Meaning & Explanation
Al-Mani' is the One who prevents and withholds. He prevents harm from reaching His servants and withholds provision from whom He wills for wisdom. When He gives, none can withhold, and when He withholds, none can give.
Quran References
2 versesContext: Allah's exclusive power to give and withhold
مَّا يَفْتَحِ اللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحْمَةٍ فَلَا مُمْسِكَ لَهَا وَمَا يُمْسِكْ فَلَا مُرْسِلَ لَهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ
“Whatever Allah grants to people of mercy - none can withhold it; and whatever He withholds - none can release it thereafter”
Context: Allah can prevent even internal actions
وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ
“And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart”
Exemplifying Story
hadithThe Dua for Protection
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim
The Prophet ﷺ would say after every prayer: "La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamd, wa huwa ala kulli shay'in qadir. Allahumma la mani'a lima a'tayta wa la mu'tiya lima mana'ta, wa la yanfa'u dhal jaddi minkal jadd." (There is no god but Allah alone with no partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and praise, and He is able to do all things. O Allah, none can prevent what You give, and none can give what You prevent, and no wealth or majesty can benefit anyone against You.) This dua acknowledges Al-Mani's exclusive power.
Al-Mani' alone determines what reaches us and what is withheld. No power can give what He prevents or prevent what He gives. Trust His wisdom in both.