As-Samad
From Allah’s beautiful names (Al-Asma’ Al-Husna): ٱلصَّمَدُ
Alhamdulillah, praise to Allah.
As-Samad: He is the perfect Lord, the supreme Master, who possesses every attribute of perfection in its utmost completeness—so much so that creation cannot fully grasp even a fraction of these attributes with their hearts, nor can their tongues adequately describe them. He is the One to whom all praise is directed, the One sought in all needs and adversities: “ Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He is (engaged) in some affair (such as giving honour or disgrace to some, life or death to some, etc.)! ” (Ar-Rahman 55:29).
He is inherently self-sufficient, while all of creation is inherently dependent upon Him—for their existence, their provision, and their sustenance in every conceivable way. Not a single entity possesses the slightest independence from Him in any state or circumstance.
Thus, “As-Samad” is the One to whom all turn, the One sought for every need—due to His perfection, generosity, boundless giving, and grace.1
”As-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He is the One to Whom all of creation turns for all of their needs, for He is in and of Himself absolutely perfect, in His Names and Attributes and Deeds.”2
- Bahjat Qulub al-Abrar, Shaykh al-Sa‘di, p. 255, Arabic↩
- Some of the Names of Allah and their meanings↩
