Al-Lateef The Subtly Kind

From the words of Ustaadh Aboo `Ubaid | #009

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Al-Lateef is a name from the names of Allaah . It is often translated to mean the One who is subtly kind. Al-Lateef linguistically comes from the meanings of minuteness, and kindness & gentleness. These meanings reflect two dimensions of this name (and by extension two characteristics of Rabb al-`Aalameen). The first is that it denotes the meaning of one who knows the subtleties and finer details of things 1. The second is the one who shows mercy to others (i.e. bringing about benefit and protecting against harm) through subtle means such that they are unaware of his mercy to them2.
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Allaah said:

Should not the One who created know, while He is Al-Lateef and Al-Khabeer (Aware). [Mulk, verse 14] In this verse, the name Al-Lateef primarily denotes the knowledge of subtleties in the creation.

Indeed, my Rabb is Lateef to what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is Al-`Aleem (Knowing), Al-Hakeem (Wise). [Yoosuf, verse 100] In this verse, the name Al-Lateef primarily denotes His subtle kindness. Allaah said about Yoosuf:

And Allaah is Ghaalib (Dominant, Overwhelming) over his affair, but most of the people do not know. [Yoosuf, verse 21] A being that is dominating someones life is very apparent. He intervenes in all your affairs, controlling every aspect of your life. He wont leave you alone. He controls what you eat, what you wear, who your friends are, when to come home, what you can and cant do, etc. Parents are especially dominating in the early years of their children. Allaah was dominating the life of Yoosuf. He was in complete control, yet it appeared otherwise. It is as if His presence could not be felt. That is because His attribute of ghalabah (dominance) is often manifested through His attribute of lutf (subtlety). There is a balance between the dominating and subtle nature of Allaah . And in recognition of that Yoosuf said at the end of his epic journey:

Indeed, my Rabb is Lateef to what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is Al-`Aleem, Al-Hakeem. [Yoosuf, verse 100]

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In Arabic: In Arabic:

This verse brings together four attributes: lutf, ghalabah, `ilm (knowledge) and hikmah (wisdom). It was only at the end of his story that all four attributes became completely apparent. Throughout his story, Yoosuf sought comfort from these attributes, and thereby never did he lose hope. Consider some parallels between the lives of Yoosuf and Muhammad in whose aid this soorah was revealed, and notice how Allaah was ghaalib over their affairs through lutf. Yoosuf was wronged by his brothers just as Muhammad was wronged by his kinsmen. Yoosuf was driven out of his home just Muhammad was driven out of his. Then Allaah Al-Ghaalib Al-Lateef Al-`Aleem Al-Hakeem changed their affairs. He subtly gave them authority which would not have been possible if they remained as they were. The Egyptian people were in need of political guidance just as the tribes of `Aws and Khazraj were in need of tribal leadership, and so Yoosuf became a minister just as Muhammad became a leader. Yoosuf became a powerful figure in the land just as Muhammad became a powerful figure in his. Yoosuf was given authority over his brothers and overlooked their wrongs just as Muhammad was given authority over his kinsmen and overlooked their wrongs. Indeed, Allaah provided them in subtle ways, from ways in which they did not expect:

Allah is Lateef with His slaves; He gives provisions to whom He wills. And He is the Al-`Azeez (Mighty), Al-Qawiyy (Powerful). [Shooraa, verse 19]

And whoever has taqwaa of Allaah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. [Talaaq, verses 2-3] Look at the stories of the Prophets through the name Al-Lateef, the stories of Ibraaheem, Moosaa, `Eesaa, etc. and you will find that Allaah was them as He was with Muhammad and Yoosuf - may salaah and salaam of Allaah be upon them all. This is the case for the Siddiqeen, Shuhadaa and Saaliheen, those whom are trialled with calamities, and ordered with what they dislike and prohibited from what they desire; the apparent of much of their affairs are trails and tests whilst in secret they are hidden paths to stations of glory and happiness. And notice how Allaah may allow the plots of the adversary to be implemented but then subtly cause an outcome (or consequence) which was not perceived. The brothers plotted to get rid of Yoosuf and so Allaah allowed their plot to be executed as they wanted, however the consequences of their plot could not have been imagined. Allaah had caused their plot to work in favour of Yoosuf - though apparently that was not the case - it was the means by which the seeds of Yoosufs reign and authority were planted. Allaah does not rush in his creation. He created the heavens and the earth in six days. He causes the seed to sprout and grow over a length of time. The transition of the night to day is not in the blink of an eye. This is no different to how He is with His slaves. Allaah Al-Ghaalib Al-Lateef Al-`Aleem Al-Hakeem may allow the plots of the enemy to be executed but know that as they plot against the believers, He is planning for them. Rather, their plots will eventually work in favour of the believers:

And the (best) outcome is for those who have taqwaa. [Qasas, verse 83]

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They said, Are you indeed Yoosuf? He said, I am Yoosuf, and this is my brother. Allaah has certainly favoured us. Indeed, he who has taqwaa of Allaah and is patient, then indeed, Allaah does not allow to be lost the reward of the muhsineen (doers of good). [Yoosuf, verse 90] Throughout this soorah (Yoosuf), Allaah attributes Yoosuf as being from the muhsineen as if alluding that His lutf upon an individual is proportionate to ones ihsaan. Allaah said about Himself:

The sights do not encompass Him, but He encompasses (all) sights; and He is Al-Lateef, Al-Khabeer (WellAcquainted). [An`aam, verse 103] The Messenger of Allaah said:

Verily, Allaah does not sleep, and it does not befit Him to sleep. He lowers the scale and lifts it. The deeds of the night are raised to Him before the deeds of the day, and the deeds of the day are raised to Him before the deeds of the night. His veil is Light. (In another narration: Fire.) If He lifts it, the splendour of His Face would burn His creation as far as His sight reaches. [Muslim] Allaah envelops every creature with His sight. If it were not that that He looked upon them with ease and gentleness, with a subtle glance, they would have all burnt. No sinner sins and no criminal commits a crime except that Allaah continues to look upon him with lutf, He continues to give respite. Whosoever imagines that the might and power of Allaah is bereft of lutf is short sighted. Part of tawheed is adopting a particular mindset, a mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations. We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are. We can choose to read the events in our lives with the best or worst interpretations. When we choose to reflect over these events via the Names of Allaah and His Attributes we begin to change our trials into blessings. The Prophet said:

How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him. [Muslim]

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