THE ONE WHOSE WILL PREVAILS OVER ALL: AL-JABBAR

The name al-Jabbar derives from meanings such as “the One Who compels” and “the One Who enforces.” But what does this attribute signify when it is a name of our Lord? Is it truly possible for such a meaning to be among His names? When we strive to understand Him through His names, and when we mention them in remembrance and supplication, how do we comprehend the name “alJabbar” in our minds? We believe that there are surely many divine wisdoms behind the inclusion of this name one that seemingly implies compulsion among the names of our Lord, Who is the most exalted of the exalted, Whose mercy surpasses all His other attributes, and Who encompasses all things with His compassion. Whether we are aware of them or not, this wisdom is there. So come, let us pursue together the meanings and insights behind this name. As our knowledge of Him increases, so will our faith become more deeply rooted, our devotion strengthened, and the doubts that assail from both from within and without will gradually dissolve and disappear. The more we understand His names, the better we can grasp what is happening in the universe. We will come to realize that mercy sometimes manifests as grace and bestowal, and at other times as withholding and compulsion. To choose just one of these manifestations and act according to it in all circumstances is not the way of wisdom. Wisdom (and, of course, mercy) requires the ability to choose the course of action appropriate to the situation and to carry it out without hesitation or weakness.

From this perspective, when we examine the name “al-Jabbar”, we see that it carries the following meanings: to rescue someone from poverty and grant them wealth; to heal a broken bone (in this context, jabr signifies correction and restoration); to compel or force; to act with grandeur and display strength and power. Accordingly, this name signifies “the One Who sets right all that is broken or disordered, Who binds and heals wounds, Whose will prevail in all circumstances, Who is mighty, powerful, majestic, effective, superior, and sovereign”.

Allah, the Lord of all worlds, has established laws for every being in accordance with the purpose for which it was created, and He has compelled them willingly or unwillingly to abide by these laws. Al-Jabbar is the One who compels. He is the One whose will always prevails, and the One who enforces His decrees under all circumstances. No one has the right to question what He does or why He does it (Anbiya, 21:23). The reluctance or even disobedience of His creatures does not disrupt His order; rather, it is the individuals who step outside of this order that bring harm only upon themselves.