Editorial | Friday Special: Hold Onto His Mercy 

Al-latif is one of Allah’s names for beauty and grace, and it feeds those souls who delve into the deeper understanding of His omniscience and profound mercy. It is one of the Divine’s names that portrays His nuanced nature in two ways: a) His comprehensive knowledge, which includes Him being fully aware of the deep secrets and elusive complexities. b) His exquisite skill in bestowing mercy on His creation, and bestowing His goodness to them in the gentlest of ways.When Allah’s name Al-Latif is mentioned in the Qur’an, it is usually in connection with His name Al-Khabir (the Acquainted).Only Allah is both Latif (Most Subtle) and Khabir (Most Acquainted); only He is aware of our dark history and understands how to ensure it does not affect our future. One of the greatest philosophers Imam Ghazali (May Allah have mercy on him) writes, “None deserves this name but the One who can identify the ultra-fine, indistinct, unapparent interests [of a creature]. And then can deliver them in a gentle, unaggressive way to those who would benefit from them. Hence, it is only when gentleness in action and nuance in knowledge come together that the concept of Al-Latif is realized. It is unimaginable for such perfection in knowledge and actions to exist except with Allah, the Glorified and Exalted.” Musa’s mother flung him into the river in a frantic attempt to preserve her infant from slaughter. Her heart was unable to endure the pain of separation, and she was on the verge of disclosing his true identity to others, which would have resulted in the infant‘s death. Had Al-Latif not seen her heart about to crack, none else would have been able to preempt that disaster. Similarly, we should have firm belief in His characteristics and lay our trust in Him.