- Allah (swt) calls Himself Al-Aleem – The All-Knowing; The Ever-Knowing; The Omniscient.
- Allah’s (swt) knowledge cannot be compared to any other knowledge in creation. Allah’s (swt) Ilm is neither acquired through learning nor followed by ignorance. As Musa (as) said to Firawn: “My Lord is neither unaware nor He forgets.” (Ta-Ha 20:52)
- Nothing in the heavens or on the earth escapes His knowledge. Al-Aleem says: “And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He.” (Al-Anam 6:59)
- All the seen and hidden matters of the whole of creation – of the past, the present and the future – are in His knowledge. Absolutely nothing is hidden from Him.
- Ibn ‘Umar (rtam) narrated that the Prophet (sa) said: “The keys of the unseen are five, and none knows them but Allah (the Exalted):
- No one knows what is in the womb but Allah (swt), (whether male or female, fair or ugly, miserable or happy, whether it will have a long or a short life…);
- No one knows what will happen tomorrow but Allah (swt);
- No one knows when it will rain but Allah (swt);
- No one knows where he will die but Allah (swt) (knows that);
- No one knows when the Hour will be established but Allah (swt).” (Bukhari)
How Can You Live by this Name?
- Stick to the commands of Al-Aleem.
Al-Aleem says: “…We know what his own self whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge).” (Qaf 50:16) If you know that He sees you while you are alone and when you are in the company of others, that He knows all of your secret thoughts and intentions, and if you firmly believe that Allah (swt) knows absolutely everything, then stick to His divine commands and know that they are the best for you.
- Never stop learning.
Beneficial knowledge comes in many forms, such as physics, chemistry, math, medicine, engineering, and economic – all of this can be used to benefit Allah’s (swt) creation. The most honourable knowledge is to know Allah (swt) through His beautiful divine names and attributes. Be eager to increase your knowledge, and be patient and persevere in seeking it – recognize that learning is a form of worship. Reflect and contemplate on the world around you with the Niyah (intention) to appreciate Allah’s (swt) creative power and wisdom.
- Ask Al-Aleem to increase your knowledge.
Allah loves those who seek knowledge, and teaches you to offer Him the following Dua: “My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (Ta-Ha, 20:114)
- Be humble.
Let Allah’s (swt) perfect and detailed knowledge humbles you. This is why it is said: the one who knows the most about Allah (swt) fears Him the most. Let the amazing Ilm of your Creator increase your love and admiration for Him.
- Act upon what you learn.
Do not be like the donkey that only bears the weight of books. Knowledge becomes power only when it is followed by action. All the Ilm that is not followed by implementation in life is like a lost treasure!
- Accept what is decreed for you.
Knowing Al-Aleem makes your heart able to accept what He has decreed for you, because you know He designed your destiny by His knowledge and wisdom. Allah (swt) knows whatever pain, stress, disappointment, and injustice you go through. Remind yourself of this to get closer to Him, especially during trials.
- Do Dhikr with this name.
The Prophet (sa) said: “If anyone says three times in the evening:
بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الأرض ولا في السماء وهو السميع العليم
‘In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing on earth or in the sky can harm. And He is the All-Hearing and All-Knowing’
– nothing will harm them until the morning, and if anyone says it three times in the morning, nothing will harm them until the evening.” (Ahmad)
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