Attribute of Allah (Swt) 31-40 – JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Attributes 31 to 40 of Allah (SWT) are Al-Hakam, Al-Adl, Al-Latif, Al-Khabir, Al-Halim, Al-Azim, Al-Ghafur, Ash-Shakur, Al-Aliyy and Al-Kabir.

• Main idea: they describe Allah’s perfect qualities: He judges with fairness, knows everything, forgives, appreciates good deeds and is above all creation.
• Why we learn them: knowing them strengthens our faith and guides our behaviour.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. State the names and meanings of Allah’s attributes 31 to 40.
2. Explain what each attribute means in simple words.
3. Recite or recall a Quranic verse linked to some of the attributes.
4. Describe how these attributes should guide our behaviour.
5. Say why our qualities are limited while Allah’s attributes are perfect.

What are the 99 names of Allah?

The 99 names of Allah (Asma ul Husna) are the beautiful names that describe His perfect qualities.

• Belief: Muslims believe Allah has 99 beautiful names.
• Purpose: the names help us understand who Allah is.
• This lesson: covers names 31 to 40 in the list used in this scheme of work.

What are attributes 31 to 40 of Allah?

There are ten attributes in this group, each with its own meaning.

What does Al-Hakam (The Judge) mean?

Al-Hakam means “The Judge”, the final judge in all matters.

• Meaning: Allah judges between people with perfect fairness.
• Difference from people: human judges can make mistakes, but Allah’s judgment is always right because He knows everything.
• Day of Judgment: Allah will judge all our actions.
• Lesson for us: try to be fair when we make decisions.
• Lesson for us: trust that Allah’s decisions are best, even when we do not understand them.
• Quran: “Is not Allah the most just of judges?” (Surah At-Tin, 95:8).

What does Al-Adl (The Just) mean?

Al-Adl means “The Just” or “The One Who is Fair.”

• Meaning: Allah never does wrong to anyone and gives everyone what they deserve.
• No favourites: He does not favour people because of wealth, colour or status.
• Lesson for us: trust that Allah will never be unfair to us.
• Lesson for us: be fair and just in our dealings with others.
• Day of Judgment: everyone will receive exactly what they deserve.
• Quran: “Indeed, Allah commands justice and good conduct” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:90).

What does Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Kind) mean?

Al-Latif means “The Subtle” or “The Kind.”

• First meaning: Allah knows the smallest details of everything.
• Second meaning: Allah is kind and gentle in how He treats His creation.
• Lesson for us: Allah knows even our smallest needs and problems.
• Lesson for us: Allah helps us in ways we may not notice.
• Lesson for us: be kind and gentle with others.
• Quran: “Allah is Subtle with His servants; He gives provision to whom He wills” (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:19).

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

Al-Khabir means “The All-Aware”, the One who has complete knowledge of everything.

• Meaning: nothing is hidden from Allah.
• What He knows: what is in our hearts, what we think and what we do in secret.
• Lesson for us: we cannot hide anything from Allah.
• Lesson for us: Allah understands our feelings and thoughts completely.
• Lesson for us: be honest in all our actions, even when no one is watching.
• Quran: “Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13).

What does Al-Halim (The Forbearing) mean?

Al-Halim means “The Forbearing” or “The Patient One.”

• Meaning: even when people disobey Him, Allah does not rush to punish them.
• Why: He gives them time to realise their mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
• Lesson for us: Allah gives us many chances to turn back to Him.
• Lesson for us: be patient with other people’s mistakes.
• Lesson for us: never despair of Allah’s mercy, whatever we have done.
• Quran: “Indeed, He is Forbearing and Forgiving” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:44).

What does Al-Azim (The Magnificent) mean?

Al-Azim means “The Magnificent” or “The Great One.”

• Meaning: Allah is greater than anything we can imagine.
• Understanding: His greatness is beyond our understanding.
• Lesson for us: feel awe when we think about Allah.
• Lesson for us: nothing is too big for Allah to handle.
• Lesson for us: praise Allah’s greatness in our prayers.
• In salah: when we bow (ruku) we say “Subhana Rabbiyal Azim” (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent).

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

Al-Ghafur means “The All-Forgiving.”

• Meaning: Allah forgives sins again and again, and His forgiveness is vast.
• Condition: He is ready to forgive us if we are truly sorry.
• Lesson for us: never lose hope in Allah’s forgiveness.
• Lesson for us: ask Allah for forgiveness often.
• Lesson for us: forgive others when they make mistakes.
• Quran: “Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:173).

What does Ash-Shakur (The Appreciative) mean?

Ash-Shakur means “The Appreciative” or “The Thankful”, the One who recognises and rewards good deeds.

• Meaning: Allah notices and rewards even the smallest good deed.
• Reward: He multiplies the reward for our good actions.
• Note: we do not usually think of Allah thanking us, so this name is explained as His appreciation of good deeds.
• Lesson for us: even small good deeds are noticed and rewarded.
• Lesson for us: thank Allah for all His blessings.
• Lesson for us: appreciate and thank people for what they do for us.
• Quran: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:7).

What does Al-Aliyy (The Most High) mean?

Al-Aliyy means “The Most High”, the One above all His creation.

• Meaning: Allah is high in status and rank, as well as above creation.
• Nothing higher: no one is higher than Allah.
• Lesson for us: direct our worship only to Allah.
• Lesson for us: Allah is above all worldly powers.
• Lesson for us: seek Allah’s pleasure above everything else.
• Quran: “He is the Most High, the Most Great” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255).

What does Al-Kabir (The Greatest) mean?

Al-Kabir means “The Greatest.”

• Meaning: Allah is greater than everything, and His greatness has no limits.
• Comparison: everything else is small compared to Allah.
• Lesson for us: our problems are small compared to Allah’s greatness.
• Lesson for us: say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) to remember this.
• Lesson for us: do not let pride make us forget Allah’s greatness.
• Quran: “Allah is the Most High, the Most Great” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:62).

How do these attributes connect to our lives?

Understanding these attributes helps us in five ways.

1. Stronger faith: when we know who Allah is, our belief becomes stronger.
2. Better worship: when we understand Allah’s greatness and mercy, we worship Him better.
3. Better behaviour: knowing Allah sees everything (Al-Khabir) makes us do good even when alone.
4. Comfort: knowing Allah is just (Al-Adl) helps us trust that all unfairness will be put right in the end.
5. Good qualities: we try to show some of these qualities, such as being just, forgiving and appreciative.

What activities help us understand these attributes?

1. Daily practice: choose one attribute each day and remember it throughout the day.
2. Dua (prayer): make dua using these names, for example “Ya Ghafur (O Forgiving One), forgive my sins.”
3. Self-reflection: think about how you can be more just or more forgiving.
4. Discussion: talk with family or friends about which attribute means most to you and why.
5. Thank Allah: list the things to thank Allah for, remembering that He is Ash-Shakur.

Why are Allah’s attributes different from ours?

Allah’s attributes are perfect and complete, while ours are limited and imperfect.

• No one is like Allah: “There is nothing like Him” (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:11).
• Our justice: we can try to be just, but we can make mistakes.
• Our forgiveness: we can try to forgive, but we can be limited by anger or hurt.
• Our kindness: we can try to be kind, but we do not know every need of others.
• Our aim: we copy these good qualities as best we can, knowing only Allah has them perfectly.

Evaluation

1. Write the names of attributes 31 to 40 and give the meaning of each.
2. What does Al-Halim teach us about how Allah treats people who disobey Him?
3. Which attribute reminds us to be honest even when no one is watching? Explain.
4. What do we say in prayer when we bow, and which attribute does it mention?
5. Why should we thank others as well as Allah, according to the attribute Ash-Shakur?

Assignment

Choose any three of the attributes 31 to 40. For each one, write its meaning and one thing it teaches you to do in your daily life. Then write a short dua using one of the names.