Explanation
The name Al-Mueed (المعيد) is one of the beautiful names of Allah (Asma ul-Husna). It is derived from the Arabic root word ‘awd (عود), which means “to return” or “to restore.” Al-Mueed signifies The Restorer or The One who brings back. This name emphasizes ALLAH’s power to return, restore, and bring back all things to their original state or to recreate them as He wills. It reflects His absolute authority over creation, resurrection, and the cyclical nature of life and existence.
Meaning and Explanation of Al-Mueed:
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The Restorer of Creation:
Al-Mueed is the One who restores and brings back all things. He is the One who returns creation to its original state or recreates it anew. This is particularly evident in the concept of resurrection, where ALLAH will bring back all beings to life after death. -
The One who Repeats and Recreates:
ALLAH is the One who repeats the cycle of creation and destruction. He creates, causes death, and then brings back to life. This is a continuous process that demonstrates His infinite power and wisdom. -
The Source of All Returns:
Everything in the universe ultimately returns to ALLAH. He is the One to whom all matters are referred, and He is the One who decides the final outcome of all things.
Themes Related to Al-Mueed in the Quran:
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Resurrection and the Afterlife:
The Quran repeatedly emphasizes ALLAH’s power to bring back the dead to life. This is a central theme that aligns with the meaning of Al-Mueed. For example:-
Surah Ya-Sin (36:78-79):
وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَنَسِيَ خَلْقَهُ ۖ قَالَ مَن يُحْيِي الْعِظَامَ وَهِيَ رَمِيمٌ – قُلْ يُحْيِيهَا الَّذِي أَنشَأَهَا أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيمٌ
“And he presents for Us an example and forgets his [own] creation. He says, ‘Who will give life to bones while they are disintegrated?’ Say, ‘He will give them life who produced them the first time; and He is, of all creation, Knowing.'”
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Cyclical Nature of Creation:
ALLAH’s ability to create, destroy, and recreate is a recurring theme in the Quran. This cyclical process reflects His attribute as Al-Mu’eed. For example:-
Surah Al-Ankabut (29:19-20):
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا كَيْفَ يُبْدِئُ اللَّهُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ
“Have they not considered how ALLAH begins creation and then repeats it? Indeed, that, for ALLAH, is easy.”
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Reflection on Al-Mueed:
The name Al-Mueed reminds believers of ALLAH’s ultimate power over life, death, and resurrection. It instills hope in the hearts of believers, knowing that ALLAH can restore anything, including their faith, health, and circumstances. It also serves as a reminder of the Day of Judgment, when all creation will be brought back to life to account for their deeds.
Al-Mueed is a profound name that encapsulates ALLAH’s power to create, destroy, and recreate. It is a name that reassures believers of His control over all aspects of existence and His ability to restore everything to its original state or recreate it anew. The Quranic verses mentioned above beautifully illustrate this attribute, reinforcing the belief in ALLAH’s infinite power and wisdom.
Quran References
While the name Al-Mueed is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran as one of the 99 names of ALLAH, its meaning is deeply rooted in several Quranic verses that describe ALLAH’s power to restore, recreate, and bring back. Below are some key Quranic references that reflect the attributes of Al-Mueed:
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Surah Yunus (10:34):
قُلْ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَائِكُم مَّن يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ ۚ قُلِ اللَّهُ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ
“Say, ‘Are there of your ‘partners’ any who begins creation and then repeats it?’ Say, ‘ALLAH begins creation and then repeats it, so how are you deluded?'”
This verse highlights ALLAH’s power to create and then bring back creation, which is a direct reflection of His name Al-Mueed. -
Surah Ar-Rum (30:27):
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَلَهُ الْمَثَلُ الْأَعْلَىٰ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
“And it is He who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is easier for Him. To Him belongs the highest attribute in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
This verse emphasizes ALLAH’s ability to recreate, which is a manifestation of His name Al-Mueed. -
Surah Al-Buruj (85:13):
إِنَّهُ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ
“Indeed, it is He who originates [creation] and repeats.”
This concise verse encapsulates the essence of Al-Mueed, as it describes ALLAH as the One who begins creation and brings it back. -
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:104):
يَوْمَ نَطْوِي السَّمَاءَ كَطَيِّ السِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأْنَا أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُ ۚ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَا ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَاعِلِينَ
“The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.”
This verse speaks about the Day of Judgment, where ALLAH will restore creation as He initially created it, demonstrating His attribute of being Al-Mueed. -
Surah An-Nazi’at (79:27-28):
أَأَنتُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَمِ السَّمَاءُ ۚ بَنَاهَا – رَفَعَ سَمْكَهَا فَسَوَّاهَا
“Are you a more difficult creation or is the heaven? ALLAH constructed it. He raised its ceiling and proportioned it.”
This verse, while not directly mentioning “restoration,” implies ALLAH’s power to create and recreate, which is tied to the concept of Al-Mueed.