Who Is Allah? His Names and Attributes and Their Significance to the Individual By Umm Abdurrahman Sakina Hirschfelder

The most important subject a Muslim can study is not fiqh, not Arabic, not history — it is knowledge of Allah Himself. Yet for many English-speaking Muslims, this knowledge remains abstract and disconnected from daily life. Who Is Allah? His Names and Attributes and Their Significance to the Individual by Umm Abdurrahman Sakina Hirschfelder sets out specifically to close that gap.

This is not a list of Allah's names with brief definitions. It is a structured work built around a single purpose: to help the reader genuinely know Allah — not as a theological category, but as their Lord, whose names and attributes have direct meaning for every moment of their lives.

What This Book Covers

Over 100 of Allah's Names — Each Discussed Individually

For every name covered, the author provides: proof from the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah establishing that this name belongs to Allah; a detailed explanation of its meaning in Arabic and its theological significance; practical applications showing how a believer should relate to Allah through this name in daily life; and an authentic supplication from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) utilizing that name. This structure makes the knowledge actionable rather than merely informational.

Over 60 of Allah's Attributes in Depth

Beyond the names, the book gives specialized attention to more than 60 of Allah's attributes — His hearing, His sight, His speech, His will, His rising above the Throne — all affirmed upon the methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaah: accepting what Allah affirmed for Himself without distortion, denial, likening to creation, or asking how.

Why Knowledge of Allah Must Come First

The author addresses a fundamental problem in Islamic education: a lot of emphasis is placed on learning fiqh — what is halal and haram — without first establishing who Allah is and why obedience to Him is the natural response of a believing heart. Without knowing Allah, rules become a burden. With knowing Him, they become an honor. This book builds that foundation.

About the Author

Umm Abdurrahman Sakina Hirschfelder studied at George Washington University, the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences in America, and American Open University. She has spent nearly two decades studying and teaching Islam, and produced this volume drawing from the Qur'an, authentic hadith, and the writings of classical and contemporary scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah.

Who This Book Is For

Particularly suited to new Muslims building their aqeedah from the beginning, to born Muslims who have studied fiqh but never deeply studied the names and attributes, and to parents looking for a comprehensive reference to teach their children who Allah is. It is also an excellent resource for anyone whose faith has felt distant or mechanical — knowing Allah is the cure for that distance.

Continue Reading

We wrote about this subject at length in Who is Allah? — our cornerstone article on the names and attributes. For a classical scholar's treatment, see as-Sa'di's Explanation to the Beautiful and Perfect Names of Allah. See also our guide to the best aqeedah books for beginners and the full aqeedah and Islamic creed collection.