What is the meaning of enumerating the names of Allah the Exalted?
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The questioner : Oh Shaykh...
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : ... merely counting them, or is it ...?
The Shaykh : No, it is not merely counting them. Enumerating them entails three things: first, memorizing them and understanding their meanings, and second, worshipping Allah in accordance with them. One must do three things: memorize them, know their meanings, and worship Allah in accordance with them. This is because Allah says:[Al-A'raf 7:180] As for merely writing them on a piece of paper and sitting there repeating them, that is not enumeration.
The questioner : ... I know the names of Allah ... ninety-nine, but I do not know ... nor do I memorize them ...
The Shaykh : No, no, enumerate them, enumerate them.
The questioner : Their meanings are necessary.
The Shaykh : Why is it necessary to enumerate them? Because there are things specified by the Shari'ah ... When a person completes the obligatory prayer, he glorifies Allah thirty-three times, praises Him thirty-three times, and magnifies Him thirty-three times. If he says, "I am not able to count, so I will glorify and praise, and when I am finished, I will stand up," he will not receive the full reward ... the full reward. Everything is specified, so be careful to adhere to its specification. Yes, that is right.
The questioner : Even if he increases.
The Shaykh : If he increases, if he increases in the way of worshipping with this increase, it is a religious innovation. But if he increases in the sense that this is general glorification, it is permissible. However, it is not recommended that he announce it to the people so that they might take it as a recommended practice.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : ... merely counting them, or is it ...?
The Shaykh : No, it is not merely counting them. Enumerating them entails three things: first, memorizing them and understanding their meanings, and second, worshipping Allah in accordance with them. One must do three things: memorize them, know their meanings, and worship Allah in accordance with them. This is because Allah says:
And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them
ولله الأسماء الحسنى فادعوه بهاThe questioner : ... I know the names of Allah ... ninety-nine, but I do not know ... nor do I memorize them ...
The Shaykh : No, no, enumerate them, enumerate them.
The questioner : Their meanings are necessary.
The Shaykh : Why is it necessary to enumerate them? Because there are things specified by the Shari'ah ... When a person completes the obligatory prayer, he glorifies Allah thirty-three times, praises Him thirty-three times, and magnifies Him thirty-three times. If he says, "I am not able to count, so I will glorify and praise, and when I am finished, I will stand up," he will not receive the full reward ... the full reward. Everything is specified, so be careful to adhere to its specification. Yes, that is right.
The questioner : Even if he increases.
The Shaykh : If he increases, if he increases in the way of worshipping with this increase, it is a religious innovation. But if he increases in the sense that this is general glorification, it is permissible. However, it is not recommended that he announce it to the people so that they might take it as a recommended practice.