Quran Academy

1. General Meaning

The word “kareem” means, according to Lisan al-Arab, means:

When it is applied to people, it is a comprehensive noun encompassing all that deserves praise. It encompasses all types of goodness, honourableness, and virtuous qualities.
When it applies to Allah (swt), it means plentiful of goodness, generosity in giving gifts which never end.>>>Are you tired of not feeling a close relationship with the Quran? Click here to strengthen your relationship with the Quran.

According to Lane’s lexicon, ‘kareem’ means “generous, liberal, honourable, noble, high-born.”

The structure of the word is such that it denotes permanence of the quality, as opposed to ‘dhaahib’ which means ‘a going-person’. A person is not always going to be on the move, but a generous person is generous by character, which is longer-lasting.

The word is used in the Quran as an attribute of many things –

of Musa (as):

“And We had already tried before them the people of Pharaoh, and there came to them a noble messenger.” (44:17)

of Angels:

“[Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels, noble and dutiful.” (80:15-16)

Of angel Jibreel:

[That] indeed, the Qur’an is a word [conveyed by] a noble messenger [who is] possessed of power and with the Owner of the Throne, secure [in position], obeyed there [in the heavens] and trustworthy.” (81:19-21)

Of the Quran:

“Indeed, it is a noble Qur’an In a Register well-protected; None touch it except the purified.” (56:77-79)

The Throne of Allah:

“So exalted is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne.” (23:116)

Provision for the Believers:

“Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.” (8:4)

“But those who have believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah and those who gave shelter and aided – it is they who are the believers, truly. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.” (8:74)

Prophet Sulayman’s (as) letter:

She [the Queen of Sheba] said, “O eminent ones, indeed, to me has been delivered a noble letter.” (27:29)

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2. Allah’s Name Al-Kareem

The name ‘Al-Karim’ as a name of Allah (swt) has come relatively few times in the Quran and sunnah. We find it in the following ayat:

“Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, ‘I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.” And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, “This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful – his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful – then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous.’” (Quran, 27:40)

Ibn Kathir (rh) explains in his tafsir the word ‘karim’ in the following way:

“Karim (Bountiful): He is Bountiful in and of Himself, even if no one were to worship Him. His greatness does not depend on anyone.”

“O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous, Who created you, proportioned you, and balanced you? In whatever form He willed has He assembled you.” (Quran, 82:6-8)

We also find this name of Allah in the dua which the Prophet (sa) taught Aisha (ra) to say on the night of al-Qadr.

Aishah narrated:

“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is your view if I know when the Night of Al-Qadr is, then what should I say in it?” He said: ‘Say: “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, [Generous,] You love pardon, so pardon me (Allāhumma innaka `Afuwwun [Karīmun], tuḥibbul-`afwa fa`fu `annī).’” (Tirmidhi 3513)

Shaykh As-Sa’di categorises the name ‘al-Karim’ (The Kind) along with:

Al-Jawwad (The Bestower of Good)

Ar-Ra’uf (The Kind)

Al-Wahhab (The Bestower)

Then he says, “All of these Names are close in meaning and all of them point to describing the Lord with mercy, generosity and kindness. They point to the great expanse of His mercy and gifts that encompass all that is existence, being granted in accordance with the dictates of His wisdom. The believers have been specifically singled out for this and they are granted a goodly and the best portion of this as Allah said, ‘My mercy encompasses all things and I shall decree it for those who have taqwa.’ (Al-A’raf (7): 156)”

Shaykh Sa’di further goes on to say, “All blessings and the various aspects of beneficence are from the effects of His mercy, generosity and kindness just as all beneficence in this world and in the Hereafter is from the effects of His mercy.” (44-45)

Some variations of the roots of this same word also appear as names of Allah (swt) in the Quran, such as Akram and Dhul Jalali wa-l-Ikram.

“And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.” (55:27)

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