in its verbal forms, sammaytu (“I named”), not wasamtu (“I marked”); its plural is asmā’, not awsām; and its diminutive is sumayy, not wusaym. The one bearing the name is called musammā (“named”), not mawsūm (“marked”). This meaning is more specific.

“For elevation goes hand in hand with being manifest.” The higher a thing is, the more manifest it is, and each of these meanings implies the other. An example is the Prophet’s saying, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in an authentic hadith:

“You are the Manifest, and nothing is above You.”

He did not say, “Nothing is more manifest than You,” because being manifest here implies elevation and being above. Thus he said, “Nothing is above You.”

Another example is His saying:

“They could not scale it,”

meaning rise above it. Likewise, one says that the preacher “rose upon the pulpit” when he ascends it. A great mountain is called an ‘alam (landmark), because its height and prominence make it recognizable and enable other things to be located by it. Allah Most High says:

“And among His signs are the ships sailing through the sea like mountains.”

Similarly, a raised banner marking the location of the commander and the armies is called an ‘alam. So too is a distinctive marking on a garment, because it stands out. Likewise, a cock’s comb and lofty mountain heights are called a‘rāf, because their height makes them recognizable.

Thus, a name makes the one named manifest and raises his profile. Hence, concerning the person to be named, one says, “Name him,” meaning: make him manifest and raise him—that is, raise his mention through the name by which he is mentioned. Yet a person may be mentioned in terms of praise or in terms of blame. Allah Most High says:

“And We granted them a lofty reputation of honour.”

And He says:

“And We raised high your renown.”

And He says:

“And We left for him among later generations,”

“Peace be upon Noah among all peoples.”

Concerning blameworthy mention, He says:

“And We caused a curse to follow them in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be among the despised.”

Allah Most High also says:

“We recount to you some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh.”

Both, then, became widely known; but one is a leader in good and the other a leader in evil.