Al-Mu'akhkhir

Al-Mu'akhkhir: Details

Al-Mu’akhkhir Meaning & Definition 

Al-Mu’akhkhir (ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ) is the 72nd of the 99 names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. By dictionary, it means "The Delayer," "The Postponer,” or “The One Who Pushes Back.” The Arabic word Mu’akhkhir is derived from the root Akhr (أ خ ر), which typically means “retreat,” “go back,” “drive Back,” “to delay,” or “to postpone.” It is also used for putting something behind or hanging back. Al-Mu’akhkhir is the one who holds the authority to postpone or delay something from happening. 

The 72nd name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ Al-Mu’akhkhir means that He is the One Who Has the Authority, Will, and Power to delay or postpone some eventuality or to push away someone based on his deeds and disbeliefs. This name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَى is just the opposite of the previous name, Al-Muqaddim. These are often recited in pairs, which signifies the true sense of these names. 

Al-Mu’akhkhir – The One Who Pushes Back

An interpretation of the word Mu’akhkhir is the One Who Pushes Back Someone. As in the Authority of being Al-Muqaddim, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَى promotes the Angels, Prophets, Walis, and Scholars to a higher rank, here in the capacity of being Al-Mu’akhkhir, the non-believers or the opponents of Islam are pushed back in the ranks. 

A good example is found in the Quran in Surah Hud, Verses 59 and 60. These are: 

وَتِلْكَ عَادٌۭ ۖ جَحَدُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَصَوْا۟ رُسُلَهُۥ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ كُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍۢ

Translation - That was ’Âd. They denied the signs of their Lord, disobeyed His messengers, and followed the command of every stubborn tyrant

وَأُتْبِعُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةًۭ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ عَادًۭا كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ ۗ أَلَا بُعْدًۭا لِّعَادٍۢ قَوْمِ هُودٍۢ

Translation - They were followed by a curse in this world, as they will be on the Day of Judgment. Surely ’Âd denied their Lord. So away with ’Âd, the people of Hûd.

Al-Mu’akhkhir – The Postponer / Delayer

Apart from punishing the disbelievers, sometimes, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ tests His believers as well by holding back or postponing something such as prosperity and children. These are the trials and tests of the pious and righteous people, including the Prophets. Verse 155 of Surah Al-Baqarah explains it. 

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

Translation - We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure

But here a Divine Principle prevails; Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ never puts a burden on one’s shoulders, which he is not capable of catering to, as explained in the last (286th) verse of the Surah Al-Baqarah.

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا ٱكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ رَبَّنَا

Translation - Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford. All good will be for its benefit, and all evil will be to its own loss

So, the people are tested for their belief in Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ by way of delaying or holding back some of their needs such as marriages and children and other necessities of life. 

Significance Of Al-Mu’akhkhir

The name Al-Mu’akhkhir reflects the unique and un-paralleled Authority of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ of being capable of pushing back someone in the ranks or holding back or delaying some essential things from the believers to test their level of trust in Him. When recited together, this name, along with the previous name Al-Muqaddim, the Majesty and Almightiness of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, can be better understood. Being Al-Mu’akhkhir, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ downgrades the ranks of the disbelievers and, at the same time, tests those who have a firm belief in Him. Hence these two attributes of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ are the main source of strengthening one’s trust on the Ultimate Authority and Power of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ.

Like all the 99 names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, reciting the name Al-Mu’akhkhir, is quite beneficial. It should be recited frequently, without any restriction of time and frequency. Reciting it specifically after every prayer is very helpful in strengthening one’s Imaan (faith). It is also specifically beneficial for the reciters, in difficult times such as delays in the provision of some necessities of life, believing that this is a test of our Imaan (faith) by Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ.

Reciting the beautiful names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is a type of Zikr. Hence reciting any of the 99 names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is not restricted to a particular time. While it is even better to recite all the 99 names in a sequence, reciting one name, such as Al-Mu’akhkhir, is equally well-rewarded by Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. The scholars, however, suggest that reciting it after the regular prayers, along with other names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, might be more beneficial.

There is no restriction on when or how many times to recite this name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. However, per the traditions, it is believed that reciting Al-Mu’akhkhir 857 times a day, especially after the regular prayer, carries huge rewards and benefits, especially its impact on the reciter to develop a sense of repentance.

Incorporating the Name Al-Mu’akhkhir into Daily Life

Each of the 99 names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ has its unique importance and impact on our routine life. Every name bears a variety of attributes of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, and collectively, all these cover almost all aspects of our lives. Hence, reciting them collectively or individually will impact our life and faith. Reciting Al-Mu’akhkhir positively impacts one's faith, especially in times of difficulties and lack of some necessities of life such as delay in marriage, delay in getting children, or deficiency in the provision of Rizq.

Al-Mu’akhkhir - Naming Children 

As a popular custom, Muslims like to name their children after one of the beautiful names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, but it needs to be done carefully. We should use Allah’s name by adding the word Abd, such as Abdur Rehman or Abdul Raheem, which means the servant of Rehman or Servant of Raheem. It is a better practice that reflects our reverence for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Naming a child after any of the names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ will have an impact on his life and faith. The traits of the names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ have to reflect in the life pattern of the child. 

Names of Allah with the Same Meaning as Al-Mu’akhkhir

Al-Mu’akhkhir along with Al-Muqaddim indicate the ultimate Authority and Majesty of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Some other names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ  have be same attributes, such Al-Qadir, Al-Muqtadir, Al-Awwal, Al-Aakhir, Malik-al-Mulk and Dhu-al-Jalal wa-al-Ikram. All these names describe the Almightiness and Majesty of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَى.  

More Mentions from the Quran & Hadith About Al-Mu’akhkhir

The word Al-Mu’akhkhir is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran. However, its implied meanings can be found in some of the verses. The concept of Muqaddim and Mu’akkhir is described in the 13th Verse of Surah Al-Qiyamah:

يُنَبَّؤُا۟ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بِمَا قَدَّمَ وَأَخَّرَ

Translation - All will then be informed of what they have sent forth and left behind.

Similarly, the Authority of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, being Al-Mu’akhkhir is elaborated in the 14th verse of Surah Al-Ankaboot, while narrating the historic event of flood of Prophet Nuh عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. This is a perfect example of how Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ pushes back the wrongdoers, where the wife and son of the Prophet had to face the consequences:

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًۭا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ

Translation - Indeed, We sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them for a thousand years, less fifty. Then the Flood overtook them, while they persisted in wrongdoing.

The same event is also narrated in the 43rd verse of Surah Hud, about the son of Prophet Nuh عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ again emphasizing that wrongdoers will be pushed back and punished:

قَالَ سَـَٔاوِىٓ إِلَىٰ جَبَلٍۢ يَعْصِمُنِى مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ ۚ قَالَ لَا عَاصِمَ ٱلْيَوْمَ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ۚ وَحَالَ بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلْمَوْجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُغْرَقِينَ

Translation - He replied, “I will take refuge on a mountain, which will protect me from the water.” Noah cried, “Today no one is protected from Allah’s decree except those to whom He shows mercy!” And the waves came between them, and his son was among the drowned.

The concept of Muqaddim and Mu’akhkhir is explained in the Hadith 1120 of Sahih Al-Bukhari:

قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَتَهَجَّدُ قَالَ ‏"‏ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَقٌّ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ـ أَوْ لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ ـ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ سُفْيَانُ وَزَادَ عَبْدُ الْكَرِيمِ أَبُو أُمَيَّةَ ‏"‏ وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ سُفْيَانُ قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي مُسْلِمٍ سَمِعَهُ مِنْ طَاوُسٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏

Translation - When the Prophet (ﷺ) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say: Allahumma lakal-hamd. Anta qaiyyimus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, Laka mulkus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, anta nurus-samawati wal-ard. Wa lakal-hamd, anta-l-haq wa wa'duka-lhaq, wa liqa'uka Haq, wa qauluka Haq, wal-jannatu Han wan-naru Haq wannabiyuna Haq. Wa Muhammadun, sallal-lahu'alaihi wasallam, Haq, was-sa'atu Haq. Allahumma aslamtu Laka wabika amantu, wa 'Alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu faghfir li ma qaddamtu wama akh-khartu wama as-rartu wama'a lantu, anta-l-muqaddim wa anta-l-mu akh-khir, la ilaha illa anta (or la ilaha ghairuka). (O Allah! All the praises are for you, You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth And all the praises are for You; You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth; And all the praises are for You; You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, And to meet You is true, Your Word is the truth And Paradise is true And Hell is true And all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) are true; And Muhammad is true, And the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah ! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You. And repent to You, And with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) And I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous And future sins; And whatever I concealed or revealed And You are the One who make (some people) forward And (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but you . Sufyan said that `Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to the above, 'Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah' (There is neither might nor power except with Allah).

Another Hadith quoted in Sahih Al-Muslim at serial number 1017e explains the virtues of good deeds:

مَنْ سَنَّ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ سُنَّةً حَسَنَةً فَعُمِلَ بِهَا بَعْدَهُ كُتِبَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا وَلاَ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَىْءٌ وَمَنْ سَنَّ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ سُنَّةً سَيِّئَةً فَعُمِلَ بِهَا بَعْدَهُ كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِ مِثْلُ وِزْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا وَلاَ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَوْزَارِهِمْ شَىْءٌ ‏"‏

Translation - He who introduced some good practice in Islam which was followed after him (by people) he would be assured of reward like one who followed it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who introduced some evil practice in Islam which had been followed subsequently (by others), he would be required to bear the burden like that of one who followed this (evil practice) without their's being diminished in any respect.