Al-Qahhar [The All-Prevailing One]

Root Word

Qahhaar comes from the root qaa-haa-raa, pointing to two main meanings.

• To overcome, overpower, dominate, or prevail.

• To subdue and subjugate.

Al Qahhar Meaning

Al-Qahhaar is the one who dominates, conquers, and overpowers everything, especially the tyrants, and oppressors - supporting believers against disbelievers. There is no power that can withstand Allah’s power and might.

This name emphasizes how everyone is powerless in the grasp of Allah’s dominating power. But for the believers, it’s hope, and for the disbelievers, it’s a warning. This attribute of Allah also complements His justice - the oppressor, be it someone else, or we transgressing against ourselves, has to face Allah’s wrath.

‘Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Prevailing.’ [Quran, 13:16]

Allah’s name Al-Qahhar also humbles us in submission before Allah's power, strength, and grandeur. Every creation that exists, is humbled before Allah.

Reflection Allah Name Al-Qahhar

Although, this attribute of Allah is a strong one, a fearing one, but we should be fearful of Allah in an optimistic manner. This name brings me so much fear and so much hope. But the fear I speak about is the healthy fear.

What is a healthy fear?

Healthy fear is the one that brings reformation. That motivates us to do better, to leave sin, to work on ourselves, to make an effort, to repent, and to get close to Allah, rather than getting into misery, hopelessness, and depression.

We should not let the fear overtake us that we are unable to do anything. Fear must not distance us from Allah, but it should distance us from sin.

For instance, when Allah says,

“The Day whereon they will (all) come forth: not a single thing concerning them is hidden from Allah. Whose will be the dominion that Day?" That of Allah, the One the Irresistible!” [40:17].

This Ayah tells us that there is nothing hidden from the sight of Allah, be it something apparent or hidden, Allah sees through the heart and the intentions.

The healthy fear that we can incorporate in ourselves from such instances and Ayahs in the Quran where Allah’s wrath or punishment is mentioned is in subtle ways.

• Healthy fear tells us that we can do better.

• There always is a chance with Allah

• It’s never too late with Allah.

• We should not do anything wrong to others, and keep ourselves safe.

• We should stand up for the oppressed, and help them as much as possible.

• We should fear the displeasing of Allah and not the punishment of Allah.

• Allah is all-seeing, and there is nothing that can be hidden from His sight.

Healthy fear prevents us from getting into despair, but if we misuse it, it can lead to dire consequences. Many times, people confine themselves so much in healthy fear that they forget about the actual meaning and purpose of Allah’s attributes.

Al-Qahhar means the one who subdues, overcomes, and dominates. The one who does not let go of oppressors, and the wrong. The one whose reward and punishment reaches the deserving - for the believers and the non-believers, for the oppressed and the oppressor alike.

Misuse of Allah’s mercy & healthy fear

Where healthy fear is necessary for a believer to be able to connect with Allah, it should not sway us away from the right track. I have heard many people say, I do not pray, because I am too kind to others, and Allah loves kindness - no mate, obligation is an obligation, a completely separate thing, there is no replacement for that.

This exactly is misusing the attributes of Allah. It is overestimating oneself, and underestimating Allah’s attributes - because Ar-Rahman and Al-Qahhar, both are the attributes of Allah - and Allah is perfect in all His attributes. We cannot choose some, and ignore others.

We cannot keep doing wrong to others and say our intentions were that. Or we cannot let go of our obligations and say Allah sees the heart. It's just like cursing someone on their face and saying I did not mean it.

It's exactly like when people abuse and misuse others, but saying I love you.

It exactly is like drinking poison and saying I do not intend to die.

It exactly is like when people are rude, harsh, and abusive, but give an excuse that "I have a good heart."

No! Life exactly is as we see it, as what we bring into action.

These kinds of things happen when we lack the required fear of Allah. We need this fear, every believer needs this fear. The right mix of healthy fear, and the required fear is the only way to navigate through the challenges of today’s world.

Al-Qahhar for the Oppressors

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) says;

لمن المُلْكُ اليومَ للّهِ الواحِدِ القّهار

“Whose is the kingdom this Day? It is Allah’s the One, the Irresistible (the Subduer).”[40:16]

Without a doubt, with closed eyes, you have to believe in this - there is no way out for the wrongdoers - for the one who oppresses others, will see their end, sooner or later - in this world or the other.

Like the atrocities happening in Palestine, all we see is the oppressors winning - sometimes, just like this we do not see the oppressor suffering, but we, firmly know in our hearts that Allah is Al-Qahhar, no injustice can get away with Him, no oppressor will be let go, no oppressed will be left without justice - be it on any level - be it Israel oppressing Palestine, or someone in your life oppressing you, or even you oppressing someone.

There are many things to understand here with the concept of oppression and Allah’s attribute Al-Qahhar.

• Allah’s justice will be served, and in a way, HE knows the best.

• If we do not see the oppressor being punished in front of our eyes, suffering, it does not mean Allah isn’t taking care of it.

• When we think of Allah’s name Al-Qahhar, we have to see it holistically - we should not be only focused on what others are doing to us, but we also should see if we are oppressing someone or not, which I think is more important for self-development and spiritual elevation.

• Letting go or forgiving for the sake of Allah does not mean that Allah will not do justice to you. It means that Allah will take care of the oppression in His way.

• When we speak of Allah’s justice, reward, and punishment, we should not have our timeline in our minds, or the outcome we wish for, we should have only a firm belief that Allah is Al-Qahhar.

The Day of Judgment is for everyone

Your belief should be as firm as, “My Lord is going to serve me justice, if not here, then there in the hereafter.”

The biggest hope and consolation this mindset can bring to you is beyond what the words can explain. Because one thing that most people forget is to see the bigger picture, to realize who they are asking, and to understand what it really means when we call Allah by this name Al-Qahhar.

And yes, it hurts sometimes, and it becomes frustrating, and sometimes we feel like wanting to see the ones who have done us wrong suffer - but we should remind ourselves that Allah is Al-Qahhar - and also, we should seek forgiveness from Allah that if we have unintentionally or intentionally had ever oppressed someone, forgive us for that.

When things get hard for you, there is a huge consolation in this name of Allah that you need to hold onto, knowing that everything will lead to a better outcome than what we humans can expect. Read it in the times when oppression makes you lose hope, or feel sad, depressed, and heartbroken.

On the day of judgment, Allah(Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) will say:

“Where are the tyrants, the kings of this world to answer Him. Where are the Prophet and Messengers; where are the angels. Where are the mislead people and the atheists. Where are Adam and his offspring; where are Iblees and his followers, they are all perished and dead.”

Know that every one of us has to stand before Allah when there will be the best justice served - which calls for submitting and surrendering.

Myths around Forgiving & Forgetting

Speaking of oppression and justice, we have this notion to be kind to our oppressors, let go, forgive, and forget, but Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.

While we forgive someone, it is not necessary that we have to be the same for them at the cost of our peace, and mental health. Forgiving is for Allah, and when we forgive someone it is not a condition that you cannot feel angry or hurt. All we can do is try to work on ourselves, and our peace, and part ways with people who have done wrong to us in the past.

The misconception with forgiveness is that people feel that if they will forgive, their oppressor will not suffer - but it is not like that. Many times, you keep so much anger, pain, resentment in your heart, and still your oppressor lives in peace, and prosperity. Despite hating on them, and making yourself suffer for someone else's wrong, you see them enjoying their lives, and not suffering in an obvious way. So what is the point?

You can forgive someone, yet not forget what they have done to you - but what you have to understand is that you should never let your oppressor take best of you.

You also need to know that Allah serves the best justice. Even if you will forgive and forget, Allah will take evereyone accountable for their actions. They will have to answer the wrong they have done to anyone.

You also need to know that justice or suffering does not always have to be obvious. It is not necessary that you have to see your oppressor suffering to know that Allah has served justice.

We humans have very little understanding and comprehension to the ways of Allah, but what we know for sure is that Allah is the most wise, and knowledgeable.

The question is about forgiving, not forgetting. We ain't saints, but weak humans. I say all this what you read, but I also cannot forget someone wasting six years of my life in abusive marriage. I cannot forget someone walking away from their responsibilities, and putting their burdens on me. I just can never forget someone wasting good amount of my youth, my career, my mental and physical health - I choose not to forget, but I choose to forgive for the sake of Allah.

We should forgive for the sake of Allah, and we must not forget to learn from our past experiences.

There are two options, either you can sulk in despair or you can use that oppression as a witness for you on the day of judgment.

The greater my pain and anger are, the more my forgiveness is for my oppressor - not because I am a saint, but because I am the weakest human, and nothing in the world can compensate for my pain and struggle better than Allah.

You know, we all need to submit to Allah in the times and situations that are intense, that are beyond our human capacity. It does not mean that I do not want my oppressor to suffer or pay for the wrong they did to me, it means that my Lord, Al-Qahhar will take care of it.

Turn your oppression into a reward. Every time you are hurt by someone who has oppressed you, rather than drowning in your human weakness, make it your strength and forgive them all over again - because you know, on the day of judgment, Allah is really, actually going to ask every single one of us, Allah will open every person's book of deeds, and Allah will serve the justice.

Some things may kill you from the inside in this world, but if we succeed in trying to hold our ground, and rely on Allah, know that the hereafter is eternal - in every matter of our life, we gotta focus on eternity.

This attribute of Allah, Al-Qahhar also tells us that it is only Allah we should be fearful of because nothing will be hidden from Allah on the day of Judgment. Where we need the fear of Allah with the mercy of Allah, we also need to be mindful of our actions towards others.

May Allah forgive us if we have intentionally and unintentionally oppressed someone and ourselves. Ameen.