These facts are self-evident truths.

These facts are self-evident truths. All Existing Things are a Sign of Allah This much can be easily understood by all that all existing things are a sign and a name of Allah. We can say that the whole world is Allah's name. But the case of this name is different from that of the names given to the ordinary things. For example, if we want to indicate a lamp, or a motor car to someone, we mention its name. The same thing we do in the case of man or Zayd.

But evidently that is not possible in the case of the Being possessing infinite sublime qualities. Anything Which is Finite is a Possibly Existing Thing If an existing thing is finite, it is a possibly existing thing. As Allah's existence is infinite, He should evidently possess all sublime qualities, for if he lacked even one quality, He would become finite and as such possibly existing.

The difference between a possibly existing being and an essentially existing being is that the latter is infinite and absolute in every respect. If all the sublime qualities of the essentially existing being were not infinite, that being would not be the essentially existing being and the source of all existence. All the things caused by this source of existence are endowed with the qualities possessed by the essentially existing Being, but on a smaller scale and in varying degrees.

What is endowed with these qualities to the utmost possible degree is called the Grand Name or al-ism al-a'zam. What is the Grand Name? The Grand Name is that name or sign that is somewhat endowed with all the Divine qualities to the greatest possible degree. As compared to other existing things it possesses the Divine qualities most perfectly, though no existing thing lacks them completely, for everything has been endowed with them according to its nature and capacity.

Even those material things which appear to us to be totally devoid of all knowledge and power are not really so and possess some degree of perception and knowledge. All Existing Things Glorify Allah As we are veiled, we cannot perceive it. but it is a fact that the sublime qualities are reflected even in the things lower than man and animals. At the most these qualities are reflected in them according to the capacity of their existence. Even the lowest creations possess the quality of perception.

The Qur'an says: There is not a thing that does not praise Him, but you do not understand their praise.