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Allah.
This is the first of the 99 names for God in Islam.
According to Islamic tradition, the prophet Muhammad said, “To God
belongs 99 names, 100 minus 1, anyone who memorizes them will enter
Paradise; He (God) is odd (odd number, he is the Only One), and He
loves odd numbers (such as 99).” This is a good place to begin
with Muslims since they acknowledge the existence of one god, and
the Qu’ran says (7:180): God has the Most Excellent Names.
Call on him by His Names. Pray for the MNK to seek out the
One True God as they recite these 99 names several times each day.
I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before me. –
Exodus 20:2,3
Ar-Rahman.
The Most Compassionate, the Beneficent, the Gracious. This is
the 2nd name for God given in Islam. By
definition this means “the one who has plenty of mercy for the
believers and the blasphemers in this world and especially for the
believers in the hereafter.” Pray for the MNK to see that
blasphemy is not merely speaking against God, but also forsaking
Him; pray for true repentance in order to know the One who is
Most Compassionate. Therefore, son of man, speak to
the people of Israel and say to them, “This is what the Sovereign
Lord says: In this also your fathers blasphemed me by
forsaking me.” – Ezekiel 20:27
Ar-Rahim.
The Merciful. The 3rd name for God in Islam.
For the Muslim, this means “the one who has plenty of mercy for the
believers.” For the true believer, we know that God’s
Compassion is part of His character, along with Justice and Mercy.
Pray for MNKs to understand that God’s compassion extends to all
who call earnestly on His name. The Lord is full of
compassion and mercy. – James 5:11
Al-Malik.
The King, the Monarch. This is the 4th name
for God in Islam. They define this to be “the one with the
complete Dominion, the One Whose Dominion is clear from
imperfection.” Islam acknowledges that God is in control, but
they deny the possibility of having a personal relationship with
Him. Pray for MNKs to desire to know God, just as God
desired to have that relationship with Israel; pray for them to
declare God KING above all. I am the Lord, your Holy
One, Israel’s Creator, your King. – Isaiah 43:15
Al-Quddus,
The Most Holy is the 5th name for God in Islam.
Understanding what a Muslim means when he says God is holy is
crucial to witnessing. For the Muslim God is “the one who is
pure from any imperfection and clear from children and adversaries.”
Muslims do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. Pray for
MNKs to acknowledge God’s Holiness without putting human limitations
on Him. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the
whole earth is full of his glory. – Isaiah 6:3
As-Salam.
The 6th name of God in Islam is the All-Peaceful,
the Bestower of peace. To the Muslim this means “the one who
is free from every imperfection.” In the Arab world, as well
as the Jewish world, an expression of “peace be upon this home and
those who dwell in it” is a common greeting. True peace comes
only from the One True God. Pray for MNKs to know that
peace with God comes from knowing Him, from a personal relationship
with the One who is Peace, and that this peace can permeate every
aspect of life. God of peace… peace of God… peace of
Christ – Romans 16:20; Phil 4:7; Col 3:15
Al-Mu’min,
the Granter of Security, the Giver of Peace. This is the
translation for the Arabic concept for the 7th name
of God. They define it as “the One who witnessed for Himself
that no one is God but Him. And He witnessed for His believers that
they are truthful in their belief that no one is God but Him.”
Pray for MNKs to come to know the only God of Peace, the God of
Security, the Faithful One. The one who calls you is
faithful. – 1 Thessalonians 5:24
The 8th
name given to God by Muslims is Al-Muhaymin, the
Protector, the vigilant, the controller; the “one who witnesses the
sayings and deeds of His creatures.” In other words, the one
who knows all you say and do. But in Islam, they believe that
if you do or say something evil, you can counteract the consequences
if you quickly do or say something good. Pray for MNKs to
realize that God looks on the heart, and that He is aware of all
things at all times, including our deepest secrets. The
Lord will protect him. – Psalm 41:2
The 9th
name given to God by Muslims is Al-‘Aziz, the Mighty, the
Almighty, the powerful; the meaning is “the Defeater who is not
defeated.” They see God as a warrior, one who fights for them,
and calls them to fight on earth on His behalf. Unfortunately
they miss the significance that God does not need our help; by very
definition of Almighty, He is able to do everything and
anything according to His will. Pray for MNKs to know that
God is unchanging; that the same God who was, still is, and will
always be the Almighty, with or without man’s help!
The Lord God says: I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is,
and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. – Revelation 1:8
Al-Jabbar,
the Compeller, the Oppressor; the “one that nothing happens in His
Dominion except that which He willed.” These titles reflect
the 10th name given to God in Islam. While
nothing happens without God’s knowledge, and He does allow all
things, not everything that happens in the world pleases Him.
His ultimate and final goal is that all people would have a restored
relationship with Him. Pray that the MNK will hear the
voice of God calling them to True Repentance. He will
defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the
needy; he will crush the oppressor. – Psalm 72:4
One of the
challenges of working with Muslims is getting a handle on the
English equivalent of an Arabic name. The 11th
name for God in Islam is one of those confusing ones.
Al-Mutakabbir, Supreme in Greatness, the Majestic. Some
sources say, the Haughty, the Imperious, the “one who is clear from
the attributes of the creatures and from resembling them.”
Genesis records that we are created in God’s image. God is
supreme in greatness, but it is difficult to imagine Him lauding it
over mankind, His most precious creation. Pray for the MNK
to know that as part of God’s creation, they were made in His image
and He loves them. So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
– Genesis 1:27
The 12th
name for God in Islam is an accurate representation of His true
character as reflected in Scripture. Al-Khaliq, the
Creator, the Maker, the “one who brings everything from
non-existence to existence.” When speaking with Muslims, this
is a good point to acknowledge, that God did bring everything into
existence. Pray for MNKs to acknowledge God as the Creator
of all things and all peoples. In the beginning, God
created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1
The 13th
name for God in Islam is Al-Bari’, the Maker, the
Artificer. The term “artificer” is a 14th century
word meaning “a skilled or artistic worker or craftsman, one that
makes or contrives, a deviser.” When we look at the diversity,
creativity and majesty of God’s creation, it is easy to associate
this term with God. Consider the various forms of
precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, hail. Pray for the
MNK to see that just as an artisan works carefully and diligently in
his craft, God worked carefully and diligently in the formation of
His creation. Do you not know? Have you not
heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the
ends of the earth. – Isaiah 40:28
Al-Musawwir,
the Bestower of Form, the Shaper, the “one who forms His creatures
in different pictures.” These are the terms used for the 14th
name for God in Islam. Who, but God, could have
imagined a world with birds, bugs, fish, land animals, reptiles,
amphibians, and humans?! Pray for the MNK to see that God’s
creation is an expression of His majesty; pray for them to know that
He desires to relate to each man, woman and child in a personal way.
And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let
birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky. Let
the land produce living creatures according to their kinds:
livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals,
each according to its kind.” – Genesis 1:20,24
The 15th
name for God in Islam is Al-Ghaffar, the Forgiver, the
“one who forgives the sins of His slaves time and time again.”
But for the MNK, forgiveness is a by-product of doing all the
right things, not for being right in God’s eyes. Pray for
individual MNKs to acknowledge themselves as sinners before God;
pray for them to accept responsibility for their sins; pray for them
to turn to the True Forgiver in repentance and love. If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
Al-Qahhar,
the Subduer, the Almighty, the Dominant, the one who “has the
perfect power and is not unable over anything.” These are the
definitions used by Islam in the 16th name for
God. The Qu’ran (13:16) says God is the creator of all things
and He is the one who conquerors all things. Pray for the
MNK to see that God’s ways are perfect; pray for them to see He does
all things for our good and not for our detriment; pray for them to
desire to know Him in His perfection. Is anything too
hard for the Lord? – Genesis 18:14
Al-Wahhab,
the Bountiful Donor, the Bestower, the “one who is generous in
giving plenty without any return; he is everything that benefits
whether Halal or Haram.” This is the 17th name
given to God in Islam. Pray that the MNK will accept that
the greatest gift God has bestowed on mankind: restored peace
with Him through Jesus Christ. The wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
– Romans 6:23
The 18th
name for God in Islam is Ar-Razzaq, The Provider, the
Sustainer. God does provide; God does sustain; God also judges
every heart. Pray for MNKs to know that their daily
sustenance comes from God, both physical and spiritual.
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good
gifts to those who ask him! – Matthew 7:11
The 19th
name for God in Islam is Al-Fattah, the Opener, the
Judge, the “one who opens for His slaves the closed worldly and
religious matters.” When an MNK is sick, it is not important
for him to know what caused his illness, as it is to know
who caused his illness. To that end, they beseech the name
of God, Al-Fattah. Pray for MNKs to allow their hearts and
minds to be opened to the truth of God; pray that they will
earnestly seek Him. No wise man, enchanter, magician or
diviner can explain…but there is a God in heaven who reveals
mysteries. – Daniel 2:28
Al-‘Alim is
the 20th name for God in Islam; the All-Knowing,
the Omniscient, the Knowledgeable, the one “nothing is absent from
His knowledge.” The Qu’ran (57:6) states that God has
knowledge of the innermost thoughts of men. Yet this concept
is neither widely taught nor acknowledged among the MNK. As
with every other member of mankind, the MNK think they can hide
their true selves from God. Pray for the MNK to be revealed
before God in a manner that cannot be explained away.
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks
at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1
Samuel 16:7
Al-Qabid is
the 21st name of God in Islam. English
definitions include the Withholder, the Contractor, the Restrainer,
the Recipient, the “one who constricts the sustenance.” Yet we
know that God does not take joy in causing suffering. He does
not promise to give us everything we think is good, only what
will enable us to serve Him when we are obedient. Pray for
the MNK to desire to serve God and not the other way around.
The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless. – Psalm 84:11
The 22nd
name in Islam for God is Al-Basit, The Expander, the “one
who expands and widens.” Unfortunately it is difficult to
ascertain exactly what is meant here since the only reference to
this name in the Qu’ran is 2:245: It is Allah that decreases
or increases (your provisions), and unto Him you shall return.
The Word of God is not a puzzle; it is available to all who desire
to know God. Pray that MNKs will be able to hear and
understand the Word of God as they hear it on the radio, as they
hear it from their friends, and as they read it for themselves.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. – Psalm
119:18
The 23rd
name for God in Islam is Al-Khafid, the Abaser, the
Humbler, the one who “lowers whoever He willed by His destruction.”
God is able, according to Scripture, to humble us, to put us back in
our place, as it were. Yet His desire is for us to submit
ourselves to His desires so that when the time is right, He may lift
us up, not for our glory, but for His. Pray for the MNK, a
people of proud and rich heritage, to desire God’s recognition over
man’s. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty
hand, that he may lift you up in due time. – 1 Peter 4:6
The 24th
name of God in Islam is Ar-Rafi’, the Exalter, the
Raiser, the one who “raises whoever He willed by His endowment.”
When God exalts a man, he is exalted for God’s glory. As with
Al-Khafid, there is no reference in the Qu’ran to this name.
Pray for the MNK to know that when God exalts a man, a situation,
or a nation, it is for His glory and not ours.
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave him the name
that is above every name…to the glory of God the Father. –
Philippians 2:9,11
The 25th
name of God in Islam, Al-Mu’izz, means the Bestower of
honor, the one who “gives esteem to whoever He willed,
hence there is no one to degrade Him.” God does bestow honor
on whomever He decides, yet His decisions are not arbitrary.
Living within God’s parameters is an honor and a privilege.
And what greater honor could we have than to be called His children,
coheirs with Jesus?! Pray for the MNK to be able to call
God Father! The Spirit himself testifies with our
spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children,
then we are heirs – heirs of God and coheirs with Christ. – Romans
8:16-17
Al-Mudhill,
the Humiliator, the Degrader, the one who “degrades whoever he
willed, hence there is no one to give him esteem.” The 26th
name of God in Islam is a frightening one to consider. The
idea that God humiliates your enemies is one thing, but what happens
when He humiliates you? Is God’s idea of humiliation different
from man’s? Scripture tells us God inhabits the praise of His
people. Pray for the MNK to seek God in His perfect
righteousness, learning to praise Him in Truth. It is
God who judges; He brings one down, he exalts another. – Psalm 75:7
The 27th
name of God in Islam is As-Sami’, the All-Hearing, the
“one who hears all things that are heard by His Eternal, hearing
without an ear, instrument or organ.” Since God is not a
created being, He is able to hear all things at all times in all
places. His admonition to His creation is to listen and learn
to fear the Him and to follow all His laws. We should not be
afraid of God’s omnipresence. Pray for the MNK to listen to
God’s Word, and to heed what they hear; pray for them to thank God
for His everlasting presence. Assemble the people –
men, women and children – so they can listen and learn to fear the
Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. –
Deuteronomy 31:12
The 28th
name of God in Islam is Al-Basir, the All-Seeing, the one
who “sees all things that are seen by His Eternal, seeing without a
pupil or any other instrument.” Nearly every one of God’s
creations has eyes or some way of “seeing.” Just as God does
not need ears to hear, He does not need eyes to see. Yet we
do. And God admonishes us to have spiritual eyes.
Pray for the MNK to have the ability to see the glory of the Lord!
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind
together will see it. – Isaiah 40:5
Al-Hakam,
is the 29th name for God in Islam. Translated it means
the arbitrator, the Judge, His judgment is His word. God is indeed the
ultimate Judge, but as Scripture points out, He judges in righteousness.
The Islamic concept of God’s judgment is divided into two camps: those
who follow Islam, and those who do not. MNKs miss the opportunity to
know God by aligning themselves under a religion over a relationship.
Pray for the MNK to seek out God’s righteousness and His grace; pray
for them to be prepared for His judgment.
The 30th
name for God in Islam is Al-‘Adl, the One who is entitled to do
what He does, the Just, the Equitable. In this passage of Scripture the
Israelites were confessing their sins before God, acknowledging that God
acted justly and faithfully while they did not. In other words, God was
consistent. The MNK believe God’s justice is unpredictable, that he
dispenses judgment with no rhyme or reason to his actions. Pray for
the MNK to know that God’s actions are based entirely upon His consistency
of character; pray for them to know that He does not change.
The 31st
name for God in Islam is Al-Latif, the most gentle, the
gracious, the one who is kind. Surah 22:63 in the Qu’ran states, “See you
not that Allah sends down water from the sky, and then the earth becomes
green? Verily, Allah is the Most Kind and Courteous, Well-Acquainted with
all things.” As God created the earth, He established physical rules that
govern the weather. While He is able to stop the rainfall and send it
where He wills, He chooses to allow the weather patterns to follow His
rules of science, sending rain on the righteous and the unrighteous, part
of His gentle nature. As the time for the rice harvest draws near,
pray for the MNK to see that God is gracious and kind, as it is He, and He
alone, who cultivates and matures the rice crop.
Al-Khabir, the one who knows the truth of things, the Aware is the
32nd name for God in Islam. In Islam, God is known as
the All-Knower, All-Seer of his slaves (17:30). Scripture, however, tells
us that we are part of God’s family, children of God, joint heirs with
Jesus…a much different picture than one who is a slave. Pray for MNKs
to recognize God’s knowledge of all things, including truth; pray for them
to know Him as the God of Truth, that in Him there is no darkness.
The 33rd
name for God in Islam Al-Halim, the Forbearing, the one who
delays the punishment for those who deserve it and then He might forgive
them. Mandinkas believe God can be persuaded to change His mind. They
believe that irregardless of their adherence to the laws of Islam, God
might still send them to hell, if He feels like it! Yet Scripture teaches
us that God’s faithfulness is never-ending, that He is consistent;
Scripture also teaches us that there is only one way to peace with God.
Pray for the MNK to experience God as one they can truly put their
trust in, not just their hope, as a child hopes for a piece of candy.
Al-‘Azim, the 34th name
for God in Islam, means the Incomparably Great. God is indeed Great!
Yet for the MNK, they see God’s greatness not as a description of who He
is, but as a description of His activity. For the Muslim, all of God’s
activities focus on the destruction of those who do not follow Islam.
Worship and praise of God Himself, for who He is, is not part of the
Mandinka religious life. Pray for the MNK to worship God because He is
God, not for what He can do.
The 35th name for God in Islam is Al-Ghafoor,
the Forgiving, the one who forgives a lot, the pardoner. The message of
salvation, and therefore God’s forgiveness in the Scriptures is summed up
this way: the Old Testament and the Pharisees said “do right and
you will be right;” but Jesus’ message is “be right and you will do
right.” For the MNK, forgiveness by God is tied up in what you do, not in
who you know. Pray for the MNK to know God and see that it is only by
God’s grace there is any forgiveness of sin.
Ash-Shakur
is the 36th name for God in Islam. It translates as
the Appreciative, most ready to appreciate and reward, the one who gives a
lot of reward for a little obedience, the grateful. This view lends full
support of a works-based religion. MNKs believe they must earn
God’s forgiveness and favor. Pray for the MNK to desire to fear God,
to walk with Him, and to learn to love Him.
The 37th name for God in Islam is Al-‘Aliyy, the
Most High, the Most Great. The verse in the Qu’ran that mentions this
name for God is Surah 2:255. It talks about Allah sustaining and
protecting all that exists, and that he feels no fatigue in guarding and
preserving. The frightening thing about false religions is that truth is
often contained within them. Pray for the MNK to know the True Most
High God, the Omnipotent one who neither slumbers nor sleeps.
The 38th
name for God in Islam is Al-Kabir, the Most Great.
Interestingly, every place the Qu’ran references this name for God it is
with the meaning that there is only one God. Islam prides itself on being
a monotheistic religion. It asserts that Christianity is polytheistic, as
the trinity signifies the worship of three separate gods: God, Jesus, and
Mary. Pray for MNKs to see that God is indeed one; pray for them,
above all else, to know that there is nothing greater than God, no
religion, no preacher, no teaching.
Al-Hafiz
is the 39th name for God in Islam. It means the
Preserver, the one who protects whatever and whoever He willed to
protect. The inference from the Qu’ranic text here is that Allah keeps a
record of every person and their deeds, and he will reward them
accordingly. Psalm 19 teaches that keeping God’s law revives the soul,
gives joy to the heart and light to the eyes. Being obedient strengthens
our personal relationship with God. We do it out of reverence, not for
the sake of a list. Pray for the MNK to find joy in keeping the laws
of God; pray for them to know God through the gift of salvation.
The 40th name for God in Islam is Al-Mughith, the
Sustainer, the one who has the power. God is indeed the God who
sustains. Scripture is full of promises like the one found in Psalm 55:22
– simply allow the Lord to sustain you in all areas of your life. It is
His desire to do so, and what good does it do us to worry about those
things? Pray for the MNK to place their whole lives in the hands of
the One who truly cares for them and desires to Sustain them.
The 41st name for
God in Islam is Al-Hasib, the Reckoner, the one who gives the
satisfaction. References in the Qu’ran suggest that as a reckoner, God
keeps careful tally of all you say and do, so when it comes time for
judgment, your account will be evident. But Scripture teaches us that
righteousness comes apart from works, that our sins are forgiven and the
debt completely paid by the work of God Himself. Pray for the MNK to
find forgiveness of sin through God’s only Son, Jesus Christ.
The 42nd name for God in Islam Al-Jalil,
meaning the majestic, the revered, the one who is attributed with
greatness of power and glory of status. In other words, the really
important one. MNKs see God more as a powerful entity than as the Creator
of the world whose name is considered majestic throughout the earth.
Since they do not know God, they cannot truly grasp His majesty.
Pray for the MNK to seek to know God, to marvel at His majesty,
and to rejoice at the mere mention of His name!
The generous, the bountiful,
Al-Karim is the 43rd name for God in Islam. The
implication of this description for God is that he has everything, he
needs nothing; therefore he can be generous. Scripture teaches, however,
that God did create all things, and His greatest desire is to fellowship
with His highest creation, man. Pray for the MNK to enjoy fellowship
with God as He ordained in creation.
The
44th name for God in Islam is Ar-Raqib, the
watchful, the guardian. After all the calamities befell Job, and his
friends and wife encouraged him to curse God, God Himself began to answer
Job in Chapter 38; and He began with where were you when…”
Throughout the next several chapters, God gets Job’s attention by
reminding Job who he is, and who God is. The Qu’ran gives Allah the name
of “the watchful” in terms of God being aware of all you say and do, more
like a spy. Pray for the MNK to come to know the One True God of the
past, present, and future.
The 45th name
for God in Islam is Al-Mujib, the Responsive, the responder, the
one who answers the one in need if he asks Him. Islam calls people to
repentance by calling on the name of God. But this repentance is a
superficial response in order to do what the Qu’ran requires. MNKs do not
comprehend their need for repentance because they do not comprehend their
accountability before God in regard to their own sin. Pray for the MNK
to cry to God for help, with seeking hearts; pray for them to hear God’s
answer to them.
The 46th
name for God in Islam, Al-Wasi, translates as the
All-Encompassing, the All-Embracing. In Surah 3:73, Muslims are told to
“believe no one except the one who follows your religion.” The reasoning
behind this is that Allah is aware of all his creatures’ needs. Our
admonition in 1 Peter is to be alert, for Satan desires to steal and kill
those who follow God. Pray for the MNK to listen and believe the Word
of God; pray for them to one day resist the devil and follow God who
desires to embrace all of His creation.
The 47th
name for God in Islam is Al-Hakim, the All-Wise, the one who is
correct in his doings. As with other names, this one is also meant for
those who follow Islam. Allah is correct in his doings only when it comes
to blessing Muslims and punishing non-Muslims. Yet we see in Psalm 99
that the Lord reigns over all the nations! And He will bless and
punish every nation according to His Word. Pray for MNKs to see that
God is correct in all His doings, but these doings are not always
what man desires.
The 48th name
for God in Islam, Al-Wadud, means the affectionate, the loving
one. This is often surprising to most Christians, for Islam does not lift
Allah up as a god of love. But to the Muslim, Allah being loving means he
loves the “pious who are real true believers of Islamic monotheism”
(85:14). For the Mandinka the thought that God could truly love everyone,
irregardless of religion, is beyond belief. Pray for the MNK to be
able to recognize God’s holiness, His righteousness, His sovereignty, even
when they can’t explain it.
The 49th name for
God in Islam is Al-Majid, the Most Glorious, the one who is with
perfect power. Whenever an MNK speaks of God, or His works, or His
character, it is always in the past tense. Theirs is not a living
religion. God is not active in their daily lives. The Psalmist was
commanding us to make known among the nations what God did yesterday, as
well as what He did today! We serve a living God, one who is involved in
our daily lives, moment by moment. Pray for the MNK to recognize a
living joy, an active faith in those who follow the Lord outside of Islam.
In Islam,
the 50th name for God is Al-Ba’ith, the
Resurrector, the one who resurrects for reward and/or punishment, the
raiser from death. Scripture is clear. Upon our death, we stand before
God and are judged. At that point, only God’s holiness and justice will
prevail. Pray for the MNK to seek God before their lives on earth come
to an end.
The 51st name for God in Islam, Ash-Shahid,
means the Witness, the one who nothing is absent from (doesn’t miss a
thing!). In John’s Gospel, the Jews were angry with Jesus because they
believed He was claiming to be greater than all the prophets. And yet,
these words of Scripture are held by all of Christendom as truth. MNKs
believe that Jesus was only a prophet, and that all witnesses are those
who witness for Mohammed and Allah. Pray for MNKs to see the reality
of Scripture and nature as true witnesses to God’s unchanging character.
The 52nd name for God in Islam is Al-Haqq, the
truth, the just, the one who truly exists. Mankind often is excited about
God’s judgment when thinking about enemies, or those who annoy or
persecute you. But we often forget that God will judge all mankind, the
just and the unjust. From the beginning He has had a system in place to
reward the just and punish the unjust. Pray for the MNK to come to
know God so that His judgment will not be fearful to them.
Al-Wakil, the ultimate trustee,
the disposer of affairs, the one who gives the satisfaction and is relied
upon, is the 53rd name for God in Islam. The
Islamic meaning here is that Allah takes care of his slaves, against all
foes. But God declared to Paul that His grace alone was sufficient. The
idea of power becoming perfect in weakness is abhorrent to Muslims.
Weakness is unacceptable to a Mandinka. Pray for the MNK to
acknowledge that apart from God we can do nothing, we have
nothing, we are nothing; pray for them to allow their hearts to be
opened.
The
54th name for God in Islam is Al-Qawiyy, the most
strong, the one with the complete power. Following the prescribed ways of
keeping God’s laws for worship and living enables Muslims to determine who
the true believers in Allah are. Yet Scripture is clear that God looks at
our hearts; He knows the truth. Our actions must be an extension of God’s
character. Pray for MNKs to allow their hearts to know God and to
follow Him in truth.
The 55th
name for God in Islam, Al-Matin, means the firm one, the
authoritative, the one with extreme power that is uninterrupted and does
not get tired. While it is not clear through the Qu’ranic reference, the
implication for this name is that God is always strong, never tiring, an
esteemed attribute of a warrior. As farmers, MNKs work hard, admonishing
one another not to give up, but to keep going through the harvest. In
Galatians Paul refers to a spiritual harvest, a time when our reward will
be through our relationship with God. Pray that the MNK will desire to
do good for God’s sake, and not their own.
The 56th name for
God in Islam is Al-Waliyy, the protector, the friend, the
defender. According to Islamic tradition and not the
Qu’ran, Abraham took his son Ishmael up the mountain to be
sacrificed. Yet Scripture teaches that it was Isaac, his son, his only
son. Muslims hold Abraham to be a great prophet, and they believe God
protected him, defended him, by saving his son, Ishmael. They admire and
revere Abraham, yet they do not know the truth of Abraham’s story.
Pray for MNKs to be able to search the Scripture for themselves to find
answers to the questions that clearly identify the differences between
Christianity and Islam.
The 57th
name for God in Islam is Al-Hamid, the Praiseworthy, the
praised one who deserves to be praised. This characteristic is based in
part on the fact that the Qu’ran is considered to be “Allah’s speech and
He has protected it from corruption” (Surah 41:41) Muslims believe that
the Bible has been changed, corrupted, and had to be replaced by the
Qu’ran. Pray for the MNK to have the revelation that Scripture is
true, consistent, trustworthy, and fully complete.
Al-Muhsi, the Reckoner, is the 58th
name for God in Islam. The Islamic religion is all about works, about
what man can do to make himself right with God. And in the end, it
doesn’t really matter anyway, since the Allah of Islam will eventually
reckon everyone’s account, and allow sinners to enter paradise. Pray
for MNKs to consider God’s power in reckoning mankind as righteous or
unrighteous, completely dependent upon our relationship with Him, not our
works on our own behalf.
The 59th name in Islam for God
is Al-Mubdi’, the originator. The idea reflected here is that
Allah created everything, and then will repeat creation on the day of
retribution. Scripture teaches that God created all things, once and for
all, and that He called His creation good. He allows us to move
throughout creation, always desiring to restore us to our proper
relationship with Him. Creation stands as a witness to God’s power.
Pray for the MNK to experience God within their daily struggle against
nature for survival.
Al-Mu’id, the restorer to life, is the 60th
name for God in Islam. The references in the Qu’ran for this name for
Allah are the same as for Al-Mubdi’. Scripture’s focus on finding God is
not what we will have as a result, but rather our restored
relationship with God. As the holy month of Ramadan comes to a
close, and MNKs celebrate with family and friends a huge feast, pray for
them to see the True Restorer to Life, the One who reveals the path of
righteousness.
The 61st name in Islam for
God is Al-Muhyi, the giver of life. The Qu’ran states in
multiple places that it is Allah who “gives life and causes death”. Yet
Scripture tells us God gives life; death is a consequence of sin, not
based on a whim of God. Pray for the MNK to know the unchangeable
character of the living God.
The 62nd name for God in Islam is
Al-Mumit, the causer of death. Most human beings fear death; most
religions consider death an unpleasant, inevitable experience; few
consider death something to be treasured. Scripture teaches that as God’s
saints, His children, our death is precious in His sight. Our physical
death brings us into His living presence. Pray for the MNK not to fear
death and eternity, but to live life knowing death brings us into God’s
Holy presence.
The 63rd name for
God in Islam is Al-Hayy, the Ever-living. Acknowledging that God
is ever-living is not the same as knowing Him in order to live
forever in His presence. Pray for the MNK to have the desire to know
God and His True character as revealed through creation and recorded
Scripture.
The 64th
name for God in Islam is Al-Qayyum, the self-existing by whom
all subsist. Pray for the MNK to accept the truth of Scripture as
recorded before the advent of Islam.
The 65th
name for God in Islam is Al-Wajid, the self-sufficient, the
all-perceiving. When Adam and Eve sinned by eating fruit from the
forbidden tree, God was well aware, and He was grieved. Still they
thought they could hide from Him, emotionally, physically, spiritually.
Pray for the MNK to know that God is indeed all-perceiving and
self-sufficient, and that He desires a personal, honest, open relationship
with mankind; pray for the MNK to realize we cannot hide behind good works
and religion.
The
66th name for God in Islam is Al-Majid, the
glorified. God is glorified in nature; God is glorified in the actions
and speech of His children. Pray for the MNK to seek to glorify God
for who He is, not for what He may or may not do for them.
Al-Wahid, the One, is the 67th name
for God in Islam. The Qu’ran states in Surah 5:73, “Surely disbelievers
are those who said, “Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).”
Islam categorically denies the concept of the triune God. Yet there is no
difficulty in seeing a man in three distinct roles within the family
structure: a father, a son, a husband. Pray for the MNK to grasp the
true nature of God, as our Father, our Savior, and our Comforter: God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
As-Samad, the eternally besought, whom all
creatures need, is the 68th name for God in Islam. The
MNK aren’t truly seeking after God; rather they are in quest of His
favor. They work very hard at doing all the right things, but just like
many pew-sitters on Sundays, they miss the most important aspect of
pleasing God…getting to know Him, having a relationship with Him.
Proverbs states it clearly: Whoever finds me finds life. Pray
for the MNK to find God and therefore Life before the end of their
physical days.
The 69th name for God
in Islam is Al-Qadir, the omnipotent, the able. Omnipotent carries
the meaning of all-powerful, supreme. God is able to do all things,
including allowing His Word to be fulfilled. Within Islam the idea that
Jesus would die in this manner is an enigma. Yet, even these words reveal
His true character. Pray for the MNK to find comfort, hope and
confidence in knowing that God is able to do all things; pray for them to
know that God carries out His will in accordance with His plan, not man’s.
Al-Muqtadir, the powerful, is the
70th name for God in Islam. In the book of Job, Elihu was
restating characteristics of God. Many think God, in His infinite power,
performs evil, acts out of character; but Scripture teaches us that God
does not cause evil. He brings about perfect judgment based upon the laws
He has established for our good. Pray for the MNK to see God’s power
as a comfort, as a sustaining feature of life; pray for them to not fear
God’s wrath, rather to rest in His presence.
The 71st name for God in Islam is
Al-Muqaddim, the expediter. There is no Qu’ranic reference for
this name for God. But somewhere in antiquity Muslims ascribed this name
to God. Not being an Arabic scholar, I do not know the true meaning of
this name. Most MNKs don’t understand Arabic either. Pray for MNKs as
they call this name, Al-Muqaddim, to come to know what it means, what
characteristic they are endeavoring to give God, even IF this name belongs
to God; pray for them to worship God in spirit, truth, and understanding.
The 72nd name for
God in Islam is Al-Mu’akhkhir, the delayer. MNKs believe that you
can pray someone into heaven, that God will delay judgment. After death,
MNK men will gather and recite different verses from the Qu’ran for the
benefit of the soul; a count is kept and after so many thousand, there is
a sense of assurance that this person’s soul will make it to heaven.
Pray for the MNK to see God not as a delayer but as the righteous
judge who does everything in its proper time according to His schedule,
not ours.
The 73rd
name for God in Islam is Al-Awwal, the first. It is
interesting that many of the names Islam declares for God come directly
from Scripture. Mohammed was influenced heavily by both Judaism and
Christianity. Yet Muslims have fallen away from truth. Pray for MNKs
to understand the personal aspect of a relationship with God; in this
Scripture, Jesus placed his right hand on John; He touched him, as a
friend touches a friend.
The
74th name for God in Islam is Al-Akhir, the
last. Again, Islam restates what is given in Scripture. Yet, they don’t
hold this as truth. Scripture declares that God and Jesus are one, that
Jesus is the first and the last. Islam contends that Mohammed was the
last prophet of God, and that all revelation comes through him. Pray
for the MNK to hunger for the Truth contained in Scripture; pray for
access to Scripture in all forms of media: visual, oral and written.
The
manifest, Az-Zahir, the 75th name for God in
Islam. God did manifest His love to us by providing an avenue whereby we
can have a restored relationship with Him. Pray for the MNK to see
God’s manifestation of love toward mankind through His son, Jesus Christ.
Hidden is the meaning of Al-Batin,
the 76th name for God in Islam. Multiple Scriptures
teach us that God can be found, is available, for all who truly seek Him;
He does not keep Himself from us. Muslims see this attribute for God as a
positive one, giving credence to their concept that God is aloof, far-off,
not personable. Unfortunately this is another time they couldn’t be
further from the Truth. Pray for MNKs to know God is not hidden from
mankind, that He does not hide His will, nor does He lie in wait hoping to
trap us in sin; rather, God is waiting with an open heart to welcome us
into His presence.
The 77th
name for God in Islam is Al-Wali, the governor, the protector.
Isaiah prophesized that the savior would be willing to bear the weight of
government on his shoulders. Pray for the MNK to allow God to bear the
weight of their daily burdens, their daily grieves, their daily
frustrations.
The
78th name for God in Islam is Al-Muta’ali, the
most exalted. How do you exalt God? God is exalted by our worship of
Him; God is exalted by our praise of Him; God is exalted by our love for
Him; God is exalted when we acknowledge He is God! Pray for the MNK to
truly exalt God for who He is, God, the Creator of the universe and the
one concerned with our individual lives.
The 79th name for God in Islam is
Al-Barr, the benign, the subtle, the source of all-goodness. The rich
young man who asked Jesus this question was looking for a formula or an
affirmation that he was already doing everything required in the law to
inherit eternal life. Yet Jesus saw within this young man the one thing
that was between him and God: his money. In earthly terms, this was a
lot to give up. Most MNKs are quite poor; they have very little worldly
possessions. Yet their cultural pride is strong, as is their fierce
loyalty to their family name. Pray for the MNK to remove all obstacles
that keep them from a personal relationship with God, whether their
worldly possessions, their cultural heritage, or their reliance on Islam.
At-Tawwab,
the granter and accepter of repentance, is the 80th name
for God in Islam. Repentance involves a complete reversal from specific
behavior, and includes the element of guilt and personal responsibility.
For MNKs repentance is seeking forgiveness before the wrong becomes a part
of their “permanent record.” Like many of us, MNKs do not see how their
actions grieve God. Pray for the MNK to become aware of their personal
responsibility in sin, their need for personal repentance, and accept the
challenge of living to please, rather than appease, God.
The 81st
name for God in Islam is Al-Muntaqim, the Lord of Retribution,
the Avenger. The Islamic concept here is that God will punish, God will
destroy, God will exact revenge on all who do not follow Islam. And God
will indeed judge mankind. But His judgment is not based on human
understanding, but rather on whether or not we know God. There is
no room in the kingdom of God for wistful sorrow at apparent loss, nor for
fear of retribution by God. Pray for the MNK to know the God of
judgment and willingly place their hands to His plow; pray for the MNK to
find joy in life as members of God’s family.
The 82nd
name for God in Islam is Al-Afuww, the Pardoner. Fearing God
is recognizing who He is: holy, almighty, righteous, pure. To look at
God correctly is to gain a clearer picture of our true selves: needy,
weak, sinful, and frail, wholly needing forgiveness. Pray for the MNK
to recognize God’s true character and seek His forgiveness because of who
He is.
The 83rd name for God in Islam is
Ar-Ra’ue, the most kind, the clement. Muslims hope in God’s mercy, in
His looking the other way from their sins and seeing that someone else’s
sin is greater. They hope in reciting the 99 names of God. They hope in
keeping the annual month-long fast of Ramadan. They hope in making the
trip to Mecca. They hope in everything save God’s true righteousness and
mercy. Pray for MNKs to have a personal relationship with God that
will cleanse them from unrighteousness and God’s judgment, which we all
deserve.
The 84th name for God in
Islam is Malik-ul-Mulk, Owner of the Kingdom. If you own
something, it is entirely yours. The Qu’ran indicates that God gives and
takes and changes his mind with great frequency (Surah 3:26). But that is
not the true nature of God. Indeed nothing is hidden from Him, because He
is in all and above all. Pray for the MNK to open their eyes and
hearts and minds to the God who established all things, including our very
lives; pray for their souls to yearn for the living God of creation.
The 87th name for
God in Islam is Al-Jame’, the Gatherer. Pray for the MNK to
allow themselves to be gathered by the One who provides true rest.
The 88th
name for God in Islam is Al-Ghani, the Rich One who is
self-Sufficient. God is indeed self-sufficient; he was in the beginning;
he created all things, without him nothing was made that was made. God
created mankind for one purpose: to worship and fellowship with Him. The
MNK see God as aloof and distant, as one who needs absolutely
nothing. Pray for the MNK to look to God as a father, one who desires
to be close to his children, one who cares and provides for his children.
The 89th
name for God in Islam is Al-Mughni, the Enricher. According to
Islamic teaching, Allah renders whomever he wishes rich and whomever he
wishes poor; then he may render the rich, poor, and the poor, rich. This
is neither a contest nor a test. God gives His riches freely to all who
seek Him, and He never removes His love from us. Pray for the MNK to
not consider their earthly lives as a punishment or test; pray for them to
see their earthly lives as an opportunity to love, worship and adore the
Creator of all things.
The 90th name for God in Islam is
Al-Mani’, the preventer of harm. Islam teaches that God does not
always give what we think we want…an easier life…a new car…a million
dollars. Scripture teaches that whatever we ask for, in the name of
Jesus, and in accordance with God’s will, we will receive, in His time.
Pray for the MNK to desire God above all things, accepting His will and
sovereignty.
The
91st name for God in Islam is Ad-Darr, the
Afflicter, creator of the harmful and evil. This name for God is not
found in the Qu’ran, but is attributed to Allah on the authority of the
prophet, Mohammed, along with An-Nafi, the Benefiter, the 92nd
name for God. Muslims teach that the Devil only shows his ugliness to the
ones who detect him; “when he comes to tempt even the saints, as when he
appeared to Jesus Christ, he appears as a beautiful woman.” This account
of the temptation of Christ is not found in Scripture, but it sounds
good to man. Pray for the MNK to not see God as one who afflicts, but
rather as the One who fills us with His Holy Spirit, enabling us to
withstand the wiles of Satan.
The 92nd name for God in Islam is An-Nafi’,
the Benefiter, creator of good. As with the 91st name for God,
it is not mentioned in the Qu’ran but is accredited to God through the
prophet Mohammed. Seems a simple thing, to attribute goodness to the
deity you worship. Thank God we have Scripture in a language and script
we can read to affirm for ourselves God’s nature. Pray for the work of
Scripture translation into MNK, as well as its transcription into Arabic
script, MNK language; pray for the distribution of God’s Word.
The
93rd name for God in Islam is An-Nur, the Light.
God’s nature is revealed through Scripture, as is the way to peace with
Him. Truth is revealed through Scripture. Pray for the MNK to be
desirous of hearing, viewing, or reading God’s Word.
The 94th name for God in Islam is Al-Hadi,
the Guide. Islamic teaching is that Allah “delights whomever he wishes
and leads astray whomever he wishes.” How does God choose? Does it
depend on his mood? Does it depend on man’s mood? Scripture is clear:
The Lord will guide you always. Pray for the MNK to
follow God’s guidance and teachings.
The 95th
name for God in Islam is Al-Badi’, the Originator of creation.
Muslims acknowledge God as the ultimate creator of all things; “everything
he creates is a wonder, a marvel, since he originated it from nothing.”
But Surah 6:101 states: “He is the Originator of the heavens and the
earth. How can He have children when he has no wife? He created all
things and He is the All-Knower of everything.” Pray for the MNK not
to limit God’s creativity nor His ability to do all that He desires and
purposes to do, including the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The 96th name for
God in Islam is Al-Baqi, the Everlasting. Bound up together with
this attribute of God is the acquisition of eternal life. Islam teaches
that if you “work for Allah’s sake, for Allah’s pleasure, for the benefit
of Allah’s creation now and in the future, when all is ended and this body
has returned to dust, one’s work will carry one to eternity.” The
definition of grace is the unmerited favor of God. No amount of
good works will provide you a place in heaven. Pray for the MNK
to desire a personal relationship with God over everything else
The 97th name for God in Islam is Al-Warith,
the Ultimate Inheritor. Islam teaches that your heritage continues
forever if: your good deeds continue (an orphan home, etc.), you left
written knowledge from which mankind benefits, or you have a righteous,
pious son who begs Allah to forgive his parents. Pray for MNKs to know
that our true inheritance is a result of our relationship with God through
His Son.
The 98th
name for God in Islam is Ar-Rashid, the Guide, the religious
teacher. Islam teaches that man has been “taught bliss, prosperity, and
salvation in His Qu’ran.” There can only be one true Word of God; it
cannot be both the Bible and the Qu’ran. Pray for the MNK to grab hold
of the true Scriptures; pray for those who teach false doctrine to repent
and hold on to God’s truth.
The 99th name for God in Islam is
As-Sabur, the Patient One. Islam teaches if you are patient,
“Allah promises infinite rewards for those who can be patient with the
turbulence of the desires of their flesh and of their egos.” For the MNK
Muslim, heaven is the reward for that patience; everything that was
forbidden on earth will be allowed in heaven. Pray for the MNK to wait
patiently on the Lord, knowing that eternity is His presence far exceeds
any earthly pleasure they can imagine.
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