Al-Khabeer (The All-Aware / All-Knower)

Allaah’s Name Al-Khabeer has been mentioned in the Noble Qur’an forty five times.

For example, Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Aal-Imran (3:180):

وَلِلّهِ مِيرَاثُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَاللّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

“And to Allaah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the Earth, and Allaah is Well-Acquainted with all that you do.”

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat al-An’am (6:73):

عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ وَهُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ

“All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, He is the All-Wise, All-Aware (of all things).”

In Surat Fatir (35:31), Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِعِبَادِهِ لَخَبِيرٌ بَصِيرٌ

“Allaah is indeed All-Aware and All-Seer of His slaves.”

In Surat at-Tahrim (66:3), Allaah (‘Azza wa Jall) said:

قَالَتْ مَنْ أَنْبَأَكَ هَذَا قَالَ نَبَّأَنِيَ الْعَلِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ

 “‘Who told you this?’ He said, ‘The All-Knower, the All-Aware has told me.’”

In Surat al-‘Adiyat (100:11):

إِنَّ رَبَّهُم بِهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّخَبِيرٌ

“Verily! That Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) their Lord will be Well-Acquainted with them (as to their deeds and will reward them for their deeds).”

The meaning of this Beautiful Name:

Ibn Jarir said as regards the verse, “The All-Knower, the All-Aware has told me,” that Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is All-Knower of the intentions and secrets of His slaves and what their hearts conceal. He is All-Aware of all that they do, nothing is hidden from Him.” [Jamie-ul-Bayan 28/103]

He (Ibn Jarir) also said: “He (Allaah) is Well-Aware of what they (the slaves) do and earn of good or bad (deeds), maintaining that for them and He will recompense them accordingly.” [Jamie’ul-Bayan 7/158]

Al-Ghazali said: “Al-Khabeer is the One Whom nothing is hidden from. He is aware of everything that happens in His dominion, whether of secret matters or manifest matters. No atom moves or settles, but He is Aware of that and of the human-self, whether it is disturbed or at rest.

Al-Khabeer also means Al-‘Aleem (the All-Knower), but when the knowledge is about the hidden matters, then it is called Khibrah (acquaintance with experience) and the person is called khabeer (all-aware).” [Al-Magsad al-Asna]

Shaikh as-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “The All-Knower, the All-Aware is the One Whose Knowledge encompasses all the outward and hidden matters, the open and secret, all those things that must necessarily occur, all those things that are impossible to occur and all things that can possibly occur, of the affairs of the whole creation, of the past, the present and the future. There is absolutely nothing that is hidden from Him.” [Tayseer al-Kareem 5/299]

The Impact of Believing in this Name:

1-  In fact, Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is the Khabeer, All-Aware, the All-Knower of inward matters and their secrets.

     He knows what was and what is going to be. Nothing is hidden from Him, no matter how small or minute it is, and this Attribute does not suit anyone except Allaah; no one shares this ability with Him.

2-  No one knows about Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) more than Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) Himself. He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) knows Himself best.

He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat al-Furqan (25:59)

الرَّحْمَنُ فَاسْأَلْ بِهِ خَبِيراً

“The Most Beneficent (Allaah), so ask about Him one well informed.”

Ibn Kathir (Rahimahullaah) said: “Find out about Him from one who knows most about Him, and follow him and take him as your example. It is known, that there is no one who knows more about Allaah (after Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala)  Himself) than His slave and Messenger Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), who does not speak of his own desire, but conveys Revelation revealed to him. What he says is true, and he is the leader whose decision counts when there is a dispute; people are obliged to refer to him, and whatever is in accordance with his words and deeds is right, and whatever goes against them should be rejected, no matter who says or does it.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

Accordingly, the meaning is: ask about Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) the One Who is well-acquainted and knows well about Him, i.e. about His Names and Attributes. Moreover, this applies to Allaah Himself, as al-Baghawi said, or to Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as Ibn Kathir said, or to Jibril (‘Alayhis-Salaam) as some other interpreters said.

3-  Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is All-Aware of what His slaves do or say and what it is, that is roving in their breasts of good or evil.

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat al-Isra’ (17:17):

وَكَفَى بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِ خَبِيرَاً بَصِيراً

“And Sufficient is your Lord as an All-Knower and All-Beholder of the sins of His slaves.”

In Surat al-Mulk (67:14), He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said:

أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ

“Should He not know what He created? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves) All-Aware (of everything).”

Therefore, Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) orders us to fear Him and to do what He loves, and to keep away from all what causes His anger and brings His wrath.

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat an-Nisa’ (4:128), exhorting (encouraging) us to have Taqwa and be among the good-doers:

وَإِن تُحْسِنُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيراً

“If you do good and keep away from evil, verily, Allaah is ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.”

In Surat al-Hashr (59:18), He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said:

وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

“And fear Allaah, verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what you do!”

He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) also exhorts us to His obedience and the obedience of His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), as He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat al-Mujadilah (58:13):

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

“And obey Allaah and His Messenger (do all what Allaah and His Messenger ordered you to do), and Allaah is All-Aware of what you do.”

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) orders us to believe in Him, His Messenger and His Book. He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat at-Taghabun (64:8):

فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالنُّورِ الَّذِي أَنزَلْنَا وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

“Therefore, believe in Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and in the Light (this Qur’an) which We have sent down. And Allaah is All-Aware of what you do.”

– Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) commands His believing servants to stand up for justice and fairness and not to deviate from it, right or left. They should not fear the blame of anyone or allow anyone to prevent them from doing something for the Sake of Allaah. They are also required to help, support and aid each other for Allaah’s Sake.

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat an-Nisa'(4:35):

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاء لِلّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَى أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالأَقْرَبِينَ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيّاً أَوْ فَقَيراً فَاللّهُ أَوْلَى بِهِمَا فَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ الْهَوَى أَن تَعْدِلُواْ وَإِن تَلْوُواْ أَوْ تُعْرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيراً

“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allaah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allaah is a better Protector to both. So follow not the lusts, lest you may avoid justice; and if you distort (your testimony) or refuse (to give it), then indeed Allaah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.”

This means that testimony should be delivered precisely, for the sake of Allaah, thus making the testimony correct, truly just, and free of alterations, changes or deletions, even if harm would affect you as a consequence. Indeed, Allaah shall make a way out and give relief for those who obey Him in every matter. Even if you have to testify against your parents and kin, do not compromise for their sake. Rather, give the correct and just witness, even if they are harmed in the process, for the truth presides above everyone and is preferred to everyone.

Also, do not favor someone (in your testimony) because he is rich or feel pity for him because he is poor, for Allaah is their caretaker, a better protector of them than you, and has knowledge of what is good for them. In addition, let not desire, lust or the hatred you have against others, lure you into injustice in your affairs. Rather, stand for justice in all situations. [Tafseer Ibn Kathir]

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) warns His believing slaves from distorting their testimony and changing it or hiding and withholding it; indeed, Allaah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what they do and will reward or punish them accordingly. So fear Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala).

4-  Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is the All-Aware Who comprehends and surrounds all things in (His) Knowledge. He knows the consequence of all matters and to what they will return. He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) knows what was (in the past), what is happening (in the present), and what will be (in the future).

For example:

• He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) told us about His creation of the heavens and the earth in six days and His Rising over the Throne.

الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ الرَّحْمَنُ فَاسْأَلْ بِهِ خَبِيراً

“Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six Days. Then He rose over the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). The Most Beneficent (Allaah)! Ask about Him (concerning His Qualities, His Rising over His Throne, His creation, etc.) one well informed.” (Al-Furqan 25:59)

• He (‘Azza wa Jall) informed us about Himself (Subhana wa Ta’ala) that I (‘Azza wa Jall) knows the five keys of the unseen which no one knows except Him:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْأَرْحَامِ وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَداً وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

“Verily, Allaah! With Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour. He sends down the rain and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allaah is All-Knower, All-Aware (of things).” (Luqman 31:34)

These five matters are from the future, unseen matters.

• Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) informed us about what will happen on the Day of Resurrection of the universal dreads, such as the splitting of the heavens, the shaking of the earth (its earthquake), the destruction of the mountains and their moving, the explosion of the seas and other future dreads that have not yet happened.
• He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) informed us about the state of the believing people during the dreads and terrors of the Day of Resurrection, namely that they will be at rest and secure, and about their entrance of Paradise.

On the other hand, He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) informed us about the state of the disbelievers, and how they will be resurrected. They will stand like a person beaten by Satan, leading him to insanity, because of having taken him as a friend and a supporter in this worldly life other than Allaah, and following his footsteps while abandoning the Words of the Most Generous, the Bestower, Allaah (‘Azza wa Jall).

And Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is All-Aware of both parties on that Day when all the dwellers of the heavens and the earth will be present. He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat al-‘Adiyat (100:9-11):

أَفَلَا يَعْلَمُ إِذَا بُعْثِرَ مَا فِي الْقُبُورِ{9} وَحُصِّلَ مَا فِي الصُّدُورِ{10} إِنَّ رَبَّهُم بِهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّخَبِيرٌ

“Knows He not that when the contents of the graves are brought out and poured forth (all Mankind is resurrected)? And that which is in the breasts (of men) shall be made known. Verily, that Day their Lord will be Well-Acquainted with them (as to their deeds), (and will reward them for their deeds).”

No one can inform about all these matters except Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) (Alone), the All-Knower, the All-Aware, as He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Fatir (35:14):

وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيرٍ

“And none can inform you like Him Who is the All-Knower (of each and everything).”

Source:

 📚 An-Nahj al-Asma Fii Sharh Asma-u-Allaahil-Husna by Shaikh Muhammad al-Humood an-Najdi

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