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| 1999- 99 Names of God Relief Portland limestone Head size:25cm × 25cm × 25cm A collection of 99 heads ( seven heads have been made so far) |
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"This sculpture does not claim the representation of the 99 Names of God. The heads are only a contemplation in the possibilities of form in stone." The 99 names of God, the divine names or the beautiful names are adjectives, which describe the many faces of god. The names appear in Islamic text and have been the centre of attention by Islamic scholars. 'Everything we can know about God, and ultimately everything we can know about "other than God" (ma siwa Liah)_ that is, "the world" or "the cosmos" (al-alam)_ is prefigured by the Names. They delineate God's perfections inasmuch as He is Being (al-wujud) and the sourse of all that exists. Ranked in a hierarchy, some are broader in scope than others; the "Universal Names" in the last analysis correspond to all things. Hence Ibn Arabi can say that the Divine Names are infinite in keeping with the infinity of the creatures. (Fusus, chap 2) This project, which is an ongoing one, contemplates the significant of the plurality in the attributes or the many names of god. The heads are carved in high relief and are in three quarter view. The plasticity of form is such to suggest a multiple viewpoint. |
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99 Names of God: 1. Ar-Rehman ( the Beneficent) 2. Ar-Rahim (the Merciful) 3. Al-Malik (the Sovereign Lord, The King) 4. Al-Quddus (The Holy) 5. As-Salaam (the Source of Peace) 6. Al-Mu'min (The Guardian of Faith,) 7. Al-Muhaymin (The Protector) 8. Al-'Aziz ( The Mighty) 9. Al-Jabbar (The Compeller) 10. Al-Mutakabbir ( The Superb) 11. Al-Khaaliq (The Creator) 12. Al-Bari' (The Evolver) 13. Al-Musawwir (The Giver of Form) 14. Al-Ghaffar (The Forgiver) 15. Al-Qahhar (The Subduer) 16. Al-Wahhab (The Bestower) 17. Ar-Razzaaq (The Provider) 18. Al-Fattah (The Opener) 19. Al-'Alim (The All-Knowing) 20. Al-Qaabid (The Constructor) 21. Al-Basit (The Expander) 22. Al-Khafid (The Abaser) 23. Ar-Rafi' (The Exalter) 24. Al-Mu'izz (The Honourer) 25. Al-Muzill (, The One Who Humbles) 26. As-Sami' (The All-Hearing) 27. Al-Basir (The All-Seeing) 28. Al-Hakam (The Judge) 29. Al-'Adl (The Just) 30. Al-Latif (The Subtle) 31. Al-Khabir (The Aware) 32. Al-Halim (The Clement) 33. Al-'Azim (The Great One) 34. Al-Ghafur (The All-Forgiving) 35. Ash-Shakur (The Appreciative) 36. Al-'Ali (The Most High) 37. Al-Kabir (The Most Great) 38. Al-Hafiz (The Preserver) 39. Al-Muqit (The Maintainer) 40. Al-Hasib (The Reckoner) 41. Al-Jalil (The Beautiful, The Majestic) 42. Al-Karim (The Generous) 43. Ar-Raqib (The Watchful) 44. Al-Mujib (The Responsive) 45. Al-Wasi' (The All-Embracing) 46. Al-Hakim (The Wise) 47. Al-Wadud (The Loving) 48. Al-Majid (The Glorious) 49. Al-Ba'ith (The Resurrector) 50. Ash-Shahid (The Witness) 51. Al-Haqq (The Truth) 52. Al-Wakil (The Trustee) 53. Al-Qawi (The Most Strong) 54. Al-Matin (The Firm) 55. Al-Wali (The Protecting Friend) 56. Al-Hamid (The Praiseworthy) 57. Al-Muhsi (The Reckoner) 58. Al-Mubdi' (The Originator) 59. Al-Mu'id (The Restorer) 60. Al-Muhyi (The Giver of Life) 61. Al-Mumit (The Creator of Death) 62. Al Hayy (The Alive, The Living) 63. Al-Qayyum (The Self-Subsisting) 64. Al-Wajid (The Finder) 65. Al-Majid (The Noble, The Glorious) 66. Al-Wahid (The Unique) 67. Al-Ahad (The One) 68.. As-Samad (The Eternal) 69. Al-Qadir (The Able) 70. Al-Muqtadir (The Giver of Power) 71. Al-Muqaddim (The Expiditer) 72. Al-Muta'akhkhir (The Delayer) 73. Al-Awwal (The First) 74. Al-Akhir (The Last) 75. Az-Zahir (The Manifest) 76. Al-Batin (The Hidden) 77. Al-Wali (The Governor) 78. Al-Muta'ali (The Most Exalted) 79. Al-Barr (The Source of All Goodness) 80. At-Tawwab (The Accepter of Repentance) 81. Al-Muntaqim (The Avenger) 82. Al-Afuww (The Pardoner) 83. Ar-Ra'uf (Compassionate, The Indulgent) 84. Malik ul-Mulk (Eternal Owner of Sovereignty) 85. Dhu'l Jalal-wa'l -Ikram (Majesty & Bounty) 86. Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) 87. Al-Jami' (The Gatherer) 88. Al-Ghani (The Self-Sufficient) 89. Al-Mughni (The Enricher) 90. Al-Mani' (The Preventer) 91. Ad-Darr (The Distresser) 92. An-Nafi' (The Propitious) 93. An-Nur (The Light) 94. Al-Hadi (The Guide) 95. Al-Badi' (The Incomparable) 96. Al-Baqi (The Permanent) 97. Al-Warith (The Supreme Inheritor) 98. Ar-Rashid (The Guide to the Right Path) 99. As-Sabur (The Patient) | |
1- William C. Chittick, Islamic Spirituality (Manifestaions), Edited by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, SCM press ltd. 2- Further readings: Al-Ghazali on the Ninety-nine Beautiful Names of God, Al-Maqsad al-Asna fi Sharh Asma' Allah al-Husna. Translated by: D. BURRELL & N. DAHER, ISBN: 0 946621 31 | |
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