What is the meaning of Allaah’s name al-Muqeet?

Ibn Jareer mentioned a number of opinions concerning the meaning of this name: al-Muqeet means al-Hafeez (the Protector), al-Shaheed (the Witness), al-Hasab (the Sufficient), the One Who is in control of all things. He thought that the last interpretation is the correct one.

 Allaah is al-Muqeet, i.e., the Protector, the Witness, the One Who is Able to do all things.

 Al-Muqeet is the Preserver, the Omnipotent, the Witness; He is the One Who sends down provision to His creatures and shares it out among them.

 Al-Muqeet is the Sustainer; He is taking care of all living beings, for when He causes parts of them to die over time, He compensates for that. At every moment He gives them what they need to survive, until He wills to put an end to their life – then He withholds what keeps them alive, and so they die.

 Some reports give the name al-Mugheeth instead of al-Muqeet. Al-Mugheeth is interpreted as meaning the Helper, for He helps His slaves at times of difficulty when they call upon Him; He answers them and saves them. It also has the meaning of the One Who responds and the One Who is called upon. Ighaathah [help] refers to actions and istijaabah [responding] refers to words, but they may be used interchangeably.

 Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“He is the Helper of all His creatures, and He responds to those who are desperate.”