Al-Quddoos (The Holy)

Source:

An-Nahjul-Asmaa fii Sharh Asma’u Allah-ul-Husna, by Shaikh Muhammad Al-Humoud Al-Najdi.

According to Wahab bin Munabbih (Rahimahullaah), Al-Quddoos means “the Pure.” Qatadah said (Rahimahullaah), “Al-Quddoos means ‘the Blessed’.” Al-Baihaqi (Rahimahullaah) said, “Al-Quddoos means the One Who is far removed from any imperfection. He is free from any defects just as He is far above anything resembling Him in any of His Attributes.” As Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Ash-Shura (42:11):

لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَئٌ وَهوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِير

“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.”

Freeing Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) from any defects does not mean to deny or negate His Qualities or names or ignore them as some of the strayed sects claim.

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala), Al-Quddoos, is also free from any defect and default in His Statements or Actions. His Statement is Truth:

وَمَن أَصْدَقُ مِنَ اللهِ حَدِيثاً

“And who is truer in statement than Allah?” [An-Nisaa 4:87]

And His Actions are free from mistakes, forgetfulness and other defects:

لا يَضِلُّ رَبِّي وَلا يَنسَى

“My Lord neither errs nor He forgets.” [Ta-Ha 20:52]

Also Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Al-Mu’minun (23:115):

أَفَحَسِبْتُم أَنَّما خَلَقْناكُم عَبَثاً وأَنَّكُم إِلَيْنا لا تُرْجَعون

 “Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?”

The Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) used to mention this Name of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) profusely in His Ruku’ and Sujud by saying:

سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ المَلائِكَة والرُّوح

Subboohun Quddoosun Rabbul-Malaa’ikati war-Rooh

“The Perfect, the Blessed, the Lord of the Angels and the Spirit.” [Reported by Muslim]

He (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) also used to say three times, after finishing the Witr prayer:

سُبْحانَ المَلِكُ القُدُّوس

Subhanal-Malikul-Quddoos

“Glory be to the King, The Holy,” [Reported by Ahmed, Abu Dawoud and An-Nisaa’i with Sahih chain]