Al-Fattah, The Opener

Calligraphy and image from vecteezy.com

I selected this image because to me it suggests the richness of possibilities that are opened by God.

The Islamic understanding of this name is a bit puzzling to me.  It occurs only once in the Quran, 34:26, and in all of the translations I have seen, the name that in almost all of the lists of the name is translated "The Opener", is translated in this surah as the "Judge".  

Say, "Our Lord will bring us together; then He will judge between us in truth.  And He is the Knowing Judge." (Sahih International) 

Say, "Our Lord will bring us together; then He will judge between us equitably.  He is the All-Knowing  Judge." (ClearQuran) 

The best sense I can make of this is that the sense is that God will judge in this situation by opening up the truth of what is going on between the two groups that are in conflict.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus identifies himself in the vision given to John, "These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David.  What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open...See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. (Revelation 3:7-8 NIV).

What is it that God opens up for us?  Well, clearly for Christians, Jesus' death on the cross opens up the door to salvation.  The Muslim meditations on this name talk about God opening up understanding, opening up provisions, opening up truth.  

This is what I came up with as I pondered this name and God's role as the Opener in my life.

Opener

Open, open, what doors do You open?

What doors do You open for me?

Open the door to eternal life

So I can walk on the path of light.

Open my prison of sin and shame

So I can walk freely and feel no blame.

Open my ears to your Holy book

Open up the way with Your shepherd's crook. 

Open my heart, open up my mind

Open my eyes so I won't be blind.

Open my heart to my neighbor's need.

So that I can love both in word and deed.

Open Your throne room high above

So I can find mercy and know your love.

Open, open what doors have You opened?

What doors have You opened for me?