Al-Wahhab — The Supreme Bestower
الْوَهَّابُ
Name 16 of the ninety-nine. The One who is Generous in giving plenty without any return
Allah is Al Wahhab (in Arabic: ٱلْوَهَّابُ), which means the great giver whose blessings are freely and perpetually given.
The root
From the root waw-ha-ba (و ه ب), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to give for no compensation, to give as a gift, to donate, to offer as a present, to bestow, or to give liberally and freely.
Reflection
This name should also make us realize that our success is only through Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Whatever good you do, who inspired that impulse within you? Who records and rewards the good one does? It's all from Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. He is not obliged in any way, and He does whatever He wishes. But through learning about Allah's divine names, we learn about His justice, generosity, and abundance, as well as His care, love, and forgiveness.
These are all gifts of Al-Wahhab. Upon further reflection on this name, we may also realize that any inherent skills/qualities we have are also a gift from Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. , ego) intrude and take control over your heart. We do that in part by remaining thankful to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ because we did nothing to be deserving of His gifts.
He just gives, period. " He then leaves us with the choice to take it for granted or to be grateful. It's on us to see His kindness and His mercy. Narrated Uqba: I offered the Asr prayer behind the Prophet (ﷺ) at Medina. When he had finished the prayer with Taslim, he got up hurriedly and went out by crossing the rows of the people to one of the dwellings of his wives.
The people got scared at his speed. The Prophet (ﷺ) came back and found the people surprised at his haste and said to them, "I remembered a piece of gold Lying in my house and I did not like it to divert my attention from Allah's worship, so I have ordered it to be distributed (in charity). [1] The gift in you:Let's say you gave a gift to a friend, and you see it wasn't appreciated, used, or had the opposite effect you intended - how would you feel?
The truth is it hurts. Imagine a recent kidney donor seeing their friend revert back to being an alcoholic. It would be a big slap in the face. Similarly, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ has given certain people gifts that get abused. We have knowledgeable people, but they use their knowledge to manipulate and cheat others.
In the act of omission, Allah's given us the faculty to achieve great things, but we don't live up to our potential. Instead, we get caught up and waste time playing meaningless games. We must try our best to use the gifts Allah's given us in a way that would not insult the giver. We should use our gifts to spread goodness to try and uplift and benefit others.
Where it appears
[1] Sahih Bukhari 851,[2] Sahih (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1953,[3] Hasan (Al-Albani) Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 594,[4] Riyad as-Salihin 306