Al-Mani'
Allah is Al-Maani, The One who withholds bounty from those undeserving. Allah protects people from harmful situations and prevents undesirable actions. He can withhold His light from those who deliberately reject Him.
From the root m-n-‘ which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to prevent, hinder, hold back, restrain, deny impeding, resist to forbid, refuse, prohibit to guard, defend, protect.
Or who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion. (Quran 67:21)
Indeed, Allah defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful. (Quran 22:38)
And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns – it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the [stranded] traveler – so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you – take;
and what he has forbidden you – refrain from. And fear Allah;
indeed, Allah is severe in penalty. (Quran 59:7)
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Name: |
Al-Mani |
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Al-Mani in Arabic |
ٱلْمَانِعُ |
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Arabic root: |
(م ن ع) |
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Al-Mani meaning in English: |
The Protector, The Preventer of Harm, The Witholder |
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Al-Mani meaning in Urdu |
روک دينے والا |
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Appearance in the Quran: |
0 times |
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Tasbeeh: |
Recite Al-Mani for protection against the evil eye and from troubles or loss. |
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Asma ul Husna with similar meaning: |
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(The Protector, The Shielder, The Preventer of Harm)
In His infinite wisdom and mercy, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) manifests as Al-Mani, the Preventer. This attribute of Allah encapsulates his wisdom and capacity to save His servants from any adversity and harm. The Preventer keeps His people safe from harmful situations and prevents any catastrophe before happening. As an ultimate protector, He shields His believers from any evil that may approach them and from the trials and tribulations of life.
Al-Mani is more than just a name; it is a recognition of Divine omnipotence. Without His will, no calamity can reach a person. This name acknowledges that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) takes care of anyone who trusts Him fully. He protects and shields His believers.
Every person has asked for protection at least once in his life. As a servant, we are always in need of a Divine shield. Al-Mani shields us physically from accidents, diseases, and natural calamities. He protects our hearts from malice, envy, and hatred. He safeguards our minds from delusion, doubt, and despair. It is essential to cultivate a healthy relationship with Al-Mani, The witholder, because no disaster can touch us without His permission.
Allah’s attribute to protect and shield has often been mentioned in the Quran and Hadith. In Surah Al-Baqara, Al-Mani strikes a very important reminder in the form of a question, “Do you not know that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has full power over everything? Do you not know that the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah alone and that you have neither any protector nor helper beside Him?”
The Quran is full of examples where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has protected His messengers from evil. From shielding Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ when he was thrown into the pit of fire to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)when non-believers were plotting against him, only Allah holds the power to protect against harmful situations.
In Surah Anabiya, verses 69 and 70, the ultimate protector narrates, “We said, “O fire, become cool and peaceful upon Ibrahim.” And they wished to cause him harm, so We made them the greatest of losers.”
“But Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is your Protector, and He is the best of helpers.” (Surah Al-Imran:150)
Recognizing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as Al-Mani not only brings a sense of peace and calmness but also assures us that we are always under the umbrella of the ultimate protector. It makes us from fear and anxiety, replacing them with hope and trust. Not just that, trusting Al-Mani gives us the strength that is needed to face challenges.
It is important to have a firm faith in the attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as Al-Mani. He and He alone have the capacity to withhold anything. Without His permission, neither good nor bad will reach us. There are no Quranic or hadith references mentioning the special dhikr of Allah’s name as Al-Mani; however, scholars have provided a vast set of benefits.
Whoever keeps reciting Al-Mani will live a good and pious life. As this name showcases the Lord’s ability to shield, reciting this name in the face of terror will protect you from harm that is inflicted upon you. From life troubles to monetary loss, reciting Al-Mani can soothe your heart and save you from tribulations.
In Islam, it is our duty as Muslims to give names to children that have beautiful meanings and are easy on the tongue. Al-Mani is a unique name that is perfectly suited for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) , the great protector. As His believers, you can name your children after this attribute of Allah. The usual name that goes around this trait of Allah is ‘Abdul Mani,’ which means ‘The servant of the one who protects.’
The names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that relate to His quality as Al-Mani includes the following:
Both of these names highlight how Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the only one who can protect you and restrict any harm before it is inflicted upon you.
Our beloved prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to pray a lot and ask Allah for His divine protection. It was narrated by Abu Sa'eed:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say: Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) hears the one who praises Him; Our Lord, to You be the Praise, filling the heavens, filling the Earth, and filling whatever else You will, Lord of Glory and Majesty, the truest thing a slave had said, and we are all slaves to You. None can withhold what You grant, nor can the possession of an owner benefit him before You.
He used to pray this dua right after commencing his prayers. (Sunan an-Nasa'i 1068)
In the words of Al-Mani, “And if Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) should afflict you with harm, then there is none to remove it but He; and if He intends good to you there is none to repel His grace; He brings it to whom He pleases of His servants; and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (10:107)
These Quranic verses and hadiths provide a profound understanding of Allah's role as Al-Mani. They inspire us to seek His refuge, trust in His wisdom, and recognize His omnipotence as the ultimate source of our protection and security.