The Purpose of Allah’s Teaching the Names to Hz. Adam
After creating Adam –peace be upon him– Almighty Allah endowed him with the knowledge of the names of all things so that he might attain a state admired by the angels and accept His commands with reverence.
This significant event is narrated in the Quran as follows:
“Allah taught Adam the names of all things. Then He said to the angels, ‘Tell me if you speak the truth,’ (referring to their supposed knowledge) ‘What do you know about these names?’” (Al-Baqarah, 31)
The angels glorified and exalted Allah. Thereupon Allah Almighty said:
“O Adam! Inform the angels of the (names of the) things,” And when Adam recited the names to them (Allah Almighty) said, “I have not told you what I know of the unseen things in the heavens and on earth, nor have I revealed to you the secrets that you conceal?” (Al-Baqarah, 33)
The Purpose of the Names Taught to Hz. Adam
According to one view, the purpose of teaching Hazrat Adam –peace be upon him– the names was that they were the names, attributes, and characteristics of all things on earth. This also encompasses divine artistry, the reality of things, the secrets of creation, the Preserved Tablet (Lawh al-Mahfuz), destiny, and the wisdom therein, as well as all divine mysteries in the heavens and earth – namely, the manifestations of the Divine Names. Therefore, true knowledge of Allah can only be attained through a heart filled with spiritual life. The realities and secrets of things are revealed in proportion to heartfelt perception, which is dependent on insight into the Divine Names.
Allah Almighty says:
“The most beautiful names belong to Allah…” (Al-A’raf, 180) – thus presenting Himself through divine names so that His servants may comprehend Him.
IF WE DO NOT KNOW THE NAMES OF ALLAH
Because the servant establishes his connection with ulūhiyyah (divine authority) through names. This truth reveals that the name of Allah is an indispensable element for His glorification and exaltation. Therefore, the good or bad deeds a servant performs in relation to Him are directed towards His name, not His essence, so that the reality remains eternally free from imperfection.
Indeed, humans would find it difficult to regulate their relationships with Allah if He did not have names specific to Him. For humans are accustomed to seeing and expressing things through names. For humans, a name is the registration of existence. That is why, when Allah created Adam –peace be upon him– He taught him all the names, thereby signifying Adam’s superiority over the angels. For knowing the name of something is, in a way, recognizing its very essence. How else could we know anything about Allah if we did not know Him through His most sublime names?
THE BENEFIT OF USING ALLAH’S NAMES IN PRAYERS
For a person desires to call upon his Lord with a name that befits His attributes. Without these names, his connection with Him would be greatly diminished, perhaps even impossible. It can be said that these names are expressions that somewhat compensate for the servant’s inability of speech before the Divine Essence – they are, in other words, keys that unlock the dilemmas of the human soul. Indeed, merely mentioning Allah’s names nourishes faith, brings about a sense of divine presence, increases love and affection for Him, instills reverence towards Him, inspires desire for what is with Him, detaches one from the world and its fleeting pleasures, and kindles a longing for return/union with Him. The prayers and invocations that the Messenger of Allah –peace and blessings be upon him– recommended reciting in various situations are filled with Allah’s names, thus providing these benefits.
THE MEANING OF ALLAH’S NAMES
A believer who is in difficult circumstances and greatly in need of divine mercy seeks an expression to convey and summarize his condition when asking for help from his Lord: he turns to the names “Ar-Rahman” (The Most Gracious) and “Ar-Rahim” (The Most Merciful.” When he feels that the bond with his heart has been severed as he is weighed down by the burden of his sins, he seeks a means to approach Allah: he takes refuge in the names “Al-Ghaffar” (The Forgiving) and “Al-Satttar” (The Concealer.” When he beholds divine power and majesty manifested in the universe or within his own soul, he seeks an expression to convey the feelings and meanings that cannot be expressed in words: he says “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest), thus calming his restless soul.
In short, a person opens the locked doors of his soul through the various attributes of Allah and alleviates the many needs and difficulties he feels.
This is why Allah has introduced Himself to humanity in a way that can be understood, conforming to reality but accessible to human comprehension. That is, He has revealed Himself through attributes such as Allāmah (The Knowing), Al-Hakim (The Wise), Al-Qadīr (The Powerful), Al-Ghaffār (The Forgiving), etc., making it possible for humans to know Him in this way.
NĀFÎ KNOWLEDGE
In the verse where Allah states that He taught Adam –peace be upon him– the names, He is conveying:
“I will reveal to mankind the names of things, their secrets, subtle wisdoms, beauties, and My divine artistry.”
This indicates that the virtue and distinction of humanity can only be achieved through nâfî knowledge. Therefore, humans should strive to transform their knowledge into insight and perform righteous deeds. The goal is piety (taqwa). Allah Almighty says in a verse:
“…The most noble among you in the sight of Allah is the one who has the most taqwa.” (Al-Hujurat, 13)