The Absolute Majesty of God in His 99 Names

The 99 names of God. Surely, these names on their own is one of the things that make Islam the religion that it is. Never have there been so many names and title for the same God, rendering just some of His unequaled majesty.

In every culture, there is something of extreme importance, which often reflects on the language of that culture. For example, the Inuit have over a dozen names for snow and ice, since the weather conditions play a big role in their lives. Many central African native languages similarly have many names for each shade of the color "green" in order to describe certain trees, plants, and other environmental species.

To the ideal Muslim, there is nothing closer to his or her heart than God, Who has many names we invoke on a daily basis.

But one thing I have pondered on recently is simply the layout of some of these names. I will give you an example: One of God's names is al-Haq, which means "the Truth". However, another one of His names is ar-Rahman, or "the Gracious". What are the main differences between these two titles besides their meanings?

Take a closer look at ar-Rahman. Why is it that God is "gracious" and not the Grace itself, similar to how He is the Truth? Why isn't God "the Truthful" instead of Truth? Etc. Another example I can give is the term al-Wadud which means "the Lover"; some Christians ask, why is God not Love itself?

The answer I have given is very philosophical and logical at the same time. Since God is absolute and infinite in nature, His attributes must also reflect. God is the "Truth" because it is absolute - a fact can never be "more truthful" or "less truthful", but rather it can only be true or false. For example, if 3 + 3 = 6, this is an absolute truth, and the statement can never be more true than this.

So why can't God be "Mercy" instead of "the Merciful", etc.? This is because mercy is not an absolute. You can always have more mercy or less depending on the scenario you are in, and since God is unlimited and majestic, He must be "All-Merciful" to emphasize that God exceeds the limit of the term. One who stabs a person with a dull knife, for example, can technically be considered as being "more merficul" than one who stabs with a sharp knife. God can, therefore, never be mercy itself, but rather He is the All-Merciful.

So why can't God be Love? Same reason - love is not an absolute; you can always have different levels of love for different objects. God is not limited to the amount of emotion we have for something, but rather His greatness is static, incomparable and undescribable.

Just thought it would be interesting to point this out.