Explanation
Meaning of Ad-Daarr (ٱلضَّارّ)
The name Ad-Daarr (ٱلضَّارّ) is one of the beautiful names (Asma’ul Husna) of ALLAH and carries deep theological significance in Islamic thought. Below is a detailed explanation of this name, its Quranic context, and its significance.
Linguistic and Theological Meaning
Etymology:
The name Ad-Daarr (ٱلضَّارّ) is derived from the Arabic root ض-ر-ر (Ḍ-R-R), which means “to harm” or “to bring adversity.” Theologically, this name signifies that ALLAH is the One who has complete control over harm and affliction, just as He controls benefit and ease.
Divine Power Over Harm and Benefit:
The name Ad-Daarr is often mentioned alongside An-Naafi’ (ٱلنَّافِعُ – The Benefactor), highlighting that ALLAH is the sole authority over both harm and benefit. He decrees trials as a means of test, purification, and wisdom, and no harm can reach anyone without His permission.
Significance in Islamic Thought
1. The Dual Role of Harm and Benefit
ALLAH as Ad-Daarr does not mean He harms without reason. Rather, He allows adversity as a test, a lesson, or a means of purification for His servants. He balances hardship with ease, as seen in the name An-Naafi’ (The Benefactor).
“For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Surah Al-Inshirah 94:5-6)
2. Trials as a Test of Faith
Hardships can either bring a person closer to ALLAH or lead them astray, depending on their response. Believers are encouraged to remain patient and trust that ALLAH’s wisdom is behind every trial.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When ALLAH intends good for His servant, He hastens to punish him in this world (to purify him from sins).” (Tirmidhi, 2396)
3. Protection from Harm
While ALLAH decrees harm, He also provides means for protection. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to seek refuge in ALLAH from all evils.
A famous supplication:
” بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ”
“In the name of ALLAH, with whose name nothing in the earth or the heavens can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Abu Dawood, 5088)
Final Reflections
The name Ad-Daarr reminds us of ALLAH’s supreme authority over all aspects of life, including trials and hardships. Though harm may come, it is never without purpose. ALLAH balances difficulty with ease and never burdens a soul beyond its capacity.
Believers should trust in ALLAH, seek refuge in Him, and remain steadfast in both good times and bad, knowing that ultimate benefit and harm rest solely in His hands.
May ALLAH protect us from harm and grant us the wisdom to understand His divine decree. Ameen.
Quran References
The name Ad-Daarr is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran as a standalone name, but its meaning is deeply embedded in several verses where ALLAH describes His power to bring harm or adversity. Below are some Quranic references that reflect the concept of Ad-Daarr:
Surah Yunus (10:107):
Arabic:
وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُۥٓ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَإِن يُرِدْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا رَٰدَّ لِفَضْلِهِۦ ۚ يُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Translation:
“And if ALLAH should touch you with harm, there is no remover of it except Him; and if He intends for you good, then there is no withholder of His bounty. He causes it to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
Explanation:
This verse reiterates ALLAH’s exclusive authority over harm and benefit, emphasizing that He alone has the power to alleviate adversity. It reinforces the concept of Ad-Daarr and His ultimate control over all matters.
Surah Al-Isra (17:67):
Arabic:
وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ كَفُورًا
Translation:
“And when adversity touches you at sea, lost are [all] those you invoke except for Him. But when He delivers you to the land, you turn away [from Him]. And ever is man ungrateful.”
Explanation:
This verse illustrates how people turn to ALLAH in times of distress, recognizing Him as the only One who can remove harm. It highlights ALLAH’s role as Ad-Daarr and the ultimate source of relief.
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:83):
Arabic:
وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
Translation:
“And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, ‘Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.'”
Explanation:
The story of Prophet Ayyub (Job) is a profound example of how ALLAH allows harm to test His servants, but He is also the Most Merciful and ultimately removes the harm. This verse reflects ALLAH’s wisdom as Ad-Daarr.
Surah Ash-Shura (42:30):
Arabic:
وَمَآ أَصَٰبَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُوا۟ عَن كَثِيرٍ
Translation:
“And whatever strikes you of disaster – it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much.”
Explanation:
This verse explains that harm or adversity often results from human actions, but ALLAH is also forgiving and merciful. It highlights ALLAH’s justice and wisdom as Ad-Daarr.
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:155-156):
Arabic:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَالِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّابِرِينَ
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ
Translation:
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient. Who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to ALLAH, and indeed to Him we will return.'”
Explanation:
These verses highlight that trials and harm are part of ALLAH’s divine plan to test His servants and purify them. They remind believers to remain patient and steadfast, acknowledging ALLAH’s role as Ad-Daarr and Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful).
Surah Al-Fath (48:11):
Arabic:
سَيَقُولُ لَكَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ شَغَلَتْنَآ أَمْوَالُنَا وَأَهْلُونَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۖ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا إِنْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ ضَرًّا أَوْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ نَفْعًا ۚ بَلْ كَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
Translation:
“Those who remained behind of the bedouins will say to you, ‘Our properties and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us.’ They say with their tongues what is not within their hearts. Say, ‘Then who could prevent ALLAH at all if He intended for you harm or intended for you benefit? Rather, ever is ALLAH, with what you do, Acquainted.'”
Explanation:
This verse underscores that ALLAH alone has the power to bring harm or benefit, and no one can prevent His will. It highlights the balance between Ad-Daarr and An-Nafi’.