What is Al-Wahhab? Why is Allah Al-Wahhab and how is Allah Al-Wahhab?

The word Al-Wahhab is derived from the word: Wa-Ha-Ba وَهَبَ, which means to give. According to the Arabic lexicographer Ar-Raghib Al-Asfahani, Wa-Ha-Ba وَهَبَ means to give what we own and what we have to someone else in return of nothing. Al-Wahhab means that Allah SWT is generous in giving, He gives without expecting return and He gives and continues to give.

If we look at ourselves, we might not even actually exist in the first place but because of Allah Al-Wahhab, He allows us to be of existence. We might even exist as unconscious creatures, but Allah Al-Wahhab created us as human beings. We might even exist as non-believers, humans who worship idols trees and fire, but He created us as Muslims. In fact, the best hibah and the best gift is to be born as Muslims without us even asking for it.

If we look into the Qur’an, we can see that Allah is indeed Al-Wahhab. Why is that so? This is because Allah SWT gives and gives without any strings attached or reason to give. He even gives us things that our common sense would not have ever thought about.  For example, Allah Al-Wahhab grants righteous children. In Surah Sod Verse 30, Allah SWT mentions:

“وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ”

“And We blessed Daud with Sulaiman”

In Surah Al-Anbiya’ Verse 72, Allah SWT mentions:

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ

And We blessed him with Ishaq (as a son) and Yaaqub (as a grandson)

And when Prophet Zakariyya AS asked for a child, not only did Allah grant him a child but He named him Yahya. This was mentioned in Surah Al-Anbiya’ Verse 90:

“فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ”

“So We answered his prayer, granted him Yahya”

Allah Al-Wahhab does not only grant us with righteous children but He also grants us with spouses that are the comfort and joy of our eyes. And that is why we are encouraged to read the doa from Surah Al-Furqan verse 74:

“رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا”

“Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous.”

Let us reflect on the time of the Prophet Ayyub AS time when he was tested with a serious illness. What did Allah SWT say about it?

“وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُوْلِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ”

“And We gave him back his family, twice as many, as a mercy from Us and a lesson for people of reason. (Surah Sod Ayat 43)”

This means Allah Al-Wahhab replaced his loss by giving him family, children, grandchildren, which is twice as much as what he had before this.

During this pandemic, being able to sit and watch this video while breathing freely and directly from our lungs is all due to Allah Al-Wahhab granting that. There are other people fighting with respiratory support. Being able to go out for work and providing for our families is also due to the fact that Allah Al-Wahhab granted that to happen. There are others who are at total loss and are retrenched from work.

What should we do to show Allah SWT our appreciation of what He has and will be giving to us?

Firstly, we must perform worship to Allah SWT for the sake of Him. Do not do our extra worship, such as Tahajjud and Sadaqah, just because we want Him to give us something in return.

Secondly, we must be grateful to Allah SWT. Allah SWT says:

“لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ”

“If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. (Surah Ibrahim Verse 7)”

Do not ever busy ourselves with the gifts of Allah SWT until we forget The Giver. How many times have we been busy looking after our children until we are late in performing our daily prayers? How many times have we been busy spending time with our spouses that we do not have time to do our night prayers?

Thirdly, we must have redha. Redha manifests our gratitude towards Allah SWT. Sometimes, when Allah SWT grants us something, it is not because we are entitled to it, but rather it is because of His mercy and His rahmah. Sometimes he does not give us what we want and what we have been praying for because He wants to give us better opportunities that is far from Shubhah (grey areas/ambiguity).

Fourthly, be patient. We will be tested in our daily lives, we may not be given children after years of marriage, or we may be facing a failed marriage. But remember that Allah Al-Wahhab is generous in giving. He gives without expecting anything in return, and He gives and continuously gives.

Before I end, I would love to share a doa that my late father encouraged us to read it after every prayer.

“رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ”

“They say, “Our Lord! Do not let our hearts deviate after you have guided us. Grant us Your mercy. You are indeed the Giver of all bounties.”

(Surah Ali-Imran Verse 8)

Presented By: Janah Ramli