Al-Qahhar

Al-Qahhar (The Subduer) Details

Definition/Meaning of Al-Qahar

Al-Qahhar comes from the root qaf-ha-ra (ق ه ر). The classical Arabic connotations of these letters are to dominate, subdue, compel, overcome, overpower, and so on.

The name ‘Al-Qahhar’ literally means ‘he Subduer.’ It denotes the attribute of the One who has subdued all. The whole creation is humbled before Him and submits to His Will, Strength, and Grandeur.

This name reminds us that Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) strength surpasses any other. He holds absolute sway, authority, and sovereignty over His creation. The enemies of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) can never stand a chance, as He can easily humiliate and defeat them whenever He pleases.  

It’s important to note here that everything is eventually measured in terms of eternity. In the limited worldview we have today, it might sometimes seem like the kuffar are winning battles and overpowering Muslims in every way. As time goes on, though, it will be evident who gains and who loses. 

This name always comes with the attribute ‘Al-Wahid’ attached when mentioned in the Holy Quran. Someone like a king or president is also powerful, but their position cannot be compared to that of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in any way. Their power is based on the support of their army or citizens. Even the strongest empire sees a downfall after some time. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), however, is immune to these changes. His Power remains regardless of time, land, or people. 

Here are some Quranic instances where the names ‘Al-Qahhar’ and ‘Al-Wahid’ are paired: 

قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ مُنذِرٞۖ وَمَا مِنۡ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ

English Translation:

"Say, [O Muhammad], 'I am only a warner, and there is not any deity except Allah, the One, the Prevailing.'" — (Qur'an 38:65)

يَٰصَٰحِبَيِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابٞ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ

English Translation:

"O [my] two companions of prison, are separate lords better or Allah, the One, the Prevailing?" — (Qur'an 12:39)

Significance of Al-Qahhar

We can understand the importance of the name ‘Al-Qahhar’ in several ways. For one, any human with an attribute like this will probably be tyrant-like and cruel to his subjects. However, when we say that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ sَتَعَالَى) has this attribute, it also means that Al-Qahhar is the Most Wise and the All-Knowing. While He does have the power to subdue anyone and anything, He will not do anything unjust. 

Moreover, we should understand that Allah is reminding us that He can subdue the tyrants of the world at any point. That He chooses not to do so yet is part of His infinite wisdom. As he is All-Merciful, He will give even tyrants some chances to repent and turn to the straight path.  

Where to Use This Name

We can use this name while making our daily duas or when we want more inner peace. Reciting it frequently may also help us attain the right place in our lives if Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) wills.

How Many Times to Read the Name

The name ‘Al-Qahhar’ is mentioned 6 times in the Quran. According to certain sources, the recommended dhikr count for this name is 1100. However, we can recite it as many times as we want. If someone wants to include the invocation of Al-Qahhar in their daily routine, they can decide to do so after their daily prayers or at a certain point of the day.  

Incorporating the Name into Daily Life

The name ‘Al-Qahhar’ might be one that strikes fear into the heart of the believer. However, we should not use fear as a tool of remembrance when talking to little children about Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). When discussing this name with them or even among adults, we should remember that Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) attributes also include mercury, kindness, and justice. 

We can also talk about how to emulate attributes that are similar to Al-Qahhar. Al-Ghazali gives his counsel here and says that the main thing we have to subdue is the nafs, or a person's own internal passions. If we can conquer and subdue this part, the lurings of Satan will become easy to overcome. 

Naming Children After This Name

There are certain Names of Allah that are only exclusively for Him. Al-Qahhar is one of these names, as it denotes an absolute quality. If someone wants their child to have a name similar to the meaning of Al-Qahhar, they can choose the name Abdul Qahhar. 

Names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) with the same meaning as Al-Qahhar

The name ‘Al-Qahir’ has the same Arabic root letters as ‘Al-Qahhar’. ‘Al-Qahir’ is the base form of the attribute, meaning ‘The Irresistible.’ 

‘Al-Qahhar,’ though, has a more empathic meaning. It points us to the all-prevailing and all-overpowering. Al-Qahar is mentioned 6 times in the Holy Quran, while Al-Qahir is mentioned only twice. These instances are in verses 18 and 61 of Surah al-An’am. 

Another name that is somewhat similar in meaning is ‘Al-Wahid’. This name is paired with ‘Al-Qahhar’ in the Quran. With this pairing, we get an idea of the extent of Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) power, along with being the Subduer and the One who has power over everything. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) also possesses these attributes independently of anyone else. 

More Mentions from The Quran & Hadith about Al-Qahhar

قُلۡ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ قُلِ ٱللَّهُۚ قُلۡ أَفَٱتَّخَذۡتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوۡلِيَآءَ لَا يَمۡلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمۡ نَفۡعٗا وَلَا ضَرّٗاۚ قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِي ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ وَٱلۡبَصِيرُ أَمۡ هَلۡ تَسۡتَوِي ٱلظُّلُمَٰتُ وَٱلنُّورُۗ أَمۡ جَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ خَلَقُواْ كَخَلۡقِهِۦ فَتَشَٰبَهَ ٱلۡخَلۡقُ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ خَٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّـٰرُ

English Translation:

Say, “Who is Lord of the heavens and earth?” Say, “Allah.” Say, “Have you then taken besides Him allies not possessing [even] for themselves any benefit or any harm?” Say, “Is the blind equivalent to the seeing? Or is darkness equivalent to light? Or have they attributed to Allah partners who created like His creation so that the creation [of each] seemed similar to them?” Say, “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Prevailing.”— (Qur'an 13:16)

يَوۡمَ تُبَدَّلُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُۖ وَبَرَزُواْ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡوَٰحِدِ ٱلۡقَهَّارِ

English Translation:

"[It will be] on the Day the earth will be replaced by another earth, and the heavens [as well], and all creatures will come out before Allah, the One, the Prevailing."— (Qur'an 14:48)

لَّوۡ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدٗا لَّٱصۡطَفَىٰ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥۖ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ

English Translation:

"If Allah had intended to take a son, He could have chosen from what He creates whatever He willed. Exalted is He; He is Allah, the One, the Prevailing."— (Qur'an 39:4)

يَوۡمَ هُم بَٰرِزُونَۖ لَا يَخۡفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِنۡهُمۡ شَيۡءٞۚ لِّمَنِ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَۖ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡوَٰحِدِ ٱلۡقَهَّارِ

English Translation:

"The Day they come forth nothing concerning them will be concealed from Allah. To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allah, the One, the Prevailing."— (Qur'an 40:16)

Reflection:

In using this beautiful name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ in your supplication, you can have the assurance that the most powerful is with you. If Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is with you, just as He was with Prophet Musa (as) when he stood against Firawn, or when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was being persecuted by the Meccans, or when Prophet Dawud (as) fought and won the battle against Jalut, then nothing can overpower you. "If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you" (Qur'an 3:160)

Mentions of Al-Qahhar in the Hadith

There is at least one direct mention of the name Al-Qahhar in the reported Hadith we have today. It is included in the following dua narrated by the Prophet ﷺ: 

لا إِلـهَ إِلاّ اللهُ الـواحِدُ القَهّـار رَبُّ السَّـمواتِ وَالأرْضِ وَما بَيْـنَهـما العَزيـزُ الغَـفّار

"There is none worthy of worship but Allah, the One, the Victorious, Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving." [Hisn al-Muslim 112]