of Nokounam, (Session 1718)
This treatise is a profound contemplation on the verses of the Holy Quran that address the concepts of Bismillah, Allahumma, Ilah, and La Ilaha Illallah. With a deep perspective on the distinction between name and meaning, the effects of Divine Names, and their role in actualising monotheism and negating polytheism, it elucidates Quranic knowledge. This investigation, grounded in the wisdom and insight of the Quran, seeks to illuminate the status of Divine Names in human spiritual life and the removal of nafs-related deficiencies. The present writing, structured coherently and articulated eloquently, endeavours to present complex concepts with clarity and appeal for seekers of knowledge, akin to a journey towards understanding truth under the light of Divine Speech.
Bismillah is like a key that opens the gate of monotheism and guides humans from the abyss of nominal polytheism towards the reality of Lordship. This noble invocation is not merely a name uttered on the tongue but a plea for assistance from the exalted station of the Truth, which negates any independent existence other than God. The Holy Quran states explicitly:
And you do not worship besides Him except names you have named them, you and your fathers.
(Srah Ysuf, 12:40)
This verse categorically considers the worship of others besides God as worship of names lacking Divine meaning. Lt and Uzz, idols worshipped by the polytheists, were merely names that humans and their ancestors attributed to stones and wood without any real meaning. In contrast, Allah is both a name and a meaning; that is, the Necessary Existent whose external nonexistence is impossible. In philosophy, the Necessary Existent, the impossible, and the contingent are three concepts present in the mind, but their difference lies in meaning: the Necessary Existent cannot be without meaning, the contingent may or may not have meaning, and the impossible cannot have any external meaning.
If one says Seek help by God without mentioning Bismillah, it implicitly assumes the existence of something other than God, which itself is polytheism. Bismillah, by emphasising the Divine station, guarantees negation of the worthiness of worship of others besides God, like a light dispelling the darkness of polytheism. Religious knowledge must clarify this distinction so that believers are guided from nominal polytheism towards monotheism.
Bismillah transcends a mere verbal invocation; it is assistance from the exalted station of the Truth that negates nominal polytheism. This invocation, emphasising the distinction between name and meaning, prevents humans from worshipping idols that are merely names without Divine meaning. Religious knowledge must teach this truth so that believers become steadfast in the realm of monotheism.
Allahumma is like a multifaceted jewel manifesting in various vessels, from acceptance of prayer to sanctification of the Truth and removal of nafs deficiencies. This compound name appears in the Quran in the prayer of Jesus (peace be upon him) as follows:
Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table spread from heaven that it may be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You.
(Srah Al-Midah, 5:114)
This verse shows Jesuss (peace be upon him) prayer in a state of weakness, in which he, with Allahumma Rabbana, requested a table spread from heaven. Unlike Abraham (peace be upon him), who used Allahumma alone, Jesus (peace be upon him) added Rabbana due to his weak condition to seek acceptance at the level of Lordship. Allahumma is a name whose effects vary across different contexts, such as acceptance, sanctification, solace, and deliverance.
In Srah Ynus, verse 10, Allahumma appears in the context of the perfection of the inhabitants of Paradise as follows:
Their call therein will be: Glory be to You, O Allah, and their greeting therein will be Peace!
(Srah Ynus, 10:10)
This verse presents Allahumma in the rank of sanctification and glorification of the Truth, which the inhabitants of Paradise employ to praise God. The phrase Subnaka Allahumma is effective in removing nafs deficiencies, alleviating anxiety, and healing the soul, like a wing that enables the spirit to soar towards Divine tranquility.
The original text notes that this invocation is effective in alleviating nervous weakness and anxiety and that on the battlefield, the friends of God attained spiritual harmony through it. Religious knowledge must elucidate these multifaceted effects so that believers may utilise it appropriately in various contexts.
Allahumma is a Lordly and compound name that functions in diverse contextsfrom acceptance of prayer to sanctification and removal of nafs deficiencies. This name manifests distinctively in Jesuss (peace be upon him) prayer for the table spread and in the glorification of the inhabitants of Paradise. Religious knowledge must impart these effects so that believers may benefit from it on the path to perfection.
Ilah is like a stream that sustains a person in states of weakness and fear, protecting them from sorcery and despair. The Holy Quran states:
Godthere is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names.
(Srah h, 20:8)
This verse introduces Ilah alongside Allah and La Ilaha Illahu. Ilah is a general name with a numerical value of 36 (Alif=1, Lm=30, H=5). The invocation Y Ilh or Wid (numerical value 77) brings love and subjugation, while Ilah al-lihah (numerical value 108) is for nullifying sorcery. Contrary to Allah, which is late and lordly, Ilah is early and applicable in ordinary matters.
In states of weakness such as fear and despair, Ilah upholds the person as a shield against nafs whispers. The invocation Y Ilh or Wid instils such love in the heart that it converts enemies into friends. Religious knowledge must teach these effects so believers may benefit from it in seclusion and prostration.
Ilah is a general name functioning to remove fear, nullify sorcery, and subjugate hearts. This name strengthens humans in states of weakness and instils Divine love in hearts through invocations such as Y Ilh or Wid. Religious knowledge must clarify these features so believers may benefit on the path of monotheism.
La Ilaha Illallah is like a flag hoisting monotheism and negating polytheism. This word of sincerity contains wisdom and knowledge manifest in Luqmans existence. The Holy Quran states:
And We certainly gave Luqman wisdom: Be grateful to God.
(Srah Luqman, 31:12)
This verse introduces Luqman as the epitome of wisdom and knowledge. Unlike prophets such as Moses and Jesus, whose signs and miracles accompanied them, Luqmans verses focus solely on wisdom, knowledge, and faith. La Ilaha Illallah is a phrase negating false deities and affirming God, reflecting Luqmans wisdom.
Mere utterance of La Ilaha does not produce monotheism, because negation without affirmation is incomplete. La Ilaha Illallah, through the dual act of negation and affirmation, guides humans to monotheism, like a bridge from disbelief to faith. Religious knowledge must teach this wisdom so that believers may grasp the truth of monotheism.
La Ilaha Illallah is a phrase containing Luqmans wisdom, which through negation of false deities and affirmation of God, establishes monotheism. This invocation guides humans from polytheism to Lordly knowledge. Religious knowledge must explain this truth to strengthen believers on the path of faith.
La Ilaha Illallah is like a sword uprooting polytheism and planting monotheism in hearts. The Holy Quran states:
Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire, and God leads him astray knowingly and seals over his hearing and his heart and puts over his vision a veil?
(Srah Al-Jthiyah, 45:23)
This verse describes polytheists as those who have taken their desires as gods. They possessed no knowledge except desires and denied the Necessary Existent. Polytheism is only nominal and has no external reality, since all besides God are created.
In Srah Al-Anfl, verse 32, the disbelievers say harshly:
And when they said: O Allah, if this is indeed the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky or bring us a painful punishment.
(Srah Al-Anfl, 8:32)
This verse shows Allahumma in the position of Divine wrath, with disbelievers obstinately demanding punishment. La Ilaha Illallah, through negation of false deities and affirmation of God, eliminates nominal polytheism and establishes monotheism.
