Alternative Spelling:
As-Samad / Aṣ-Ṣamad / As-Samed / Assamad / Es-Samed
Meaning of As-Samad
- Absolute Self-Sufficiency - Allah needs nothing from His creation, while all creation needs Him at every moment.
- The One Sought - Hearts instinctively turn to Him for provision, guidance, protection, and relief; He is the final resort when all doors seem closed.
- Perfect Lordship - As-Samad implies complete mastery and authority; He grants, withholds, and manages affairs without partner or helper.
- Eternal and Unchanging - He is unaffected by time, change, or depletion; His perfection is constant and everlasting.
- Purity of Tawhid - The name appears in Surah Al-Ikhlas, teaching pure monotheism: all dependence upon the One who has no equal.
- Practical Reliance - Knowing As-Samad shapes character: less attachment to people and means, more trust, patience, gratitude, and sincerity.
Examples of As-Samad
- Private reliance - Before seeking people’s help, pause and ask As-Samad for ease and a lawful way out.
- Financial pressure - In debt or short on income, call upon As-Samad, make a plan of repayment, and avoid impermissible shortcuts.
- Emotional refuge - In anxiety or grief, recite Al-Ikhlas mindfully, remembering that As-Samad is the safe haven of hearts.
- Decision-making - When choices feel overwhelming, seek As-Samad’s guidance through du‘a and istikhara, then proceed with trust.
- Serving others - Reflecting As-Samad’s refuge-like quality, be a source of help to family, neighbors, and colleagues.
Root of As-Samad
- Root letters: ص م د (Ṣ-M-D).
- Core meanings: to aim or turn to someone in need; to rely upon; to be firm, solid, elevated, and unaffected.
- Classical usage: ṣamad describes a dignified master to whom people go for fulfilling needs and judgments.
- Lexical nuance: Conveys both neediness of creation towards a sovereign patron and complete sufficiency of that patron.
- Form: As-Samad is a definitive noun with the article al- (assimilated: aṣ-Ṣamad), denoting uniqueness and absoluteness.
Duahs using As-Samad
English: "O As-Samad, the Eternal Refuge, I turn to You alone for every need; grant me contentment, rectify my affairs, and suffice me with Your bounty."
Arabic: "اللهم يا ٱلصَّمَد، ملجئي الدائم، أتوجّه إليك وحدك في كل حاجة؛ ارزقني القناعة، وأصلح شأني، واكفني بفضلك."
English: "O As-Samad, suffice me against all that worries me, protect me from harm, relieve my distress, and settle my debts."
Arabic: "يا ٱلصَّمَد، اكفني ما أهمّني، واحفظني من كل سوء، وفرّج كربي، واقض ديني."
English: "O As-Samad, the One upon whom all depend, make my heart rely on You alone and make me a means of relief for others."
Arabic: "يا ٱلصَّمَد، الذي يلجأ إليه كلُّ الخلق، اجعل قلبي متوكّلًا عليك وحدك، واجعلني سببًا لفرج الآخرين."
Mentions of As-Samad in Qur'an & Hadith
"Allah, the Eternal Refuge."
Al-Ikhlas 112:2
"‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ is equal to one-third of the Qur’an."
Sahih al-Bukhari
About the man who loved reciting ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’, the Prophet said: "Inform him that Allah loves him."
Sahih al-Bukhari
He heard a man supplicating, "O Allah, I ask You by the fact that You are Allah, the One, As-Samad, who neither begets nor is begotten..." and he said, "He has asked Allah by His Greatest Name."
Sunan al-Tirmidhi
Reflections & Lessons from As-Samad
- Detach from dependency on creation - Use available means but place your heart’s dependence only on Allah.
- Practice sincere tawakkul - Reliance on As-Samad motivates patient effort without panic, entitlement, or despair.
- Seek refuge first in du‘a - Make turning to Allah a reflex before strategy and networking.
- Give others refuge - Emulate the spirit of the name by offering support, confidentiality, and counsel.
- Guard your integrity - Self-sufficiency through contentment prevents compromising values for worldly gain.
Virtues Linked to As-Samad
- Depth of Tawhid - Reflecting on As-Samad strengthens pure monotheism by recognizing all need is directed to Allah alone.
- Calm under pressure - Remembering the Eternal Refuge brings inner stability in crises.
- Reward of Al-Ikhlas - Mindful recitation of Surah Al-Ikhlas (which contains the name As-Samad) carries great reward, as affirmed in authentic narrations.
- Ethical resilience - Living by this name nurtures contentment, generosity, and freedom from begging or manipulating others.
FAQs: As-Samad
Does the name As-Samad occur more than once in the Qur’an?
As-Samad appears explicitly in Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:2). That single, definitive mention encapsulates its comprehensive meaning.
How is As-Samad different from Al-Ghani (The Self-Sufficient, Free of Need)?
Both affirm Allah’s independence. Al-Ghani emphasizes freedom from need, while As-Samad adds the sense that all creation turns to Him as their ultimate refuge and fulfiller of needs.
Can I call upon Allah using this name in my du‘a?
Yes. It is Sunnah to call upon Allah by His names. As narrated, invoking Allah with "al-Ahad, As-Samad" was praised by the Prophet as calling upon Him by His Greatest Name.
What is the relationship between As-Samad and Al-Ahad in Surah Al-Ikhlas?
Al-Ahad affirms Allah’s absolute oneness and uniqueness; As-Samad describes His perfect sufficiency and being the One to whom all turn. Together, they teach pure tawhid.
Is it permissible to name a child ‘Abdus-Samad?
Yes. Names formed with ‘Abd (servant of) plus one of Allah’s names, such as ‘Abdus-Samad, are permissible and praiseworthy.
