The root word of "al-Hameed" is hamd which means: praise, something more general than
thanking. Al-Hameed is also al-Mamood, the Praised One. Allah is al-Hameed due to praising
His own Self since time immemorial, and also due to His servants praising Him. His qualities,
such as His being Glorified and Exalted, are due to the fact that those who mention His
Attribute glorify and exalt it. Hamd in this context means enumerating or the attempt to
enumerate the qualities of perfection conceived by those who praise Him. Al-Hameed grants
you success and compliments you for it; He wipes out your sins and does not embarrass you
by exposing them. He is Praised due to His merits.
One whose beliefs, conduct, speech and action are praiseworthy is called hameed. Such a
description fits only the Messenger of Allah and those whose ranks are close to his from
among Allah's prophets as well as others such as the friends of Allah, and the scholars. Each
one of these is hameed with regard to his beliefs, conduct, deeds and statements.
- "Al-Muhsi"
Allah has said, "So that He may ascertain that they have truly delivered the messages of their
Lord, and He encompasses what is with them, and He records the number of all
things" (Qura'n, 72:28).
The root word of "Al-Muhsi" is ihsa' which means: counting or computing. Linguistically, it
also means to tolerate or to be able to handle. It is also used to describe a tract of land where
there is a large quantity of pebbles or stones.
Allah is al-Muhsi Who counts what we do and readies it for the Day when we meet Him, that
is, the Day of Judgment, the day of hisab, accounting or reckoning, the day of reward or
punishment. Al-Muhsi knows all precise and minute matters, the secrets of what is decreed;
He sees what is apparent and is fully knowledgeable of what is hidden. He counts the acts of
obedience to Him, knows everything, counts our breath, and is acquainted with our
insinuations. His knowledgeable of all beings in existence, when they move around or when
they are still, and with all their affairs and deeds.
This Attribute's meaning and derivations exist in several places; here are some examples:
Certainly He has a comprehensive knowledge of them, and He has numbered them a
(comprehensive) numbering. (19:94) Surely We shall give life (back) to the dead, and We
record what they have sent forth before and what they leave behind, and of all things have We