Beautiful Names of God.. As-Samad: The Eternal Refuge

Egypt's Dar al-Iftaa explains them eanings Name of the God As-Samad.

There are many times when we do not know who or where to turn to. We have needs and aspirations, wants and hopes; we get confused; and need someone to talk to. We need shelter from the storm.

God Name, Al-Samad the Eternal) is similar in that regard. According to al- Ghazali, As-Samad means ‘the One to Whom one turns to at times of need and the One Who we turn to fulfill our hopes and desires.’ This is because ultimate dominion culminates in Him.

In the dictionary, Al-Samad is defined as the eternal; to remain unaffected or unchanged; to intend or turn to; something that is solid, with no holes or emptiness inside; and the ultimate Master who is obeyed. We say ‘sumood’ (from the same root s-m-d) to express remaining firm and steadfast. Ali Ibn Abu Talib (may God be please with him) said:

فصمدا صمدا حتى يَتَجلى لكم عمود الحق

“So stay firm, stay firm (samdan samdan) so that you may reach the pillars

of truth.”

In this sense, God is the One to Who we turn to for both our needs and desires. He is our ultimate goal, because He is the Master, the Eternal, the One who remains firm and unchanged. If this is so, who else can we turn to?

This Name occurs once in the Quran in Surat al-Ikhlas: “Say, “He is God, [who is] One, God, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.”