sovereignty, encompassing the attributes of grandeur, majesty, overwhelming power, and governance. He has absolute authority over creation, command, and recompense1.
To Him belongs everything in the higher and lower worlds; all are His servants, owned by Him and utterly dependent on Him2. He commands and forbids, bestows honor and abases, directs His servants’ affairs as He loves, and changes their circumstances as He wills. By virtue of His sovereignty, He rightfully possesses such beautiful names as the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supremely Proud, the Judge, the Just, the Abaser, the Exalter, the Bestower of Honor, the Humiliator, the Magnificent, the Majestic, the Supremely Great, the Reckoner, the Glorious, the Ruler, the Most Exalted, the Owner of All Sovereignty, the One with Absolute Power, the Gatherer, and other names relating to sovereignty3.
77 - The Withholder4: (the Giver, the Withholder)
He, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The Giver, the Withholder: these are among the paired names with contrasting meanings. Allah should only be praised by each of them together with its counterpart, for absolute perfection lies in the combination of the two attributes5.
He is the Giver, the Withholder: none can withhold what He gives, and none can give what He withholds. Every good and benefit is therefore sought from Him, and to Him one turns in longing for them. He grants them to whomever He wills and withholds them from whomever He wills, in accordance with His wisdom and mercy”6.
78 - The Originator: (the Originator – the Restorer)