This Noble Name is mentioned twice in the noble Qur’an.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Baqarah (2:117):
بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
“The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter He only says to it: ‘Be!’ and it is.”
Allaah (Ta’ala) also says in Surat al-An’aam (6:101):
بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ صَاحِبَةٌ ۖ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
“He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have children when He has no wife? He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything.”
The meaning of the Name with regards to Allaah (Ta’ala)
Ibn Jarir (Rahimahullaah) said: “The Highly Praised One means with His Statement, ‘Badi’us-Samaawaati wal-Ard (The Originator of the heavens and the earth),’ that He is its Mubdi’e (Originator and Inventor)
The Mubdi’e means Originator and Inventor such that no one has preceded Him in it, nor has anyone invented like Him.
Therefore, the innovator in the religion is called Mubtadi’e because he has invented things in the religion which none has done like him and no one preceded him in that action.
The Arabs used to call anyone who invented an action or utterance which no one had done before him “Mubtadi’e.”
The meaning of verse (2:117) is that Glory be to Allaah, He is far more Glorious than to have had a son, for He is the Owner of everything that is in the heavens and earth. All testify to Allaah’s Oneness in their submissiveness to Him. He is their Creator and Maker, without created precedence. He shaped the creatures in their current shapes. Allaah also bears witness to His servants that ‘Eesa [Jesus (‘Alayhis-salaam)], who many claim to be Allaah’s son, is among those who testify to His Oneness. Allaah stated that He created the heavens and the earth out of nothing and without precedent. Likewise, He created ‘Eesa [Jesus (‘Alayhis-salaam)], the Messiah, with His power and without a father.” [Jami’ ul-Bayan]
Ibn Katheer (Rahimahullaah) said: “Badi’us-Samaawaati wal-Ard means He created them when there was nothing in existence that resembled them. Mujaahid and as-Suddi said that this is the linguistic meaning, for all new matters are called Bid’ah. And Bid’ah is something that did not have anything precede it.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Az-Zajjaj said: “Badi’us-Samaawaati wal-Ard is the sole Creator of the heavens and the earth.” [Tafseer al-Asmaa’]
Shaikh as-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “Badi’us-Samaawaati wal-Ard (the Originator of the heavens and earth) means their Creator and Originator did so in the best of ways with the most marvelous of creations in an amazing and perfect order, structure and harmony.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]
Accordingly, the meaning of the Name is:
- He Who there is no one like Him and no one bears any resemblance to Him. Based on this meaning, the Name implies an Attribute of Essence.
- He Who has originated the creation in a way that no one preceded Him in an action like it. Based on this meaning, the Name implies an Attribute of Action.
Impact of belief in this Noble Name:
- There is no one like Allaah (Ta’ala) in His Essence, Attributes or Actions.
- He (Ta’ala) is the One Who brought things into existence in an invented way such that there was nothing in existence that resembled them. He (Ta’ala) originated the heavens and the earth and He is the One Who brought all what is therein into existence. If this is the case, then how right it is to attribute something from them (i.e. the heavens and the earth) to Him and say that He has a son. Allaah is far above what they attribute to Him. Rather He created and brought everything in them (i.e. the heavens and the earth) into existence, and everything is submitting to and worshipping Him.
He (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Baqarah (2:116-117):
وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَانَهُ ۖ بَلْ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ كُلٌّ لَهُ قَانِتُونَ
بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
“And they (Jews, Christians and pagans) say Allaah has begotten a son (children or offspring). Glory be to Him (Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender in obedience (in worship) to Him.
The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it: ‘Be!’ – and it is.”
And He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Maryam (19:93-95):
إِنْ كُلُّ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَٰنِ عَبْدًا
لَقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا
وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا
“There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allaah) as a slave.
Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting.
And every one of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender).”
If it is affirmed (proven) that there is nothing in the heavens and the earth but it is of His creation and invention, then it is proven that it is included in His Kingdom and His servants, so it is impossible for Him to have a son.
Another matter: This son whom they attribute to Him is either eternal or invented. If he is eternal (existing since ever), then we cannot judge one of them to be a son and the other his father and vice versa because our judgment would be without evidence. And if the son is invented (created) i.e. created by the One who is eternal and he (son) is a slave to Him, then he cannot be a son.
In addition: The son should have some nature of his father. The son should have some divine attributes like his father, at least in some aspects.
Also: Having a son is an attribute of one who is incapable and weak, who will need a son when he becomes old in age, i.e. a father hopes to get benefit of his (son’s) help and support when he (father) becomes incapable of disposing his own affairs.
So if all of these are impossible, then Him taking (or having) a son is impossible.” [At-Tafseer al-Kabeer – summarized]
Ibn Katheer (Rahimahullaah) said regarding Allaah’s Statement (interpretation of the meaning): “How can He have children when He has no wife?” For the child is the offspring of two compatible spouses. Allaah does not have an equal, nor are any of His creatures similar to Him; for He Alone created the entire creation.
Allaah says:
وقالوا اتخذ الرحمن ولدا. لقد جئتم شيئا إدٌّا
“And they say: ‘The Most Beneficent (Allaah) has begotten a son.’ Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing.”
[19:88-89],
until:
وكلهم آتيه يوم القيامة فردا
“And every one of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection.” [19:95]
He (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-An’aam (6:101):
وخلق كل شئ وهو بكل شئ عليم
“He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything.”
He has created everything and He is the All-Knower of all things. How can He have a wife from His creation who is suitable for His majesty, when there is none like Him? How can He have a child then? Verily, Allaah is Glorified above having a son. [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
His statement (interpretation of the meaning): “When He decrees a matter, He only says to it: ‘Be’, and it is”, means if He (Ta’ala) intends and decides to bring something or a matter into existence, then He merely commands it to “Be” and it comes into existence.
3. The difference between invention and creation
It is said that invention is to bring something into existence in a way that no resemblance to it preceded it, while creation means estimation or determination which entails (requires) something existing and the determination occurs in it. [Tafseer al-Manaar]
4. Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that he was sitting with the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in the Masjid and the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) heard a man supplicating:
اللهم إني أسالك بأن لك الحمد لا إله إلا أنت (وحدك لا شريك لك)، المنان، بديع السماوات والارض، يا ذا الجلال و الإكرام، يا حي يا قيوم
“O Allaah! Indeed I ask You, by the fact that to You belongs all praise; there is no one who deserves to be worshipped except You, [You Alone, You have no partners]; Bestower of Favors; Originator of the heavens and the earth; O One that is Full of Majesty and Honor; O Living One, O Eternal One…”
So the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to his Companions: “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, he has supplicated to Allaah with His Mightiest Name, with which if He is supplicated, He answers and with which if He is asked He gives.” [Abu Dawoud, an-Nasaa’i and Ahmad, also al-Bukhaari in al-Adab al-Mufrad and authenticated by al-Albaani]
📚 An-Nahj al-Asmaa fee Sharh Asmaa’ Allaahu al-Husna by Shaikh Muhammad an-Najdi
🌿
Always feel free to share the khair!
