The meaning of Allaah’s name al-Musawwir

Praise be to Allah.

Allaah is the Bestower of forms. His creation is as is He wills, and He is the One Who formed and gave shape to all that exists. He has given everything its own form and distinct shape, even though His creation is so great and so varied. He has bestowed forms, not by way of copying – glorified and exalted be He far above such a thing.

 When He wills a thing, He merely says to it “Be!” and it is, with the attributes that He wills and the form that He has chosen for it. He does what He wills and creates what He wills in the form that He wills.

 Some scholars differentiated between al-Khaaliq (the Creator), al-Baari’ (the Maker) and al-Musawwir (the Bestower of forms) as follows:

 Al-Khaaliq (the Creator) is the One Who created from nothing all creatures that exist, according to their decreed qualities.

 Al-Baari’ is the One Who made man from al-baraa, i.e., clay.

 Al-Musawwir is the One Who creates various forms and shapes.

 So al-Khaaliq is a general word, al-Baari’ is more specific and al-Musawwir is even more specific.