Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
The term “al-Masʾūl” is not one of the established names of Allah تعالى, so Allah should not be named by it. However, it is permissible to use this term when speaking about Allah if the intended meaning is correct and does not imply any deficiency or convey a false meaning. But if it is intended to mean that Allah تعالى is accountable before His creation or will be questioned about what He does, then this is a false meaning that cannot be attributed to Allah سبحانه.
The basic principle according to the scholars is that the Names and Attributes of Allah تعالى are based on revelation; therefore, none of them is established except through evidence from the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah.
The term “al-Masʾūl” has not been established by authentic evidence as one of the Beautiful Names of Allah. Therefore, it is not correct to say that it is one of Allah’s Names, nor is it permissible to derive a devotional name such as “ʿAbd al-Masʾūl” from it.
However, speaking about Allah is broader than establishing His Names and Attributes. Allah may be described in an informative statement using a word whose meaning is correct, even if that word is not an established Divine Name.
If someone says: “Allah is al-Masʾūl”, intending that creation asks Him for sustenance, mercy, and forgiveness, and turns to Him to fulfill their needs and remove their hardships, then this meaning is correct.
Allah تعالى says:
“Whoever is in the heavens and the earth asks Him. Every day He is bringing about a matter.” [Al-Raḥmān: 29]
This verse demonstrates the dependence of creation upon Allah تعالى and that they ask Him from His bounty and mercy.
Some scholars have used this expression in supplication and in statements about Allah. Ibn Kathīr, for example, said: “Allah is the One from whom we ask that He grant a good outcome.” Likewise, Shaykh al-Albānī said: “Allah is the One from whom we ask that He preserve our faith for us.”
Thus, this usage is fundamentally correct, because it means that Allah تعالى is the One who is asked, hoped in, and called upon.
Some people may use the word “al-Masʾūl” with the meaning of the one entrusted with an affair, responsible for it, and managing it.
This meaning is correct in principle, for Allah سبحانه is the One who manages all the affairs of His creation.
Allah تعالى says:
“Then He established Himself over the Throne, managing the affair.” [Yūnus: 3]
And He سبحانه says:
“Allah is the Creator of everything, and He is, over everything, a Trustee. To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth.” [Al-Zumar: 62–63]
Allah تعالى is the Creator, Owner, and Manager, and all creation is under His management, authority, and dominion.
However, one should consider common usage and the connotations of the word. If using the term “al-Masʾūl” among people conveys the meaning of someone who is held accountable before someone above him, or who is required to justify his actions and decisions, then this connotation is not appropriate when using the term regarding Allah تعالى.
In such a case, it is better to avoid the term and restrict oneself to the clear expressions established in Islamic texts, such as: the Creator, the Provider, the Trustee, and the One who manages affairs, according to what is established in the texts.
If by saying “Allah is al-Masʾūl” the speaker means that Allah تعالى is questioned about His actions and decrees, or held accountable for what He has decreed and judged concerning His creation, then this meaning is certainly false.
Allah تعالى says:
“He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.” [Al-Anbiyāʾ: 23]
That is, Allah سبحانه is the Sovereign Judge whose judgment cannot be overturned, and no one holds Him accountable or objects to Him, due to the perfection of His greatness, wisdom, and justice.
As for creation, they are the ones who will be questioned about their deeds. Allah تعالى says:
“So, by your Lord, We will surely question them all about what they used to do.” [Al-Ḥijr: 92–93]
Therefore, it is essential to distinguish between the different meanings of the word “al-Masʾūl” according to the speaker’s intention and the context.
If the intended meaning is that Allah تعالى has undertaken the provision of sustenance and manages it, then it is preferable to use clear expressions that do not cause confusion, such as:
As for saying: “Allah is responsible for providing sustenance,” if what is meant is that He is the One from whom sustenance is requested, or that He is the One entrusted with and managing it, then the meaning can be understood correctly. However, it is preferable to avoid this expression if it could cause the listener to understand “responsible” in the sense of someone who is held accountable and required to give an account.
“Al-Masʾūl” is not an established Name among the Beautiful Names of Allah, so Allah should not be named by it. However, it is permissible to use the term informatively when the intended meaning is correct, such as that He is the One whom His servants ask and to whom they turn with their needs, or that He is the One who manages affairs, provided that the expression does not imply a false meaning.
As for believing that Allah تعالى is accountable before His creation or will be held accountable for His actions and decrees, this is false. Allah تعالى says:
“He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.”
It is preferable to use clear Islamic expressions, such as saying: Allah is the Provider, the Manager of affairs, and the Trustee, rather than expressions that may carry ambiguous meanings.
And Allah knows best.