"Verily, Allah has ninety nine names—one short of a hundred. Whoever encompasses them will enter Paradise" (Bukhari). This famous hadith is much discussed, and too often, the word ahsaha (“encompasses”) is translated as “memorizes.” But does one really enter Paradise just by memorizing these names? Not quite. Ahsaha actually means much more, as explained by Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari. Ahsaha not only means that you should memorize the names, but also that you should understand these names and bring them into practice, invoking Him by them and truly encompassing them. This course will help us to do just that.

We often hear someone being referred to as a "godly" person, but what does this mean? Classical commentaries on the 99 names of Allah all mention how to become "godly" in light of each name by becoming a reflection of it on earth. If I truly "knew" that He is the Merciful, then I would be merciful. If I know He is the Provider, then I wouldn’t fear any shortcoming in my provisions and at the same time, I would provide to others. If I knew He sees everything, hears everything, knows everything, then I wouldn’t sin, cheat, or behave badly in the "dark."

The awliya are "godly" in this meaning, and this is why looking at them reminds one of Allah Most High. In the 99 Names of Allah: Living and Worshipping in Their Light, Shaykh Sulayman will talk about how we too can become a reflection of these names at the level of ta`alluq (spiritual attachment to the name) and takhalluq (becoming a living reflection of the name).

By teaching us His names, Allah is teaching us how to relate to Him in our lives. Everything that happens in the world and in our lives is a representation of the names of Allah Most High. For example, when a baby is born, a plant grows, or a heart comes to life (through guidance), one sees al-Muhyi. With the opposites, one sees al-Mumit. When someone does an evil deed, one sees al-Khafid. When someone does a good deed, one sees al-Rafi’, and so on. The names were chosen specifically by Allah Most High so that by realizing them in our lives, our whole lives would be manifestations of Allah through His names.

This course brings to life theoretical theology courses including Introduction to Islamic Belief. It will cover all the fundamentals of understanding the names of Allah, including names of Allah that are misinterpreted by deviant sects, the effect of the names of Allah on the life of the Muslim, how the names of Allah gain an even greater meaning when they are mentioned in pairs, and the relation between the names of Allah that are mentioned at the end of a Quranic verse and the verse itself.

By the end of this course, you will be able to recognize the names of Allah in your life and you will leave with a real understanding of the difference between the Creator and creation. This course is for every Muslim who aspires to love Allah and in particular is for anyone who wants to explore the more practical side of theology.

Lesson 1

• Introduction
• Explanation of the hadith "Allah has 99 names" and the opinion of the scholars about its authenticity
• The importance of knowing the names of Allah
• The meaning of ta'alluq and takhalluq

Lesson 2

• The different kinds of sifaat, sifatul ma'ani, sifatul af'aal
• The names: as-Sami', al-Basir, al-Khabir, al-Qadir, al'Alim, Ashahid explained

Lesson 3

• When two names of Allah are mentioned together they give a greater meaning
• The names: at-Tawwab, al-Ghafir/al-Ghafur, ar-Rahman ar-Rahim, al-Latif, al-Halim, al-Wadud, al-Afuw, ar-Ra-uf explained

Lesson 4

• Names that are misunderstood by other sects, and how ahlu sunna understands them
• The names: al-Wahhab, ar-Razzaq, al-Fattah, al-Basit, ar-Razzaq, al-Karim, ash-Shakur, an-Nafi'

Lesson 5

• The names: al-'Aziz, al-Jabbar, al-Mutakabbir, al-Qahhar, al-Qawi, al-Matin, alqadir, almuqtadir, al-Qayyum, al-Muntaqim, al-Mani', ad-Daar

Lesson 6

• The names: al-'Ali, al-Kabir, Malikul Mulk, dhul Jalali wal-Ikram, al-Majid, al-Muta'ali, as-Samad, al-Ahad, al-Warith, al-hamid

Mid-term Exam: Explain the names al-Khaliq, al-Bari-, al-Musawwir

Lesson 7

• Meanings of the names: an-Nur, al-Hadi, ar-Rashid, ad-Dahir, al-Muqaddim, al-Mu-akhir, al-Qabidh, al-Khafidh, al-Mu'izz, al-Mudhil

Lesson 8

• the names: ar-Raqib, al-Hafidh, al-Hasib, al-Wali, al-Hakam, al-'Adl, al-Muqit, al-Hakim, al-Barr, al-Muqsit, al-wakil

Lesson 9

• as-Salam, al-Quddus, al-Mumin, al-Muhaymin

Lesson 10

• al-Mubi, al-Mu'eed, al-Awal, al-Akhir, al-Jami, al-Aqi, al-Ba'ith, al-Muhyee, al-Mumeet

Lesson 11

• as-Sabur, al-Haqq, al-Wasi', al-Mujib, al-Musi

Lesson 12

• al-Jalil, al-Wajid, al-Majid
• How the names at the end of a verse are connected to the verse itself

Final Exam: Explain the names al-Badi' and al-Batin

• Weekly live lessons will be conducted by Shaykh Sulayman.
• Printable course slides will add structure to lessons.
• Assignments and exams will ensure your understanding of the material.
• All live lessons will be recorded, so that you can hear lessons that you may miss or review key concepts.
• You can post questions and engage in discussion in the course forum.
• The instructor will hold weekly office hours.