All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Tender compassion (hanan) is affirmed for Allah Almighty in terms of its meaning, namely mercy, tenderness, and benevolence toward His servants. As for counting “Al-Hannan” among the Beautiful Names of Allah, there is a difference of opinion among scholars, and the safer approach is to refrain from counting it as one of Allah’s Names. As for speaking of Allah’s compassion and mercy toward His servants, there is no objection to doing so.
In the Arabic language, hanan denotes mercy and tenderness. Allah Almighty says:
“And compassion from Us, and purity, and he was righteous.”
[Maryam 19:13]
Scholars have interpreted hanan as mercy.
Al-Halimi, may Allah have mercy on him, explained hanan as meaning vast in mercy, and it may also indicate an intensified degree of honoring and showing benevolence toward those who obey Allah.
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned that hanan means mercy, and cited statements of Arabic linguists explaining that the Arabs’ expression “hanna ‘alayhi” means that he had mercy and tenderness toward him, and that “Al-Hannan” means one possessing mercy.
Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, also used hanan in the context of affirming Allah’s Attributes, and Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned it with the meaning of mercy.
Some reports and hadiths also contain indications of Allah showing tender mercy toward His servants, including what is mentioned in the hadith of intercession and the release of sinful believers in Tawhid from the Fire.
Therefore, in terms of meaning, there is no problem in affirming mercy, tender compassion, and benevolence for Allah Almighty in a manner befitting His Majesty, without likening Him to creation or asking how.
Scholars have differed on this matter.
It has been reported from Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, that he considered “Al-Hannan” among Allah’s Names. In explaining “Al-Hannan Al-Mannan,” he said:
“Al-Hannan is the One who turns toward the one who turns away from Him, and Al-Mannan is the One who generously bestows gifts before being asked.”
However, another group of scholars did not permit counting it among Allah’s Beautiful Names because Allah’s Names are established only through revelation. Allah may therefore only be named with what is established in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked about “Al-Hannan, Al-Mannan, and Al-Muhsin.” He stated that “Al-Hannan” has not been established as one of Allah’s Names, whereas “Al-Mannan” and “Al-Muhsin” have been established.
The Permanent Committee also stated that “Al-Hannan” is not one of Allah’s Names because the reports naming Him with it are not established, and that hanan is among the Attributes of action in the sense of mercy.
Therefore, the safer and preferable approach is not to count “Al-Hannan” among Allah’s Beautiful Names, while it remains valid to speak of Allah as showing compassion, tenderness, and mercy, because the category of informing about Allah is broader than the category of His Names.
This expression does not in itself constitute naming Allah “Al-Hannan.” Rather, it is a statement describing the greatness of His mercy and compassion toward His servant, and that His mercy and help are nearer to the servant than the mercy and help of others.
If what is intended is that Allah Almighty is more merciful, gentle, and compassionate toward His servant than all created beings, then the meaning is sound, and there is no objection in principle to expressing it.
Nevertheless, when using expressions concerning Allah Almighty, it is preferable to use clear and safe wording, such as:
“Allah is more merciful to you than anyone else,” or “Allah’s mercy toward His servant is greater than the mercy of all created beings toward him.”
Such wording is less likely to cause misunderstanding than unusual expressions that may be interpreted in an unintended manner.
Three categories should be distinguished:
Accordingly, not everything that may correctly be said about Allah necessarily becomes one of His Names.
Hanan, in the sense of mercy and tender compassion toward the servants, is established in terms of meaning. As for “Al-Hannan” as a Name of Allah Almighty, scholars have differed regarding it, and the safer approach is not to count it among Allah’s Beautiful Names due to the absence of clear and authentic evidence establishing it as such.
As for saying, “Allah is more compassionate toward you than a thousand shoulders,” if what is intended is that Allah Almighty is more merciful and compassionate toward His servant than all created beings, then its basic meaning is sound, and it does not constitute naming Allah “Al-Hannan.” Nevertheless, it is preferable to use clear expressions that are transmitted in the religious texts or are close to the wording of revelation.
And Allah knows best.