FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Prof. Farida Khanam is an author, editor, translator, public speaker and former professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Among her books are ‘A Simple Guide to Sufism’ and ‘A Study of World’s Major Religions’. She has translated into English many books authored by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Currently the chairperson of CPS International, she is a regular contributor of articles to various publications. Prof. Khanam has edited Maulana’s English translation of the Quran and has also translated his Urdu commentary of the Quran into English. She can be reached at hub@thespiritofislam.org THE BEAUTIFUL NAMES OF GOD E VER since the pandemic has happened, quite a few acquaintances have called me to find out which name of God should they recite often to protect themselves from Coronavirus. This led me to think about the prevalent culture of chanting the names of God or verses from the Quran as solutions to problems. I present here the spirit behind calling upon God by His names. Calling upon God is a great form of worship. According to a Hadith (record of the sayings and deeds of the Prophet), calling upon God or supplication is the kernel of worship. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi) It is an act of very personal nature. Everyone has to pray for themselves, just as everyone has to perform their own worship. According to chapter Prostration of the Quran, this is one of the virtues of a believer: they forsake their beds calling upon their Lord in fear and hope. (32: 16) The general concept regarding the names of God is that they are some mysterious words. It is believed that some miraculous effect is hidden in these words and our task is only to remember and recite them repeatedly. And then mysteriously we will receive miraculous benefits. This is what people think of divine names. This is not the right understanding. The names of God are in no way mysterious words. They represent a known and meaningful reality. It is a blessing which can be fully explained rationally. God’s names, known as Asma-e-Husna in Arabic, are the known doors of God’s mercy. These doors have been opened, as we learn from the