Al-Qadīr & al-Qādir – Allah is All-Powerful

The name al-Qādir (the Able) derives from the Arabic verb (qadara) that has two connotations, one being that of strength and ability, the other being that of giving measure and making determinations. The verb qadara is used in this latter sense in the verse: “No just estimate have they made of Allah, such as is due to Him.” [Sūrah al-Zumar: 67]

Allah’s name al-Qādir, which appears in the Qur’an twelve times, comes with both of these meanings. For instance, the following verses cite this name with respect to Allah’s ability and power:

“Say: He is able to send punishment upon you from above you or from beneath your feet, or to bewilder you with dissension and make you taste the tyranny one of another. See how We present the signs so that they may understand.” [Sūrah al-An`ām: 65]

 “And most surely We are Able to show you that which We have promised them.” [Sūrah al-Mu’minūn: 95]

“Is not He Who created the heavens and the Earth able to create the like of them? Yea! and He is the Creator of All Things, the All-Knowing.” [Sūrah YāSīn: 81]

The following verse cites the name while discussing Allah’s decree and Hid determination of what takes place in creation: “Thus We determine. How excellent is Our determining!” [Sūrah al-Mursalāt: 23]

These two meanings are interrelated. Allah is capable of all things. Nothing that He intends fails to take place. Therefore, whatever he determines and decrees must come to pass precisely according to His determination.

The name al-Qadīr (the All-Powerful) also derives from the verb qadara, but is more emphatic. This name appears for Allah forty-five times in the Qur’ān. For instance:

“Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together; surely Allah has power over all things.” [Sūrah al-Baqarah: 148]

“If you do good openly or keep it secret, or pardon a wrong, then surely Allah is Pardoning, All-Powerful.” [Sūrah al-Nisā’: 149]

“Do you not know that to Allah (alone) belongs the dominion of the heavens and the Earth? He punishes whom He pleases, and He forgives whom He pleases, and Allah has power over all things.” [Sūrah al-Mā’idah: 40]

 “Surely Allah is Able to assist them.” [Sūrah al-Hajj: 39]

Allah is the one who carries out His will, by His deliberate actions. Allah connects His will with being capable of all things in the following verse: “If Allah had pleased He would certainly have taken away their hearing and their sight; surely Allah has power over all things.” [Sūrah al-Baqarah: 20]

In this verse, Allah is addressing the hypocrites, warning them that He is capable of all things and that His will is inescapable.

Allah cites His power while asserting that He abrogates of the scriptures whatever He pleases, and replaces them with other scriptures that He wishes. He says: “None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute for it something better or similar: Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?” [Sūrah al-Baqarah: 106]

Allah can replace certain legal rulings and religious teachings with those that are better for His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) and those who follow him.

Allah’s power is total and comprehensive. With it, He brought the heavens and Earth into existence. By His power, all of creation is maintained, the cycle life and death unfold, and hearts are turned to the truth. By His power, He recompenses His servants.