By Umm Isam
Prophet (sa) supplicated to Allah (swt): “O Allah, I ask You, as You are the Owner of praise, there is none worthy of worship but You alone, You are the Giver of all good (Al Mannaan). O Creator of the heavens and the earth, Owner of Majesty and Honour. O Living and Everlasting One.” (An Nasai)
Al-Mannaan is one of Allah’s (swt) names mentioned in the Sunnah.
Who is Al-Mannaan?
Allah (swt) is the Bestower of favours that we benefit from every second of our life. We are not even aware of the countless blessings that allow us to live so we are incapable of asking Him for them. Likewise, we are not worthy of receiving these bounties because we enjoy them while our hearts don’t realize them. Allah (swt) graciously grants favours which we are incapable of returning or even thanking Him for, to all His creation.
2 Types of Mann (Favours)
- Favours through divine actions
Al-Mannaan’s favours are countless, enormous, unmatchable , customized, and perfect in time and space. These actions include the divine decrees Al Mannaan passes by the second for the entire creation such as their birth, death, proportion, type and time of Rizq, arrival and departure of day and night, seasons, quantity of rainfall, velocity of winds, etc. Is there anything that happens in this world that is not a favour from Al Mannaan?
- Favours through divine words
Allah’s (swt) supreme favour is the Quran. The book guides us of our appropriate response in return for Allah Al-Mannaan’s favours that cannot be enumerated. It is only Allah’s (swt) right to remind His creation of His favours. If we remind others of the favours we give, this nullifies our good deeds. We have been forbidden from mentioning our gifts and generosity to others simply because we are not the owners but temporary custodians of whatever we give or share in the world.
Al-Mannaan favours the oppressed
Throughout human history, whenever a people or nation have been subjected to injustices, they and others have invoked Allah (swt) for help and relief. Allah Al-Mannaan goes a step further by not only liberating them but empowering them with lands and leadership too. When Bani Israel were enslaved, Allah Al-Mannaan granted them freedom. The Quran states: “And We wanted to confer favour upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors.” (Al Qasas 28:5)
Al Mannaan grants faith (Iman) as a favour
Iman is a special favour from Allah (swt) that should never be undermined. He grants love of Islam to the believers and hatred for disobedience and sins. The believers must never boast about their faith. Instead, they should stay humbled and submitted before Allah Al-Mannaan.
The Quran states: “They consider it a favour to you that they have accepted Islam. Say: ‘Do not consider your Islam a favour to Me. Rather, Allah has conferred favour upon you that He has guided you to faith, if you should be truthful.’” (Al Hujuraat 49:17)
Al-Mannaan sent messengers as a favour
It was Allah’s (swt) favour that He sent a series of messengers to teach, purify, inspire and guide believers to the right path so they could earn rewards and deserve Allah’s (swt) Mercy.
The Quran states: “Certainly did Allah confer (great) favour upon the believers when He sent among them a messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book (Quran) and wisdom although they had been before in manifest error.” (Aal-e-Imran 3:164)
Al-Mannaan’s favours upon His prophets
Two examples are being cited here. When Firawn was killing the male infants of Bani Israel, Al Mannaan guided Prophet Musa’s (as) mother to save his life. It is mentioned in the Quran: “And We had already conferred favour upon you another time, when We inspired to your mother what We inspired, (saying), ‘Cast him into the chest and cast it into the river.’” (Taha 20:37)
Similarly Al Mannaan saved Prophet Yusuf (as) from the treacherous tricks of his brothers and the minister’s wife. Al Mannaan finally united him with his family and honoured him with a high position.
“They said: ‘Are you indeed Joseph?’ He said, ‘I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly favoured us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.’” (Yusuf 12:90)
Al Mannaan made evil distinct from goodness as a favour
Allah (swt), Al-Mannaan, protects the believers from self-destructive decisions based on desires. He presents examples of the doomed end of the sinful and heedless creations for the believer’s guidance.
The Quran states: “So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said: ‘Oh would that we had like what was given to Qarun. Indeed, he is one of great fortune.’ But those who had been given knowledge said: ‘Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient.’” (Al Qasas 28:79-80)
Al-Mannaan protects against the Hell as a favour
What will be Allah’s (swt) favours upon people of Paradise? There will be enormous favours for them in the hereafter. When they meet each other in Jannah, they will discuss their lives in the world. The believers will admit their fear of displeasing Allah (swt) and earning His wrath.
The Quran states: “And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other. They will say, ‘Indeed we were previously among our people fearful (of displeasing Allah). So Allah conferred favour upon us and protected us from the punishment of the scorching fire.’” (At Tur 52:25-28)
What should we do after knowing Al-Mannaan?
- Believe that favours only reach us by Al Mannaan’s Will.
- Be grateful to Al Mannaan for considering us for His perfect gifts.
- Schedule our day so we have the time to pause and humbly reflect upon Al Mannaan’s enormous and multiple favours.
- Only remember good times and thank Al Mannaan- avoid unpleasant reminisces, grieving over the past or gossiping.
- When others grant us favours, thank them and realize it’s Al Mannaan’s blessing reaching us.
- When Al Mannaan chooses us to confer favours upon others, do not be arrogant.
- Never expect favours to be returned, others to be obliged towards us or complain when they don’t thank us enough.
- When we witness others receiving favours from Al Mannaan, do not be envious but make Dua for them and ourselves.
- Always be a giver, like the universe.
Remember that individuals who mention their favours to others will not enter Jannah.
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