GOD has revealed through the Qur’an His Names so that the believers can better understand the Almightiness of the Creator.
The 99 Names of GOD (Arabic: أَسْمَاءُ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ʾasmāʾu llāhi l-ḥusnā, letter. “The beautiful names of ALLAH“) are names that, according to the Muslim tradition, “tell” us with earthly words the incommensurability of the Only GOD of the Abrahamic Religions. Meditating on these Names can give great food for thought for believers, not only for Muslims, but also for Christians, Jews and anyone who is willing to seek information on the Truth.
“And to GOD belong the best names, so invoke him with them.”
(Qur’an 7, 180)
“GOD, there is no deity but He. To Him belong the best names.”
(Qur’an 20, 8)
“He is GOD, the Creator, the Inventor, the Artificer; to Him belong the best names.”
(Qur’an 59, 24)
While some names are found only in the Qur’ān and some only in hadiths, there are some names that appear in both.
In some hadiths of Shia and Sunni Muslims, it is said that the Mahdi will reveal the hundredth name.
Importance of Names for Believers
Understanding why it is important to know and repeat these Names is simple, it brings believers closer to GOD. The more you know the more you can move closer to GOD, therefore not simply seeking knowledge (ilm in Arabic), but Enlightenment, Light in the contentment of being one more small step closer to the immeasurable qualities of the Most High. Whoever thinks that “little” is not enough, should consider that even the “drop” little by little but steadily manages to corrode the hardest of rocks.
Although these names are mere epithets, they remain real attributes that accompany the human and cosmic universe, both in created and possible forms. With these names, divine traits are revealed for human beings, whose divine potential is hidden.
Anyone who reads these 99 Names fortifies and unites with Divinity, not as mere mystical words, but as true meditation. An opportunity to reflect these names in our existences and elevate ourselves by being inspired by them. Enjoy your reading, your meditation, and of course your journey.
Meaning and explanation
| # | Name | Transliteration | Meaning | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ | AR-RAHMAAN | The Most or Entirely Merciful | 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. |
| 2 | ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ | AR-RAHEEM | The Bestower of Mercy | Quran: Beginning of every Surah (chapter) except one, and numerous other places (there are a total of 114 Surahs in the Quran.) |
| 3 | ٱلْمَلِكُ | AL-MALIK | The King, the Sovereign | 59:23, 20:114, 23:116 |
| 4 | ٱلْقُدُّوسُ | AL-QUDDUS | The Saint, the Pure | 59:23, 62:1 |
| 5 | ٱلْسَّلَامُ | AS-SALAM | The Giver of Peace | 59:23 |
| 6 | ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ | AL-MU’MIN | The One Who gives Security | 59:23 |
| 7 | ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ | AL-MUHAYMIN | The Guardian | 59:23 |
| 8 | ٱلْعَزِيزُ | AL-AZEEZ | The All Mighty | 3:6, 4:158, 9:40, 48:7, 59:23 |
| 9 | ٱلْجَبَّارُ | AL-JABBAR | The Compeller, The Restorer | 59:23 |
| 10 | ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ | AL-MUTAKABBIR | The Supreme, The Majestic | 59:23 |
| 11 | ٱلْخَالِقُ | AL-KHAALIQ | The Creator | 6:102, 13:16, 36:81, 39:62, 40:62, 59:24 |
| 12 | ٱلْبَارِئُ | AL-BAARI’ | The Originator | 59:24 |
| 13 | ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ | AL-MUSAWWIR | The Fashioner | 59:24 |
| 14 | ٱلْغَفَّارُ | AL-GHAFFAR | The All- and Oft-Forgiving | 20:82, 38:66, 39:5, 40:42, 71:10 |
| 15 | ٱلْقَهَّارُ | AL-QAHHAR | The Subduer, The Ever-Dominating | 12:39, 13:16, 14:48, 38:65, 39:4, 40:16 |
| 16 | ٱلْوَهَّابُ | AL-WAHHAAB | The Giver of Gifts | 38:9, 38:35 |
| 17 | ٱلْرَّزَّاقُ | AR-RAZZAAQ | The Provider | 51:58 |
| 18 | ٱلْفَتَّاحُ | AL-FATTAAH | The Opener | 34:26 |
| 19 | ٱلْعَلِيمُ | AL-‘ALEEM | The All-Knowing, The Omniscient | 2:158, 3:92, 4:35, 24:41, 33:40 |
| 20 | ٱلْقَابِضُ | AL-QAABID | The Withholder | 2:245 |
| 21 | ٱلْبَاسِطُ | AL-BAASIT | The Extender, He who opens his hand | 2:245 |
| 22 | ٱلْخَافِضُ | AL-KHAAFIDH | The Reducer, He who closes his hand | 56:3 |
| 23 | ٱلْرَّافِعُ | AR-RAAFI’ | He who elevates | 58:11, 6:83 |
| 24 | ٱلْمُعِزُّ | AL-MU’IZZ | The Honourer, The Bestower | 3:26 |
| 25 | ٱلْمُذِلُّ | AL-MUZIL | The Dishonourer, The Humiliator | 3:26 |
| 26 | ٱلْسَّمِيعُ | AS-SAMEE’ | The All-Hearing | 2:127, 2:256, 8:17, 49:1 |
| 27 | ٱلْبَصِيرُ | AL-BASEER | The All-Seeing | 4:58, 17:1, 42:11, 42:27 |
| 28 | ٱلْحَكَمُ | AL-HAKAM | The Judge | 22:69 |
| 29 | ٱلْعَدْلُ | AL-‘ADL | The Utterly Just | Not Quranic, see al-Kafʿamī (1992:40) |
| 30 | ٱلْلَّطِيفُ | AL-LATEEF | The Most Gentle | 22:63, 31:16, 33:34 |
| 31 | ٱلْخَبِيرُ | AL-KHABEER | The Acquainted, the All-Aware | 6:18, 17:30, 49:13, 59:18 |
| 32 | ٱلْحَلِيمُ | AL-HALEEM | The Forbearing | 2:235, 17:44, 22:59, 35:41 |
| 33 | ٱلْعَظِيمُ | AL-‘ATHEEM | The Magnificent, The Supreme | 2:255, 42:4, 56:96 |
| 34 | ٱلْغَفُورُ | AL-GHAFOOR | The Forgiving, The Exceedingly Forgiving | 2:173, 8:69, 16:110, 41:32 |
| 35 | ٱلْشَّكُورُ | ASH-SHAKOOR | The Most Appreciative | 35:30, 35:34, 42:23, 64:17 |
| 36 | ٱلْعَلِيُّ | AL-‘ALEE | The Most High | 4:34, 31:30, 42:4, 42:51 34:23 |
| 37 | ٱلْكَبِيرُ | AL-KABEER | The Greatest | 13:9, 22:62, 31:30, 34:23 |
| 38 | ٱلْحَفِيظُ | AL-HAFEEDH | The All-Protecting | 11:57, 34:21, 42:6 |
| 39 | ٱلْمُقِيتُ | AL-MUQEET | The Sustainer | 4:85 |
| 40 | ٱلْحَسِيبُ | AL-HASEEB | The Reckoner, The Sufficient | 4:6, 4:86, 33:39 |
| 41 | ٱلْجَلِيلُ | AL-JALEEL | The Majestic | 55:27, 7:143 |
| 42 | ٱلْكَرِيمُ | AL-KAREEM | The Most Generous | 27:40, 82:6 |
| 43 | ٱلْرَّقِيبُ | AR-RAQEEB | The Watchful | 4:1, 5:117 |
| 44 | ٱلْمُجِيبُ | AL-MUJEEB | The Responsive One | 11:61 |
| 45 | ٱلْوَاسِعُ | AL-WAASI’ | The All-Encompassing, the Boundless | 2:268, 3:73, 5:54 |
| 46 | ٱلْحَكِيمُ | AL-HAKEEM | The All-Wise | 31:27, 46:2, 57:1, 66:2 |
| 47 | ٱلْوَدُودُ | AL-WADOOD | The Most Loving | 11:90, 85:14 |
| 48 | ٱلْمَجِيدُ | AL-MAJEED | The Glorious | 11:73 |
| 49 | ٱلْبَاعِثُ | AL-BA’ITH | The Resurrector, The Raiser of the Dead | 22:7 |
| 50 | ٱلْشَّهِيدُ | ASH-SHAHEED | The All- and Ever Witnessing | 4:166, 22:17, 41:53, 48:28 |
| 51 | ٱلْحَقُّ | AL-HAQQ | The Absolute Truth | 6:62, 22:6, 23:116, 24:25 |
| 52 | ٱلْوَكِيلُ | AL-WAKEEL | The Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs | 3:173, 4:171, 28:28, 73:9 |
| 53 | ٱلْقَوِيُّ | AL-QAWIYY | The All-Strong | 22:40, 22:74, 42:19, 57:25 |
| 54 | ٱلْمَتِينُ | AL-MATEEN | The Firm, The Steadfast | 51:58 |
| 55 | ٱلْوَلِيُّ | AL-WALIYY | The Protecting Associate, the Friend | 4:45, 7:196, 42:28, 45:19 |
| 56 | ٱلْحَمِيدُ | AL-HAMEED | The Praiseworthy | 14:8, 31:12, 31:26, 41:42 |
| 57 | ٱلْمُحْصِيُ | AL-MUHSEE | The All-Enumerating, The Counter | 72:28, 78:29 |
| 58 | ٱلْمُبْدِئُ | AL-MUBDI | The Originator, The Initiator | 10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13 |
| 59 | ٱلْمُعِيدُ | AL-MU’ID | The Restorer, The Reinstater | 10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13 |
| 60 | ٱلْمُحْيِى | AL-MUHYEE | The Giver of Life | 7:158, 15:23, 30:50, 57:2 |
| 61 | ٱلْمُمِيتُ | AL-MUMEET | The Bringer of Death, the Destroyer | 3:156, 7:158, 15:23, 57:2 |
| 62 | ٱلْحَىُّ | AL-HAYY | The Living | 2:255, 3:2, 20:111, 25:58, 40:65 |
| 63 | ٱلْقَيُّومُ | AL-QAYYOOM | The Sustainer, The Self-Subsisting | 2:255, 3:2, 20:111 |
| 64 | ٱلْوَاجِدُ | AL-WAAJID | The Unfailing | 38:44 |
| 65 | ٱلْمَاجِدُ | AL-MAAJID | The Illustrious, the Magnificent | 85:15, 11:73; al-Kafʿamī (1992:48) |
| 66 | ٱلْوَاحِدُ | AL-WAAHID | The One | 13:16, 14:48, 38:65, 39:4 |
| 67 | ٱلْأَحَد | AL-AHAD | The Unique, The Only One | 112:1 |
| 68 | ٱلْصَّمَدُ | AS-SAMAD | The Eternal, Satisfier of Needs | 112:2 |
| 69 | ٱلْقَادِرُ | AL-QADIR | The Powerful | 6:65, 46:33, 75:40 |
| 70 | ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ | AL-MUQTADIR | The Omnipotent | 18:45, 54:42, 6:65 |
| 71 | ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ | AL-MUQADDIM | The Helper | 16:61 |
| 72 | ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ | AL-MU’AKHKHIR | The Delayer, the Retarder | 71:4 |
| 73 | ٱلأَوَّلُ | AL-AWWAL | The First | 57:3 |
| 74 | ٱلْآخِرُ | AL-AAKHIR | The Last | 57:3 |
| 75 | ٱلْظَّاهِرُ | AZ-DHAAHIR | The Manifest One | 57:3 |
| 76 | ٱلْبَاطِنُ | AL-BAATIN | The Hidden One | 57:3 |
| 77 | ٱلْوَالِي | AL-WAALI | The Governor | 13:11 |
| 78 | ٱلْمُتَعَالِي | AL-MUTA’ALI | The Self Exalted | 13:9 |
| 79 | ٱلْبَرُّ | AL-BARR | The Good, The Beneficent | 52:28 |
| 80 | ٱلْتَّوَّابُ | AT-TAWWAB | The Ever-Pardoning, The Relenting | 2:128, 4:64, 49:12, 110:3 |
| 81 | ٱلْمُنْتَقِمُ | AL-MUNTAQIM | The Avenger | 32:22, 43:41, 44:16 |
| 82 | ٱلْعَفُوُّ | AL-‘AFUWW | The Pardoner | 4:43, 4:99, 4:149, 22:60, 58:2 |
| 83 | ٱلْرَّؤُفُ | AR-RA’OOF | The Most Kind | 9:117, 57:9, 59:10 |
| 84 | مَالِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ | MAALIK-UL-MULK | Master of the Kingdom, King of kings | 3:26 |
| 85 | ذُو ٱلْجَلَالِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ | DHUL-JALAALI WAL-IKRAAM | Possessor of Glory and Honour, Lord of Majesty and Generosity | 55:27, 55:78 |
| 86 | ٱلْمُقْسِطُ | AL-MUQSIT | The Equitable | 3:18; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58f) |
| 87 | ٱلْجَامِعُ | AL-JAAMI’ | The Gatherer, the Uniter | 3:9 |
| 88 | ٱلْغَنيُّ | AL-GHANIYY | The Self-Sufficient | 39:7, 47:38, 57:24 |
| 89 | ٱلْمُغْنِيُّ | AL-MUGHNI | The Enricher | 9:28 |
| 90 | ٱلْمَانِعُ | AL-MANI’ | The Withholder | See al-Kafʿamī (1992:61) |
| 91 | ٱلْضَّارُ | AD-DHARR | The Distresser | 6:17; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58) |
| 92 | ٱلْنَّافِعُ | AN-NAFI’ | The Benefactor | 30:37 |
| 93 | ٱلْنُّورُ | AN-NUR | The Light | 24:35 |
| 94 | ٱلْهَادِي | AL-HAADI | The Guide | 22:54 |
| 95 | ٱلْبَدِيعُ | AL-BADEE’ | The Incomparable | 2:117, 6:101 |
| 96 | ٱلْبَاقِي | AL-BAAQI | The Eternal One / The Everlasting | 55:27; al-Kafʿamī (1992:64) |
| 97 | ٱلْوَارِثُ | AL-WAARITH | The Inheritor | 15:23, 57:10 |
| 98 | ٱلْرَّشِيدُ | AR-RASHEED | The Guide, Infallible Teacher | 11:87 (Used Not referring to ALLAH) |
| 99 | ٱلْصَّبُورُ | AS-SABOOR | The Forbearing, The Patient | 2:153, 3:200, 103:3 |
Such names actually, according to traditional Islamic theology, are commonly referred to as Divine Names and Attributes. The Names and Divine Attributes represent the manifold aspects of divinity, which of course are infinite but in these 99 Islam tries to make a selection.
However, all the names absolutely represent the concept of the Unity of GOD, albeit multiple in everything because He is omnipotent.
”We ourselves are the Attributes with which we describe GOD.”
(Abd al-Karim al-Jili)
References:
- Morgan, Diane (2010). Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice. ISBN 978-0-313-36025-1.
- Henry Corbin, History of Islamic Philosophy, Adelphi, ISBN 88-459-0141-6.