Allah, the Arabic term for God in Islam, is worshipped by Muslims worldwide as the supreme, unique, and all-powerful creator and sustainer of the universe. He is the sole deity, possessing divine attributes of perfection that cannot be compared to anything in creation.
In Islam, the first pillar of faith is belief in Allah. Understanding His beautiful names and attributes, as revealed in the Holy Quran, is essential for Muslims. These names teach us how to correctly believe in Allah and guide us in worship, love, fear, and trust of our Lord, the Almighty. Learning and memorizing Allah’s names is a sacred and blessed practice, helping us deepen our connection with Him and live in accordance with His teachings.
“He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.” (Quran 59:22)
“Say, ‘Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call – to Him belong the best names.'” (Quran 17:110)
“And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.” (Quran 2:163)
“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.” (Quran 7:180)
“There are 99 names for Allah, whoever knows them will enter Paradise.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
“When you ask Allah, ask Him by His names.” (Tirmidhi)
“Listen to and watch the 99 Names of Allah (Al Asma Ul Husna) by following this YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta_tTZrarE0“
99 names of Allah – Meaning and Explanation
| # | Name | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ | AR-RAHMAAN | The Most or Entirely Merciful |
| 2 | ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ | AR-RAHEEM | The Bestower of Mercy |
| 3 | ٱلْمَلِكُ | AL-MALIK | The King and Owner of Dominion |
| 4 | ٱلْقُدُّوسُ | AL-QUDDUS | The Absolutely Pure |
| 5 | ٱلْسَّلَامُ | AS-SALAM | The Perfection and Giver of Peace |
| 6 | ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ | AL-MU’MIN | The One Who gives Emaan and Security |
| 7 | ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ | AL-MUHAYMIN | The Guardian, The Witness, The Overseer |
| 8 | ٱلْعَزِيزُ | AL-AZEEZ | The All Mighty |
| 9 | ٱلْجَبَّارُ | AL-JABBAR | The Compeller, The Restorer |
| 10 | ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ | AL-MUTAKABBIR | The Supreme, The Majestic |
| 11 | ٱلْخَالِقُ | AL-KHAALIQ | The Creator, The Maker |
| 12 | ٱلْبَارِئُ | AL-BAARI’ | The Originator |
| 13 | ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ | AL-MUSAWWIR | The Fashioner |
| 14 | ٱلْغَفَّارُ | AL-GHAFFAR | The All- and Oft-Forgiving |
| 15 | ٱلْقَهَّارُ | AL-QAHHAR | The Subduer, The Ever-Dominating |
| 16 | ٱلْوَهَّابُ | AL-WAHHAAB | The Giver of Gifts |
| 17 | ٱلْرَّزَّاقُ | AR-RAZZAAQ | The Provider |
| 18 | ٱلْفَتَّاحُ | AL-FATTAAH | The Opener, The Judge |
| 19 | ٱلْعَلِيمُ | AL-‘ALEEM | The All-Knowing, The Omniscient |
| 20 | ٱلْقَابِضُ | AL-QAABID | The Withholder |
| 21 | ٱلْبَاسِطُ | AL-BAASIT | The Extender |
| 22 | ٱلْخَافِضُ | AL-KHAAFIDH | The Reducer, The Abaser |
| 23 | ٱلْرَّافِعُ | AR-RAAFI’ | The Exalter, The Elevator |
| 24 | ٱلْمُعِزُّ | AL-MU’IZZ | The Honourer, The Bestower |
| 25 | ٱلْمُذِلُّ | AL-MUZIL | The Dishonourer, The Humiliator |
| 26 | ٱلْسَّمِيعُ | AS-SAMEE’ | The All-Hearing |
| 27 | ٱلْبَصِيرُ | AL-BASEER | The All-Seeing |
| 28 | ٱلْحَكَمُ | AL-HAKAM | The Judge, The Giver of Justice |
| 29 | ٱلْعَدْلُ | AL-‘ADL | The Utterly Just |
| 30 | ٱلْلَّطِيفُ | AL-LATEEF | The Subtle One, The Most Gentle |
| 31 | ٱلْخَبِيرُ | AL-KHABEER | The Acquainted, the All-Aware |
| 32 | ٱلْحَلِيمُ | AL-HALEEM | The Most Forbearing |
| 33 | ٱلْعَظِيمُ | AL-‘ATHEEM | The Magnificent, The Supreme |
| 34 | ٱلْغَفُورُ | AL-GHAFOOR | The Forgiving, The Exceedingly Forgiving |
| 35 | ٱلْشَّكُورُ | ASH-SHAKOOR | The Most Appreciative |
| 36 | ٱلْعَلِيُّ | AL-‘ALEE | The Most High, The Exalted |
| 37 | ٱلْكَبِيرُ | AL-KABEER | The Greatest, The Most Grand |
| 38 | ٱلْحَفِيظُ | AL-HAFEEDH | The Preserver, The All-Heedful and All-Protecting |
| 39 | ٱلْمُقِيتُ | AL-MUQEET | The Sustainer |
| 40 | ٱلْحَسِيبُ | AL-HASEEB | The Reckoner, The Sufficient |
| 41 | ٱلْجَلِيلُ | AL-JALEEL | The Majestic |
| 42 | ٱلْكَرِيمُ | AL-KAREEM | The Most Generous, The Most Esteemed |
| 43 | ٱلْرَّقِيبُ | AR-RAQEEB | The Watchful |
| 44 | ٱلْمُجِيبُ | AL-MUJEEB | The Responsive One |
| 45 | ٱلْوَاسِعُ | AL-WAASI’ | The All-Encompassing, the Boundless |
| 46 | ٱلْحَكِيمُ | AL-HAKEEM | The All-Wise |
| 47 | ٱلْوَدُودُ | AL-WADOOD | The Most Loving |
| 48 | ٱلْمَجِيدُ | AL-MAJEED | The Glorious, The Most Honorable |
| 49 | ٱلْبَاعِثُ | AL-BA’ITH | The Resurrector, The Raiser of the Dead |
| 50 | ٱلْشَّهِيدُ | ASH-SHAHEED | The All- and Ever Witnessing |
| 51 | ٱلْحَقُّ | AL-HAQQ | The Absolute Truth |
| 52 | ٱلْوَكِيلُ | AL-WAKEEL | The Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs |
| 53 | ٱلْقَوِيُّ | AL-QAWIYY | The All-Strong |
| 54 | ٱلْمَتِينُ | AL-MATEEN | The Firm, The Steadfast |
| 55 | ٱلْوَلِيُّ | AL-WALIYY | The Protecting Associate |
| 56 | ٱلْحَمِيدُ | AL-HAMEED | The Praiseworthy |
| 57 | ٱلْمُحْصِيُ | AL-MUHSEE | The All-Enumerating, The Counter |
| 58 | ٱلْمُبْدِئُ | AL-MUBDI | The Originator, The Initiator |
| 59 | ٱلْمُعِيدُ | AL-MU’ID | The Restorer, The Reinstater |
| 60 | ٱلْمُحْيِى | AL-MUHYEE | The Giver of Life |
| 61 | ٱلْمُمِيتُ | AL-MUMEET | The Bringer of Death, the Destroyer |
| 62 | ٱلْحَىُّ | AL-HAYY | The Ever-Living |
| 63 | ٱلْقَيُّومُ | AL-QAYYOOM | The Sustainer, The Self-Subsisting |
| 64 | ٱلْوَاجِدُ | AL-WAAJID | The Perceiver |
| 65 | ٱلْمَاجِدُ | AL-MAAJID | The Illustrious, the Magnificent |
| 66 | ٱلْوَاحِدُ | AL-WAAHID | The One |
| 67 | ٱلْأَحَد | AL-AHAD | The Unique, The Only One |
| 68 | ٱلْصَّمَدُ | AS-SAMAD | The Eternal, Satisfier of Needs |
| 69 | ٱلْقَادِرُ | AL-QADIR | The Capable, The Powerful |
| 70 | ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ | AL-MUQTADIR | The Omnipotent |
| 71 | ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ | AL-MUQADDIM | The Expediter, The Promoter |
| 72 | ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ | AL-MU’AKHKHIR | The Delayer, the Retarder |
| 73 | ٱلأَوَّلُ | AL-AWWAL | The First |
| 74 | ٱلْآخِرُ | AL-AAKHIR | The Last |
| 75 | ٱلْظَّاهِرُ | AZ-DHAAHIR | The Manifest |
| 76 | ٱلْبَاطِنُ | AL-BAATIN | The Hidden One, Knower of the Hidden |
| 77 | ٱلْوَالِي | AL-WAALI | The Governor, The Patron |
| 78 | ٱلْمُتَعَالِي | AL-MUTA’ALI | The Self Exalted |
| 79 | ٱلْبَرُّ | AL-BARR | The Source of Goodness, the Kind Benefactor |
| 80 | ٱلْتَّوَّابُ | AT-TAWWAB | The Ever-Pardoning, The Relenting |
| 81 | ٱلْمُنْتَقِمُ | AL-MUNTAQIM | The Avenger |
| 82 | ٱلْعَفُوُّ | AL-‘AFUWW | The Pardoner |
| 83 | ٱلْرَّؤُفُ | AR-RA’OOF | The Most Kind |
| 84 | مَالِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ | MAALIK-UL-MULK | Master of the Kingdom, Owner of the Dominion |
| 85 | ذُو ٱلْجَلَالِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ | DHUL-JALAALI WAL-IKRAAM | Possessor of Glory and Honour, Lord of Majesty and Generosity |
| 86 | ٱلْمُقْسِطُ | AL-MUQSIT | The Equitable, the Requiter |
| 87 | ٱلْجَامِعُ | AL-JAAMI’ | The Gatherer, the Uniter |
| 88 | ٱلْغَنيُّ | AL-GHANIYY | The Self-Sufficient, The Wealthy |
| 89 | ٱلْمُغْنِيُّ | AL-MUGHNI | The Enricher |
| 90 | ٱلْمَانِعُ | AL-MANI’ | The Withholder |
| 91 | ٱلْضَّارُ | AD-DHARR | The Distresser |
| 92 | ٱلْنَّافِعُ | AN-NAFI’ | The Propitious, the Benefactor |
| 93 | ٱلْنُّورُ | AN-NUR | The Light, The Illuminator |
| 94 | ٱلْهَادِي | AL-HAADI | The Guide |
| 95 | ٱلْبَدِيعُ | AL-BADEE’ | The Incomparable Originator |
| 96 | ٱلْبَاقِي | AL-BAAQI | The Ever-Surviving, The Everlasting |
| 97 | ٱلْوَارِثُ | AL-WAARITH | The Inheritor, The Heir |
| 98 | ٱلْرَّشِيدُ | AR-RASHEED | The Guide, Infallible Teacher |
| 99 | ٱلْصَّبُورُ | AS-SABOOR | The Forbearing, The Patient |
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said about the 99 Names of Allah in a famous hadith. This hadith is found in Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari, two of the most authentic collections of Hadith. Here is the relevant hadith:
Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“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 (single, i.e., ‘one’) and loves ‘the Witr’ (i.e., odd numbers).”
(Sahih Bukhari 7392)
This hadith emphasizes the importance of understanding and embodying the meanings of these names. It highlights that these names represent the attributes of Allah and reflect His perfection and majesty. By knowing these names, reflecting on their meanings, and living in accordance with them, a believer can enhance their faith and relationship with Allah.
Here are a few of the 99 names of Allah:
- Ar-Rahman (الرحمن) – The Most Merciful
- Ar-Rahim (الرحيم) – The Most Compassionate
- Al-Malik (الملك) – The King, The Absolute Ruler
- Al-Quddus (القدوس) – The Pure, The Holy
- As-Salam (السلام) – The Source of Peace
Each of these names carries deep significance and reflects different aspects of Allah’s nature and relationship with His creation.