Names of God in Islam

In Islam, God is believed to have 99 names in the Quran, known as the 99 Names of God (Arabic: أَسْمَاءُ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ʾasmāʾu llāhi l-ḥusnā, "Beautiful Names of God").

There is no universal agreement among Muslims as to what exactly counts as a name of God, and what does not. Additionally, 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 the one 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

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.

Quran 3:26

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]

TranslationaReferencegrammatical typeb
1\* ٱلْرَّحْمَـٰنُ

ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ

[* = classical written form]

\* الرّحمـٰن

\ الرّحمان

\* الرحمـٰن

الرحمان

[* = classical written form]

ar-Raḥmān/ ar-Raḥmānar-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
2ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ \ الرّحيم

الرحيم

ar-Raḥiym/

ar-Raḥīm

ar-Raḥīm

[Ar-Raheem]

The Most Merciful/ Ever-Merciful/ Merciful/ Most ClementQuran: Beginning of every Surah (chapter) except one, and numerous other places (there are a total of 114 Surahs in the Quran.)D
3\* 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, 23:116D
4ٱلْقُدُّوسُ \ القدّوس

القدوس

al-Quddūs/

al-Quddūs

al-Quddus

[al-Quddous,

al-Quddoos]

The Holy/ All-Holy/ All-Pure/ Sacred/ All-Sacred59:23, 62:1D
5\* 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-Tranquil59:23D
6ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ المؤمن al-Muʿumin/

al-Muʿmin

al-MuʿminThe Granter of Security/ the Giver/ Faith/ Supreme Believer (of Belief)/ Giver of Belief/ All-Assurer59:23D
7ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ المهيمن al-Muhayminal-MuhayminThe Controller/ Absolute Authority Over All/ Guardian Over All/ Absolute Master/ Eternal Dominating59:23D
8ٱلْعَزِيزُ العزيز al-ʿAziyz/

al-ʿAzīz

al-ʿAzīz

[al-Azeez]

The Exalted in Might and Power/ Exalted/ Powerful/ Almighty/ Mighty3:6, 4:158, 9:40, 48:7, 59:23D
9ٱلْجَبَّارُ \ الجبّار

الجبار

al-Jabbār/

al-Jabbār

al-Jabbar

[al-Jabbaar]

The Omnipotent/ Supreme Power/ Possessor of Having All Power/ Strong59:23D
10ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ \ المتكبّر

المتكبر

al-Mutakabbir al-MutakabbirThe Possessor of Greatness/ Supreme/ Justly Proud59:23D
mutafaʿʿil
11\* 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 Author6:102, 13:16,[5] 36:81, 39:62, 40:62, 59:24D
12ٱلْبَارِئُ 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 Events59:24D
13ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ \ المصوّر

المصور

al-Muṣawwir al-Musawwir

[al-Mussawwir/

al-Muswawwir]

The Fashioner/ Shaper/ Designer/ Artist59:24D
14\* 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, 71:10D
15\* 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, 40:16D
16ٱلْوَهَّابُ \ الوهّاب

الوهاب

al-Wahhāb/

al-Wahhāb

al-Wahhab

[al-Wahhaab]

The Absolute Bestower/ Giver/ Grantor/ Great Donor38:9, 38:35D
17ٱلْرَّزَّاقُ \ الرّزّاق

الرزاق

ar-Razzāq/

ar-Razzāq

Ar-Razzaq

[Ar-Razzaaq]

The Provider/ Sustainer/ Bestower of Sustenance/ All-Provider51:58D
18ٱلْفَتَّاحُ \ الفتّاح

الفتاح

al-Fattāḥ/

al-Fattāḥ

al-Fattah

[al-Fattaah]

The Opener/ Opener of the Gates of Profits/ Reliever/ The Victory Giver34:26D
19ٱلْعَلِيمُ العليم al-Aliym/

al-Alīm

al-Alim

[al-Aleem]

The Knowing/ All-Knower/ Omniscient/ All-Knowledgeable/ Possessor of Knowing Much of Ever Thing/ All-Knowing2:158, 3:92, 4:35, 24:41, 33:40D
20ٱلْقَابِضُ القابض al-Qābiḍ/

al-Qābiḍ

al-Qabid/ al-Qabidh

[al-Qaabid/

al-Qaabidh]

The Restrainer/ Withholder/ Straightener/ Absolute Seizer2:245V
21ٱلْبَاسِطُ الباسط al-Bāsiṭ/

al-Bāsiṭ

al-Basit/ al-Basitt

[al-Baasit/ al-Baasitt]

The Extender/ Expander/ Generous Provider2:245V
22ٱلْخَافِضُ 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
23ٱلْرَّافِعُ \ الرّافع

الرّافع

ar-Rāfiʿ/

ar-Rāfiʿ

Ar-Rafiʿ/ Ar-Rafee

[Ar-Raafiʿ/ Ar-Raafee]

The Exalter/ Upgrader [of Ranks]58:11, 6:83V
24ٱلْمُعِزُّ \ المعزّ

المعز

al-Muʿizzal-Muʿizz

[al-Muʿeizz]

The Giver of Honor/ Bestower of Honor/ Empowerer3:26V
25ٱلْمُذِلُّ \ المذلّ

المذل

al-Muḏill/al-Mudhill al-Muzill

[al-Mudzhill]

The Giver of Dishonor/ the Giver of Disgrace3:26V
26ٱلْسَّمِيعُ \ السّميع

السميع

as-Samiyʿ/as-Samīʿ As-Samiʿ/ As-Samie

[As-Sameeʿ]

The Hearing/ All-Hearing/ Hearer of Invocation2:127, 2:256, 8:17, 49:1D
27ٱلْبَصِيرُ 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-Seeing4:58, 17:1, 42:11, 42:27D
28ٱلْحَكَمُ الحكم al-Ḥakam al-HakamThe Judge/ Arbitrator/ Arbiter/ All-Decree/ Possessor of Authority of Decisions and Judgment22:69V
29ٱلْعَدْلُ العدل al-ʿAdl al-ʿAdl/ al-EdlThe Just/ Authorized and Straightforward Judge of Dealing JustlyNot Quranic, see al-Kafʿamī (1992:40)
30ٱلْلَّطِيفُ \ اللّطيف

اللطيف

al-Laṭiyf/

al-Laṭīf

al-Latif / al-Lattif/

al-Latwif [al-Lateef/ al-Latteef/ al-Latweef]

The Gentle/ Benignant/ Subtly Kind/ All-Subtle22:63, 31:16, 33:34D
31ٱلْخَبِيرُ الخبير al-Khabiyr/

al-Khabīr

al-Khabir

[al-Khabeer]

The All-Aware/ Well-Acquainted/ Ever-Adept6:18, 17:30, 49:13, 59:18D
32ٱلْحَلِيمُ الحليم al-Ḥaliym/

al-Ḥalīm

al-Halim

[al-Haleem]

The Forbearing/ Indulgent/ Oft Forbearing/ All-Enduring2:235, 17:44, 22:59, 35:41A
33ٱلْعَظِيمُ 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 Dignified2:255, 42:4, 56:96D
34ٱلْغَفُورُ الغفور al-Ghafūr/

al-Ghafūr

al-Ghafur

[al-Ghafour, al-Ghafoor]

The Ever-Forgiving/ Oft-Forgiving2:173, 8:69, 16:110, 41:32D
35ٱلْشَّكُورُ \ الشّكور

الشكور

ash-Shakūr/

ash-Shakūr

ash-Shakur

[Ash-Shakour, Ash-Shakoor]

The Grateful/ Appreciative/ Multiplier of Rewards35:30, 35:34, 42:23, 64:17A
36ٱلْعَلِىُّ *\ 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 Lofty4:34, 31:30, 42:4, 42:51 34:23D
37ٱلْكَبِيرُ الكبير al-Kabiyr/

al-Kabīr

al-Kabir

[al-Kabeer]

The Great/ Ever-Great/ Grand/ Most Great/ Greatly Abundant of Extent, Capacity and Importance13:9, 22:62, 31:30, 34:23D
38ٱلْحَفِيظُ الحفيظ al-Ḥafiyẓ/

al-Ḥafīẓ

al-Hafiz

[al-Hafeez]

The Preserver/ Ever-Preserving/ All-Watching/ Protector/ Guardian/ Oft-Conservator11:57, 34:21, 42:6A
39ٱلْمُقِيتُ المقيت al-Muqiyt/

al-Muqīt

al-Muqit

[al-Muqeet]

The Nourisher/ Feeder4:85I
40ٱلْحَسِيبُ 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, 33:39I
41ٱلْجَلِيلُ الجليل al-Jaliyl/

al-Jalīl

al-Jalil

[al-Jaleel]

The Majestic/ Exalted/ Oft-Important/ Splendid55:27, 7:143A, V
42ٱلْكَرِيمُ الكريم al-Kariym/

al-Karīm

al-Karim

[al-Kareem]

The Noble/ Bountiful/ Generous/ Precious/ Honored/ Benefactor27:40, 82:6D
43ٱلْرَّقِيبُ \ الرّقيب

الرقيب

ar-Raqiyb/

ar-Raqīb

Ar-Raqib

[Ar-Raqeeb]

The Watchful/ Observer/ Ever-Watchful/ Watcher4:1, 5:117D
44ٱلْمُجِيبُ المجيب al-Mujiyb/

al-Mujīb

al-Mujib

[al-Mujiyb]

The Responsive/ Answerer/ Supreme Answerer/ Accepter of Invocation11:61A
45\* 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-Encompassing2:268, 3:73, 5:54A
46ٱلْحَكِيمُ الحكيم al-Ḥakiym/

al-Ḥakīm

al-Hakim

[al-Hakeem]

The Wise/ Ever-Wise/ Endowed with Sound Judgment31:27, 46:2, 57:1, 66:2D
47ٱلْوَدُودُ 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 Hearts11:90, 85:14D
48ٱلْمَجِيدُ المجيد al-Majiyd/

al-Majīd

al-Majid

[al-Majeed]

The All-Glorious/ Majestic/ Ever-Illustrious

[Oft-Brilliant in Dignity, Achievements or Actions]

11:73A
49ٱلْبَاعِثُ الباعث al-Bāʿith/

al-Bāʿith

al-Baʿith / al-Baʿeith

[al-Baaʿith/ al-Baaʿeith]

The Resurrector/ Awakener/ Arouser/ Dispatcher22:7V
50ٱلْشَّهِيدُ \ الشّهيد

الشهيد

ash-Shahiyd/

ash-Shahīd

ash-Shahid

[Ash-Shaheed]

The Witness/ Testifier/ Ever-Witnessing4:166, 22:17, 41:53, 48:28A
51ٱلْحَقُّ \ الحقّ

الحق

ʾal-Ḥaqq al-HaqqThe Truth/ Reality/ the Only One Certainly Sound and Genuine in Truth6:62, 22:6, 23:116, 24:25D
52ٱلْوَكِيلُ الوكيل al-Wakiyl/

al-Wakīl

al-Wakil

[al-Wakeel]

The Trustee, The Dependable, The Advocate3:173, 4:171, 28:28, 73:9A
53ٱلْقَوِيُّ \ القويّ

القوي

al-Qawiyyal-Qawi

[al-Qawee]

The Strong22:40, 22:74, 42:19, 57:25D
54ٱلْمَتِينُ المتين al-Matiyn/

al-Matīn

al-Matin

[al-Mateen]

The Firm, The Steadfast51:58D
55ٱلْوَلِيُّ \ الوليّ

الولي

al-Waliyyal-Wali

[al-Walee]

The Friend, Helper4:45, 7:196, 42:28, 45:19D
56ٱلْحَمِيدُ الحميد al-Ḥamiyd/

al-Ḥamīd

al-Hamid

[al-Hameed]

The All Praiseworthy14:8, 31:12, 31:26, 41:42D
57\* ٱلْمُحْصِىُ

ٱلْمُحْصِيُ

[* = classical written form]

\* المحصى

المحصي

[* = classical written form]

al-Muḥṣiy/

al-Muḥṣī

al-Muhsi

[al-Muhsee]

The Accounter, The Numberer of All72:28, 78:29V
58ٱلْمُبْدِئُ المبدئ ’al-Mubdi’

[’al-Mubdiy]

al-Mubdiʾ

[al-Mubdie]

The Originator, The Producer, The Initiator10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13V
59ٱلْمُعِيدُ المعيد al-Muʿiyd/

al-Muʿīd

al-Muʿid

[al-Muʿeid/ al-Muʿeyd]

The Restorer, The Reinstater Who Brings Back All10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13V
60\* 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 Life7:158, 15:23, 30:50, 57:2V
61ٱلْمُمِيتُ المميت al-Mumiyt/

al-Mumīt

al-Mumit

[al-Mumeet]

The Bringer of Death3:156, 7:158, 15:23, 57:2V
62ٱلْحَىُّ \ الحىّ

الحى

al-Ḥayyal-HayyThe Living2:255, 3:2, 20:111, 25:58, 40:65D
63ٱلْقَيُّومُ \ القيّوم

القيوم

al-Qayyūm/

al-Qayyūm

al-Qayyum

[al-Qayyoum/

al-Qayyoom]

The Subsisting, The Independent2:255, 3:2, 20:111D
64\* ٱلْوَٰجِدُ

ٱلْوَاجِدُ

[* = classical written form]

\ الوٰجد

الواجد

al-Wājid/

al-Wājid

al-Wajid

[al-Waajid]

The Perceiver, The Finder, The Unfailing38:44V
65ٱلْمَاجِدُ الماجد al-Mājid/

al-Mājid

al-Majid

[al-Maajid]

The Illustrious, The Magnificent85:15, 11:73; al-Kafʿamī (1992:48)A
66\* ٱلْوَٰحِدُ

ٱلْوَاحِدُ

[* = classical written form]

\ الوٰحد

الواحد

al-Wāḥid/

al-Wāḥid

al-Wahid

[al-Waahid]

The Unique, The Single13:16, 14:48, 38:65, 39:4D
67ٱلْأَحَد \ الأحد

الاحد

al-ِِِʿAḥadal-AhadThe One, The Indivisible112:1A
68ٱلْصَّمَدُ \ الصّمد

الصمد

aṣ-ِِِṢamadAs-Samad

[As-Ssamad/ As-Swamad]

The Eternal, The Absolute, The Self-Sufficient112:2D
69\* ٱلْقَـٰدِرُ

ٱلْقَادِرُ

[* = classical written form]

\ القـٰدر

القادر

al-Qādir/

al-Qādir

al-Qadir

[al-Qaadir]

The All-Powerful, He Who is able to do Everything6:65, 46:33, 75:40D
70ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ المقتدر al-Muqtadiral-MuqtadirThe Determiner, The Dominant18:45, 54:42, 6:65A
71ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ \ المقدّم

المقدم

al-Muqaddimal-MuqaddimThe Expediter, He Who Brings Forward16:61V
72ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ \ المؤخّر

المؤخر

al-Muʿakh·khiral-Muʾakhkhir

[al-Moʾakhkhir]

The Delayer, He Who Puts Far Away71:4V
73ٱلأَوَّلُ \ الأوّل

الاول

al-ʿAwwalal-AwwalThe First, The Beginning-less57:3D
74ٱلْأَخِرُ *\ 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 Endless57:3D
75ٱلْظَّـٰهِرُ *\ 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 Outer57:3D
76ٱلْبَاطِنُ الباطن al-Bāṭin/

al-Bāṭin

al-Batin/ al-Battin/ al-Batwin

[al-Baatin/ al-Baattin/ al-Baatwin]

The Hidden, The Unmanifest, The Inner57:3D
77\* 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 Lord13:11I
78\* ٱلْمُتَعَالِى

ٱلْمُتَعَالِي

[* = classical written form]

\* المتعالى

المتعالي

[* = classical written form]

al-Mutaʿāliy/

al-Mutaʿālī

al-Mutaʿali

[al-Muta'aali]

The Supremely Exalted, The Most High13:9D
79ٱلْبَرُّ \ البرّ

البر

al-Barral-BarrThe Good, The Beneficent52:28D
80ٱلْتَّوَّابُ \ التّوّاب

التواب

at-Tawwāb/

at-Tawwāb

At-Tawwab

[At-Tawwaab]

The Ever-Returning, Ever-Relenting2:128, 4:64, 49:12, 110:3D
81ٱلْمُنْتَقِمُ المنتقم al-Muntaqimal-MuntaqimThe Avenger32:22, 43:41, 44:16P
82ٱلْعَفُوُّ \ العفوّ

العفو

al-ʿAfuww/

al-ʿAfūw

al-ʿAfu

[al-ʿAfou]

The Pardoner, The Effacer, The Forgiver4:43, 4:99, 4:149, 22:60, 58:2V, I
83\* ٱلْرَّءُوفُ

ٱلْرَّؤُفُ

[* = classical written form]

\* الرّءوف

\ الرّؤف

\* الرءوف

الرؤف

[* = classical written form]

ar-Raʿwūf/

ar-Raʿūf

Ar-Rauf

[Ar-Raʿouf/ Ar-Rawʿouf]

The Kind, The Pitying9:117, 57:9, 59:10I
84\* 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 Sovereignty3:26D
85\* 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 Honour55:27, 55:78D
86ٱلْمُقْسِطُ المقسط al-Muqsiṭal-Muqsit

[al-Muqsitt]

The Equitable, The Requiter3:18; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58f)O
87ٱلْجَامِعُ الجامع al-Jāmiʿ/

al-Jāmi

al-Jamiʿ/ al-Jamie

[al-Jaamiʿ/ al-Jaamie]

The Gatherer, The Unifier3:9I
88\* ٱلْغَنىُّ

ٱلْغَنيُّ

[* = classical written form]

\* ّالغنى

\ الغنيّ

\* الغنى

الغني

[* = classical written form]

al-Ghāniyy/

al-Ghānī

al-Ghani

[al-Ghaani]

The Rich, The Independent39:7, 47:38, 57:24I, A, D
89\* ٱلْمُغْنِىُّ

ٱلْمُغْنِيُّ

[* = classical written form]

\* المغنىّ

\ المغنيّ

\* المغنى

المغني

[* = classical written form]

al-Mugh·niyy/

al-Mugh·nī

al-MughniThe Enricher, The Emancipator9:28V
90ٱلْمَانِعُ المانع al-Māniʿ/

al-Mānīʿ

al-Maniʿ/ al-Manie

[al-Maaniʿ/ al-Maanie]

The Preventer, The Withholder, The Shielder, The DefenderSee al-Kafʿamī (1992:61)
91ٱلْضَّارُ \ الضّار

الضار

aḍ-Ḍārr/

aḍ-Ḍārr

Adh-Dharr

[Adh-Dhaarr]

The Distressor, The Harmer, The Afflictor6:17; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58)
92ٱلْنَّافِعُ \ النّافع

النافع

an-Nāfiʿ/

an-Nāfīʿ

An-Nafi‘/ An-Nafie

[An-Naafiʿ/ al-Naafie]

The Propitious, The Benefactor, The Source of Good30:37
93ٱلْنُّورُ \ النّور

النور

an-Nūr/

an-Nūr

An-Nur

[An-Nour]

The Light24:35I
94\* ٱلْهَادِى

ٱلْهَادِي

[* = classical written form]

\* الهادى

الهادي

[* = classical written form]

al-Hādiy/

al-Hādī

al-Hadi

[al-Haadi]

The Guide, The Way22:54I
95ٱلْبَدِيعُ البديع al-Badiyʿ/

al-Badīʿ

al-Badiʿ[al-Badiyʿ/ al-Badiye] The Originator, The Incomparable, The Unattainable, The Beautiful2:117, 6:101I
96\* ٱلْبَاقِى

ٱلْبَاقِي

[* = classical written form]

\* الباقى

الباقي

[* = classical written form]

al-Bāqiy/

al-Bāqī

al-Baqi

[al-Baaqi]

The Immutable, The Infinite, The Everlasting55:27; al-Kafʿamī (1992:64)V
97\* ٱلْوَٰرِثُ

ٱلْوَارِثُ

[* = classical written form]

\* الوٰرث

الوارث

[* = classical written form]

al-Wārith/

al-Wārith

al-Warith

[al-Waarith]

The Heir, The Inheritor of All15:23, 57:10P
98ٱلْرَّشِيدُ \ الرّشيد

الرشيد

ar-Rashiyd/

ar-Rashīd

Ar-Rashid

[Ar-Rasheed]

The Guide to the Right PathNot mentioned in the Quran
99ٱلْصَّبُورُ \ الصّبور

الصبور

aṣ-Ṣabūr/

aṣ-Ṣabūr

As-Sabur/ As-Ssabur/ As-Swabur

[As-Sabour/ As-Ssabour/ As-Swabour]

The Timeless, The Patient2:153, 3:200, 103:3I
[* = classical calligraphic short written form]
a.      b D = Direct; V = from Verb; A = from Adjective or Adjectival Phrase; I = from Indefinite noun;

P = from Plural noun; O = Other

Hadith

The 99 names of God on the ceiling of the Grand Mosque in Kuwait

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 () 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

References

  1. Morgan, Diane (2010). Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice. ABC-CLIO. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-313-36025-1.
  2. Suhaib Hassan, Introduction to the Science of Hadith Classification (ahya), cited after Richard Shelquist (wahiduddin.net) Archived 2012-05-10 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  4. 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.
  5. "al-Quran (القرآن) :: Online Quran Project :: Translation and Tafsir". Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  6. "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.
  7. "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.
  8. See the Surah "al-A'raf" (7:180 ), "Al-Isra" (17:110 ), "Ta-Ha" (20:8 ) and "al-Hashr" (59:24 ).
  9. http://quran.com/59/22-24 (59:2224)
  10. Schimmel, Annemarie (1993). The Mystery of Numbers. New York, USA: Oxford University Press. p. 271. ISBN 0-19-508919-7.
  11. 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.
  12. Taymiyyah, ibn, Taqī ad-Dīn Ahmad (2003). The Goodly Word: al-Kalim al-Ṭayyib. Islamic Texts Society. p. 72. ISBN 1-903682-15-0.
  13. Bruce Lawrence The Qur'an: A Biography Atlantic Books Ltd, 02.10.2014 ISBN 9781782392187 chapter 8
  14. Ayman Shihadeh Sufism and Theology Edinburgh University Press, 21.11.2007 ISBN 9780748631346 pp. 54-56
  15. Lambden, Stephen (1993). "The Word Baháʼ: Quintessence of the Greatest Name". Baháʼí Studies Review. 3 (1).
  16. Smith, Peter (2000). "greatest name". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 167–8. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  17. 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.
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