Al-Haleem
The Forbearing
Prophetic Traditions
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيُمْلِي لِلظَّالِمِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْهُ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ وَكَذَلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ الْقُرَى وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ
“Indeed Allah gives respite to the wrongdoer until, when He seizes him, He does not let him escape. Then he recited: 'Such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the cities while they are committing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.'”
Al-Haleem gives ample time for the wrongdoer to repent before taking action—His forbearance is a mercy and an opportunity.
مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ أَصْبَرُ عَلَى أَذًى سَمِعَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ يَدَّعُونَ لَهُ الْوَلَدَ ثُمَّ يُعَافِيهِمْ وَيَرْزُقُهُمْ
“No one is more patient in bearing offensive speech heard than Allah. They attribute a son to Him, yet He gives them health and provision.”
Despite people's blasphemy against Him, Al-Haleem continues to provide for them—the ultimate forbearance.
Scholarly Insights
Al-Haleem is the One who observes disobedience yet exercises restraint, not out of weakness but out of perfect power combined with perfect forbearance.
Supplications
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَرَبُّ الأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ
La ilaha illa Allahu al-'Adheemu al-Haleem. La ilaha illa Allahu Rabbu al-'Arshi al-'Adheem. La ilaha illa Allahu Rabbu as-samawati wa Rabbu al-ardi wa Rabbu al-'Arshi al-Kareem
“There is no deity except Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing. There is no deity except Allah, Lord of the Magnificent Throne. There is no deity except Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth and Lord of the Noble Throne.”
Living With This Name
- 1
Practice forbearance with those who wrong you—this is one of the most beloved traits to Allah.
- 2
When someone sins openly, don't wish for their punishment; instead, hope for their guidance, as Al-Haleem does.
- 3
Control your anger, for Al-Haleem restrains His power despite having full ability to punish instantly.
- 4
Give people time and space to grow and improve, just as Al-Haleem gives time for repentance.