Nigerian outlet publishes sermon on the names of Allah — Premium Times Nigeria

Nigerian Premium Times Nigeria published a Friday sermon by Murtadha Gusau on the names of Allah: Al-Khafid, the One Who lowers, and Ar-Rafi, the One Who elevates. The author explains them as manifestations of Allah's power over people's honor, position, wealth, and status.

In the text, Gusau states that changes in life, successes, and hardships occur by the will of Allah. He urges people who have power or success to avoid arrogance, and believers going through difficult times to remember divine wisdom. In the author's view, lasting and genuine elevation is connected with faith, humility, righteous deeds, and acquiring beneficial knowledge.

Names of time and order

A separate section of the sermon is devoted to the names Al-Muqaddim, the One Who brings forward, and Al-Mu'akhkhir, the One Who delays. The author notes that in Islamic tradition these names are considered together, as they concern order, time, and precedence. According to his explanation, the delay of a certain event does not necessarily mean denial: it may be perceived as protection, preparation, or mercy until the proper time arrives.

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Gusau refers to the Quran and hadiths, in particular to the prayers of the Prophet Muhammad, in which Al-Muqaddim and Al-Mu'akhkhir are mentioned. The sermon also says that a person can neither bring forward the term of life appointed for them nor postpone it.

Reward and punishment

The author writes that full reward or punishment may be deferred until the Day of Judgment. He cites Quranic passages on the postponement of punishment for the unrighteous, as well as a narration in which injustice, disobedience to parents, and severing family ties are named as acts for which punishment may come during one's lifetime.

At the end of the accessible part of the text, Gusau calls on believers to direct their requests primarily to Allah and to give preference to religious revelation over their own views and reasoning.