Allah is Al-Wasi

1. Allah (swt) calls Himself Al-Wasi— the All-Encompassing, the All-Sufficient, the Bountiful— on nine occasions in the Quran.
2. Al-Wasi’is vast in His attributes and qualities. He encompasses the whole of creation with His infinite knowledge, mercy, blessings, care, and kindness. He is the Self-Sufficient and is sufficient for all. Nothing is beyond Him, and there are no limits to any of His attributes.
3. The Quran tells us about Al-Wasi’s Kursi, which extends over the heavens and the earth (Al-Baqarah 2:255). Prophet Muhammad (sa) has given us an example for understanding of the vastness of the Kursi of Al-Wasi. The seven heavens are like a ring in comparison to the Kursi (footstool) that is thrown in a vast desert. From millions and trillions of stars in the first heaven, we know of only one star – the Sun. We are not yet aware of all the creations on our planet, which is smaller than a dot in the Milky Way. Can you imagine the size of Al-Wasi’s footstool?
4. “And to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you [might] turn, there is the Face of Allah. Indeed, Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah 2:115) Allah (swt) hears every unspoken word, sees every unseen wound and heals every unbearable pain.
5. “Your god is only Allah, except for whom there is no deity. He has encompassed all things in knowledge.” (Ta-Ha 20:98) Who can count all the drops of rain? Who can count all the leaves that fall? Who can count all the particles of sand? Who knows of the benefits of every flower that blooms? No instrument has been invented to measure it accurately! Only Al-Wasi encompasses all with His knowledge.
6. “…My mercy encompasses all things…” (Al-Araf 7:156) Al-Wasi’s infinite and limitless mercy encompasses all, without which no creation can survive. Among ourselves as creations of Allah (swt), we can experience towards each other only one hundredth part of Allah (swt) mercy. Even such wild animals as alligators and lions are merciful to their offspring. 99 out of 100 parts of His mercy is reserved for Qiyamah. When in conflict with relatives, siblings, spouse or even strangers, we should seek Al-Wasi’s infinite blessing of mercy and forgiveness and ask Him to grant vastness to our hearts.
7. Al-Wasi is the One Who is generous or magnanimous towards His servants and Who does not hold them responsible for what is beyond their capabilities. “Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.” (Al-Baqarah 2:286)
8. In the Quran, we learn about the vastness of Jannah: “Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers.” (Al-Hadid 57:21)

How Can We Live by This Name?

1. Praise Al-Wasi.His attributes are immense. Everything connected to Him is immense and perfect. Do we really keep our tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah (swt)? Remind yourself of this great attribute of vastness and increase your daily Dhikr!
2. Contemplate about His kingdom.To appreciate the limitlessness of Al-Wasi, look at His creation: the sky and the galaxy, the balance, the perfection and the spaces in the universe that are still unknown to us.
3. Ask Al-Wasi. His power encompasses everything and there is nothing Al-Wasicannot do. Look at His infinite bounty – even if He grants all His creation whatever they ask for, His oceans of treasures will not loose a single drop. Ask Him for every need and turn to Him with every worry.
4. Be an ambassador of good. Al-Wasi sent you into this world and watches your every move. All you did, do, and will do is embraced by His knowledge. Take your role on this earth seriously and be an ambassador of Islam by showing good manners and calling others to Al-Wasi.
5. Never despair in any characteristic of Allah (swt).Despairing in any capacity of Al-Wasi means you are putting a limit on the One Whose abilities are beyond any limit; may Allah (swt) protect us from such thinking! If you think that He cannot forgive you, because you are too evil, you are denying this attribute, because His mercy is limitless! So never despair in any of His roles, whether it is the Provider, the Judge, the Answerer of Prayers; have firm faith that His capacities cannot be limited by anything or anyone.
6. Be aware of your actions.Be aware of your actions and fear the all-encompassing knowledge, hearing, mercy and might of Al-Wasi!
7. Embrace others with your kindness. Ask for vastness of heart, and be kind and merciful in your treatment of fellow beings. Give generously and be bountiful in your Sadaqah.