Allah is wise and He knows everything about each creature before its existence.

The Grand Imam warns against falling into the ideas of those who deny the Prophet's Sunnah.

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, explained and analyzed the name of Allah Almighty, “Al-Hakeem” (the All-Wise) reviewing its connotations in the Quran and Sunnah. He explained that the name “Al-Hakeem” is mentioned in the Holy Quran 42 times, coupled with other names such as: “Al-Azeez” (The Almighty), “Al-Aleem” (The All-Knowing), and “Al-Khabir” (The All-Aware) as in the Almighty’s saying: “And He is the Almighty, All-Wise” (Quran 14:4). He pointed out that Muslims agreed on the confirmation of this name for Almighty Allah, because it was mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah, citing the hadith of Abu Hurairah - may Allah be pleased with him - regarding the beautiful names.

During his speech today in the nineteenth episode of his Ramadan TV program “Imam Al-Tayyeb,” the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar touched on the story of the companion “Shuraih ibn Hani,” who was nicknamed “Abu Al-Hakam” by his people because of his well-known wisdom in resolving disputes. He said: “When the Prophet [PBUH] learned of this, he forbade him from using this nickname, out of concern for the limits of revelation, saying, “Allah is Al-Hakam (the Ultimate Judge) and to Him belongs all judgement,” explaining that this name is only appropriate for Almighty Allah.

In detailing the meanings of “wisdom,” the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar explained that it carries 15 meanings, the most prominent of which are: “reason, knowledge with action, the Quran and the Sunnah.” He warned against rallying behind the ideas of the “Quranists” who deny the Prophetic Sunnah. He explained that wisdom may mean the “concise, comprehensive, linguistic expression” that was given to the Prophet [PBUH].

His Eminence also highlighted the linguistic aspect of the name “Al-Hakeem” (in the form of “Fa’eel”), noting that it carries two meanings: “the Ruler,” and the “the Perfect,” that is, the One who perfects His creation, which is evident in the perfection and precise estimation of the universe.

In response to the question: Why did Allah create insects? His Eminence addressed the issue that we may not know the wisdom behind creating some beings, saying: “If we interpret the All-Wise as the All-Knowing, then He knows the details of every creature before its existence, and His will is to assign certain attributes to it.” He added: “Allah’s wisdom in creation transcends our comprehension; the Divine will chooses for each creature what is appropriate for it within the perfect system of the universe, and wisdom is not limited to outward beauty.”