al-Maqsad al-Asna

al-Maqsad al-Asna fi Sharh Ma'ani Asma' Allah al-Husna (The Noblest Aim in Explaining the Meanings of the Most Beautiful Names of God) is a treatise on Islamic theology and spiritual ethics by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 505 AH / 1111 CE), devoted to expounding the meanings and spiritual applications of the divine names of God Mawsuat al-Firaq al-Munta…+1.

Composition and Purpose

Al-Ghazali composed the work in response to a request from a fellow believer to elucidate the inner meanings of the Most Beautiful Names Faharis Ulum al-Quran al-…. In his work al-Arba'in fi Usul al-Din, al-Ghazali notes that while formal theological treatises (kalam) focus on doctrinal defense, al-Maqsad al-Asna serves as an entrance into deeper experiential cognition (ma'rifa), particularly through the contemplation of divine names derived from divine actions Majallat al-Risala.

Structure and Content

The treatise is organized into three main divisions (funun), each comprising several chapters:

• Part One: Premises and Introductions (al-Sawabia wa-l-Muqaddimat), containing four chapters Kashf al-Zunun an Asami a…+1. It addresses linguistic and theological fundamentals, including the distinction between the name (ism), the named entity (musamma), and the act of naming (tasmiya) Ruh al-Bayan+1. It also examines the principle that divine names are established solely through revelation (tawqifiyya) and discusses human spiritual emulation (takhalluq) of divine qualities without compromising divine transcendence (tanzih) Ithar al-Haqq 'ala al-Kha…+1.
• Part Two: Objectives and Ends (al-Maqasid wa-l-Ghayat), containing three chapters Kashf al-Zunun an Asami a…+1:
  • The first chapter provides a sequential commentary on the ninety-nine names listed in the prophetic tradition reported from Abu Hurayrah through the transmission of al-Walid ibn Muslim al-Maqsad al-Asna+1. It opens with Allah, defining it as the supreme proper name denoting the true existent that unifies all divine attributes al-Maqsad al-Asna+1. For each name, al-Ghazali presents its theological signification and the servant's practical share in adopting its moral qualities al-Maqsad al-Asna+1.
  • The second chapter analyzes the significance of enumeration and the specific restriction to ninety-nine, addressing whether God's names surpass that number al-Maqsad al-Asna.
  • The third chapter examines how various names return to the divine essence, either in conjunction with negations (salb), relations (idafa), or essential attributes al-Maqsad al-Asna.
• Part Three: Supplements and Completions (al-Lawaheq wa-l-Takmilat), containing three chapters that resolve supplementary inquiries related to the topic Kashf al-Zunun an Asami a…+1.

Method and Doctrinal Positions

In his exposition, al-Ghazali relies primarily on the list transmitted by al-Walid ibn Muslim, rarely bringing textual proofs from scripture for individual names and occasionally referencing verbal forms instead of explicit nominal forms Nataij al-Buhuth wa Khawa…. Doctrinally, he maintains that the name is distinct from the named and from the designation itself Ruh al-Bayan+1. He also affirms that while the supreme name Allah belongs exclusively to God and cannot be applied to creation even metaphorically, a human being may adopt ethical traits aligned with the meanings of other divine names al-Maqsad al-Asna+1.

Abridgments

The text was later abridged by Shams al-Din Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Khatib al-Waziri (d. after 867 AH; reportedly after 898 AH) Kashf al-Zunun an Asami a…+1.