Asma ul Husna- #7 Al Fattah

   Al- Fattah

The Opener

>Audio Link Here<

• Allah is al-Fattah. We need to know al-Fattah when we feel that things are impossible or too difficult because Allah (swt) necessarily invites you to know Him by this Name in those circumstances. 
• The second related meaning is to understand that Allah is al-Fattah when you embark on something new and the journey is unknown to you. What is unknown to you is ‘closed’ in that sense. So when you are embarking on a new journey, ask Allah (swt) to open the doors for you so that you do not encounter unanticipated difficulties. This could be with marriage, a new job, etc... 
• Al-Fattah also relates to justice. In the Qur’an, we see that those who are accused unjustly make this du`a’:

“Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision.” [Qur’an: 7:89]

‘Iftah’ has been translated as decide, because Allah’s just decision is also an opening.

• We have to remember that knowing Allah is al-Fattah means working hard to achieve the result that we want. Allah decides when to open those doors, and He may delay the solutions to test our sincerity and trust, so we should never lose hope. Imagine if the Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him) had given up after being attacked with stones at Ta’if? No matter how many times you knock on Allah’s door, it will eventually open, so don’t give up
• Also, Al-Fattah sends solutions when we least expect it.  Some matters may seem like dilemmas at first. Yusuf `alayhi sallatu wa sallam (may Allah send His peace and blessings on him) was imprisoned. But it was through the imprisonment that he was shown to be innocent to everyone, and then he was given guardianship over the food rations. Remember that the Prophet ﷺ was not allowed to make `umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) even though he embarked to do so, and instead signed a treaty at Hudaybiya. This verse was then revealed, “Surely We have given you an evident conquest,” (Qur’an, 48:1). Umar radi Allahu `anhu (may Allah be pleased with him) was astounded. How could the treaty’s terms be a victory or an opening? They were disadvantageous to the Muslims and they were not allowed to go on `umrah that year! However, the number of people who embraced Islam shortly after the treaty of Hudaybiya was great, and the following year gave them the conquest of Makkah. So remember that openings can come through things that look like problems, to begin with.
• Remember that Allah’s attributes are holistic, so He is al-Fattah and He is also the All-Knowing and the Most Wise. His opening for you will be one that is best for you.

Living with this Name:

• Have great hope in Allah’s victory, and in the fact that there will be opening.
• Work towards that opening if you can.
• Be a source of good for others. Help to open the doors for other people so that Allah (swt) will open the doors for you.