🔍 Exploring AL-BĀRĪʾ (البارىء): The Maker in Islam
Definition & Etymology:
- AL-BĀRĪʾ (البارىء): Signifying “The Maker” in Arabic.
- Originates from the root ب-ر-أ (bā-ra-hamza), implying to create without precedent.
Qurʾānic Reference: In the Qurʾān, Sūrah Al-Hashr (59:24) we read:
“He is God, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. His are the excellent names.”
Background: AL-BĀRĪʾ (البارىء) is one of the 99 names of Allah, known as Al-Asmāʾ al-Ḥusnā, reflecting His role as the originator of creation and shaping the universe without any model or example. This divine name encapsulates Allah’s ability to create and design all that exists, from the microscopic organisms to the vast galaxies, reflecting His infinite wisdom and power.
Cultural Differences & Similarities: In comparative theology, the concept of a divine maker is seen across various cultures:
- Christianity: God as the Creator in Genesis.
- Judaism: Similar to the Christian concept with the acknowledgment of God as the creator.
- Hinduism: Brahma being one aspect of the Trimurti responsible for creation.
While different traditions focus on the creation aspect, AL-BĀRĪʾ specifically emphasizes creation without precedent, reinforcing the unique and singular power of Allah in Islam.
Synonyms:
- Al-Khāliq (الخالق): The Creator
- Al-Muṣawwir (المصور): The Fashioner
Antonyms:
- The concept of “non-creator” would generally be an antithetical contrast but does not have a direct one-word antonym.
Related Terms:
- Al-Asmāʾ al-Ḥusnā (الأسماء الحسنى): The 99 Beautiful Names of Allah.
- Al-Khāliq: Reflects God’s role in shaping and initiating existence.
- Tasbih: Rituals of glorifying God’s names.
Exciting Facts:
- Recitation of AL-BĀRĪʾ provides believers with comfort and relies on Allah’s order in times of confusion.
- Reflecting on AL-BĀRĪʾ promotes an understanding of the interconnectedness of all life’s components.
Quotations from Notable Writers:
- Al-Ghazali, a revered Islamic theologian, mused on Allah’s creative role, saying:
“Reflect upon Allah’s handiwork, and you shall see precision and perfection, gifts of AL-BĀRĪʾ.”
Reflection and Study
To gain a deeper understanding of AL-BĀRĪʾ, one might immerse in the following literature:
Suggested Readings:
- “The Ninety-Nine Names of Allah” by Sheikh Tosun Bayrak al-Jerrahi al-Halveti
- “Al-Ghazali’s The Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God” translated by David B. Burrell and Nazih Daher.
- “The Concept of Names and Attributes of Allah in Islam” by Mufti Menk.
Quizzes
Farewell Thought
Reflecting on AL-BĀRِ̄ʾ not only humbles us before Allah’s unparalleled creative power but also inspires us to recognize the sacred intricacies within all creation.
Farewell, inspired reader, let the essence of AL-BĀRِ̄ʾ kindle within you a continuous quest for wisdom and faith. May the understanding of The Maker’s infinite capabilities deepen your spirituality and broaden your perspective of divine completeness.
— Yusuf ibn Tariq, October 2023
