Explanation
Al-Qabid is one of the 99 names of ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. It means “The Withholder” or “The Restrainer”. This name refers to ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ attribute to hold back or restrain things from happening. It is our faith that ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ withholds or restrains things for the benefit of his creation.
He is the one who makes people rich and impoverished. Al-Qabid makes the decision to withhold something or make it rare. All souls are taken by Him at the moment of death, and He extends His hand to the faithful so that they may turn to Him and turn from their sins. He is the one who limits our access to food, to life, and to love.
From the root qaa-baa-daad, which denotes the attribute of withholding, comes the word “qaabid.” It alludes to concepts like seize, grip, make scarce, and have complete ownership of something. (to hold in the hand). It also refers to the contraction of the heart, which results in anxiety, sadness, and a lack of joy.
This name reflects ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ supremacy and mastery over everything. It provides a reminder that everything in the universe is dependent on ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ will and that He has the authority to refuse or limit everything in accordance with His knowledge.
It also emphasises the significance of relying on and trusting ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Muslims look to ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ for assistance and guidance in all facets of our existence because we believe that He is the only source of absolute knowledge. We trust in His unfathomable wisdom and mercy and believe that everything that occurs in our life is done so in accordance with His will.
When it is good, ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ withholds, and when it is good, He gives. Our imaan can occasionally feel low and our chests constricted. If we make the effort, this tightening of our hearts can lead us back to ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Other times, our imaan is strong, our hearts feel spiritually expanded, and we have the energy and fortitude to confront the world. We battle with our hearts every day; the Arabic word for heart is qalb, which means to turn or transform.
This name highlights the wisdom and mercy of ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Sometimes, we may want something to happen immediately, but ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ knows what is best for us and may withhold it for our own good. It is a reminder that we should trust in Allah’s plan and have patience.
Overall, Al-Qabid is the name of ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ that reminds us of his control over all things and his ultimate wisdom. It is a name that inspires awe and reverence and encourages us to rely on ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ guidance and mercy.
Quran References
Who is it that would loan Allāh a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allāh who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him, you will be returned. (Quran 2:245)