of Nokounam, May His Secret be Sanctified (Session 1717)
This treatise undertakes an examination of the Quranic verses concerning khisf al-ard (the swallowing or sinking of the earth) and Asma al-Husna (the Most Beautiful Names [of God]), with an in-depth focus on the miracle of Moses (peace be upon him), the concept of the earths subsumption, and the characteristics of the Divine Names. The objective is to elucidate these concepts in a clear and dignified language, which, while remaining entirely faithful to the original content, expands semantic connections with detailed exposition. The writing is structured systematically and draws upon Quranic verses and narrations to meet the demands of both scholarly research and spiritual cognition. Like a sea concealing pearls of knowledge, this text endeavours to present the profound layers of Divine verses in a coherent and lucid manner before the reader.
One of the prominent miracles of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), extensively mentioned in the Holy Quran, is khisf al-ardthe swallowing or sinking of the earthwhich occurred in the narrative of Qarun. This miracle is an embodiment of Divine omnipotence bestowed upon Moses (PBUH) to command the earth to engulf Qarun in response to his insolence.
فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِ وَبِدَارِهِ الْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُ مِنْ فِئَةٍ يَنْصُرُونَهُ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُنْتَصِرِينَ (سورة القصص: ٨١)
So We caused the earth to swallow him and his house, and there was for him no company to aid him against Allah, nor was he of those who could defend themselves. (Surah Al-Qasas: 81)
This verse clearly depicts the miracle of khisf al-ard. Qarun, having erred through arrogance and disrespect towards Moses (PBUH), was swallowed by the earth upon Moses command. According to narrations, Moses (PBUH) proclaimed: O earth, seize him, and the earth engulfed Qarun up to his knees. This event not only signifies Moses authority as a manifestation of Divine Majesty but also exemplifies Gods boundless mercy. When Qarun appealed by invoking kinship and supplication, Moses (PBUH) responded: Do not increase me in words. Nevertheless, God reproached Moses (PBUH), indicating that had Qarun called upon him, Divine mercy would have encompassed him. This nuance, like a light amidst darkness, reveals the vastness of Divine mercy, ever prepared to accept repentance even from transgressors.
This miracle, transcending a mere outward phenomenon, carries a profound message. The earth, conceived as a living and conscious entity, was placed at Moses disposal to administer Divine justice. Religious knowledge must explicate this miracle as a symbol of Divine power and the authority of the Prophets so that the faithful grasp the depths of this Quranic truth.
Khisf al-Ard literally denotes dukhul al-ard fi al-ard (the earth sinking into itself), realised through the expansion and contraction of the earth. This concept is referenced not only in the story of Qarun but also in multiple Quranic verses as a Divine punishment for deceivers and wrongdoers.
أَفَأَمِنَ الَّذِينَ مَكَرُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ أَنْ يَخْسِفَ اللَّهُ بِهِمُ الْأَرْضَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ (سورة النحل: ٤٥)
Then are those who devise evil secure that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them, or that torment will not come to them suddenly while they perceive not? (Surah An-Nahl: 45)
This verse introduces khisf as a Divine chastisement for those who plot evil. In essence, khisf refers to the splitting of the earth and the swallowing of the sinner within it, rather than execution followed by re-creation. This concept is also linked to the story of Bilqis and tay al-ard (traversing the earth) in Surah An-Naml, where the earth was contracted for Asif to bring Bilqis throne to Solomon (PBUH) in less than the blink of an eye.
قَالَ الَّذِي عِنْدَهُ عِلْمٌ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ أَنَا آتِيكَ بِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَرْتَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْفُكَ (سورة النمل: ٤٠)
One who had knowledge of the Book said, I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you. (Surah An-Naml: 40)
In this narrative, the earth is portrayed as a dynamic and obedient being, bridging the distance between Asif and Bilqis throne instantaneously. This expansion and contraction of the earthreferred to in narrations as anbathat al-arddemonstrates the earths capability to fold and unfold. Contrary to some erroneous interpretations attributing the thrones movement to angels or wind, the Quran and authentic narrations affirm that this phenomenon occurred through khisf al-ard and tay al-ard. Religious scholarship must clarify this Quranic truth and avoid illogical explanations involving execution and re-creation.
From this perspective, the earth is neither inert nor lifeless but an intelligent and active entity serving the Divine elect. Just as a skilled gardener prepares the soil for growth, the earth, in the hands of Divine Prophets such as Moses (PBUH) and Solomon (PBUH), becomes an instrument for administering justice and realising Divine will.
Khisf al-Ard is a Divine miracle granted to Moses (PBUH) to swallow Qarun due to his insolence. This miracle, effected by the command O earth, seize him, demonstrates Moses authority as a manifestation of Divine majesty and Gods boundless mercy. The meaning of khisf is the earth sinking into itself, occurring through the earths expansion and contraction, a concept also apparent in the story of Bilqis and tay al-ard. Religious scholarship must elucidate these concepts free from erroneous interpretations, enabling the faithful to comprehend the Quranic truth clearly.
Asma al-Husna are attributes of God that manifest His beauty and perfection. These names, cited in numerous Quranic verses, invite believers to invoke God by His most beautiful names.
وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا (سورة الأعراف: ١٨٠)
And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. (Surah Al-Araf: 180)
This verse explicitly emphasises the invitation to call upon God by His Asma al-Husna. The essential content asserts that these names denote attributes of beauty and perfection; solely majestic attributes, such as being decisive or wrathful, are not considered husna unless combined with beauty and perfection. For instance, Divine mercy supersedes wrath, and this precedence exhibits perfection.
قُلِ ادْعُوا اللَّهَ أَوِ ادْعُوا الرَّحْمَنَ أَيًّا مَا تَدْعُوا فَلَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى (سورة الإسراء: ١١٠)
Say: Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever you call upon, to Him belong the best names. (Surah Al-Isra: 110)
In this verse, Allah and Ar-Rahman are introduced as exemplars of Asma al-Husna. The main content explains that Allah is an apparent collective name, and Hu is an inward collective name. La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah) is an exposition of these two names, indicating monotheism. Majestic attributes such as cunning, if without wisdom and kindness, lead to misguidance; but when combined with wisdom and grace, they become husna.
Asma al-Husna, like stars in the sky of knowledge, guide the faithful towards God. These names not only reveal Divine perfection but also invite servants to draw near to God through their recognition and invocation.
The names Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living) and Al-Qayyum (The Sustainer) are among the lordly and heart-centric names that impart strength of heart, repel anxiety, and enable dominion over creation.
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ (سورة البقرة: ٢٥٥)
Allahthere is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. (Surah Al-Baqarah: 255)
This verse introduces Al-Hayy al-Qayyum as intrinsic attributes of God, self-existent and upholding creation. The main content identifies the invocation O Hayy, O Qayyum, O none has the right to be worshipped but You as a secretive and heartfelt dhikr (remembrance) that, when uttered in a specific time frame (between dawn and sunrise), yields special effects. This dhikr strengthens the heart, dispels obsessive thoughts and anxiety, and grants travellers on the spiritual path the capacity to influence creation and penetrate into the acts of creation.
Narrations report that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) found solace and joy in uttering this dhikr during moments of distress. This remembrance is efficacious for repelling spiritual maladies, prolonging life, and warding off enemies. When recited a specific number of times (e.g., 41) and at the designated time, accompanied by water or an agate ring, it possesses distinct effects such as protection from the evil eye and afflictions.
These names, like a pure spring, quench the believers heart and guide it towards elevated spiritual stations. Religious knowledge should elucidate these effects in such
