THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH (part 1)

" And to Him belong the most beautiful names ,
so suplicate to Him with them..."
(Al A-raf , 180)

The first obligation that Allah (Subhanna wa a'ala) obligated upon the people is to know Him. If they truly come to know Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala), they will worship Him as He deserves.

"And know that there is none that is rightfully worshipped except Allah..."

            (Muhammad:190)

Bringing the  mercy of Allah to mind causes one to hope , remembering His characteristic of being severe in punishment for disobedience instigates fear , and acknowledging His characteristics of being the exclusive giver of gifts creates a feeling of gratefulness. Therefore , what is meant by worshipping Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) through His Names and Attributes is that one learns them properly , undestands their meanings , and acts accordingly.

DIFERENT BETWEEN THE NAMES OF ALLAH (SUBHANNA WA TA'ALA)  AND HIS ATTRIBUTES

The Names  of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) and His Attributes both share the feature that allowed them to seek refuge and swearing by them.

• It is allowed to supplicate to Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) using one of His Names , or name oneself " the slave of..." one of His Names, but  this is not allowed with His Attributes. Ex:               One may call himself  Abd al Kareem (the slave of the Most Generous) but no Abd  al Karam (slave of Generosity); and one may supplicate "oh Kareem (the Most Generous)" but not "oh Karam (Generosity ) of Allah"
• One may derive Attributes  from the Names of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) , but one may not derive Names from His Attributes. Ex:             The Attributte  " Rahman" (Mercy) from His name "Ar-Rahman ( The Mercifull) but no the name  "Al Mustawi" (The One who Rises Over) from His Attribute of "al  istiwaa" (Rising Over ).
• One may not derive Names from the actions of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala). Ex:                     One may not say that one of the Names of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala)  is  al ghaadhib (the angry) based on the fact  that Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) becomes angry.
• One may , however , derive Attributes from His actions. Ex: Thus affirm that one of the Attributes of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) is Ghadab (angry) due to the fact  that  He becomes angry.