Comprehending AS-SAMĪʿ (السميع)
Comprehensive Definition
As-Samīʿ (السميع) translates to “The All-Hearing,” one of the ninety-nine names (Asma ul-Husna) of Allah in Islamic tradition. As-Samīʿ epitomizes Allah’s attributes of omnipresence and omniscience, signifying that nothing, whether whispered or thought, escapes His divine hearing.
Etymology
The term As-Samīʿ derives from the Arabic root سَمِعَ (s-m-ʿ), which means “to hear.” The form of this root emphasizes both the action of hearing and the inclination to carefully listen.
Background and Significance
As-Samīʿ appears numerous times in the Qur’ān, highlighting the belief that Allah hears all prayers, supplications, and secrets of the heart. This attribute assures believers that their calls to Allah never go unheard and guides them towards mindful and sincere worship.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
In different Islamic cultures, the concept of As-Samīʿ influences various customs, such as the practice of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and daily prayers. The notion of a divine being who hears all lips more deeply affirms the sanctity and importance of every spoken and unspoken word within these communities.
Similarities:
- Like Christianity’s omniscient God, who hears all prayers and confessions, As-Samīʿ represents a divine listening ear.
- Hinduism also carries a conviction in deities who listen to human prayers and desires, reflecting a universal theme of divine attentiveness.
Differences:
- In Islamic practice, the emphasis on consistent invocation and the structure of daily prayers underscores a more regimented approach to divine listening.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms:
- All-Hearing
- Omniscient Listener
- The Divine Hearer
Antonyms:
- Al-Ghafir (الغفار, The Forgiver)
- As-Ṣām (الصم, The Deaf - noted as an antonym for conceptual understanding only as it is not an attribute of Allah)
Related Terms with Definitions
- Al-Baṣīr (البصير): The All-Seeing, another divine attribute emphasizing Allah’s omnipresence in visual perception.
- As-Ṣabūr (الصبور): The Patient, indicating Allah’s attribute of profound patience regarding human actions.
- Asma ul-Husna (أسماء الحسنى): The Beautiful Names of Allah, referring to the ninety-nine names and attributes that describe His perfection.
Exciting Facts
- Kinder whispers and respectful tones are often encouraged among Muslims due to the internalized belief that Allah, The All-Hearing, is ever-attentive.
- In Sufism, invoking the name As-Samīʿ during meditation and prayer is thought to draw believers closer to an intimate, spiritual awareness of Allah’s presence.
Quotations from Notable Writers
“Allah has given us the name As-Samīʿ — a reminder that even when the world is deaf to our pleas, we are heard by Him who knows all sound.” —Rumi
Suggested Literature and Further Studies
- “The Ninety-Nine Names of Allah” by Sheikh Tosun Bayrak al-Jerrahi al-Halveti
- “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
- “Islamic Theology and the Nature of God” by Oliver Leaman
Inspirational Farewell
Embark on your spiritual journey more profoundly, remembering that every soul’s whisper and fear is heard by As-Samīʿ. Know that divine attentiveness is unlimited — you’re always within the listening presence of the All-Hearing.
