The Name 'Al Lateef ' is found in the Qur'aan 7 times .
Example from the Qur'aan:
22:63
Explanation by Shaykh 'Abdur Rahmaan as Sa'dee:
Al-Lateef
Extra points from the Full version pages 138-141:
Allaah’s Kindness to His servants is from mercy. It is
in fact a special mercy. Mercy that reaches the servant from ways he does not
perceive or ways without a means is ‘lutf’ kindness.
It is said
لطف به latafa bihi
لطف له latafa lahu
(TN. Both expressions means the same in English ‘He
showed kindness to His servant’ but in Arabic the two different pronouns are
used in different situations as the Shaykh explains afterwards.)
This means that Allaah gave him special protection
through which his apparent and hidden affairs are rectified. Through which all
hidden and apparent affairs that are disliked are repelled. The inner, hidden
affairs are kindness to the servant (latafa bihi). The outer affairs are
kindness to the servant (latafa lahu). If Allaah makes a servant’s affairs easy
and facilitates the path of goodness for him and helps him He has showed
kindness to him (latafa bihi). When Allaah sends the apparent means outside the
ability of the servant to rectify his affairs then this is Allaah’s kindness to
him (latafa lahu). This is seen in the story of Yoosuf عليه السلام where Allaah decreed
many outside matters and their commendable consequences returned back to Yoosuf
and his Father (Ya’qoob) عليهما
السلام At the beginning it was dislike by the souls but it turned into
the most commendable outcome and the benefits were the most honourable. This is
why Yoosuf said,
إِنَّ رَبِّي
لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَاءُ ۚ
Certainly, my
Lord is the Most Courteous and Kind unto whom He will.
[Yoosuf 12:100]
This means that these things that occurred were a
kindness that Allaah showed him (latafa lahu) so he recognised this blessing.
Allaah’s kindness to His servant is a broad field.
Allaah graces whomever He wills with whatever He wills from Himself which from
His knowledge He knows who deserves it. Grace is in Allaah’s Hand He gives it
to whomever He Wills. Allaah possesses magnificent grace.
1. From Allaah’s Kindness (lutf) to His believing servants is that
He grants them His kindness so He takes them out of darkness to the light; from
the darkness of ignorance, disbelief, innovation and disobedience to the light
of knowledge, faith and obedience.
2. From Allaah’s Kindness (lutf) to His believing servants is that
He protects them from obeying their souls that whisper to do evil which is
their nature. He grants them success to prohibit their souls from desires, He
diverts evil and indecency from them even though the means of fitnah trials,
alluring disobedience and attractive desires are available in front of them.
He gives them proofs of His
kindness and the light of their faith which He blessed them with. They leave
(evil) with their souls at ease, their chests appeased at being far away from
it.
3. From Allaah’s Kindness (lutf) to His believing servants is that
He measures their provisions according to His Knowledge of what will bring them
benefit and not by their wishes. They may want something but something else is
better for them. So He measures what will be in their interests out of kindness
even if they may dislike it.
Allah is very Gracious and Kind to His slaves. He gives provisions to
whom He wills. And He is the All-Strong, the All-Mighty.
[Shooraa 42:19]
4. From Allaah’s Kindness (lutf) to His believing servants is that
He decrees different trials, test and tribulations which drive them to
perfection and completing their blessings.
5. From Allaah’s Kindness (lutf) to His believing servants is that
He decrees for them to be nurtured under the guardianship of the people of
rectification, knowledge and faith, among the people of goodness. This is in
order that they gain from their manners and their discipline. Likewise He
decrees that he is raised by his two righteous parents, God-fearing relatives,
amongst a pious community. This is from the greatest kindness to a servant. The
rectification of a servant is dependent upon many reasons, the greatest of them
in benefit is this situation.
6. From Allaah’s Kindness (lutf) to His believing servants is that
He makes his provision permissible out of ease and satisfaction to achieve the
objective. Not to busy him from what he was created for such as worship,
knowledge and acting upon it. Indeed He helps him upon that.
7. From Allaah’s Kindness (lutf) to His believing servants is that
He sends him righteous, kind, God-fearing brothers who will help him upon
goodness. They strengthen those they are around to take an upright path and
stay away from the paths of destruction and deviation.
8. From Allaah’s Kindness (lutf) to His believing servants is that
He test them with some calamities and grants them success to undertake them
with patience. This is so that they will attain high stations and lofty ranks;
and that He will honour him to find the sweetness of the spirit of hope in his
heart, the hope of mercy and to wait for relief and the removal of the harm. So
He alleviates his pain and activates his soul. Ibnul Qayyim رحمه الله said, “waiting,
looking attentively and observing lighten the load of the difficulty.
Especially when there is strong hope or relief in sight. He will find in the
midst of the trial freedom from grief, a breeze and ease which is from the
secrets of kindnesses, an advanced relief. Through this and others he will
understand the meaning of His Name Al-Lateef The Subtle and Kind.” (Madaarij as
Saalikeen 2/167).
How beneficial it is for
the servant to know the meaning and connotations of this magnificent Name and
to strive in realizing faith in it and practising what it entails of
worshipping Allaah عز وجل.
It fills his heart with hope and longing to obtain Allaah’s Grace, and be
successful in His blessings and gifts, seeking success in every situation,
favourable results, rightly-guided outcomes, trusting in his Lord Al-Lateef The
Subtle and Kind, allying with Al-Kareem The Noble, possessing abundant
blessings, gifts and favours. Whoever looks for good He will give it to him.
Whoever seeks protection from evil will gain it. Favour is in Allaah’s Hand
alone He gives it to whomever He Wills and He possesses great favours.
