Ayah 26 of Surah Āl-i Imrān

In the Name of Allah

Part of a Series of Teachings by Esteemed Researcher, Divine Philosopher, Professor Mousavi on Ayah 26 of Surah Āl-i Imrān

Quli Al-Lahumma Mālika Al-Mulki Tu'utī Al-Mulka Man Tashā'u Wa Tanzi`u Al-Mulka Mimman Tashā'u Wa Tu`izzu Man Tashā'u Wa Tudhillu Man Tashā'u  ۖ  Biyadika Al-Khayru  ۖ  'Innaka `Alá Kulli Shay'in Qadīrun

 Say: "O Allah. Lord of Power (And Rule), Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power.

 Research on the letter 'm' (م) in the phrase 'Al-Lahumma' (اللهم)

'Quli Al-Lahumma' (قل اللهم) means O Mohammad, say: O Allah, The Most Generous, The Most Compassionate, The Ruler, The Creator, The Provider…

 It is said that the letter 'm' (م) in the phrase 'Al-Lahumma' (اللهم) is in the place of seventy Names of Allah. Or it is in the place of seventy Attributes of Allah which are all gathered in the letter 'm' (م) of the phrase 'Al-Lahumma' (اللهم).

 According to some researchers and interpreters of the Holy Quran, Ism Azām (Greatest Name of Allah) is hidden in the letter 'm' (م) of the phrase 'Al-Lahumma' (اللهم). Brevity and conciseness of expression causes meanings to become more evident.

 Al-Lahumma (اللهم) means: O You who are the Most Powerful. Al-Lahumma (اللهم) means: O You who are the Kindest. Al-Lahumma (اللهم) means: O you who are the Most Generous. Al-Lahumma (اللهم) means: O You who are the Greatest Bestower… Whatever beauty, kindness and goodness that exist in the Divine Essence and Attributes are hidden in the secret phrase, 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)'. Many researchers have not been able to get to the bottom of the phrase 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' as it is very precious and exalted and all are not able to comprehend its basics.

 This is why Al-Lahumma (اللهم) has been mentioned in almost all duas (supplications) so that at least the phrase is uttered.

 اللهم إني أسئلك من بهائك بأبهاهُ...  (Allahumma inni asaluka min baha-ika bi-abhau …)

 O Allah I ask Thee to give me from Thy Brilliance that beautifies… This is part of the Dua Sahar (dawn supplication) in which 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' has been mentioned and so also in other duas, which are from our Infallible Imams.

1. Some duas (supplications) are from great people, they are from sages, gnostics, great men of Allah or our Infallible Imams have ordered them to be composed.

2. But some duas (supplications) have been stated by our Infallible Imams. These duas are stated by an Infallible Imam himself. The dua, Abu Hamza Thumali has certainly emerged from the lips of our master, Imam Sajjad (AS). In this dua, the phrase 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' has been repeated many times, and so also in other duas… 

 Overall, 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' is one of those exceptional phrases.

 There are many secrets hidden in 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' and some scholars even believe that basically all secrets of divinity are hidden in the letter 'm' (م) of the phrase 'Al-Lahumma' (اللهم). How is this? And what is the role of this 'm' (م)? What can this letter do? How should it be read? Comprehending these secrets is very difficult and one should refer to the same great scholars for the answer.

 Nevertheless, 'm' (م) is very important and based on this significance whenever an Infallible Imam would face an important matter, he would begin his prayers with 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)'. In other words, he would utter the phrase 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' and would then start fervently pleading to Allah, supplicating and truly connecting with God.

  Esteemed Researcher, Divine Philosopher, Professor Mousavi: What is certain, which I have seen in one of the resource books is that if the letter 'm' (م) is removed and seventy Names of Allah are replaced, there will be no problem.

 This letter 'm' (م) of the phrase 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' is a mystery. It resembles Muqata'a letters (unique letter combinations that begin certain Surahs of the Holy Quran. Muqata'a literally means abbreviated or shortened).  Examples of Muqata'a letters are Alif Lam Ra or Ha Mim Ain Sin Qaf or Nun.

 This 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' is stated in the Holy Quran and when one of our Infallible Imams was asked, "In which Surah is the Ism Azām (Greatest Name of Allah) most evident?" He replied, "Before the twenty-sixth Ayah of the Surah Āl-i Imrān." This is the same sentence and the same letter 'm' (م) of the phrase 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)'.

The phrase 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' itself is in the form of a prayer. But prayers are after Ayahs in rank. First come the Ayahs in rank and then the prayers. But here 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' is part of the text of the Holy Quran and this is why it is considered to be so glorious. Therefore, it is said that the phrase 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' is not combined with any other word. It is independent, like 'Allah' which is also not combined with any other word. If a word is added it is the suffix or prefix (for example 'Allah Quli' or 'Allah Yar' which is used in Farsi, but not in Arabic, where it still remains with the same glory and magnificence).

 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' can replace 'Allah'.  'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' can replace 'Rab-bil Alamin' (Sustainer of the Worlds). 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' can replace 'Malik Yawm ad-Din' (Master of the Day of Judgement). 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' can replace 'Ihdina Sirat al-Mustaqim' (Show us the Straight Way). 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' can replace 'Ya Rab' (O Lord). 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' can replace 'Ya Allah' (O Allah). 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' can replace 'Ya Karim' (O the Most Generous). It can replace 'Ya Ghafur' (O the Forgiver). 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' can replace 'Ya Rahim' (O the Most Compassionate)… In other words, 'Al-Lahumma (اللهم)' can replace all these phrases.

 The continuation of the research done on this Ayah will be presented later with the following titles:

1. Does Allah grant honor to whomever He wishes and disgrace to whomever He desires? Does this Ayah constitute fatalism upon the people?

2. Do man's honor and disgrace stem from before the material world? Are these determined in the mother's womb or after birth?

3. Honor and disgrace according to materialists, nihilists and realistics. Scientific honor and moral honor.