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God in Islam |
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In Islam, God is believed to have 99 names in the Qur'an, known as the 99 Names of God (Arabic: أَسْمَاءُ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ʾasmāʾu llāhi l-ḥusnā, "Allah's Beautiful Names").
While some names are only in the Quran, and others are only in the hadith, there are some names which appear in both. Different sources give different lists of the 99 names.[1]
The following list is based on one list found in the 9th century. Other hadith, such as those of al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi or Ibn ʿAsākir, have variant lists.
Al-Tirmidhi comments on his list: "This (version of the) hadith is gharib [unusual, scarce]; it has been narrated from various routes on the authority of Abu Hurairah, but we do not know of the mention of the Names in the numerous narrations, except this one."
Various early Muslim exegetes, including Jaʿfar al-Sadiq, Sufyan ibn `Uyaynah, Ibn Hazm, al-Qurtubi, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, have given their own versions of lists of 99 names.[2]
Theophoric given names
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20210823054343im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Khalili_Collection_Hajj_and_Arts_of_Pilgrimage_Talismanic_shirt.jpg/220px-Khalili_Collection_Hajj_and_Arts_of_Pilgrimage_Talismanic_shirt.jpg)
The Arabic names of God are used to form theophoric given names commonly used in Muslim cultures throughout the world, including non-Arabic speaking societies.
Because the names of God themselves are reserved to God and their use as a person's given name is considered religiously inappropriate, theophoric names are formed by prefixing the term ˁabd (عَبْدُ: "slave/servant of") to the name in the case of male names; in the case of female names, the prefix amat is used in place of ˁabd.[3]
This distinction is established out of respect for the sanctity of Divine names, which denote attributes (of love, kindness, mercy, compassion, justice, power, etc.) that are believed to be possessed in a full and absolute sense only by God, while human beings, being limited creatures, are viewed by Muslims as being endowed with the Divine attributes only in a limited and relative capacity. The prefixing of the definite article would indicate that the bearer possesses the corresponding attribute in an exclusive sense, a trait reserved to God.
Quranic verse 3:26 is cited as evidence against the validity of using Divine names for persons, with the example of Mālik ul-Mulk (مَـٰلِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ: "Lord of Power" or "Owner of all Sovereignty"):
Say: "O God! Lord of Power, You give power to whom You please, and You strip off power from whom You please. You endue with honour whom You please, and You bring low whom You please. In Your hand is all Good." Verily, over all things You have power.
The two parts of the name starting with ˁabd may be written separately (as in the previous example) or combined as one in the transliterated form; in such a case, the vowel transcribed after ˁabdu is often written as u when the two words are transcribed as one: e.g., Abdur-Rahman, Abdul-Aziz, Abdul-Jabbar, or even Abdullah (عَبْدُ ٱللّٰه: "Servant of God"). (This has to do with Arabic case vowels, the final u vowel showing the normal "quote" nominative case form.)
Examples of Muslim theophoric names include:
- Rahmān, such as Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais (عَبْدُ ٱلْرَّحْمَان ٱلْسُّدَيْس): Imam of the Grand Mosque of Makkah, KSA
- Salām, such as Salam Fayyad (سَلَام فَيَّاض): Palestinian politician
- Jabbār, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (كَرِيم عَبْدُ ٱلْجَبَّار): American basketball player
- Hakīm, such as Sherman "Abdul Hakim" Jackson (عَبْدُ ٱلْحَكِيم—ˁabdu ʼl-Ḥakiym): American Islamic Studies scholar
- Ra'ūf, such as Ra'ouf Mus'ad (رَؤُوف مُسَعد): Egyptian-Sudanese novelist
- Mālik, such as Mālik bin ʼAnas (مَـٰالِك بِن أَنَس): classical Sunni Muslim scholars after whom the Maliki school of fiqh was named
- Abdul Muqtedar as in Muhammad Abdul Muqtedar Khan (مُحَمَّد عَبْدُ ٱلمُقْتَدِر خَان): Indian-American academic
List
Classical Arabic
(Quranic/ classical written forms) [4] |
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
(Variant with vowels/ without vowels) |
Transliteration | Romanization
[Various Spellings] |
Translationa | Reference | grammatical typeb | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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\* ٱلْرَّحْمَـٰنُ
ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ [* = classical written form] |
\* الرّحمـٰن
\ الرّحمان \* الرحمـٰن الرحمان [* = classical written form] |
ar-Raḥmān/ ar-Raḥmān | ar-Raḥmān
[Ar-Rahmaan] |
The Beneficent/ All-Compassionate/ Most Gracious/ | Quran: Beginning of every Surah (chapter) except one, and numerous other places. The first verse ('ayat) of Surah ar-Rahman (Surah 55) consists only of this Name. | D |
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ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ | \ الرّحيم
الرحيم |
ar-Raḥiym/
ar-Raḥīm |
ar-Raḥīm
[Ar-Raheem] |
The Most Merciful/ Ever-Merciful/ Merciful/ Most Clement | Quran: Beginning of every Surah (chapter) except one, and numerous other places (there are a total of 114 Surahs in the Quran.) | D |
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\* ٱلْمَـٰلِكُ
ٱلْمَـالِكُ [* = classical written form] |
\* المـٰلك
المالك [* = classical written form] |
al-Mālik/
al-Mālik |
al-Mālik
[al-Maalik] |
The King/ Lord/ Sovereign/ Dominion/ Master
[also means "the God/ Lord, the One and Only", "Possessor of Supreme Power or Authority"] |
59:23, 20:114, 23:116 | D |
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ٱلْقُدُّوسُ | \ القدّوس
القدوس |
al-Quddūs/
al-Quddūs |
al-Quddus
[al-Quddous, al-Quddoos] |
The Holy/ All-Holy/ All-Pure/ Sacred/ All-Sacred | 59:23, 62:1 | D |
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\* ٱلْسَّلَـٰمُ
ٱلْسَّلَامُ [* = classical written form] |
\* السّلـٰم
\ السّلام \* السلـٰم السلام [* = classical written form] |
as-Salām/
as-Salām |
As-Salām
[As-Salaam] |
The Giver of Peace/ Peace/ All-Calm/ Ever-Tranquil | 59:23 | D |
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ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ | المؤمن | al-Muʿumin/
al-Muʿmin |
al-Muʿmin | The Granter of Security/ the Giver/ Faith/ Supreme Believer (of Belief)/ Giver of Belief/ All-Assurer | 59:23 | D |
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ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ | المهيمن | al-Muhaymin | al-Muhaymin | The Controller/ Absolute Authority Over All/ Guardian Over All/ Absolute Master/ Eternal Dominating | 59:23 | D |
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ٱلْعَزِيزُ | العزيز | al-ʿAziyz/
al-ʿAzīz |
[al-Azeez] |
The Exalted in Might and Power/ Exalted/ Powerful/ Almighty/ Mighty | 3:6, 4:158, 9:40, 48:7, 59:23 | D |
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ٱلْجَبَّارُ | \ الجبّار
الجبار |
al-Jabbār/
al-Jabbār |
al-Jabbar
[al-Jabbaar] |
The Omnipotent/ Supreme Power/ Possessor of Having All Power/ Strong | 59:23 | D |
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ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ | \ المتكبّر
المتكبر |
al-Mutakabbir | al-Mutakabbir | The Possessor of Greatness/ Supreme/ Justly Proud | 59:23 | D[clarification needed] mutafaʿʿil |
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\* ٱلْخَـٰلِقُ
ٱلْخَالِقُ [* = classical written form] |
\* الخـٰلق
الخالق [* = classical written form] |
al-Khāliq/
al-Khāliq |
al-Khaliq
[al-Khaaliq] |
The Creator/ Creator of the Universe/ Maker/ True Originator/ Absolute Author | 6:102, 13:16,[5] 36:81, 39:62, 40:62, 59:24 | D |
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ٱلْبَارِئُ | البارئ | al-Bāriʿ/
al-Bāriʿ |
al-Bariʿ
[al-Baari’/ al-Baarie] |
The Initiator/ Evolver/ Eternal Spirit Worshipped By All, Have Absolute Power Over All Matters, Nature and Events | 59:24 | D |
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ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ | \ المصوّر
المصور |
al-Muṣawwir | al-Musawwir
[al-Mussawwir/ al-Muswawwir] |
The Fashioner/ Shaper/ Designer/ Artist | 59:24 | D |
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\* ٱلْغَفَّـٰرُ
ٱلْغَفَّارُ [* = classical written form] |
\* الغفّـٰر
\ الغفّار \* الغفـٰر الغفار [* = classical written form] |
al-Ghaffār/
al-Ghaffār |
al-Ghaffar
[al-Ghaffaar] |
The Repeatedly Forgiving/ Absolute Forgiver/ Pardoner/ Condoner
[He Who is Ready to Pardon and Forgive] |
20:82, 38:66, 39:5, 40:42, 71:10 | D |
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\* ٱلْقَهَّـٰرُ
ٱلْقَهَّارُ [* = classical written form] |
\* القهّـٰر
\ القهّار \* القهـٰر القهار [* = classical written form] |
al-Qahhār/
al-Qahhār |
al-Qahhar
[al-Qahhaar] |
The Subduer/ Overcomer/ Conqueror/ Absolute Vanquisher
[Possessor of Who Subdues Evil and Oppression] |
12:39, 13:16, 14:48, 38:65, 39:4, 40:16 | D |
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ٱلْوَهَّابُ | \ الوهّاب
الوهاب |
al-Wahhāb/
al-Wahhāb |
al-Wahhab
[al-Wahhaab] |
The Absolute Bestower/ Giver/ Grantor/ Great Donor | 38:9, 38:35 | D |
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ٱلْرَّزَّاقُ | \ الرّزّاق
الرزاق |
ar-Razzāq/
ar-Razzāq |
Ar-Razzaq
[Ar-Razzaaq] |
The Provider/ Sustainer/ Bestower of Sustenance/ All-Provider | 51:58 | D |
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ٱلْفَتَّاحُ | \ الفتّاح
الفتاح |
al-Fattāḥ/
al-Fattāḥ |
al-Fattah
[al-Fattaah] |
The Opener/ Opener of the Gates of Profits/ Reliever/ The Victory Giver | 34:26 | D |
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ٱلْعَلِيمُ | العليم | al-Aliym/
al-Alīm |
al-Alim
[al-Aleem] |
The Knowing/ All-Knower/ Omniscient/ All-Knowledgeable/ Possessor of Knowing Much of Ever Thing/ All-Knowing | 2:158, 3:92, 4:35, 24:41, 33:40 | D |
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ٱلْقَابِضُ | القابض | al-Qābiḍ/
al-Qābiḍ |
al-Qabid/ al-Qabidh
[al-Qaabid/ al-Qaabidh] |
The Restrainer/ Withholder/ Straightener/ Absolute Seizer | 2:245 | V |
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ٱلْبَاسِطُ | الباسط | al-Bāsiṭ/
al-Bāsiṭ |
al-Basit/ al-Basitt
[al-Baasit/ al-Baasitt] |
The Extender/ Expander/ Generous Provider | 2:245 | V |
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ٱلْخَافِضُ | الخافض | al-Khāfiḍ/
al-Khāfiḍ |
al-Khafid/ al-Khafidh
[al-Khaafid/ al-Khaafidh] |
The Abaser/ Humiliator/ Downgrader [Possessor of Giving Comfort, Free from Pain Anxiety or Troubles] | 56:3; al-Kafʿamī (1992:38) | O |
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ٱلْرَّافِعُ | \ الرّافع
الرّافع |
ar-Rāfiʿ/
ar-Rāfiʿ |
Ar-Rafiʿ/ Ar-Rafee
[Ar-Raafiʿ/ Ar-Raafee] |
The Exalter/ Upgrader [of Ranks] | 58:11, 6:83 | V |
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ٱلْمُعِزُّ | \ المعزّ
المعز |
al-Muʿizz | al-Muʿizz
[al-Muʿeizz] |
The Giver of Honor/ Bestower of Honor/ Empowerer | 3:26 | V |
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ٱلْمُذِلُّ | \ المذلّ
المذل |
al-Muḏill/al-Mudhill | al-Muzill
[al-Mudzhill] |
The Giver of Dishonor/ the Giver of Disgrace | 3:26 | V |
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ٱلْسَّمِيعُ | \ السّميع
السميع |
as-Samiyʿ/as-Samīʿ | As-Samiʿ/ As-Samie
[As-Sameeʿ] |
The Hearing/ All-Hearing/ Hearer of Invocation | 2:127, 2:256, 8:17, 49:1 | D |
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ٱلْبَصِيرُ | البصير | al-Baṣīr/al-Baṣīr | al-Basir/ al-Bassir/
al-Baswir [al-Baseer/ al-Basseer/ al-Basweer] |
The All-Seeing/ All-Seer/ Ever-Clairvoyant/ Clear-Sighted/ Clear-Seeing | 4:58, 17:1, 42:11, 42:27 | D |
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ٱلْحَكَمُ | الحكم | al-Ḥakam | al-Hakam | The Judge/ Arbitrator/ Arbiter/ All-Decree/ Possessor of Authority of Decisions and Judgment | 22:69 | V |
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ٱلْعَدْلُ | العدل | al-ʿAdl | al-ʿAdl/ al-Edl | The Just/ Authorized and Straightforward Judge of Dealing Justly | Not Quranic, see al-Kafʿamī (1992:40) | |
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ٱلْلَّطِيفُ | \ اللّطيف
اللطيف |
al-Laṭiyf/
al-Laṭīf |
al-Latif / al-Lattif/
al-Latwif [al-Lateef/ al-Latteef/ al-Latweef] |
The Gentle/ Benignant/ Subtly Kind/ All-Subtle | 22:63, 31:16, 33:34 | D |
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ٱلْخَبِيرُ | الخبير | al-Khabiyr/
al-Khabīr |
al-Khabir
[al-Khabeer] |
The All-Aware/ Well-Acquainted/ Ever-Adept | 6:18, 17:30, 49:13, 59:18 | D |
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ٱلْحَلِيمُ | الحليم | al-Ḥaliym/
al-Ḥalīm |
al-Halim
[al-Haleem] |
The Forbearing/ Indulgent/ Oft Forbearing/ All-Enduring | 2:235, 17:44, 22:59, 35:41 | A |
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ٱلْعَظِيمُ | العظيم | al-ʿAẓiym/
al-ʿAẓīm |
al-ʿAzim, al-ʿAzzim, al-ʿAzwim/ al-Ezim,
al-Ezzim, al-Ezwim [al-ʿAzzeem, al-ʿAzweem/ al-Ezzeem, al-Ezweem] |
The Most Great/ Ever-Magnificent/ Most Supreme/ Exalted/ Absolute Dignified | 2:255, 42:4, 56:96 | D |
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ٱلْغَفُورُ | الغفور | al-Ghafūr/
al-Ghafūr |
al-Ghafur
[al-Ghafour, al-Ghafoor] |
The Ever-Forgiving/ Oft-Forgiving | 2:173, 8:69, 16:110, 41:32 | D |
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ٱلْشَّكُورُ | \ الشّكور
الشكور |
ash-Shakūr/
ash-Shakūr |
ash-Shakur
[Ash-Shakour, Ash-Shakoor] |
The Grateful/ Appreciative/ Multiplier of Rewards | 35:30, 35:34, 42:23, 64:17 | A |
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ٱلْعَلِىُّ *\ ٱلْعَلِيُّ
[* = classical written form] |
\* العلىّ
\ العليّ \* العلى العلي [* = classical written form] |
al-ʿAlī */
al-ʿAliyy [* = classical written form] |
al-Ali
[al-Aliyy] |
The Sublime/ Ever-Exalted/ Supreme/ Most High/ Most Lofty | 4:34, 31:30, 42:4, 42:51 34:23 | D |
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ٱلْكَبِيرُ | الكبير | al-Kabiyr/
al-Kabīr |
al-Kabir
[al-Kabeer] |
The Great/ Ever-Great/ Grand/ Most Great/ Greatly Abundant of Extent, Capacity and Importance | 13:9, 22:62, 31:30, 34:23 | D |
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ٱلْحَفِيظُ | الحفيظ | al-Ḥafiyẓ/
al-Ḥafīẓ |
al-Hafiz
[al-Hafeez] |
The Preserver/ Ever-Preserving/ All-Watching/ Protector/ Guardian/ Oft-Conservator | 11:57, 34:21, 42:6 | A |
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ٱلْمُقِيتُ | المقيت | al-Muqiyt/
al-Muqīt |
al-Muqit
[al-Muqeet] |
The Nourisher/ Feeder | 4:85 | I |
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ٱلْحَسِيبُ | الحسيب | al-Ḥasiyb/
al-Ḥasīb |
al-Hasib
[al-Haseeb] |
The Bringer of Judgment/ Ever-Reckoner [the One Who Takes Account of All Matters] | 4:6, 4:86, 33:39 | I |
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ٱلْجَلِيلُ | الجليل | al-Jaliyl/
al-Jalīl |
al-Jalil
[al-Jaleel] |
The Majestic/ Exalted/ Oft-Important/ Splendid | 55:27, 7:143 | A, V |
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ٱلْكَرِيمُ | الكريم | al-Kariym/
al-Karīm |
al-Karim
[al-Kareem] |
The Noble/ Bountiful/ Generous/ Precious/ Honored/ Benefactor | 27:40, 82:6 | D |
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ٱلْرَّقِيبُ | \ الرّقيب
الرقيب |
ar-Raqiyb/
ar-Raqīb |
Ar-Raqib
[Ar-Raqeeb] |
The Watchful/ Observer/ Ever-Watchful/ Watcher | 4:1, 5:117 | D |
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ٱلْمُجِيبُ | المجيب | al-Mujiyb/
al-Mujīb |
al-Mujib
[al-Mujiyb] |
The Responsive/ Answerer/ Supreme Answerer/ Accepter of Invocation | 11:61 | A |
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\* ٱلْوَٰسِعُ
ٱلْوَاسِعُ [* = classical written form] |
\* الوٰسع
الواسع [* = classical written form] |
’al-Wāsi‘/
’al-Wāsi‘ |
al-Wasi‘/ al-Wasie
[al-Waasi‘/ al-Waasie] |
The Vast/ All-Embracing/ Omnipresent/ Boundless/ All-Encompassing | 2:268, 3:73, 5:54 | A |
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ٱلْحَكِيمُ | الحكيم | al-Ḥakiym/
al-Ḥakīm |
al-Hakim
[al-Hakeem] |
The Wise/ Ever-Wise/ Endowed with Sound Judgment | 31:27, 46:2, 57:1, 66:2 | D |
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ٱلْوَدُودُ | الودود | al-Wadūd/
al-Wadūd |
al-Wadud
[al-Wadoud/ al-Wadood] |
The Affectionate/ Ever-Affectionate/ Loving One/ Loving/ the Lover/ the One Who Tenders and Warm Hearts | 11:90, 85:14 | D |
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ٱلْمَجِيدُ | المجيد | al-Majiyd/
al-Majīd |
al-Majid
[al-Majeed] |
The All-Glorious/ Majestic/ Ever-Illustrious
[Oft-Brilliant in Dignity, Achievements or Actions] |
11:73 | A |
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ٱلْبَاعِثُ | الباعث | al-Bāʿith/
al-Bāʿith |
al-Baʿith / al-Baʿeith
[al-Baaʿith/ al-Baaʿeith] |
The Resurrector/ Awakener/ Arouser/ Dispatcher | 22:7 | V |
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ٱلْشَّهِيدُ | \ الشّهيد
الشهيد |
ash-Shahiyd/
ash-Shahīd |
ash-Shahid
[Ash-Shaheed] |
The Witness/ Testifier/ Ever-Witnessing | 4:166, 22:17, 41:53, 48:28 | A |
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ٱلْحَقُّ | \ الحقّ
الحق |
ʾal-Ḥaqq | al-Haqq | The Truth/ Reality/ the Only One Certainly Sound and Genuine in Truth | 6:62, 22:6, 23:116, 24:25 | D |
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ٱلْوَكِيلُ | الوكيل | al-Wakiyl/
al-Wakīl |
al-Wakil
[al-Wakeel] |
The Trustee, The Dependable, The Advocate | 3:173, 4:171, 28:28, 73:9 | A |
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ٱلْقَوِيُّ | \ القويّ
القوي |
al-Qawiyy | al-Qawi
[al-Qawee] |
The Strong | 22:40, 22:74, 42:19, 57:25 | D |
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ٱلْمَتِينُ | المتين | al-Matiyn/
al-Matīn |
al-Matin
[al-Mateen] |
The Firm, The Steadfast | 51:58 | D |
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ٱلْوَلِيُّ | \ الوليّ
الولي |
al-Waliyy | al-Wali
[al-Walee] |
The Friend, Helper | 4:45, 7:196, 42:28, 45:19 | D |
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ٱلْحَمِيدُ | الحميد | al-Ḥamiyd/
al-Ḥamīd |
al-Hamid
[al-Hameed] |
The All Praiseworthy | 14:8, 31:12, 31:26, 41:42 | D |
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\* ٱلْمُحْصِىُ
ٱلْمُحْصِيُ [* = classical written form] |
\* المحصى
المحصي [* = classical written form] |
al-Muḥṣiy/
al-Muḥṣī |
al-Muhsi
[al-Muhsee] |
The Accounter, The Numberer of All | 72:28, 78:29 | V |
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ٱلْمُبْدِئُ | المبدئ | ’al-Mubdi’
[’al-Mubdiy] |
al-Mubdiʾ
[al-Mubdie] |
The Originator, The Producer, The Initiator | 10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13 | V |
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ٱلْمُعِيدُ | المعيد | al-Muʿiyd/
al-Muʿīd |
al-Muʿid
[al-Muʿeid/ al-Muʿeyd] |
The Restorer, The Reinstater Who Brings Back All | 10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13 | V |
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\* ٱلْمُحْىِ
\ ٱلْمُحْيِى ٱلْمُحْيِي [* = classical written form] |
\* المحى
\ المحيى المحيي [* = classical written form] |
al-Muḥ·yi */
al-Muḥ·yiy [* = classical written form] |
al-Muhyi
[al-Muhyee] |
The Giver of Life | 7:158, 15:23, 30:50, 57:2 | V |
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ٱلْمُمِيتُ | المميت | al-Mumiyt/
al-Mumīt |
al-Mumit
[al-Mumeet] |
The Bringer of Death | 3:156, 7:158, 15:23, 57:2 | V |
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ٱلْحَىُّ | \ الحىّ
الحى |
al-Ḥayy | al-Hayy | The Living | 2:255, 3:2, 20:111, 25:58, 40:65 | D |
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ٱلْقَيُّومُ | \ القيّوم
القيوم |
al-Qayyūm/
al-Qayyūm |
al-Qayyum
[al-Qayyoum/ al-Qayyoom] |
The Subsisting, The Independent | 2:255, 3:2, 20:111 | D |
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\* ٱلْوَٰجِدُ
ٱلْوَاجِدُ [* = classical written form] |
\ الوٰجد
الواجد |
al-Wājid/
al-Wājid |
al-Wajid
[al-Waajid] |
The Perceiver, The Finder, The Unfailing | 38:44 | V |
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ٱلْمَاجِدُ | الماجد | al-Mājid/
al-Mājid |
al-Majid
[al-Maajid] |
The Illustrious, The Magnificent, The Glorious | 85:15, 11:73; al-Kafʿamī (1992:48) | A |
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\* ٱلْوَٰحِدُ
ٱلْوَاحِدُ [* = classical written form] |
\ الوٰحد
الواحد |
al-Wāḥid/
al-Wāḥid |
al-Wahid
[al-Waahid] |
The Unique, The Single | 13:16, 14:48, 38:65, 39:4 | D |
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ٱلْأَحَد | \ الأحد
الاحد |
al-ِِِʿAḥad | al-Ahad | The One, The Indivisible | 112:1 | A |
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ٱلْصَّمَدُ | \ الصّمد
الصمد |
aṣ-ِِِṢamad | As-Samad
[As-Ssamad/ As-Swamad] |
The Eternal, The Absolute, The Self-Sufficient | 112:2 | D |
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\* ٱلْقَـٰدِرُ
ٱلْقَادِرُ [* = classical written form] |
\ القـٰدر
القادر |
al-Qādir/
al-Qādir |
al-Qadir
[al-Qaadir] |
The All-Powerful, He Who is able to do Everything | 6:65, 46:33, 75:40 | D |
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ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ | المقتدر | al-Muqtadir | al-Muqtadir | The Determiner, The Dominant | 18:45, 54:42, 6:65 | A |
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ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ | \ المقدّم
المقدم |
al-Muqaddim | al-Muqaddim | The Expediter, He Who Brings Forward | 16:61 | V |
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ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ | \ المؤخّر
المؤخر |
al-Muʿakh·khir | al-Muʾakhkhir
[al-Moʾakhkhir] |
The Delayer, He Who Puts Far Away | 71:4 | V |
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ٱلأَوَّلُ | \ الأوّل
الاول |
al-ʿAwwal | al-Awwal | The First, The Beginning-less | 57:3 | D |
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ٱلْأَخِرُ *\ ٱلْآخِرُ
[* = classical written form] |
\الأخر*\ الآخر
الاخر [* = classical written form] |
al-ʿAkhir */
al-ʿĀkhir [variant] [* = classical written form] |
al-Akhir */
al-Aakhir [* = classical written form] |
The Last, The Endless | 57:3 | D |
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ٱلْظَّـٰهِرُ *\ ٱلْظَّاهِرُ
[* = classical written form] |
\* الظـٰهر
الظاهر [* = classical written form] |
aẓ-Ẓāhir/
aẓ-Ẓāhir |
Az-Zahir/ Az-ZZahir/ Az-Zwahir
[Az-Zaahir/ Az-Zzaahir/ Az-Zwaahir] |
The Manifest, The Evident, The Outer | 57:3 | D |
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ٱلْبَاطِنُ | الباطن | al-Bāṭin/
al-Bāṭin |
al-Batin/ al-Battin/ al-Batwin
[al-Baatin/ al-Baattin/ al-Baatwin] |
The Hidden, The Unmanifest, The Inner | 57:3 | D |
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\* ٱلْوَالِى
ٱلْوَالِي [* = classical written form] |
\* الوالى
الوالي [* = classical written form] |
al-Wāliy/
al-Wālī |
al-Wali
[al-Waali] |
The Patron, The Protecting Friend, The Friendly Lord | 13:11 | I |
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\* ٱلْمُتَعَالِى
ٱلْمُتَعَالِي [* = classical written form] |
\* المتعالى
المتعالي [* = classical written form] |
al-Mutaʿāliy/
al-Mutaʿālī |
al-Mutaʿali
[al-Muta'aali] |
The Supremely Exalted, The Most High | 13:9 | D |
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ٱلْبَرُّ | \ البرّ
البر |
al-Barr | al-Barr | The Good, The Beneficent | 52:28 | D |
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ٱلْتَّوَّابُ | \ التّوّاب
التواب |
at-Tawwāb/
at-Tawwāb |
At-Tawwab
[At-Tawwaab] |
The Ever-Returning, Ever-Relenting | 2:128, 4:64, 49:12, 110:3 | D |
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ٱلْمُنْتَقِمُ | المنتقم | al-Muntaqim | al-Muntaqim | The Avenger | 32:22, 43:41, 44:16 | P |
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ٱلْعَفُوُّ | \ العفوّ
العفو |
al-ʿAfuww/
al-ʿAfūw |
al-ʿAfu
[al-ʿAfou] |
The Pardoner, The Effacer, The Forgiver | 4:43, 4:99, 4:149, 22:60, 58:2 | V, I |
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\* ٱلْرَّءُوفُ
ٱلْرَّؤُفُ [* = classical written form] |
\* الرّءوف
\ الرّؤف \* الرءوف الرؤف [* = classical written form] |
ar-Raʿwūf/
ar-Raʿūf |
Ar-Ra’uf
[Ar-Raʿouf/ Ar-Rawʿouf] |
The Kind, The Pitying | 9:117, 57:9, 59:10 | I |
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\* مَـٰلِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ
مَالِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ [* = classical written form] |
\* مـٰلك الملك
\ مالك الملك \* مـٰلك الملك مالك الملك [* = classical written form] |
Māliku ʼl-Mulk/
Māliku ʼl-Mulk |
Malik ul-Mulk
[Maalik ul-Mulk] |
The Owner of all Sovereignty | 3:26 | D |
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\* ذُو ٱلْجَلَـٰلِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ
ذُو ٱلْجَلَالِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ [* = classical written form] |
\* ذو الجلـٰل والإكرام
ذو الجلال والإكرام [* = classical written form] |
Ḏuʼl-Jalāli waʼl-ʼIkrām, Dhuʼl-Jalāli waʼl-ʼIkrām/
Ḏuʼl-Jalāli waʼl-ʼIkrām, Dhuʼl-Jalāli waʼl-ʼIkrām/ |
Zul-Jalali wal-Ikram/ Dzhul-Jalali wal-Ikram [Zul-Jalaali wal-Ikraam/ Dzhul-Jalaali wal-Ikraam] |
The Owner, Lord of Majesty and Honour | 55:27, 55:78 | D |
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ٱلْمُقْسِطُ | المقسط | al-Muqsiṭ | al-Muqsit
[al-Muqsitt] |
The Equitable, The Requiter | 3:18; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58f) | O |
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ٱلْجَامِعُ | الجامع | al-Jāmiʿ/
al-Jāmi |
al-Jamiʿ/ al-Jamie
[al-Jaamiʿ/ al-Jaamie] |
The Gatherer, The Unifier | 3:9 | I |
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\* ٱلْغَنىُّ
ٱلْغَنيُّ [* = classical written form] |
\* ّالغنى
\ الغنيّ \* الغنى الغني [* = classical written form] |
al-Ghāniyy/
al-Ghānī |
al-Ghani
[al-Ghaani] |
The Rich, The Independent | 39:7, 47:38, 57:24 | I, A, D |
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\* ٱلْمُغْنِىُّ
ٱلْمُغْنِيُّ [* = classical written form] |
\* المغنىّ
\ المغنيّ \* المغنى المغني [* = classical written form] |
al-Mugh·niyy/
al-Mugh·nī |
al-Mughni | The Enricher, The Emancipator | 9:28 | V |
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ٱلْمَانِعُ | المانع | al-Māniʿ/
al-Mānīʿ |
al-Maniʿ/ al-Manie
[al-Maaniʿ/ al-Maanie] |
The Preventer, The Withholder, The Shielder, The Defender | See al-Kafʿamī (1992:61) | |
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ٱلْضَّارُ | \ الضّار
الضار |
aḍ-Ḍārr/
aḍ-Ḍārr |
Adh-Dharr
[Adh-Dhaarr] |
The Distressor, The Harmer, The Afflictor | 6:17; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58) | |
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ٱلْنَّافِعُ | \ النّافع
النافع |
an-Nāfiʿ/
an-Nāfīʿ |
An-Nafi‘/ An-Nafie
[An-Naafiʿ/ al-Naafie] |
The Propitious, The Benefactor, The Source of Good | 30:37 | |
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ٱلْنُّورُ | \ النّور
النور |
an-Nūr/
an-Nūr |
An-Nur
[An-Nour] |
The Light | 24:35 | I |
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\* ٱلْهَادِى
ٱلْهَادِي [* = classical written form] |
\* الهادى
الهادي [* = classical written form] |
al-Hādiy/
al-Hādī |
al-Hadi
[al-Haadi] |
The Guide, The Way | 22:54 | I |
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ٱلْبَدِيعُ | البديع | al-Badiyʿ/
al-Badīʿ |
al-Badiʿ[al-Badiyʿ/ al-Badiye] | The Originator, The Incomparable, The Unattainable, The Beautiful | 2:117, 6:101 | I |
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\* ٱلْبَاقِى
ٱلْبَاقِي [* = classical written form] |
\* الباقى
الباقي [* = classical written form] |
al-Bāqiy/
al-Bāqī |
al-Baqi
[al-Baaqi] |
The Immutable, The Infinite, The Everlasting | 55:27; al-Kafʿamī (1992:64) | V |
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\* ٱلْوَٰرِثُ
ٱلْوَارِثُ [* = classical written form] |
\* الوٰرث
الوارث [* = classical written form] |
al-Wārith/
al-Wārith |
al-Warith
[al-Waarith] |
The Heir, The Inheritor of All | 15:23, 57:10 | P |
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ٱلْرَّشِيدُ | \ الرّشيد
الرشيد |
ar-Rashiyd/
ar-Rashīd |
Ar-Rashid
[Ar-Rasheed] |
The Guide to the Right Path | 11:87 (Used Not referring to Allah) | |
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ٱلْصَّبُورُ | \ الصّبور
الصبور |
aṣ-Ṣabūr/
aṣ-Ṣabūr |
As-Sabur/ As-Ssabur/ As-Swabur
[As-Sabour/ As-Ssabour/ As-Swabour] |
The Timeless, The Patient | 2:153, 3:200, 103:3 | I |
[* = classical calligraphic short written form] | |||||||
a[by whom?]. b D = Direct;[clarification needed] V = from Verb; A = from Adjective or Adjectival Phrase; I = from Indefinite noun;
P = from Plural noun; O = Other |
Hadith
By what they said to Sahih Bukhari Hadith:[6]
Abu Hurairah reported that God has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and God is witr (one) and loves 'the witr' (i.e., odd numbers).
— Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book 75, Hadith 419
There is another Sahih Muslim Hadith:[7]
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "God has ninety-nine Names, one-hundred less one; and he who memorized them all by heart will enter Paradise." To count something means to know it by heart.
— Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 93, Hadith 489
The Quran refers to God's Most Beautiful Names (al-ʾasmāʾ al-ḥusná) in several Surahs.[8] Gerhard Böwering refers to Surah 17 (17:110) as the locus classicus to which explicit lists of 99 names used to be attached in tafsir. A cluster of more than a dozen Divine epithets which are included in such lists is found in Surah 59.[9] Sunni mystic Ibn Arabi surmised that the 99 names are "outward signs of the universe's inner mysteries".[1]
Islamic mysticism
There is a tradition in Sufism to the effect the 99 names of God point to a mystical "Most Supreme and Superior Name" (ismu l-ʾAʿẓam (ٱلْإِسْمُ ٱلْأَعْظَم).[10] This "Greatest Name of God" is said to be "the one which if He is called (prayed to) by it, He will answer." The Greatest name of God is 'I Am' [11]
According to a hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Masud, some of the names of God have also been hidden from mankind.[12] More than 1000 names of God are listed in the Jawshan Kabir (جَوْشَنُ ٱلْكَبِير—literally "the Great Cuirass") invocations.
The influential Sunni mystic Ibn Arabi (26 July 1165 – 16 November 1240) did not interpret the names of God as mere epithets, but as actual attributes paring the universe both in created and possible forms. By these names, the divine traits disclose for humans, whose divine potential is hidden, can learn to become a reflection of such names. However, such reflections are limited; the divine traits do not equal the divine essence of the names.[13] Influenced by the metaphysical teachings of Ibn Arabi, Haydar Amuli assigned angels to the different names of God. Accordingly, the good angels as a whole are a manifestation of God's Names of Beauty. Evil angels (shayatin) on the other hand are a manifestation of God's Names of majesty, such as "The Haughty".[14]
Use in Baháʼí sources
Baháʼí sources state that the 100th name was revealed as "Baháʼ" (Arabic: بهاء "glory, splendor"), which appears in the words Bahá'u'lláh and Baháʼí. They also believe that it is the greatest name of God.[15][16] The Báb wrote a noted pentagram-shaped tablet with 360 morphological derivation of the word "Baháʼ" used in it.[15]
According to Baháʼí scholar ‘Abdu’l-Hamíd Ishráq-Khávari, Bahāʾ al-dīn al-ʿĀmilī adopted the Persian poetic pen name "Bahāʾ" after being inspired by the words of the fifth Twelver Imam, Muhammad al-Baqir, and the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq, who stated that the greatest name of God was included in either the Duʿāʾu l-Bahāʾ, a dawn prayer for Ramadan, or the ʾAʿmal ʿam Dawūd.[15] In the first verse of the duʿāʾu l-Bahāʾ, the name "Bahāʾ" appears four times.[17]
See also
- The 99, a comic book based on the 99 names of God in Islam.
- Basmala
- List of Arabic theophoric names
- Names of God
- Names of God in Judaism
- Sahasranama, the Hindu lists of 1000 names of God.
- "The Nine Billion Names of God", a short story by Arthur C. Clarke.
References
- ^ a b Morgan, Diane (2010). Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice. ABC-CLIO. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-313-36025-1.
- ^ Suhaib Hassan, Introduction to the Science of Hadith Classification (ahya[permanent dead link]), cited after Richard Shelquist (wahiduddin.net) Archived 2012-05-10 at the Wayback Machine[unreliable source?]
- ^ [1] Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Please note the written Arabic spelling of the names written in Arabic in the table are in the vowelled Classical/Quranic form (proper = in the Quran and Ahādith) with the square bracketed "[.]" variant of the written Arabic forms given in common or modern texts—usually in media, some long vowels and punctuations are omitted for the easier typing and reading.
- ^ "al-Quran (القرآن) :: Online Quran Project :: Translation and Tafsir". Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
- ^ "Hadith: Book of Invocations - Sahih al-Bukhari - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ "Hadith - Book of Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed) - Sahih al-Bukhari - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ See the Surah "al-A'raf" (7:180 ), "Al-Isra" (17:110 ), "Ta-Ha" (20:8 ) and "al-Hashr" (59:24 ).
- ^ http://quran.com/59/22-24 (59:22–24)
- ^ Schimmel, Annemarie (1993). The Mystery of Numbers. New York, USA: Oxford University Press. p. 271. ISBN 0-19-508919-7.
- ^ Momen, Moojan (2000). Islam and the Bahá'í Faith. George Ronald. p. 241. ISBN 978-0-85398-446-7. The endnote states: "Ibn Májah, Sunan, 34. (Kitáb ad-Du'á), ch. 9, no. 3856, vol. 2, p. 1267. See also: Ad-Dárimí, Sunan, 23 (Fada'il al-Qur'án), ch. 15, no. 3296, vol. 2, pp. 324–325. Similar statements in Shi'i tradition include: Majlisí, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 26. p. 7.
- ^ Taymiyyah, ibn, Taqī ad-Dīn Ahmad (2003). The Goodly Word: al-Kalim al-Ṭayyib. Islamic Texts Society. p. 72. ISBN 1-903682-15-0.
- ^ Bruce Lawrence The Qur'an: A Biography Atlantic Books Ltd, 02.10.2014 ISBN 9781782392187 chapter 8
- ^ Ayman Shihadeh Sufism and Theology Edinburgh University Press, 21.11.2007 ISBN 9780748631346 pp. 54-56
- ^ a b c Lambden, Stephen (1993). "The Word Baháʼ: Quintessence of the Greatest Name". Baháʼí Studies Review. 3 (1).
- ^ Smith, Peter (2000). "greatest name". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 167–8. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
- ^ Khadem, Dhikru'llah (March 1976). "Bahá'u'lláh and His Most Holy Shrine". Baháʼí News (540): 4–5. Archived from the original on 2017-06-20.
- ʾIbrahīm bin ʿAlī al-Kafʿamī (1436–1500 CE), al-Maqām al-asnā fī tafsīr al-asmāʼ al-ḥusnā. Beirut: Dār al-Hādī (1992) (WorldCat listing).
External links
- Al-Rahman al-Rahim. Problems of Interpretation and Translation
- Richard Shelquist, The Beautiful Names of Allah (wahiduddin.net)
- 99 Names of Allah (ul.org.au). 01715463574 DNA ASMAUL
- Oil paintings of all the 99 names of Allah.
- [2]