Names of God in Islam

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According to a hadith, there are at least 99 Attributes of Allah, known as the ʾasmāʾu llāhi l-ḥusnā (Arabic: أسماء الله الحسنى‎ Beautiful Names of Allah). The names are also called 99 Attributes of Allah.

Origin[edit]

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

According to Sahih Bukhari Hadith^[1]:

Abu Hurairah reported that Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and Allah is witr (one) and loves 'the witr' (i.e., odd numbers).

— Sahih Bukhari - Vol. 8, Book 75, Hadith 419

There's another Sahih Muslim Hadith^[2]:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah 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 Qur'an refers to God's Most Beautiful Names (al-ʾasmāʾ al-ḥusná) in several Surahs.^[3] 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.^[4] Mystic philosopher Ibn Arabi surmised that the 99 names are "outward signs of the universe's inner mysteries".^[5]

Lists of names[edit]

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.^[5]

The following list is based on the one found in the Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi (9th century).^{[citation needed]} Other hadith, such as those of al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi or Ibn ʿAsākir, have variant lists. All attribute the original compilation of the list of names to Abu Hurairah.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[6]

ٱ = The waṣla (hamzatu l-waṣli (هَمْزَةُ ٱلْوَصْلِ "hamza of connection")) denoting of ٱلْ is "ʾal/ ʾul/ ʾil" depending on the last vowel of the previous word/sentence structure:

e.g. سُوْرَةُ ٱلْرَّحْمَـٰنُ Suratu r-Raḥmān [Surah ar-Rahman].

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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.

	Classical Arabic (Quranic/ classical written forms)	Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) (Variant with vowels/ without vowels)	Proper Transliteration [IPA]	Romanization [Various Spellings]	Translationa	Reference	grammatical typeb
1	\* ٱلْرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ [* = classical written form]	\* الرّحمـٰن \ الرّحمان \* الرحمـٰن الرحمان [* = classical written form]	ar-Raḥmān/ ar-Raḥmān	ar-Raḥmān [Ar-Rahmaan]	The ِBeneficient/ 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
2	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
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, 23:116	D
4	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
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-Tranquil	59:23	D
6	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
7	ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ	المهيمن	al-Muhaymin	al-Muhaymin	The Controller/ Absolute Authority Over All/ Guardian Over All/ Absolute Master/ Eternal Dominating	59:23	D
8	ٱلْعَزِيزُ	العزيز	al-ʿAziyz/ al-ʿAzīz	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
9	ٱلْجَبَّارُ	\ الجبّار الجبار	al-Jabbār/ al-Jabbār	al-Jabbar [al-Jabbaar]	The Omnipotent/ Supreme Power/ Possessor of Having All Power/ Strong	59:23	D
10	ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ	\ المتكبّر المتكبر	al-Mutakabbir	al-Mutakabbir	The Possessor of Greatness/ Supreme/ Justly Proud	59:23	D[clarification needed] 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 Author	6:102, 13:16,[7] 36:81, 39:62, 40:62, 59:24	D
12	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
13	ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ	\ المصوّر المصور	al-Muṣawwir	al-Musawwir [al-Mussawwir/ al-Muswawwir]	The Fashioner/ Shaper/ Designer/ Artist	59:24	D
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, 71:10	D
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, 40:16	D
16	ٱلْوَهَّابُ	\ الوهّاب الوهاب	al-Wahhāb/ al-Wahhāb	al-Wahhab [al-Wahhaab]	The ِِAbsolute Bestower/ Giver/ Grantor/ Great Donor	38:9, 38:35	D
17	ٱلْرَّزَّاقُ	\ الرّزّاق الرزاق	ar-Razzāq/ ar-Razzāq	Ar-Razzaq [Ar-Razzaaq]	The Provider/ Sustainer/ Bestower of Sustenance/ All-Provider	51:58	D
18	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
19	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
20	ٱلْقَابِضُ	القابض	al-Qābiḍ/ al-Qābiḍ	al-Qabid/ al-Qabidh [al-Qaabid/ al-Qaabidh]	The Restrainer/ / Withholder/ Straightener/ Absolute Seizer	2:245	V
21	ٱلْبَاسِطُ	الباسط	al-Bāsiṭ/ al-Bāsiṭ	al-Basit/ al-Basitt [al-Baasit/ al-Baasitt]	The Extender / Expander/ Generous Provider	2:245	V
22	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
23	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
24	ٱلْمُعِزُّ	\ المعزّ المعز	al-Muʿizz	al-Muʿizz [al-Muʿeizz]	The Giver of Honor/ Bestower of Honor/ Empowerer	3:26	V
25	ٱلْمُذِلُّ	\ المذلّ المذل	al-Muḏill/al-Mudhill	al-Muzill [al-Mudzhill]	The Giver of Dishonor/ the Giver of Disgrace	3:26	V
26	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
27	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
28	ٱلْحَكَمُ	الحكم	al-Ḥakam	al-Hakam	The Judge/ Arbitrator/ Arbiter/ All-Decree/ Possessor of Authority of Decisions and Judgment	22:69	V
29	ٱلْعَدْلُ	العدل	al-ʿAdl	al-ʿAdl/ al-Edl	The Just/ Authorized and Straightforward Judge of Dealing Justly	Not Quranic, see al-Kafʿamī (1992:40)
30	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
31	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
32	ٱلْحَلِيمُ	الحليم	al-Ḥaliym/ al-Ḥalīm	al-Halim [al-Haleem]	The Forbearing/ Indulgent/ Oft Forbearing/ All-Enduring (of Suffering Pain with Patience)	2:235, 17:44, 22:59, 35:41	A
33	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
34	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
35	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
36	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
37	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, 13:30, 34:23	D
38	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
39	ٱلْمُقِيتُ	المقيت	al-Muqiyt/ al-Muqīt	al-Muqit [al-Muqeet]	The Nourisher/ Feeder	4:85	I
40	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
41	ٱلْجَلِيلُ	الجليل	al-Jaliyl/ al-Jalīl	al-Jalil [al-Jaleel]	The Majestic/ Exalted/ Oft-Important/ Splendid	55:27, 7:143	A, V
	ٱلْكَرِيمُ	الكريم	al-Kariym/ al-Karīm	al-Karim [al-Kareem]	The Noble/ Bountiful/ Generous/ Precious/ Honored/ Benefactor	27:40, 82:6	D
43	ٱلْرَّقِيبُ	\ الرّقيب الرقيب	ar-Raqiyb/ ar-Raqīb	Ar-Raqib [Ar-Raqeeb]	The Watchful/ Observer/ Ever-Watchful/ Watcher	4:1, 5:117	D
44	ٱلْمُجِيبُ	المجيب	al-Mujiyb/ al-Mujīb	al-Mujib [al-Mujiyb]	The Responsive/ Answerer/ Supreme Answerer/ Accepter of Invocation	11:61	A
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-Encompassing	2:268, 3:73, 5:54	A
46	ٱلْحَكِيمُ	الحكيم	al-Ḥakiym/ al-drīs	al-Hakim [al-Hakeem]	The Wise/ Ever-Wise/ Endowed with Sound Judgment	31:27, 46:2, 57:1, 66:2	D
47	ٱلْوَدُودُ	الودود	al-Wadūd/ al-Wadūd	al-Wadud [al-Wadoud/ al-Wadood]	The Affectionate/ Ever-Affectionate/ Loving One/ Loving/ the One Who Tenders and Warm Hearts	11:90, 85:14	D
48	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
	ٱلْبَاعِثُ	الباعث	al-Bāʿith/ al-Bāʿith	al-Baʿith / al-Baʿeith [al-Baaʿith/ al-Baaʿeith]	The Resurrector/ Awakener/ Arouser/ Dispatcher	22:7	V
50	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
51	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
52	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
53	ٱلْقَوِيُّ	\ القويّ القوي	al-Qawiyy	al-Qawi [al-Qawee]	The Strong	22:40, 22:74, 42:19, 57:25	D
54	ٱلْمَتِينُ	المتين	al-Matiyn/ al-Matīn	al-Matin [al-Mateen]	The Firm, The Steadfast	51:58	D
55	ٱلْوَلِيُّ	\ الوليّ الولي	al-Waliyy	al-Wali [al-Walee]	The Friend, Helper	4:45, 7:196, 42:28, 45:19	D
56	ٱلْحَمِيدُ	الحميد	al-Ḥamiyd/ al-Ḥamīd	al-Hamid [al-Hameed]	The All Praiseworthy	14:8, 31:12, 31:26, 41:42	D
57	\* 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
58	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
59	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
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 Life	7:158, 15:23, 30:50, 57:2	V
61	ٱلْمُمِيتُ	المميت	al-Mumiyt/ al-Mumīt	al-Mumit [al-Mumeet]	The Bringer of Death	3:156, 7:158, 15:23, 57:2	V
62	ٱلْحَىُّ	\ الحىّ الحى	al-Ḥayy	al-Hayy	The Living	2:255, 3:2, 20:111, 25:58, 40:65	D
63	ٱلْقَيُّومُ	\ القيّوم القيوم	al-Qayyūm/ al-Qayyūm	al-Qayyum [al-Qayyoum/ al-Qayyoom]	The Subsisting, The Independent	2:255, 3:2, 20:111	D
64	\* ٱلْوَٰجِدُ ٱلْوَاجِدُ [* = classical written form]	\ الوٰجد الواجد	al-Wājid/ al-Wājid	al-Wajid [al-Waajid]	The Perceiver, The Finder, The Unfailing	38:44	V
65	ٱلْمَاجِدُ	الماجد	al-Mājid/ al-Mājid	al-Majid [al-Maajid]	The Illustrious, The Magnificent	85:15, 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 Single	13:16, 14:48, 38:65, 39:4	D
67	ٱلْأَحَد	\ الأحد الاحد	al-ِِِʿAḥad	al-Ahad	The One, The Indivisible	112:1	A
68	ٱلْصَّمَدُ	\ الصّمد الصمد	aṣ-ِِِṢamad	As-Samad [As-Ssamad/ As-Swamad]	The Eternal, The Absolute, The Self-Sufficient	112:2	D
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 Everything	6:65, 46:33, 75:40	D
70	ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ	المقتدر	al-Muqtadir	al-Muqtadir	The Determiner, The Dominant	18:45, 54:42, 6:65	A
71	ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ	\ المقدّم المقدم	al-Muqaddim	al-Muqaddim	The Expediter, He Who Brings Forward	16:61	V
72	ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ	\ المؤخّر المؤخر	al-Muʿakh·khir	al-Muʾakhkhir [al-Moʾakhkhir]	The Delayer, He Who Puts Far Away	71:4	V
73	ٱلأَوَّلُ	\ الأوّل الاول	al-ʿAwwal	al-Awwal	The First, The Beginning-less	57:3	D
74	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
75	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
76	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
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 Lord	13:11	I
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 High	13:9	D
79	ٱلْبَرُّ	\ البرّ البر	al-Barr	al-Barr	The Good, The Beneficent	52:28	D
80	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
81	ٱلْمُنْتَقِمُ	المنتقم	al-Muntaqim	al-Muntaqim	The Avenger	32:22, 43:41, 44:16	P
82	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
83	\* 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
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 Sovereignty	3:26	D
85	\* ذُو ٱلْجَلَـٰلِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ ذُو ٱلْجَلَالِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ [* = classical written form]	\* ذو الجلـٰل ولإكرام ذو الجلال ولإكرام [* = 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
86	ٱلْمُقْسِطُ	المقسط	al-Muqsiṭ	al-Muqsit [al-Muqsitt]	The Equitable, The Requiter	3:18; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58f)	O
87	ٱلْجَامِعُ	الجامع	al-Jāmiʿ/ al-Jāmi	al-Jamiʿ/ al-Jamie [al-Jaamiʿ/ al-Jaamie]	The Gatherer, The Unifier	3:9	I
88	\* 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
89	\* 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
90	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)
91	ٱلْضَّارُ	\ الضّار الضار	aḍ-Ḍārr/ aḍ-Ḍārr	Adh-Dharr [Adh-Dhaarr]	The Distressor, The Harmer, The Afflictor	6:17; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58)
92	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
93	ٱلْنُّورُ	\ النّور النور	an-Nūr/ an-Nūr	An-Nur [An-Nour]	The Light	24:35	I
94	\* 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
95	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
96	\* 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
97	\* 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
98	ٱلْرَّشِيدُ	\ الرّشيد الرشيد	ar-Rashiyd/ ar-Rashīd	Ar-Rashid [Ar-Rasheed]	The Guide to the Right Path	2:256, 72:10
99	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

Islamic mysticism[edit]

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).^[8] This "Greatest Name of God" is said to be "the one which if He is called (prayed to) by it, He will answer."^[9]

According to a hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Masud, some of the names of God have also been hidden from mankind.^[10] More than 1000 names of God are listed in the Jawshan Kabir (جَوْشَنُ ٱلْكَبِير - literally "the Great Cuirass") invocations.

Theophoric given names[edit]

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.

While the names of God themselves are reserved to God and their use as a person's given name is considered religiously inappropriate, theophoric names can however be formed by either removing the definite article al (ال), or prefixing the term ˁabdu (عَبْدُ - "servant of") to the name. For example, a person may not be named Al-Karīm (ٱلْكَرِيمُ - "the Generous") or Al-Mālik (ٱلْمَـٰلِك - "the King"), but may be named simply Karīm (كَرِيمُ - "Generous") or Mālik (مَـٰلِك - "King"), as well as ˤAbd ul-Karīm (عَبْدُ ٱلْكَرِيمُ - "servant of the Generous") or ˤAbd ul-Mālik (عَبْدُ ٱلْمَـٰلِك - "servant of the King").^[11]

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." [Qur'an 3:26]

The two parts of the name starting with ˁabdu 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/vocative 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 (مَـٰلِك 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

Use in Bahá'í[edit]

Bahá'í sources state that the 100th name was revealed as "Bahá’" (Arabic: بهاء‎ "glory, splendor"), which appears in the words Bahá'u'lláh and Bahá'í. They also believe that it is the greatest name of God.^[12][13] The Báb wrote a noted pentagram-shaped tablet with 360 morphological derivation of the word "Bahá'" used in it.^[12]

According to Bahá'í 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.^[12] In the first verse of the duʿāʾu l-Bahāʾ, the name "Bahāʾ" appears four times.^[14]

See also[edit]

• Basmala
• List of Arabic theophoric names
• Names of God
• Names of God in Judaism
• Sahasranama, the Hindu lists of 1000 names of God.
• The 99, a comic book based on the 99 names of God in Islam.
• The Nine Billion Names of God, a short story by Arthur C. Clarke.

References[edit]

• 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[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Names of God in Islam.

• 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)
• Oil paintings of all the 99 names of Allah.