings
• Allah will give believers Jannah (Paradise)

Du’a: “O Allah, You are Ar-Rahim, the Most Merciful. Forgive my sins and grant me Your special mercy.”

How can we memorise the four attributes?

Memorise them in this order:

1. Al-Khāliq (ٱلْخَالِقُ): The Creator
2. Ar-Rabb (ٱلرَّبُّ): The Lord
3. Ar-Rahmān (ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ): The Most Gracious
4. Ar-Rahīm (ٱلرَّحِيمُ): The Most Merciful

A simple rhyme

Al-Khaliq created me,
Ar-Rabb takes care of me,
Ar-Rahman’s mercy is so free,
Ar-Rahim rewards me!

Practice saying

In Arabic: ٱلْخَالِقُ – ٱلرَّبُّ – ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ – ٱلرَّحِيمُ

In English: Al-Khaliq – Ar-Rabb – Ar-Rahman – Ar-Rahim

Where do we find these names?

1. In Bismillah

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

We say Ar-Rahmān and Ar-Rahīm every time we say Bismillah.

2. In Sūratul-Fātihah

• Verse 1: Ar-Rahmān, Ar-Rahīm
• Verse 2: Ar-Rabb
• Verse 3: Ar-Rahmān, Ar-Rahīm

3. In many du’as

We call Allah by these beautiful names when we pray.

Why should we learn Allah’s names?

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Allah has ninety-nine names. Whoever memorises them will enter Paradise” (Hadith)

1. We know Allah better

• Understanding His names helps us know Him
• We learn about His qualities

2. We love Allah more

• When we know Allah is Merciful, we love Him
• When we know He is our Creator, we are grateful

3. We worship Allah better

• We call Him by His names in du’a
• We praise Him properly

4. We become better people

• When we know Allah is Merciful, we become merciful
• When we know Allah is the Creator, we respect His creation

5. We have hope

• Knowing Allah is Ar-Rahmān and Ar-Rahīm gives us hope
• We know Allah forgives and loves us

When should we use these names?

Al-Khāliq

• When you see beautiful nature
• When you are grateful for life
• When you want to thank Allah for creating you

Ar-Rabb

• When you need something
• When you want Allah’s help
• When you are thanking Allah for providing

Ar-Rahmān and Ar-Rahīm

• When you make a mistake
• When you are asking for forgiveness
• When you need Allah’s mercy
• Before and after everything (Bismillah)

Let’s make du’a

“O Allah!
You are Al-Khaliq, You created me.
You are Ar-Rabb, You take care of me.
You are Ar-Rahman, Your mercy surrounds me.
You are Ar-Rahim, Your forgiveness saves me.
I worship You alone.
I ask You alone for help.
Guide me, forgive me, and bless me.
Ameen!”

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Al-Khāliq means _____.
   • a) The King
   • b) The Creator
   • c) The Helper
2. Ar-Rabb means _____.
   • a) The Merciful
   • b) The Lord
   • c) The First
3. Ar-Rahmān means _____.
   • a) The Most Gracious
   • b) The Most Powerful
   • c) The Most High
4. We say Ar-Rahmān and Ar-Rahīm when we say _____.
   • a) Goodbye
   • b) Bismillah
   • c) Thank you
5. Allah has _____ beautiful names.
   • a) 50
   • b) 99
   • c) 100

Assignment

1. Memorise the four attributes: Al-Khāliq, Ar-Rabb, Ar-Rahmān, Ar-Rahīm.
2. Write each attribute with its meaning.
3. Say “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim” before everything you do.
4. Make a du’a using these names of Allah.