What is the basis for naming Allah as "The Benefactor and The Harmer"?
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Eid Abbasi : You said: "Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is the Benefactor and the Harmer" during your discussion; what is the basis for this name?
The Shaykh : This is a question that may have some validity. This is not a matter of naming, but rather a matter of description. For example, we say in our discussions: "Allah exists," but "The Existent" is not among His names. However, this is a description of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and a way of speaking about Him. We and our scholars, both past and present, often use such expressions to clarify that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is the One who harms and the One who benefits, and no one else harms or benefits except by His permission (Blessed and Exalted is He). This is derived from many texts in the Book and the Sunnah. What is not permissible is attributing a name to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and addressing Him by it. However, describing Him with it during conversation is a practice used from the time of the Salaf until today. We do not say "O Harmer," nor do we say "O Benefactor," even though He is the Harmer and the Benefactor. Nor do we say "O Existent," because it is not among His Most Beautiful Names. His Most Beautiful Names are based on textual evidence, as we have mentioned repeatedly. This means that in naming Allah (Mighty and Majestic), we restrict ourselves to what is found in the text of the Book and the Sunnah. If no text comes with a name, we do not call upon Allah (Mighty and Majestic) except by His Most Beautiful Names. This is one thing. Speaking about Allah (Mighty and Majestic) during conversation, as you just heard, is another thing. It is correct that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is the One who benefits and the One who harms. If this is correct, there is no objection to saying during conversation: "Allah is the Benefactor, He is the Harmer." But we do not name Him with names by which we address Him and draw near to Him (Blessed and Exalted is He).
Yes.
Eid Abbasi : This was a question that had been asked previously by some of the brothers in a previous lesson, but perhaps the brother was present during that time.
The Shaykh : This is a question that may have some validity. This is not a matter of naming, but rather a matter of description. For example, we say in our discussions: "Allah exists," but "The Existent" is not among His names. However, this is a description of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and a way of speaking about Him. We and our scholars, both past and present, often use such expressions to clarify that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is the One who harms and the One who benefits, and no one else harms or benefits except by His permission (Blessed and Exalted is He). This is derived from many texts in the Book and the Sunnah. What is not permissible is attributing a name to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and addressing Him by it. However, describing Him with it during conversation is a practice used from the time of the Salaf until today. We do not say "O Harmer," nor do we say "O Benefactor," even though He is the Harmer and the Benefactor. Nor do we say "O Existent," because it is not among His Most Beautiful Names. His Most Beautiful Names are based on textual evidence, as we have mentioned repeatedly. This means that in naming Allah (Mighty and Majestic), we restrict ourselves to what is found in the text of the Book and the Sunnah. If no text comes with a name, we do not call upon Allah (Mighty and Majestic) except by His Most Beautiful Names. This is one thing. Speaking about Allah (Mighty and Majestic) during conversation, as you just heard, is another thing. It is correct that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is the One who benefits and the One who harms. If this is correct, there is no objection to saying during conversation: "Allah is the Benefactor, He is the Harmer." But we do not name Him with names by which we address Him and draw near to Him (Blessed and Exalted is He).
Yes.
Eid Abbasi : This was a question that had been asked previously by some of the brothers in a previous lesson, but perhaps the brother was present during that time.
Source
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