Al-Mu’tin Al-Mani’
Al-Mu’tin Al-Mani’ is the Giver of Meanings. He is the One Who gives everything whatever it has of goodness, and Who withholds this giving from whomever He wishes, and cuts off their yearning. So learn how to exercise restraint under what He destines for you. Surrender to His orders, and thank Him at times of His giving, and do not ask for anything other than what He gives.
From: The Children Around the Table of Allah by Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i Head of the Higher Sufi Council in Jerusalem and the Holy Land Teacher at the Dome of the Rock (al-Aqsa)
AL-MANI’
Allah is the one who averts harm from His creation. People are unable to do, yet we do not understand this. We wish, we will … and we try to obtain that which we wish and will. Our wishes are endless and our plans, calculations, and efforts to obtain what we wish are boundless. But our fulfillment of those wishes depends on many circumstances. We do not obtain everything that we wish and work for. The causes that produce the things we desire and bring them into being for us depend on the manifestation of Allah’s attribute al-Mani’, the Preventer. In both cases, what happens is what was bound to happen in accordance with Allah’s destiny: one knows one’s destiny only after it is actualized.
Allah al-Khabir is aware of our wishes. Allah al-Ghani has infinite treasuries containing what we wish. Allah al-Karim does not withhold what we wish. Allah al-Qadir is able to procure it instantly. Allah is the Richest, Most Beneficent, Most Powerful, Most Just. If we do not receive what we wish, it is not because He does not know of it, because He does not have it, because He cannot afford to give it, or because He is unable to hand it to us. He is perfect, free from all defect. Though the reason may be unknown to us, we must believe that if we do not receive what we will and wish, it is because that is best for us.
It is as if there were a perfect father who is most loving and protective to his children. He is wise, rich, generous, and kind, not only to his children and his family, but to everyone. If he prevents one of his children from eating too much, or from eating an unripe fruit, or from playing with a dangerous toy, can we call him lacking in compassion? Certainly he prevented the child from having or doing something with the thought of what was best for the child. Indeed, Allah’s compassion is infinitely superior to that of the most compassionate of fathers.
Allah says in Surah Baqarah (216):
… and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you; and Allah knows while you know not.
‘Abd al-Mani’ is the one who has been rendered safe by Allah from things harmful to him. He in turn protects those around him from harmful things, even thought they may appear in such attractive forms as wealth, fame, beauty, or joy.
Recitation of this Name 161 times in the mornings and evenings helps relieve pain and fear. When a husband and wife feel lack of affection between them, to recite it silently in bed may rekindle love between them. To recite it during a voyage may help dangers and difficulties.
From: The Name & the Named by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak al-Jerrahi al-Halveti