Using the Attributes of Allaah as Waseelah in Du`aa.

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

The Names of Allaah جل وعلا are Names and Descriptions [1]; which are to be used while invoking (Him). These Names also point to His Attributes like al-Rahmah (Mercy), al-`Ilm (Knowledge), al-Basr (His Sight) and other than them [2]. But the Attributes are not be used while invoking Him, rather they are to be used only as Waseelah.

As for the Names, then they are to be used while supplicating like: Yaa Rahmaan!, Yaa Raheem! [3]; but one should not say: Yaa Ridhallaah! (O pleasure of Allaah!), nor should one say: Yaa `Izzatillaah! (O Honor of Allaah!) [4].

Source:

 الفوائد الجلية من دروس الشيخ ابن باز العلمية

[1] al-Hayy (the Ever-Living), al-`Aleem (the All-Knowing), al-Qadeer (the Omnipotent), al-Samee` (the All-Hearing), al-Baseer (the All-Seeing), al-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful), al-Raheem (the Bestower of Mercy), al-`Azeez (the All-Mighty) and al-Hakeem (the All-Wise); all of them are Names that refer to one thing and that is Allaah تبارك وتعالى. However, the meaning of al-Hayy is not the meaning of al-`Aleem, and the meaning of al-`Aleem is not the meaning of al-Qadeer and so on. So we say that they are titles and descriptions due to the Qur’aan indicating that, just as it is found in the statement of Allaah تعالى:

{ وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ}

{And He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Bestower of Mercy.} [Surah Ahqaaf (46):8]

And there occurs the statement of Allaah تعالى:

{ وَرَبُّكَ الْغَفُورُ ذُو الرَّحْمَةِ}

{And your Lord is the Oft-Forgiving, the Possessor of Mercy.} [Surah al-Kahf (18):58]

[2] The Names of Allaah تبارك وتعالى points to His Attributes. An example of this is that al-Hayy (the Ever-Living) is a Name from the Names of Allaah تبارك وتعالى demonstrating perfect life which was not preceded by absence, nor is it followed up by a death.

Another example: al-’Aleem is a Name from the Names of Allaah تعالى demonstrating perfect `Ilm (knowledge) which is not proceeded by ignorance, nor is it followed up by forgetfulness.

More example: al-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful) is a Name from the Names of Allaah تعالى demonstrating perfect mercy (Rahmah).

[3] While making the du`aa one should mention in front of the request, that which befits the occasion, from the Names of Allaah تعالى, such as when one says: ‘O Ghafoor (Oft-Forgiving), forgive me,’ and ‘O Raheem (Bestower of Mercy), bestow mercy upon me,’ and ‘O Hafeedh (Preserver), preserve me,’ and the likes of that.

[All these three points have been taken from the book: “Exemplary Foundations Concerning the Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allaah” of Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله, translated into English by brother Maaz Qureshi – which can be accessed from http://www.troid.ca/]

[4] Admin's note: To use the Attributes of Allaah in the du`aa as Waseelah is by saying for example: ‘Allaahumma bi Rahmatika arhamni’ (O Allaah! By Your Mercy, have mercy upon me); ‘Allaahumma bi Rahmatika nastagheeth’ (O Allaah! By Your Mercy, we seek your help) and the like.