Written by: Imtiaz Mahmud | Compiled & Explained by: Islamic Dawah Center
Edited by: Islamic Dawah Center News Desk
Publication Date: 2 May 2025
PoriPurno.com – Leading Online News Portal
Ism-e-Azam — known as one of the most exalted and sacred names of Allah — is often referred to by scholars and spiritual saints as the “Greatest Name” of Allah. Many Islamic scholars and commentators believe that whoever knows and invokes this name in their supplications will have their prayers accepted without fail.
Islamic References to Ism-e-Azam
Although the exact name referred to as Ism-e-Azam is not explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an or Hadith, several narrations allude to specific names of Allah that possess extraordinary power when invoked in du’a (supplication).
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The Greatest Name of Allah is in these two verses: ‘And your God is one God; there is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate’ (Surah Al-Baqarah: 163) and ‘Alif Laam Meem. Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence’ (Surah Aal-e-Imran: 1-2).”
(Narrated by Tirmidhi, Sahih al-Jami’ 980)
Based on these and other narrations, many Hadith scholars and exegetes consider names like Al-Hayyul Qayyum (The Ever-Living, The Sustainer), Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem (The Most Merciful, The Most Compassionate), and Dhul-Jalali wal-Ikram (Lord of Glory and Honor) as potential candidates for Ism-e-Azam.
A Timeless Incident from the Era of Ashraf Ali Thanvi
One of the most instructive stories surrounding the concept of Ism-e-Azam comes from the time of renowned Indian subcontinent scholar and saint, Ashraf Ali Thanvi (رحمه الله).
It is narrated that a man once visited a revered spiritual master from the Middle East and persistently requested to be taught Ism-e-Azam. At first, the saint declined, saying, “You are not yet worthy of this knowledge.” However, after much pleading, he agreed under one condition.
He instructed the man:
“Go into the forest and observe an old woodcutter. Watch what he does and report back to me.”
The man followed the instruction and observed an elderly woodcutter laboring all day in the forest. As he returned home with his bundled firewood, a group of thieves attacked him, stole the wood, and beat him severely. Remarkably, the old man endured the ordeal silently without uttering a curse or seeking revenge.
When the man reported this to the spiritual master, he was asked:
“If you had known Ism-e-Azam, what would you have done in that situation?”
The man replied:
“I would have destroyed those robbers. I would have cursed them so they would burn in hellfire.”
The saint then revealed:
“Do you know who that old man was? He is one of Allah’s closest saints — my own teacher — from whom I learned Ism-e-Azam.”
He continued:
“True power is not in possessing power, but in restraining its use. The day you master your desire for revenge, you will no longer need Ism-e-Azam.”
The Core Lesson
In Islam, forgiveness and patience are among the highest virtues. One who has the ability to retaliate yet chooses to forgive embodies the divine attributes of Allah. The Qur’an states:
“Those who restrain their anger and pardon others — Allah loves the doers of good.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran: 134)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself set the greatest example of forbearance, even forgiving the people of Ta’if after they had severely harmed him.
Conclusion
The search for Ism-e-Azam is not merely an academic pursuit — it is a journey of spiritual refinement, patience, humility, and total surrender to Allah. One whose heart is inflamed with vengeance is not ready for such divine knowledge. The true bearer of Ism-e-Azam is one whose heart is filled with the love of Allah and compassion for His creation.
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