Al-Jabbar
Al Jabbar is the highest, whatever he decrees will come to pass without fail. He restores all of creation. He heals the broken hearted, binds their wounds, brings comfort to the weak. He compels each and everything to his divine will but is never Himself compelled.
From the root j-b-r which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to restore something to sound, right or good state to bring back to normal, reform to benefit, to confer a benefit to be supreme, high, above all of creation to be compelling, irresistible
He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. (Holy Quran 59:23)
And you do not will except that Allah wills. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. (Holy Quran 76:30)
“Who created me, and He [it is who] guides me. And it is He who feeds me and gives me drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me. And who will cause me to die and then bring me to life And who I aspire that He will forgive me my sin on the Day of Recompense.” (Quran 26:78-82)
Who created me, and He [it is who] guides me.Allah is omnipotent, he does answer to anyone. “He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.” (Quran 21:23)
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Name: |
Al-Jabbar |
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Al-Jabbar in Arabic: |
ٱلْجَبَّارُ |
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Arabic root: |
(ج ب ر) |
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Al-Jabbar meaning in English: |
The Compeller, The Irresistible, The Restorer, The Repairer |
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Al-Jabbar meaning in Urdu: |
بہت طاقت ور |
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Appearance in the Quran: |
10 |
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Tasbeeh: |
21 times |
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Asma-ul-Husna with similar meaning: |
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Among the 99 glorious names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is Al-Jabbar. The latter has several meanings, but the most common is The Compeller. This means that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) implements His ruling without any opposition and no one can overcome or influence His decisions. Another interpretation of Al-Jabbar is The Repairer/Restorer. This means that He heals broken hearts and spiritual wounds and provides relief to the weak.
Al-Jabbar comes from the root jeem-ba-ra (ج ب ر). These have classical Arabic connotations, meaning to restore, reform, or benefit, bring back to normal, be supreme (above all of creation), be compelling, and be irresistible.
The word ‘Jabbar’ is used nine times in the Holy Quran to describe people who are oppressive, strong, unjust, or compel and force others. However, Al-Jabbar as a positive attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is mentioned only once in the Holy Quran along with various other names:
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَكَبِّرُۚ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ
He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. (Quran 59:23)
Accepting Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as Al-Jabbar means that we acknowledge His Extreme Power, Strength, and Supremacy over everything in the Heavens and the earth. He compels everything and nothing can compel Him, and He has no equal or competitor. Al-Jabbar also makes us realize that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the only One capable of elevating our ranks and benefitting us, and He needs no benefitting.
Hence, we should always remember that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the only One worthy of being called Al-Jabbar and nothing can happen unless He desires. We shouldn’t be arrogant and consider ourselves to be capable of accomplishing things. We are meant to be ‘abd (slave) of Al-Jabbar and are not meant to harm or offend people’s feelings or challenge their authority.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in the Quran:
ٱلَّذِينَ يُجَٰدِلُونَ فِيٓ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ سُلۡطَٰنٍ أَتَىٰهُمۡۖ كَبُرَ مَقۡتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَعِندَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطۡبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ قَلۡبِ مُتَكَبِّرٖ جَبَّارٖ
Those who dispute concerning the signs of Allah without an authority having come to them – great is hatred [of them] in the sight of Allah and in the sight of those who have believed. Thus does Allah seal over every heart [belonging to] an arrogant tyrant. (Quran 40:35)
Al-Jabbar reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has compelled into existence everything that is in the Heavens and on earth. The form and shape of all His creations have been decided by Him. The beating of our heart, the way our brain functions, our sleep-wake cycle – everything is compelled and decided by Him. Hence, we should reflect upon our existence every day and allow this to strengthen our faith in the Might of Al-Jabbar.
Moreover, Al-Jabbar is the Repairer and Restorer; hence, if we oppress someone we should immediately ask for forgiveness. If we see someone struggling emotionally, we should try and mend their heart, because Al-Jabbar will mend our hearts when we need Him.
Lastly, whenever we feel that we aren’t capable enough to accomplish our goals, we shouldn’t lower our standards and should instead turn towards Al-Jabbar to fix our shortcomings. He is the only One capable of forgiving our sins and rewarding our good deeds. Hence, we should seek shelter in Him from our distresses and only turn to Him in times of need.
Reciting Al-Jabbar routinely keeps the reciter away from severity, violence, cruelty, and hardships. Moreover, reciting Al-Jabbar 21 times daily will keep the reciter safe from all oppression and he will not be forced into doing anything.
A child named Abdul Jabbar will possess attributes of conviction, restoration, and mercy. They will not be oppressed easily and will be steadfast in everything they do. However, children must develop the positive aspects of Jabbar, such as standing up for what is right, rejecting what is wrong, and helping those in need of spiritual guidance.
Names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that have a similar meaning or connection to Al-Jabbar are as follows:
Al-Aziz – The Mighty
Al-Mutakabbir – The Dominant
Al-Mueed – The Restorer
Al-Qaadir – The Omnipotent
It is narrated by Hazrat Ibn Abbas (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) recited this dua between two prostrations:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاجْبُرْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي
“O Allah! Pardon me, have mercy on me, help me, guide me, and grant me sustenance." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 284)
In this dua, the word وَاجْبُرْنِي means to aid or rectify and is similar in meaning to Al-Jabbar as being the Restorer/Repairer. Hence, we can recite this name to help mend a broken heart, relationship, or self-esteem.
Note: although this reference is Da'if (weak), this dua is still very relevant to the attribute Al-Jabbar.