34- What is the ruling on using names shared by Allah and creation?
Many of Allah’s names are also used for created beings. Giving such names is correct, because when the name is attributed to Allah, its meaning is specific to the Being of Allah, as befits Him. Creation is not included in it. And when this name is applied to a created being, its meaning is in accordance with that created being, and the Being of Allah is not included in it. For example, Haleem (Forbearing) is a name of Allah, and Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is also called haleem, yet Ibrahim’s being forbearing is not like Allah’s being Forbearing. Similarly, Ra’uf (Compassionate) is a name of Allah, and the Prophet ﷺ is also called ra’uf, yet the compassion and mercy of the Prophet ﷺ are not like those of Allah. Allah is absolutely Majestic, Generous and Possessor of great honour, and every prophet is also majestic and generous. In this greatness and honour the prophets are not similar to one another, nor is their honour and greatness like the honour of Allah. Each one has his own particular greatness and honour. The honour of one is not like that of another, and in the same way Allah has His own particular greatness and honour.
Allah’s attribute is “Al-Hayy” (the Ever-Living), and this attribute is also found in many created beings, yet their life is not similar to that of Allah. Allah is the Mawla (Helper) of the Prophet ﷺ, and Jibril and the righteous believers are also helpers and supporters of the Prophet ﷺ, but the support given to the Prophet ﷺ by Jibril and the righteous believers is not like the help and support of Allah. Many such examples are established in the Book and the Sunnah, so this does not necessitate likening the Creator to creation. There are many proofs which make clear that the perfection that Allah’s names and attributes possess is not possessed by creation, so their scope is limited according to their status.
With deep study of the Book and the Sunnah, this becomes completely clear, and by the grace of Allah all difficulties are removed. For further detail, see the treatise “Al-Tadmuriyyah” of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him).
