The question of whether as-Saboor is one of the beautiful names of Allah remains a matter of ijtihaad and individual scholarly opinion, BUT it is proven in the hadeeth that Allah, has the attribute of sabr (patience).
It was narrated that Abu Moosa al-Ash‘ari (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “No one is more patient in bearing offensive things that he hears than Allah, may He be glorified and exalted; others are associated with Him, a son is attributed to Him, but He still grants them health and provision.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (7378) and Muslim (2804).
In what sense is Allah patient? In the sense He sees the people committing sins, trangressing the limits set by Himself but still He is not hasty in punishing them but rather He gives respite to the people that perhaps they will repent seek forgiveness, turning back to Him but when the appointed time (punishment) comes none can delay it nor postpone it.
As Allah said in many verses like Surah Nuh … Noah said ‘Worship Allah , fear Him and obey me, Allah will forgive you of your sins and delay you for a specified term. Indeed, the time [set by] Allah , when it comes, will not be delayed, if you only knew.’ “
Al-Khattaabi (RA) said: As-Saboor is the One Who does not hasten to wreak vengeance upon the sinners; rather He delays that until an appointed time, and He gave them respite for a certain amount of time.
The meaning of the name as-Saboor, as a description of Allah, may He be glorified, is close to the meaning of the name al-Haleem (the Most Forbearing), except that the difference between the two is that in the case of as-Saboor, it does not imply that they are safe from punishment, whereas in the case of al-Haleem, it implies that they may be safe from it. And Allah knows best what is correct. End quote from Sha’n ad-Da‘wah (98)
The name as-Saboor is mentioned among the beautiful names of Allah in the report of al-Waleed ibn Muslim that was narrated by at-Tirmidhi and others, as stated above. Other scholars who regarded it as one of the beautiful names of Allah are: al-Khattaabi, Ibn Mandah, al-Haleemi, al-Bayhaqi, Ibn al-‘Arabi, al-Qurtubi, Ibn al-Qayyim and others.
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