Al-Mubdi — The Originator
الْمُبْدِئُ
Name 58 of the ninety-nine. The One who started the human being
Allah is Al-Mubdi, the originator of all creation.
The root
From the root ba-dal-hamza (ب د أ), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to begin, create, make something new, to make something be first, have precedence, to contrive a new thing, to invent, to do first, to commence, start, be at the beginning.
Reflection
The believer benefits from knowing that Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Mubdi. It is a reminder to the one who began everything. It is really easy to pass the time by being busy and going, going, going that we miss seeing the bigger picture. We see Allah's creation through the lens of permanence. We don't think about the fragility of life, and when we do, it's misinformed.
We think He's created us on this planet, and when we die, we return to Him, the work of Al-Mubdi and Al-Mu'id. But in reality, in every moment, who is giving us existence? Do you drink from a magical elixir every morning that sustains you? The lifespan of a single skin cell. Its existence is short, lasting only two to four weeks.
Every day we shed 50 million dead skin cells, which goes unnoticed. It is an illusion that these attributes of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ only serve us twice, at birth and on the day of qiyamah. But the truth is in every moment, we are being originated and returning to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. This is the nature of Al-Mubdi and Al-Mu'id, who is continuously working.
It's important to give ourselves some space, a much-needed break to pause and reflect. Technology is supposed to serve, not enslave. We don't need to distract ourselves every moment; let boredom and silence fill some time. See the beauty in Allah's creation - there is much entertainment there. Respect the gift of this moment given to you by Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ.
The choice is yours to squander it or make the deliberate effort to take the most from it - regardless of what is happening or has happened. Insha-Allah, when Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ restores us, we'll be able to say, look at all the good I've done, all the smiles on people's faces I left, the adherence to the guidance you've taught.
That is what the "good life" looks like.