Dr. Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri
Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia; Founder - Director
Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center
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f:253 - Using Ali as name
Country : Hubli, India, Name : Muhammad Hasnuddin
Question: Assalamalaikum wa Rahmatullah
My question is that all the names of Allah Ta'ala describe His attributes and when we human beings use them, we add "Abd" or "Allah" like Abdur Rahman, Abdur Raheem or Raheemullah. Then the name "Ali" is also an attribute of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala). Why don?t we add Abd or Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) to this?
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Answer:
Walaikum Assalamalaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakutuhu,
"Allah" is the signature name of Allah Most High and other attributes indicate the majesty of Almighty Allah. The word "Abd" means slave. That is why it can be used with the signature name of Allah like 'Abdullah or with other attributes like 'Abdur Raheem.
The names of Allah Most High are of 2 kinds. One which can't be used for someone other than Allah Most High like Rahman, Samad, etc. and the other, which can be used for others as well like Raheem, Aleem, Wali, etc.
The name which you have mentioned belongs to the second category, so it can be used with "Abd" like 'Abdul 'Ali and using it simply alone like 'Ali is also permissible.
It should be remembered that when the 2nd category is used for Allah Most High, it means the most complete and most absolute form of it, like 'Ali means the most high and sublime and "'Aleem" meaning the One who knows everything Himself. When these are used for humans, the attribute/quality becomes "gained" i.e. 'Aleem meaning one who has been given knowledge by Allah Most High. Thus, the 2nd category can be used as names without any addition also.
And Allah Most High knows best.
Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri
[Shaykh ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder-Director Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]
