Buraida told that God’s messenger heard a man saying, “O God I ask Thee by virtue of Thy being God than whom there is no god, the One, He to whom men repair, who has not begotten and has not been begotten, and to whom no one is equal,” and said, “He has supplicated God using His greatest name, when asked by which He gives and when supplicated by which He answers.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.
Exposition of the Hadith
This noble tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) illuminates the profound significance of invoking Allah through His most perfect names and attributes. The man's supplication encompasses the fundamental tenets of Islamic monotheism (tawhid), making it particularly potent and beloved to Allah.
Analysis of the Supplication
"O God I ask Thee by virtue of Thy being God than whom there is no god" - This affirms Allah's unique divinity (uluhiyyah) and negates all false deities.
"the One" (al-Samad) - Meaning the Eternal Refuge, the One upon whom all creation depends while He depends on none.
"who has not begotten and has not been begotten" - This negates physical progeny for Allah, distinguishing Him from created beings.
"and to whom no one is equal" - This completes the affirmation of Allah's absolute uniqueness and transcendence.
The Greatest Name of Allah
Scholars differ regarding which specific name constitutes "al-Ism al-A'zam" (The Greatest Name). Some hold it is "Allah," others say "al-Hayy al-Qayyum" (The Ever-Living, the Sustainer), while this hadith indicates it may be this comprehensive description encompassing multiple divine attributes.
The efficacy lies in the supplicant's recognition of Allah's essence and attributes, not merely in uttering specific words. When one comprehends the meanings behind these names and supplicates with presence of heart, the supplication becomes most acceptable.
Practical Implications
This teaching encourages Muslims to learn Allah's beautiful names and incorporate them in supplication with understanding and reverence.
The Prophet's confirmation that this is the Greatest Name demonstrates that supplications grounded in proper theological understanding are most beloved to Allah and most likely to be answered.
Scholars note that while the wording is important, the essential element is the supplicant's sincerity, presence of heart, and correct belief in what these names signify.