Al-Qawiyy
Allah is Al-Qawiyy, The One who commands all power and whose strength is unparallel to anything else in this universe. His strength is truly unlimited and inexhaustible. Man’s strength does not even compare to that of Allah.
From the root q-w-y which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be strong, vigorous, potent to be robust, hardy, sturdy to have sufficient strength or power to prevail over
They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. (Quran 22:74)
Allah is Subtle with His servants;
He gives provisions to whom He wills. And He is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might. (Quran 42:19)
We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messenger’s unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. (Quran 57:25)
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Name: |
Al-Qawiyy |
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Al-Qawiyy in Arabic: |
ٱلْقَوِيُّ |
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Arabic root: |
(ق و ي) |
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Al-Qawiyy meaning in English: |
The Most Strong, Perfect Power, The One with inexhaustible strength |
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Al-Qawiyy meaning in Urdu: |
کارساز |
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Appearance in the Quran: |
The root of this name occurs 42 times in the Quran |
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Tasbeeh: |
One who recites this name with the intention of not being harmed will be safe from his enemy. |
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Asma ul Husna with similar meaning: |
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Al-Qawiyy stems from the root qaaf-waw-yaa, which appears 42 times in 3 different forms in the Quran. The name Al-Qawiyy can have three meanings. The literal meaning of Al-Qawiyy is All-Powerful and the Strongest.
The word Qawiyy comes from the word quwwat, which means strength. The first meaning of Al-Qawiyy is someone with immense strength and power. The second meaning inferred from the name is someone who is Robust and tough, and the last meaning is prevalent or someone who prevails.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is Al-Qawiyy. This reflects that Allah is complete in Himself and holds inexhaustible might and power as a Creator that remains unmatched by anything in this world and beyond. His strength is unending and prevails over everything that there is.
Al-Qawiyy also reflects that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is All-Powerful at all times. This power is timeless and never needs any rest. This might and power shelter all that is in the heavens and on the earth. Power and strength are not limited to the physical entity; they are broader in terms of their understanding that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is Perfect.
Everything we see around us is a sign that there is someone with Great Power taking care of it. This is demonstrated in the following verse of Ayat ul Kursi:
“Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep" (Quran 2:255).
The significance of Al-Qawiyy as one of Allah’s names can be understood through the verse If Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely on" (Quran 3:160). The fact that there is nobody else to rely on is also evidence that it is only Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) who is ever so Powerful and carries the strength to not just aid us but everything that is there in this world.
As humans, our power over things or capability to do something is limited, and if we exercise our power in any way, we are not only paying its price but also requiring rest. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) does not need any rest, but His existence is beyond our capability of understanding. He is the Master of the universe, everything with and beyond. This is evidence of His Exalted Might and that He alone is the One capable of being the Protector and All-powerful.
It is important to understand that the name Al-Qawiyy does not talk about strength in the context of injustice or a negative manner. Al-Qawiyy is a promise in itself that all who stand up for the right and stick with the weak will find their strength from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and this is mentioned in the following verse of the Quran:
“Allah will certainly aid those who aid His (cause), for verily Allah is Strong, Mighty.” (Quran 22:40)
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has given us the attribute of power, but our power is limited and should be used for the right in this world rather than aiding in the ruins of injustice and tyranny. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) loves His people who stand for the right in this world and strive for righteous acts and justice. Standing for the path of truth and striving for righteousness requires strength, and Al-Qawiyy is our source of strength in moments of weakness.
Each name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is distinct in its meaning and represents an attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Although they have different literal meanings, most of these names occur together. The names that share a similar meaning with the name Al-Qawiyy are Al-Azeez, which means the Almighty, Al-Qahhaar, which means the Ever-Dominating, and lastly, Al-Matin, which translates to the Firm. The name Al-Matin reflects the intensity of strength that is inexhaustible and immovable. These names highlight that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the most powerful and that His power knows no bounds. His power extends beyond the world and is everlasting.
As narrated by Abu Musa and reported in Sunan Ibn Majah 3824, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) heard him say “'La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (there is no power and no strength except with Allah).' He said: 'O 'Abdullah bin Qais! Shall I not tell you of a word which is one of the treasures of Paradise?' I said: 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Say: La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no power and no strength except with Allah)'”.
This hadith signifies that Allah’s name, Al-Qawiyy, is a name we must treasure and often invoke Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) with to seek His blessings and find solace in the fact that He is powerful and can do anything He wills. The Quran testifies of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) being the Mighty in the verses
"Allah is Subtle with His servants; He gives provisions to whom He wills. And He is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.” (Quran 42:19)
and
"They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might." (Quran 22:74).
It is only Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) who has shaped the time before us, the times we are in, and what will come forth. We are nothing in front of Allah’s power, and it is truly Him whose Might and Mercy extend upon us like the vastness of the sky.