Az-Zahir
Allah is Az-Zaahir, The One who is evident and conspicuous. He made himself evident without being visible. The very essence and attributes are shown through all his creation.
From the root z-h-r which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be visible, manifest, obvious, clear, distinct to open, to come out, to cause to appear after being concealed to be conspicuous, distinct to ascend, mount, have higher status to have the upper hand, subdue, overcome to endorse, help, aid, support others, render superior
He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing. (Quran 57:3)
We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness? (Quran 41:53)
It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although they who associate others with Allah dislike it. (Quran 9:33)
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Name: |
Az-Zahir |
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Az-Zahir in Arabic |
ٱلْظَّاهِرُ |
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Arabic root |
(ظ ه ر) |
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Az-Zahir meaning in English |
The Conspicuous, The Evident, The Outward |
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Az-Zahir meaning in Urdu |
ظاہر |
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Appearance in the Quran |
3 times |
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Tasbeeh |
The one who recites this name 15 times after the jummah prayer, the heart will be enlightened with the divine light. |
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Asma ul Husna with similar meaning: |
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The meaning of Az-Zahir is the one that manifests and is visible. Ten forms are derived from the same root as Zahir, and these forms have varying meanings such as apparent, being in support, and making something prevail. However, five meanings can be derived from Az-Zahir. The first meaning that is inferred is evident. The second meaning is something out in the open or comes out. The meaning of Az-Zahir that can be inferred is to be at an elevated status. The fourth meaning that is inferred is to overcome and lastly, it is to endorse and help others.
Az-Zahir is the opposite of the name Al-Batin, which means hidden and concealed. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is Az-Zahir not because we can see Him but to us, He is visible through the signs in the universe and even in our being. He is the Supreme and, above all, He has created. Everything is below him, and He is the most elevated and can help us as no one else can. We can survive through His aid to us; there is nothing that we have the power over, but it is only through Him that we have the power and strength.
Az-Zahir's meaning that one can infer is the One who is transcendent over every realm and that His presence is Predominant over the entire world. His knowledge of what exists and what is unseen, what is before us, and what will follow is a sign that Allah's existence is evident and He is All-Aware. The world reflects the facts and laws we can not fathom when He is the Sole Creator of the world we can see and what we can't see. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) testifies that He is Az-Zahir in the verse “He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing” (Quran 57:3).
Az-Zahir means the one that manifests Himself, but that is not in a physical form. It is a fact that the creation will not be able to see their Lord in this world in a physical dimension, but His existence is manifested through the workings of this universe. He is everywhere around us, but only in the Hereafter will the righteous believers be able to see him.
Ata bn As-Sa’ib narrated from His father the supplication that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made in which he said, “I ask You for the sweetness of looking upon Your face and a longing to meet You in a manner that does not entail a calamity that will bring about harm or a trial that will cause deviation” (Sunan an-Nasa'i 1305).
Allah's existence is obscure to the minds if one fails to understand the signs of Allah's presence. His light encompasses all, and those who do not believe are the ones who stay unaware of the way He manifests himself. The verse of the Quran, "Indeed, it is not the eyes that are blind, but it is the hearts in the chests that grow blind” (Quran 22:46), can be understood in this context that one truly knows with the conviction that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) Manifests in this world. We cannot see him in our sight, but everything that there is, our being, and His decree are evidence of his presence.
The four names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that are mentioned together as pairs of opposite meanings are Az-Zahir and Al-Batin similarly to Al-Awwal and Al-Akhir. No name has the same meaning as Az-Zahir among the names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), but the ones that can be mentioned in a similar context are Al-Aleem, which means the All-Knowing, Ar-Raqeeb meaning the Watchful and As-Shaheed which means the All and Ever Witnessing.
The name Az-Zahir is paired with the name Al-Batin. Az-Zahir means evident, and Al-Batin means hidden. Although the occurrence of these names together seems contradictory, they are not. An interpretation of these names is that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is manifested through the existence of these laws of nature and even through the mere existence of a human being, but He is hidden in plain sight.
He is Present and apparent in all these creations, such as the stars, moon, sky, and seas, but He is hidden from us, for we do not know how these things truly came about. He is looking at us and witnessing all that is apparent, and all that is unknown.
The verse of Surah Fussilat “We will show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that this is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is a Witness over all things?” (Quran 41:53) signifies that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) manifests Himself both internally and externally. Internally through the human soul and secrets of the universe and outwardly through the nature and physical existence of these wonders and marvels of the skies and the stars.
Allah's name, Az-Zahir, reflects on the clarity and the truth that Allah's existence is as it is through His signs that we know him. the laws of nature are unambiguous symbols of Allah's Exalted existence. His books, messengers, and angels are all sources of truth and light that guide us in the direction of our Creator. The verse "We have revealed to you the Book as an explanation of all things, a guide, a mercy, and good news for those who submit" (Quran 16:89) also emphasizes that Allah's books are a sign of His manifestation in this world.