AS-SAMAD - The Everlasting Refuge and Sustainer

Allah, the Everlasting Sustainer of all. ( Surat al-Ikhlas, 112:2)

In the entire universe, all power belongs to Allah, the only One Who can remove a person's troubles and difficulties, and meet his needs. Sometimes people forget our Lord and take other guardians for themselves, who they believe can provide them with power, honor, and help. But this is a delusion, for there is no other deity other than Allah. Unless He wills otherwise, no one can help or harm anyone else. This fact is related in the Qur'an, as follows:

Do those who take the hypocrites as protectors, rather than the believers, hope to find power and strength with them? Power and strength belong entirely to Allah. ( Surat an-Nisa', 4:139)

Our only refuge from distress is Allah, the Lord of power and honor, for He answers all of His servants' prayers and eases, or fully removes, what is causing them hardship. Allah describes this, as follows:

He Who responds to the oppressed when they call upon Him and removes their distress, and has appointed you as inheritors of the land. Is there another deity besides Allah? How little you pay heed! ( Surat an-Naml, 27:62)

This verse states that some people fail to recognize or forget Allah's compassion and mercy and become ungrateful. However, as Allah states in “Say: ‘Allah rescues you from it, and from every plight'…” ( Surat al-An‘am, 6:64), only He saves us from every distress. In return, He expects us to notice this answer, ponder over its importance, submit to Him, and become His grateful servant.