A Life with the Divine: 25 Names of Allah

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A Life with the Divine :
'25 Names of Allah & Their Everyday Expressions in Life'
*[A5] Paperback - 422 pages,
by Ali Hammuda,

Description :

Tradesmen look at buildings differently, depending on their trade: The carpenter casts an eye on the woodwork, the bricklayer on the brickwork and the painter on the walls and ceilings. Similarly, the greater a person's perception of Allah's names, the greater their alertness and understanding of life.

Nothing passes them by, without thought and contemplation. When they see a display of mercy, they automatically and very naturally reflect on the names of Allah; Al-Rahim" (The Most Merciful), Al-Ra'uf (The Pitying), Al-Wadud (The Affectionate). When they sense might and awe, they are overcome with the names "Al-Jabbar" (The Compeller), "Al-Muntaqim" (The Avenger) and "Al-Qahhar" (The Subduer).

Eventually, they reach a station where every scene that unfolds, any sin which presents itself or any opportunity that drifts by, becomes a trigger for perusal and the remembrance of Allah, the achievement of which is precisely the objective of this book.

Shaikh Ali Ihsan Hammuda is a UK national of Palestinian origin. He gained bachelors and masters’ degrees in Architecture & Planning from the University of the West of England, before achieving a BA in Shari'ah from al-Azhar University in Egypt. He is currently based in Wales and is a visiting Imam at Al-Manar Centre in Cardiff, and also a senior researcher and lecturer for the Muslim Research & Development Foundation in London.

Table of Contents :

---[1]. Introduction : Tazkiyat al-Nafs/Purification of the Soul and Allah’s Names,
------1.1 The importance of Tazkiyat al-Nafs,
------1.2 What is meant by purification of the soul?
------1.3 What makes the study of Allah’s Names so vital?
---------a. Its legal status,
---------b. Allah wants to be known,
---------c. Commitment can only come after knowledge,
---------d. The study and understanding of Allah’s Names is one of the primary ways of restoring iman and, thus, experiencing the sweetness of worship,
---------e. The study of Allah’s Names and Attributes and one’s ability to abstain from sins,
---------f. The entire world will be seen through the lens of Allah’s Names,
---------g. One’s greatest ambition should be Allah’s acceptance and entering Paradise, and the study of Allah’s Names is a means of attaining them both,
------1.4 Principles that govern one’s understanding of Allah’s Names,
------1.5 Traditional approaches to the study of Allah’s Names vs. the present approach.

---[2]. The Majestic Name “Allah”
------2.1 Characteristics of the Name “Allah”
------2.2 The linguistic origins of the Name Allah,
------2.3 What does “Allahumma” mean?
------2.4 The effects of believing in the Name Allah,
---------a. A renewed approach towards the term [ibadah (worship) and the Mabud (the worshipped),
---------b. Decisions in life will be centered around Allah,
---------c. Focussing one’s mind on Allah,
---------d. Unending amazement and awe,
---------e. An immediate retreat to Him,
---------f. The adoration of Allah.

---[3]. The Majestic Name al-Hadi (The Ever-Guiding),
------3.1 The Name al-Hadi according to Prophet Musa,
------3.2 Examples of al-Hadi’s guidance in the life of the Muslim,
---------a. The sending of Prophets, Messengers, scriptures and miracles,
---------b. Islam is the default status of every human being,
---------c. Man’s inner caller to Allah,
---------d. The unplanned circumstances of life through which Allah guides,
------3.3 Al-Hadi continues to guide but man chooses to close his eyes.

---[4]. The Majestic Name al-Hafiz (The Ever-Preserver),
------4.1 The linguistic origins of the Name al-Hafiz,
------4.2 The effects of believing in the Name al-Hafiz,
---------a. To call upon Him using this Name,
---------b. To be watchful of al-Hafiz,
---------c. To love al-Hafiz and to think the best of Him,
---------d. Reliance on al-Hafiz,
---------e. How does one qualify for the guardianship of al-Hafiz?

---[5]. The Majestic Name al-Fattah (The Ever-Opener),
------5.1 The linguistic origins of the Name al-Fattah,
------5.2 Examples of openings (fath) in the life of man,
---------a. Science,
---------b. Conquests,
---------c. The opportunities for repentance,
---------d. During testing times,

---[6]. The Majestic Name al-Shafi (The Healer),
------6.1 The linguistic origins of the Name al-Shafi,
------6.2 The use of this Name in the Qur’an and Sunnah,
------6.3 Why do illnesses occur and what is the wisdom behind their delayed healing?
---------a. Allah may afflict one with illness to erase one’s sins,
---------b. Illness may be a means of attaining a degree in Paradise that is otherwise unattainable through one’s deeds alone,
---------c. Illness may be a punishment,
---------d. Illnesses may be due to man’s irresponsible lifestyle and poor choices,
---------e. Illnesses are potential means of growth,
------6.4 The effects of believing in the Name al-Shafi,
---------a. To call upon Allah using this Name,
---------b. A heart that is focused and genuinely reliant on the Sole Provider for a cure,
---------c. Unparalleled optimism,
---------d. Attachment to the Qur’an.

---[7]. The Majestic Name al-Jabbar (The Ever-Restorer),
------7.1 The linguistic origins of the Name al-Jabbar,
---------a. Compulsion,
---------b. Loftiness and Might,
---------c. Mending,
------7.2 The usages of this Name in the Qur’an and Sunnah,
------7.3 The effects of believing in the Name al-Jabbar,
---------a. To call upon Him using this Name;,
---------b. To see the signs of al-Jabbar in the world. ,
---------c. To lower oneself to people,
---------d. To fear al-Jabbar,
---------e. The love of al-Jabbar,