Dear respected Shaykh, assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Why has Allah’s name “Al-Samad” (The Eternal) been mentioned only once in the Qur’an, and how does a Muslim adorn himself with such an attribute? اسم الله الصمد لم يذكر في القرآن إلا مرة واحدة

Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.

 Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

 As to what follows:

 In response to your question, we say:

 Firstly, there is no apparent wisdom. However, there are among the names of Allah Almighty those that have not been mentioned except once, such as Al-Samad (The Eternal) and Al-Ahad (The One).

Secondly, what is obligatory regarding the names of Allah Almighty is to affirm them, to acknowledge what they contain of meanings and to worship Allah Almighty by them, which is through invoking and remembering Him by them, as Allah Almighty said:

 “And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.” [Al-A`raf 7:180]

 As for characterizing the creation with them, it is not valid with respect to all of the names, for among the names are those that are impermissible to resemble man with, such as Al-Mutakabbir (The Superior), Al-Ilah (The God), etc. In the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Allah Almighty said, ‘Pride is my cloak and greatness My robe; he who competes with Me in respect of either of them I shall cast into the Hellfire.” [Muslim (2620) and Abu Dawud (4090), with the wording belonging to Abu Dawud]

 As for what has been mentioned in some reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Adorn yourselves with the etiquettes of Allah,” it is inauthentic and not attributable to him.

 Finally, among the names and attributes of Allah Almighty are those that the slave is praised for characterizing himself with, such as knowledge, mercy and wisdom; and among them are those that he is dispraised for, such as divinity, etc. Moreover, the slave perfects himself by being characterized with attributes that Allah is far above. Thus, the perfection of the slave, a created being, is in servitude, being in need of and having humility before Allah Lord of the worlds. And Allah Almighty is far above all of this, for He is Al-Hamid (The Praiseworthy), Al-Kabir (The Great) and Al-Muta`al (The Most High). That is why it is obligatory to beware of some generalizations that cause one to fall into creedal or action-related misguidance.

Your brother,

Dr. Khalid al-Muslih

6 / 1 / 1428 AH