Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner)
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “If you consider what Allah Almighty calls His servants, in the Qur’an, to think about, you will find that He commands them to know about His Oneness and His perfect and magnificent attributes.”
Verily, the book of the universe contains many lessons and signs scattered here and there for those who have minds and intellects whereby they look and contemplate.
We will pause here with Allah’s name “Al-Musawwir”:
Allah Almighty says:
{He is Allah, the Creator, the Initiator, the Fashioner...}
[Surat al-Hashr: 24]
It is our Almighty Lord Who fashioned everything He created in the way He willed and gave certain forms and distinct appearance to every created being, different, diverse, and plentiful as they are. He fashioned each form as He willed.
{In whatever form He willed, He has assembled you.}
[Surat al-Infitār: 8]
Our Lord, Exalted be He, is the One Who proportioned His created beings and gave them such forms and appearances that accord with His estimation, knowledge, and mercy, and which suit the interests and benefits of the creation. So, they come into existence with different and diverse forms and shapes, long and short, beautiful and ugly, male and female-each with their distinct form.
Allah Almighty says:
{And We have certainly created you, then fashioned you...}
[Surat al-A‘rāf: 11]
He also says:
{...And formed you and perfected your forms; and to Him is the final destination.}
[Surat at-Taghābun: 3]
O You Who know the unseen and the seen,
O You, the Lord Who created and fashioned everything,
You testified that You are One and Only, a true testimony from You.
I turn my face to You, publicly and privately, in praise and exaltation of You, my Lord.
Allah Almighty also says:
{He is Allah, the Creator, the Initiator, the Fashioner...}
[Surat al-Hashr:24]
When the three names (Al-Kāliq, Al-Bāri’, Al-Musawwir) come together, each gives a distinct meaning. “Al-Khāliq” indicates estimation, “Al-Bāri’” indicates invention, and “Al-Musawwir” indicates giving everything its form. Yet, when these names are used separately, they all indicate the same meaning.Our Lord willed, predestined,then created and gave each creature its suitable form and
fashion.
{...Exalted is Allah far above what they describe about Him.}
[Surat al-Mu’minūn: 91]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to say in prostration:
“Allāhumma laka saja dt wa bika āmant wa laka aslamt, sajada wajhi lilladhi khalaqahu, wa sawwarahu, wa shaqqa sama‘ahu wabasarah, tabārak allāh u ahsan al - khāliqīn (O Allah, to You I have prostrated and in You I have believed and to You I have submitted, and My face has prostr ated to the One Who created it and formed it, and brought forth its hearing and sight. Blessed be Allah the best of creator s).”
[Narrated by Muslim]
