Al-Khafid
Allah is Al-Khaafid with this name he abases the proud, the oppressors, and rebels. He chooses the ones to be humbled, softened or made gentle. He decides to raise or weaken people as a test.
From the root kh-f-d which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to lower, weaken, depress to make humble, abase to relax, diminish, subdue to make gentle, tranquil, easy to deal with to soften, make easy, facilitate.
We have certainly created man in the best of stature;
Then We return him to the lowest of the low, Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted. (Quran 95:4-6)
And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, “My Lord has honored me.” But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, “My Lord has humiliated me.” (Quran 89:15-16)
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others]. (Quran 56:3)
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Name: |
Al-Khafid (The Abaser) |
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Al-Khafid in Arabic |
ٱلْخَافِضُ |
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Arabic root: |
(خ ف ض) |
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Al-Khafid meaning in English: |
The Lowerer, The Reducer, The Abaser |
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Al-Khafid meaning in Urdu |
پست کرنے والا |
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Appearance in the Quran: |
1 |
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Tasbeeh: |
Do dhikr or reflection/contemplation along with complimentary attribute al-Raafi’ (the Exalter) as a reminder of Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) greatness. |
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Asma ul Husna with similar meaning: |
Al-Mudhill (The Subduer) |
Al-Khafid meaning in English is The Lowerer, The Reducer, The Abaser. The classical Arabic connotations of its root word (خ ف ض) are to lower, weaken, depress, or to make humble, abase, to relax, diminish, subdue, to make gentle, tranquil, easy to deal with, to soften, make easy, facilitate.
The word Al-Khafidh is understood in the context of a well-known example of the downfall of Firaun, the tyrannical dictator in the story of Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). As the story goes, Firaun sought after Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to kill or imprison him, and Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) protected Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) by granting him entry through the sea by parting it. Firaun was humiliated and Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was elevated by being protected by Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). Both attributes, Al-Khafidh and Al-Raafi’, can be seen through the context of this story.
This attribute describes how Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) abases (humbles) those proud and oppressing to His creation and rebels to the message He sends them. He chooses the ones to be humbled, softened, or made gentle. He has the ultimate power to decide who to raise or weaken, who to give honor or take it away. Al-Khafid pronunciation is al-Khāfiḍ (al-Khafidhu) in Arabic. He abases (reduces) the polytheists or oppressors by making their lives miserable and keeping them away from Him, He humiliates some people, makes them insignificant, and takes away their pride.
The verse number three of Surah Al Waaqi'a (56:3) says:
خَافِضَةٌۭ رَّافِعَةٌ ٣
Translation: It will debase ˹some˺ and elevate ˹others˺.
While the verse in question is in the context of describing the Hereafter (Akhirah), the use of خَافِضَةٌۭ (khafidhatu), meaning “debase” can be taken to understand the absolute authority of Allah to reduce and lower those He deems deserving on the Day of Judgment.
Among the 99 noble names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), Al-Khafid (The Abaser) can be considered one of those explicitly mentioned in the Holy Quran. Of the 99 names, 81 are explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an. However, due to differing criteria set by various scholars, this name/attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is excluded by some in their list of the names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The name Al-Khafid is still formally recognized in most books of Asma-ul-Husna.
According to several scholars, the name should be uttered with the adjacent name al-Raafi’ (the Exalter) which compliments its meaning and gives it the appropriate context. (al-Khattaabi in Sha’n al-Du’a’-58) Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) is Al-Khafid (in Arabic: ٱلْخَافِضُ), meaning the Abaser, The One who lowers whoever He willed by His destruction, and (Ar-Rafi) The One who raises whoever He willed by His endowment.
Like any other descriptive attributed to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), it is important to understand the depth of the meaning of the name Al-Khafid. The attribute describes Allah’s (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) power over humbling which can help a believer emphasize the need for humility and awareness that ultimately all individuals, whether most powerful or most helpless, are accountable to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
Paired together, Al-Khafid and Al-Raafi’ show the intricate balance in Allah's (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) attributes and reinforce the concept of divine justice and wisdom. This can be a point of reflection for a Muslim going through tough times and with the help of this descriptive attribute, tap into the mindset of relying on Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) with their problems or the oppression they may be facing.
In times of difficulty or hardship, acknowledging and believing wholeheartedly Allah as Al-Khafid provides solace and reassurance. Believers, with the help of the descriptive name of Al-Khafid, can understand that Allah, the Abaser, has the power to ease their challenges or struggles, which can become the means of purification and growth. This attribute encourages patience and reliance on Allah's wisdom, as He alone knows what is best for His creation.
The believer can fortify his faith against oppression and atrocities that they may go through at the hands of someone. Including it in day-to-day conversation or with another struggling Muslim can pose as a constant reminder for them to not lose hope in the ultimate justice of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
Al-Khafid benefits the faith of the one struggling with a fortified belief that Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) has the power to lower those who appear as powerful and oppressive.
Al-Khafid is unique in its emphasis on lowering or humbling the oppressors, and the rebels, however, there are other names of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) that share a similar meaning. One such name is Al-Mudhill, which translates to "The Humiliator" or "The Subduer." These names share similarities in their meaning and highlight Allah's authority and the power of Allah to humiliate or humble those who go against His guidance.
Furthermore, another attribute Al-Rafi, meaning "The Exalter" or "The Elevator" complements the name Al-Khafid of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). These names paired together signify the dual nature of Allah's power—to “abase” the arrogant and elevate the humble.
The following verses from Surah At-Tīn (chapter number 95) can contribute to the reflection and understanding of the attribute Al-Khafid of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ فِىٓ أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍۢ (95:4)
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَـٰهُ أَسْفَلَ سَـٰفِلِينَ (95:5)
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍۢ (95:6)
Translation: Indeed, We created humans in the best form.
But We will reduce them to the lowest of the low ˹in Hell˺,
except those who believe and do good—they will have a never-ending reward.
This particular excerpt of the Quran describes the power and capability of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) not just creating humans in their best form, but also holding the ultimate power over reducing or lowering them while also elevating those that are gooddoers and pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).