Al-Wasi’
The All-Embracing
Exalted and Glorious
To Allah belongs the east and the west, so wherever you turn there is the Face of Allah. Surely! Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing. (2:115)
He said, “Verily, Allah has chosen him above you, and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah grants His kingdom to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (2:247)
Say, Oh Muhammad, may the peace and blessings be upon him, “All the bounty is in the Hand of Allah. He grants to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures needs, All-Knower.” (3:73)
But if they separate Allah will provide abundance for every one of them from His Bounty. And Allah is Ever All-Sufficient for His Creatures’ needs, All-Wise. (4:130)
This name manifests Allah’s greatness, munificence, power, and might. It clearly reveals that Allah’s generosity is beyond any limit. His bounties encompass all creatures and things, and the vastness of His knowledge is far more than the entire expanse of the earth and the heavens.
There is an invocation that refers to this name of Allah. “Oh, Allah! We cannot see You nor think and imagine You, nor is it in our power to offer sufficient praises and gratitude for Your munificence and the bounties showered on us. We particularly solicit more of You favors in our old age.”
If he who has difficulty in earning his livelihood repeats this name, his income will be increased if God, the Highest wills.
Al-Wasi’, the Expansive Who extends His Provisions over the creation, and spreads His Mercy over everything, and the Surrounder of all things. So if you know this, do not ask about the safeguarding and provision of every species.
From: The Meanings of the Names of Our Lord by Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i Head of the Higher Sufi Council in Jerusalem and the Holy Land Teacher at the Dome of the Rock (al-Aqsa)
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He is limitless vastness, whose knowledge, mercy, power, generosity, and all other beautiful attributes are infinite. Al-Wasi’ is also interpreted as the endlessness of the tolerance of Allah. The wrongs and sins of humanity are like a drop of dirt in the vastness of Allah’s ocean of tolerance.
A sign of al-Wasi’ is in the infinite variety of His creations. Look at people: although we are all made of the same material, no two faces and no two voices are alike. The all-reaching vastness of Allah is reflected among us in people of vast knowledge from whom many benefit; in people of great richness and greater generosity who help the needy far and wide; in people of compassion, gentleness, and great patience whose far-reaching justice inspires great confidence. All other unconditional and limitless good qualities in human beings are reflections of al-Wasi’.
Know that Allah’s knowledge is vast, reaching all, everywhere. You cannot hide anything from Him. His power is overwhelming; nothing can escape it, so be aware of sinning and revolting. His mercy is infinite, so turn to Him. He is tolerant in His commandments and forgiving, so do not lose hope.
‘Abd al-Wasi’ has wisdom that is all-inclusive. His being covers all the possible levels to which a human being may aspire to rise. He is vast and cannot be limited by any restrictions.
People who are under heavy loads of work and responsibility which they feel unable to carry may find strength and relief if they continue reciting this Name.
People who are afflicted with the sickness of envy and revenge may find a cure by repeating this Name.
Reciting Ya Wasi’ 137 times when depressed may relieve one’s depression.
From: The Name & the Named by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak al-Jerrahi al-Halveti
