Among the beautiful names of Allah, Al Wahhab reminds us of the generosity of Allah: we don’t have to ask for the ability to see or hear, to walk, talk, and live, in general. He just bestows these gifts on us, to whatever extent He wills. He didn’t have to send all the Prophets and Messengers, but He did, and He bestowed on them good character, that we may learn by example, and sent down instructions to them, and made clear the halal and the haram, that we may strive to worship Him appropriately and avoid His punishment.
Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala bestows His blessings on us all, believers and unbelievers alike. The beauty of the sky as the sun sets over the desert; the scent of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven; the song of the birds, the breeze as it tickles the leaves on the trees; the sweet comfort of a steaming cup of hot chocolate on a cold morning; the feel of some plush carpet, when you just get to where you’re going, take off your shoes and socks, and walk around on the rug, barefoot, making fists with your toes: Al Wahhab bestowed all of these on us, and so much more.
Surah Ali-Imran is worth quoting at length, here:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ
Indeed, from Allah nothing is hidden in the earth nor in the heaven.
هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَوِّرُكُمْ فِي الْأَرْحَامِ كَيْفَ يَشَاءُ ۚ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
It is He who forms you in the wombs however He wills. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۗ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
It is He who has sent down to you the Book; in it are verses precise – they are the foundation of the Book – and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah . But those firm in knowledge say, “We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord.” And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
[Who say], “Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.
رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ النَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ
Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.”
May He guide us to understand and appreciate His gifts, and to be thankful to Him for bestowing His favors on us continually and unceasingly, without asking for anything in return. Indeed, He is free of any need, and our worship of Him, our avoidance of his prohibitions, is only for our benefit. Alhamdulillah. Allahu Akbar.
Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, you are Al Wahhab, ameen.
