Names of Allah
Al-Khafid
Al-Khāfiḍ
The Abaser — who humbles the arrogant and lowers those who deserve abasement.
What does Al-Khafid mean?
Al-Khafid is one of the 99 Names of Allah, meaning "The Abaser," "The One who lowers". It affirms that Allah lowers and brings down whom He wills, by His perfect justice — humbling the arrogant, debasing tyrants, and bringing low the people of falsehood. It is always understood with its counterpart, Ar-Rafi (the Exalter); together they declare that all raising and lowering are in His hand alone.
The Meaning in Depth
The lowering of Al-Khafid is never arbitrary; it is justice and wisdom. He brings down those who exalt themselves wrongfully — the tyrant, the proud, the liar — and on the Day of Judgement He will lower the deniers and raise the believers: "Bringing down [some], raising up [others]" (56:3). This name humbles the heart and reassures the oppressed that no arrogant power endures; the Abaser will bring it low in His time.
Al-Khafid in the Quran (related meaning)
- "...[The Hour] will bring down [some] and raise up [others] (khafidatun rafiʿah)." (56:3)
- "...And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy." (17:24 — the meaning of lowering)
Living by This Name
Al-Khafid warns against arrogance: the one who raises themselves above others in pride is precisely the one Allah, Al-Khafid, brings low. It teaches humility, since true elevation comes only from God, and self-exaltation invites being lowered. It also comforts the oppressed: every tyrant who rose unjustly will be brought down by the Abaser, in this life or the next, by His perfect justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Al-Khafid and Ar-Rafi understood together?
They are an inseparable pair: Al-Khafid lowers and Ar-Rafi raises, both by Allah's justice and wisdom. He raises the humble believer and lowers the arrogant rejecter. On the Day of Judgement, the Hour itself "brings down and raises up" (56:3) — the ultimate manifestation of these two names.
Is the lowering of Al-Khafid unjust?
No. It is always just — the rightful consequence of arrogance, oppression, and falsehood. Allah never wrongs anyone (4:40); the one brought low has earned it, and the door of repentance and elevation remains open to all who turn to Him in humility.
Etymology & origin
Al-Khafid (الخافض) is from the root KH-F-Ḍ (خ-ف-ض), meaning "to lower, bring down, abase, humble". It is the opposite of rafʿ (raising). Al-Khafid is the Abaser: the One who lowers and brings down whom He wills by His justice — humbling the arrogant, the tyrants, and the people of falsehood, while raising others.
References
- Quran:
- 4:40, 17:24, 56:3, 95:5
- Hadith:
- Muslim 179 (Allah lowers and raises the scales of provision; His hand never runs dry); Bukhari 7405 (Allah raises and lowers by His will); Muslim 2865 (whoever humbles himself for Allah, Allah raises him); Muslim 2588 (humility raises, arrogance lowers)
Related terms
Al-Adl
The Just — whose every decree and action is the embodiment of justice, free from any oppression.
Al-Muzill
The Disgracer — who brings low and humiliates those who turn away from Him in arrogance.
Al-Qahhar
The Dominant, the Subduer — supreme over all creation, whose will overcomes everything.
Ar-Rafi'
The Exalter — who raises in rank and honor those whom He pleases among His servants.
Yawm al-Qiyamah
The Day of Resurrection — when all creation is raised, gathered, judged, and recompensed; the great Day mentioned throughout the Quran.