Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, said that Al-Wahhāb (The Absolute Bestower) is one of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah, which is mentioned in the Noble Qur’an many times. In one verse we read: “Grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower” (Qur’an, 3:8). In another, we read: “Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?” (Qur’an, 38:9). In a third, we read: “He said, "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower”, (Qur’an, 38:35). His Eminence indicated that Al-Wahhāb is derived from hibah (gift), the root being to give. When you give someone a gift, you give it for nothing in return. 

During the seventeenth episode of his Ramadan program, Grand Imam At-Tayyeb Talk, His Eminence stressed that the name Al-Wahhāb can be ascribed to none but Allah, Exalted be He, because He is the One who bestows without waiting for anything in return. On the other hand, all others give and wait for something in return, especially if they give money, and this is not surprising as money is mentioned before children in more than one place in the Qur’an. The Almighty says, “Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life” (Qur’an, 18:46). He also mentions “the ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives …” (Qur’an, 9:20). Therefore, whoever gives must wait for something in return for his giving, and it is difficult for him to give without anything in return.

The Grand Imam added that according to Sharia, it is not permissible to give the name Al-Wahhāb to humans because their nature cannot accept giving anything with something in return. When humans give in advance, they wait for the price to be paid later. The happiness you feel when you see your children growing is the reward you have expected. He explained that what you give to your children cannot be considered gifts because you give them in order for you to rejoice and be happy; this happiness is what you have paid for in advance. His Eminence pointed out that everyone gives while waiting for something in return except for Al-Wahhāb, Glory be to Him. He is the only One who bestows without being asked or waiting for anything in return.

The Grand Imam indicated that the divine act is without compensation, and it is general, so it is not specific to some human beings other than others. It also includes every being to which sustenance is sent wherever it may be. He explained that Allah’s giving is unlimited and uninterrupted. In addition, Allah Almighty gives even without being asked. Therefore, Allah, Glorified be He, deserves to be praised by all creatures. When the Prophet (pbuh) wore something new, he would say, “Praise be to Allah Who has dressed me with this (garment) and provided it for me, though I was powerless and incapable. O Allah, dress me in the garments of Paradise.” Then, he would give his old garment to the needy.

Look at what a weak virus like the Coronavirus did to the global economy! Were it any stronger, life would be over on Earth. Humans are helpless without Allah’s power as the Prophet (pbuh) mentioned in the above-mentioned hadith.

 

As for the forms of giving that Allah Almighty bestows on His servants, they fall into two categories The first results in blessings such as wealth, offspring, knowledge, power, etc. His name Al-Wahhāb, completely applies to these gifts. The Second type of Allah’s acts apparently cause His servants pain, which they hate or dislike including sickness, poverty, pain, sadness, etc. We cannot say that they are blessings in the same way we talk about wealth, health or children; in fact they are tests or afflictions.