Al-Kaafi (The Sufficient)

This Noble Name, Al-Kaafi, is mentioned once in the Noble Qur’an. In Surat az-Zumar (39:36), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:

“Is not Allaah Sufficient for His slave? Yet they try to frighten you with those (whom they worship) besides Him! And whom Allaah sends astray, for him there will be no guide.”

The Name Al-Kaafi is also mentioned in the form of a verb. In Surat al-Ahzaab (33:25), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:

“And Allaah drove back those who disbelieved in their rage, they gained no advantage (booty, etc.). Allaah sufficed for the believers in the fighting (by sending against the disbelievers, a severe wind and troops of angels). And Allaah is Ever All-Strong, All-Mighty.”

He (Ta’ala) also says in Surat al-Baqarah (2:137):

“So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So Allaah will suffice you against them. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.”

And in Surat al-Hijr (15:95), He (Ta’ala) says:

“Truly! We will suffice you against the scoffers.”

THE MEANING OF THE NAME

Ibn Jarir (Rahimahullaah) said regarding Allaah’s Statement: “Is Allaah not Sufficient for His Slave?” [Az-Zumar (39:36)]: “The reciters of the Qur’an differ in their recitation of this part of the verse. Some of them, such as the reciters of Al-Madinah and the majority of reciters in Kufa, recite this verse as:

“أليس الله بكاف عباده“

“Is not Allaah Sufficient for His slaves?”

The word ‘slaves’ is plural; meaning: Is not Allaah sufficient for Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as He was for the Prophets before him.

The majority of the reciters of Al-Madinah and Al-Basra, as well as some of the reciters of Kufa, recite the verse as:

“بكاف عبده“

“Sufficient for His slave”

The word ‘slave’ is in the singular form; meaning: Is not Allaah sufficient for His slave Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)? 

The correct opinion is that these are two famous ways of recitation, so regardless of what the reciter recites, his recitation is correct, because of the correct meaning of both recitations…..” [Jami’ul Bayaan] 

Az-Zajjaji said: “…So Allaah is Sufficient for His servants; because He is their Provider and Guardian, and the Reformer of their affairs. He has sufficed them as He says in Surat az-Zumar (39:36):

أليس الله بكاف عبده

‘Is not Allaah Sufficient for His slave?’

The sufficiency for man in his living (livelihood) is according to what is sufficient for him to attain good and establish his affairs…” [Ishtiqaq Al-Asmaa]

Al-Khattabi said: “Al-Kaafi is the One Who suffices His servants with the most important (needs) and drives away calamities from them. He is the One Whose Help will be (is) Sufficient from other than Him and Whom is sufficient for His servants from other than Him.” [Sha’n ad-Du’aa]

Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “(Al-Kaafi is) “The One Who suffices His servants in everything that they are in need of; the One Who suffices, in a specific sense, those who believe in Him, put their trust in Him, and seek their worldly and religious needs from Him.”[Tayseer al-Kareem]

IMPACT OF BELIEF IN THIS NOBLE NAME

Indeed, Al-Kaafi, Who suffices His servants in their provision, livelihood, protection, guardianship, triumph, and honor is Allaah, the Blessed. He is the One Whose Help is Sufficient for one. Thus, it is a must that one should have hope and desire in Him only, and no one else.

Source:

📚  An-Nahj Al-Asmaa fee Sharh Asmaa’ Allaahul-Husna, by Shaikh Muhammad Humoud an-Najdi

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