Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
It is not permissible to describe Allah Almighty as “stubborn,” nor is it correct to say, “Allah is stubborn and cannot be opposed,” because stubbornness, in its basic meaning, indicates opposing and rejecting the truth despite knowing it. This is a blameworthy meaning and a deficiency, and Allah is exalted above every deficiency.
Furthermore, “the Stubborn” is neither one of Allah’s Beautiful Names nor one of His attributes established in the Qur’an or Sunnah.
Stubbornness and obstinate opposition, in their basic linguistic meaning, revolve around opposing the truth, persistently rejecting it, and refusing to submit to it.
For this reason, the Qur’an describes people as stubborn in a context of condemnation. Allah Almighty says:
“Throw into Hell every obstinate disbeliever.”
[Qāf: 24]
Thus, the word “stubborn” in this context is a blameworthy description and does not befit Allah, who possesses absolute perfection, wisdom, and justice.
Allah Almighty says:
“And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them, and leave those who deviate concerning His Names.”
[Al-A‘rāf: 180]
And He says:
“For those who do not believe in the Hereafter is the description of evil, while to Allah belongs the highest description. And He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.”
[An-Naḥl: 60]
This means that Allah possesses the highest attributes of perfection, so He is not described with anything that implies deficiency or blame.
Therefore, “the Stubborn” is not mentioned in the revealed texts as a name of Allah, nor is an attribute called stubbornness established for Him.
A person may use this expression without intending its blameworthy linguistic meaning. He may only mean, for example:
No one can overcome Allah, and no one can repel His command or oppose His judgment.
This meaning in itself is correct regarding Allah’s power, dominance, and sovereignty. However, expressing it with the word “stubborn” is incorrect because this word carries a blameworthy meaning that does not befit Allah.
Therefore, the correct expressions that Allah has affirmed for Himself should be used instead.
If the intended meaning is that no one can overcome Allah, one may say:
“Allah is the Almighty, the All-Subduing,”
or:
“Allah is the Great One whom no one can overcome,”
or:
“Allah is the Sovereign, the All-Subduing; nothing can render Him incapable.”
Allah Almighty says:
“And He is the One, the All-Subduing.”
[Ar-Ra‘d: 16]
And He says:
“And He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.”
[Ibrāhīm: 4]
Might, irresistible power, ability, and sovereignty are established attributes of perfection belonging to Allah. They convey the correct meaning that a person using the phrase “stubborn and cannot be opposed” may have intended, without using an expression that implies deficiency.
Speaking about Allah’s names and attributes requires proper reverence and precision because Allah’s names are established through revelation. It is therefore impermissible to name Him with something by which He did not name Himself.
One form of error is to give Allah a name that is not found in revelation or to describe Him with an expression that carries a meaning of deficiency, even if the speaker intends another, correct meaning.
Scholars have mentioned that one form of deviation concerning Allah’s names is to name Him with something by which He did not name Himself.
Therefore, not every word that a person considers powerful or expressive of awe is suitable to be applied to Allah.
Not absolutely. The category of informing about Allah is broader than the category of His names and attributes. It may be permissible to speak about Him using an expression that is not found in revelation if its meaning is correct and does not imply deficiency.
However, the word “stubborn” is different because its basic meaning carries blame and opposition to the truth. Therefore, it is not correct to use it when speaking about Allah, let alone to make it a name or attribute of His.
The statement “Allah is stubborn and cannot be opposed” is incorrect and must be avoided because “stubbornness” is a blameworthy description that indicates opposing and rejecting the truth, and Allah is exalted above that. Moreover, “the Stubborn” is not one of His Beautiful Names.
If what is intended is that no one can overcome Allah and that nothing can render Him incapable, then this should be expressed using correct and established wording, such as:
“Allah is the Almighty, the All-Subduing,”
or:
“Allah is the Great One whom no one can overcome.”
And Allah knows best.