Al-Muntaqim

The Avenger, who requites the guilty with His justice. Allah Almighty says: "Indeed, We will take retribution from the criminals." (As-Sajdah, 22) "And Allah is Exalted in Might, Owner of Retribution." (Al-i Imran, 4) "So We took retribution from them." (Al-A'raf, 136) "The Day We will strike with the greatest assault, indeed, We will take retribution." (Ad-Dukhan, 16) The name appears in the Qur'an in the forms "Dhu-ntiqam" (Owner of Retribution) and "muntaqimun" (those who take retribution). Retribution in the divine sense is not the anger, rancour and revenge known among people. Allah's retribution is His giving, in perfect justice, what is deserved to those who persist in wrongdoing, who ignore every warning and who do not turn back although the door of repentance stands open. For this reason the name is most often mentioned together with Al-Aziz: the One who requites is limitless in power and unerring in judgement. Allah Most High is not hasty in punishment; He grants respite, conceals faults and gives time for repentance. "And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare in horror." (Ibrahim, 42) The believer draws two lessons from this name. When wronged, he does not despair, knowing that his right is never lost with Allah. When he looks at his own soul, he guards himself against persisting in sin and against wronging others. This name was made known not to frighten but to restrain from oppression: Allah's mercy precedes His wrath, and when the servant repents, the Avenger is also the Acceptor of Repentance and the Pardoner.