In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
USOOL AD-DEEN
(ROOTS OF RELIGION)
FOR CHILDREN
The "Usool ad-Deen" course has been put together by volunteer experts and teachers in the Mohammad (PBUH) Scientific and Cultural Foundation Center for Kids and Teens (Khaane Koodak va Nojavan in Farsi). This course is appropriate for children between the ages of 8 to 12. It aims to make students familiar with the basics of Shia Islam, including beliefs and doctrine...
Lesson 4: Qadeer Means the One Who Is the All Capable, the Most Able and the All Powerful
(Tawhid – Part 3)
Written by: Zahra Moradi
Translated by: Shamsi Nasiri, Mohammad Jahani and Ali Ramezani
Edited by: Marzie Salehi and Ali Mansouri
Instructive Note: Nothing is out of the God’s power. Therefore, when you face challenges and difficulties, no matter how big they are, you should not be disappointed. Do not hesitate to ask God, the Most Able and the All Powerful, for help. He is able to determine anything and everything is in accord with His Will. (Allah is Qadeer).
Content:
In the previous session, we discussed the Asma ul-Husna. We explained that God has one hundred names. Furthermore, we described meaning of a few of them, including "Ahad", "Samad" and "Rabb".
{The teacher will write these names on the board, along with their respective meanings.}
We explained that "Ahad" means unique, unparalleled, and incomparable.
We also explained that "Samad" describes someone or something that is absolutely free from imperfections of any kind, such as weakness, sickness, weariness, or death.
Finally, we explained that "Rabb" describes the "Creator" who is the "Owner", "Guardian", "Caretaker" and "Educator" of everyone.
Our kind Prophet told us that anyone who learns, understands, and sincerely believes in the meanings of the 99 Names of Allah will go to Paradise[1]. In other words, understanding the meaning of "Ahad", "Samad", "Rabb" and the rest of the 99 Names if you truly believe that God is "Ahad", God is "Samad", God is the "Rabb", and sincerely believe in the meaning of the rest of the Asma ul-Husna you will be guided to Paradise.
Up to now, we have learned three of God’s Holy Names. Today, we will learn another one of His beautiful names: "Qadeer".
The meaning of Qadeer is the One who does as He wills, is the Most Able, and the All Powerful. This name describes someone who is All Capable, possesses all power and is able to decree and determine anything, at any time and under any circumstances.
{The teacher will write the following on the board: "Qadeer = Someone who is the Most Able, the All Powerful"}
All of us have heard about certain people who are champions in specific fields. These champions put endless hours of work and training to become the best person in their field. For example:
- A swimming champion can swim with great skill and speed.
- A running champion can run very fast.
- A jumping champion can jump very high.
- A weightlifting champion can lift heavy weights.
- A disk throwing champion can throw objects very far.
However, my dear children, the key thing to remember is that the power of all of these champions is limited. Each champion is the best only in their specific field. There is not any champion who is the best in the world in all these categories at the same time. No one is the champion of every sport simultaneously. No one can claim to be the fastest runner, the most powerful weightlifter, the most skillful swimmer, and the best goal scorer of the world at the same time. No single person is the most powerful person in all fields in the world. You may find someone who is the most powerful person among weightlifters but is he the most powerful person in running as well? Or, is he the most powerful person in swimming? What about in gymnastics?
{The students will also contribute to the discussion to reach the conclusion that there is not any champion that possesses all these capabilities at the same time.}
Even when someone is a champion is one field, they will not stay the champion forever. People’s ability and power to do things varies with time and depends on the circumstances such as illness and age. The world’s greatest weightlifter or runner will not remain the best in the world in 30 years. Human power is limited based on time and age.
Beyond all this, we do not have any power independently by ourselves. God is the One who has blessed us with the capability and power to do things. If God did not give us with the capability to do something, such as the ability to move our hands, we would not even be able to pour a glass of water for ourselves or be able to drink it!
God’s power is different from ours and from that of all other creatures. Allah is "Qadeer", which means He is the All Capable, Most Able, and All Powerful at any time, place, and under any circumstances.
- His power does not have any limitations.
- His power does not diminish with time.
- His power is not reliant on anyone or anything else.
- Any power or capability possessed by any other being is a blessing from God. Even the gift of existence of a blessing from God.
Take a look around yourselves. Who could have created such a beautiful sky, shining sun, green plants and trees, high mountains, deep oceans? Could you or I make them? Of course not! Although we do have the ability to make some things, our ability is so limited. Nevertheless, who has given us and all other creatures the capability and power to do things? The answer is: "Allah the Qadeer"
Allah is Qadeer. He is the Most Able and all powerful. Whatever He aims, He can do. There is a verse in Quran says:
«إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدير»[2]
This means Allah is All Powerful over everything.
In order to better understand the power of Allah, consider the following scenario. Even if every being in every corner of the universe united together to try to stand against something that God wanted to do, no matter how small that thing is, they would miserably fail. What God wants will still happen. Similarly, if every being in every corner of the universe united together to try to do something that God does not want, no matter how small that thing is, they would not succeed.
Always remember what a powerful God we have! Then, ask Him for help in your action and remember to never doubt His power. The One who has created all of skies, earth, and living creatures. He is the One who has created the moon, sun, earth, mountains, seas, forests, and all types of plants and animals. He has the capability to resolve all our problems, whether they are simple or complex. He is the Most Able and the All Powerful. Indeed, He is the kindest One to us!
Main Source: Mohammad Foundation
[1]"إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى تِسْعَةً وَ تِسْعِينَ اسْماً مِائَةً إِلَّا وَاحِداً مَنْ أَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّة": Tawhid Saduq, P 194.
[2] Surah Baqarah, Verse 20, 109, 148.
