Al-Hakam
Allah is Al-Hakam meaning The Giver of Justice. His judgement once rendered cannot be thwarted. He always delivers justly in every situation and never makes a mistake. He is the best of judges.
From the root h-k-m which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be wise, knowing the true nature of things to pass judgment, to decide, pass a verdict to judge and pass sentence to prevent or restrain from wrongdoing or corruption to turn someone back from wrongdoing or ignorance.
Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which you used to differ.” (Quran 22:69)
Then they His servants are returned to Allah, their true Lord. Unquestionably, His is the judgement, and He is the swiftest of accountants. (Quran 6:62)
And follow what is revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and be patient until Allah will judge. And He is the best of judges. (Quran 10:109)
[Say], “Then is it other than Allah I should seek as judge while it is He who has revealed to you the Book explained in detail?” And those to whom We [previously] gave the Scripture know that it is sent down from your Lord in truth, so never be among the doubters. (Quran 6:114)
|
Name: |
Al-Hakam (The Judge) |
|
Al-Hakam in Arabic: |
ٱلْحَكَمُ |
|
Arabic root: |
(ع ل م) |
|
Al-Hakam meaning in English: |
The Arbitrator, The Judge, The Giver of Justice |
|
Al-Hakam meaning in Urdu: |
ثالَث |
|
Appearance in the Quran: |
210 times in 13 forms |
|
Tasbeeh: |
Recite Al-Hakam to incorporate remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) into your daily routine and remain just in your dealings. |
|
Asma-Ul-Husna with similar meaning: |
Al-Hakim (The All-Wise) Al-Adl (The Just) Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) Al-Fattah (The Judge of Disputes) Al- Qaadir (The All-Powerful) |
The name “Al-Hakam” is one of the 99 Asma-ul-Husna (the Most Beautiful Names), which are often referred to as the Attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The name “Al-Hakam” literally translates to “The Judge” and signifies Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)’s sovereignty over being the One who can Judge justly.
This Attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has its roots in hay-laam-meem in Arabic. These roots are mentioned in the Quran 210 times in 13 different forms. The name translates to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) being the One who is Wise and possesses the knowledge of true natures of things that exists so Only He has the authority to pass fair judgments. The name suggests that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) can prevent and restrain wrongdoings, for He is the Judge. The name has been derived from the word Hikmah, which explains Islam's concepts of wisdom, rationality, and objectivity. It refers to knowing and knowing the truth about things, their actions, and their consequences.
The name Al-Hakam also translates to the arbitrator, which means that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is just in His affairs. This Attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) concludes the totality of His decisions, His power to provide a final judgment and to bless His servants with immense mercy that is incomparable to any arbitrators among His creation.
In its fifth chapter, the Quran mentions Allah as the best Judge. It reiterates this attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) being the Ultimate Judge for all individuals and things that exist.
Surah Al-Maidah in Quran in its verse 50 says,
أَفَحُكْمَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ ۚ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكْمًۭا لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُوقِنُونَ
Is it the judgment of ˹pre-Islamic˺ ignorance they seek? Who could be a better judge than Allah for people of sure faith? (Surah Al-Maidah, 5:50)
Al-Hakam is a Name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that highlights how Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)’s judgements are final in all capacities. He is the one who can arbitrate every issue that can ever exist. He is the Ultimate Judge who delivers justice under all circumstances. No one will ever be wronged in His court of justice. Al-Hakam can separate truth from falsehood to deliver a final order.
The name Al-Hakam signifies the decree of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). It continues to signify how once Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has given a judgment over something, there is nothing we should worry about, for He is the best and the Wisest Judge there can be. In His court of Judgment, there is no room for unjust behaviors or conclusions.
Remembrance of Al-Hakam helps a believer have faith in how Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) recognizes our hardships, acknowledges our efforts, and blesses us with the best possible conclusions and decisions based on it. He is the All-Knowing and is aware of all our intentions. He is also the One with Ultimate Wisdom, which further helps Him be the greatest judge. Remembrance of this Name helps believers focus more on things that are within their control; once a believer leaves the rest of unforeseen things and events in the hands of The Judge, there will be ease and acceptance regarding the outcomes.
Recitation of Al-Hakam enables them to remember how being fair and equal in judging others is essential. Once we are fair in our dealings, we can expect blessings from our Lord as well as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) always recompensates His servants for utter faith in Him. Regarding this the Quran mentions the following,
قُلْ إِنِّى عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّى وَكَذَّبْتُم بِهِۦ ۚ مَا عِندِى مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۖ يَقُصُّ ٱلْحَقَّ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلْفَـٰصِلِينَ
“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘Indeed, I stand on a clear proof from my Lord—yet you have denied it. That ˹torment˺ you seek to hasten is not within my power. It is only Allah Who decides its time. He declares the truth. And He is the Best of Judges.’” (Surah Al-Anaam, 6:57)
For believers, the significance of this Name lies within the fact that once we take comfort in Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) decree and judgment of affairs, there is no other power on Earth that can undo it. Even if the people we interact with in our lives are not just in their dealings with us, leaving the affairs in His hands will surely bring you the justice Al-Hakam promises in the Quran.
With the belief that there is a fair balance in His court, individuals will likely be motivated to be just in their earthly affairs. Al-Hakam never punishes for more than the sin committed, nor does He let a good deed pass by without rewarding it. He promises this in the Quran. With this promise of being Just in rewards and punishment, Al-Hakam remains The Judge who makes no faults, leaves no doubts in the minds of His creation, and decrees what satisfies the hearts of those who submit to Him.
Al-Hakam is often paired with Al-Hakeem, which means "The All-Wise." This name is derived from the same roots as Al-Hakam – hay-laam-meem. The two names reiterate how being a Just and Fair Judge requires the attribute of being All-Wise that only Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) possesses. While Al-Hakam relates to delivering justice, Al-Hakeem highlights the true nature of the One with Wisdom.
Another name that describes a similar Attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is Al-Adl, which translates to The Just. This name highlights how Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is always absolutely fair in His judgments, never wronging anyone and consistently distributing justice with a perfect balance. This focus on the judgment process complements the Al-Hakam attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Al-Fattah, referring to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as The Judge of Disputes, also highlights Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)'s ability to settle disputes in His court of judgement. With His ultimate resolutions to complicated affairs, there remains perfect harmony in the world.
The name Al-Hakam appears in the Quran several times in various derivations. It is also highlighted in Ahadith. Holy Prophet (ﷺ) has been reported to encourage recitation of this dua for guidance,
اللّهُـمَّ رَبَّ جِـبْرائيل - وَميكـائيل- وَإِسْـرافيل - فاطِـرَ السَّمواتِ وَالأَرْض - عالـِمَ الغَيْـبِ وَالشَّهـادَةِ أَنْـتَ تَحْـكمُ بَيْـنَ عِبـادِكَ فيـما كانوا فيهِ يَخْتَلِفـون. اهدِنـي لِمـا اخْتُـلِفَ فيـهِ مِنَ الْحَـقِّ بِإِذْنِك - إِنَّـكَ تَهْـدي مَنْ تَشـاءُ إِلى صِراطٍ مُسْتَقـيم
"O Allah, Lord of Jibraīl, Mīkaīl and Israfīl (great angels), Creator of the heavens and the Earth, Knower of the seen and the unseen. You are the arbitrator between Your servants in that which they have disputed. Guide me to the truth by Your leave, in that which they have differed, for verily You guide whom You will to a straight path."
The Quran reiterates Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) being the Best Judge in several Surahs, such as in Chapter 10 verse 109 as follows,
وَٱتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَٱصْبِرْ حَتَّىٰ يَحْكُمَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ
“And follow what is revealed to you, and be patient until Allah passes His judgment. For He is the Best of Judges.” (Surah Yunus, 10:109)
This highlights how all the believers are encouraged to be patient when awaiting something in life, for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will bring forth the best of outcomes with his Wisdom and Judgement.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has also promised fair punishment for bad deeds and rewards for all good deeds in Chapter 6 in Quran,
مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
“Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded tenfold. But whoever comes with a bad deed will be punished for only one. None will be wronged.” (Surah Al-Anaam, 6:160)