99 names of Allah: Difference between revisions

From WikiIslam, the online resource on Islam
Jump to navigation Jump to search
[unchecked revision][checked revision]
No edit summary
 
(91 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The Quran talks about "beautiful names of Allah" and the hadiths further specify that there is exactly 99 names. Muslims are supposed to learn these these names of Allah, but there is a problem, because Muhammad didn't offer the full list of these names. Islamic scholars had to rely on ijtihad to find these names in the Quran and sunnah and different scholars came up with different lists. Out of the supposed 99 names of Allah, they together found at least 276 names.
{{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=2|Content=3|Language=4|References=3}}
The Quran references the "beautiful names of Allah." Hadith elaborate on this further, specifying that Allah has exactly 99 names. Muslims are expected to learn these names, though not all are listed in the Quran or hadith. This required Islamic scholars to use [[ijtihad]] (independent judgement) to locate these names in the Quran and Sunnah, with different scholars proposing different lists. As many as 276 names have been proposed.


==The phrase "beautiful names of Allah" mentioned in the Quran==
==The phrase "beautiful names of Allah" mentioned in the Qur'an==
The Quran says that Allah has beautiful names (الأسماء الحسنى, ''al-asmaa' ul-husnaa''), but doesn't specify what these names are and how many.
The Quran states that Allah has "beautiful names" (الأسماء الحسنى, ''al-asmaa' ul-husnaa''). It does not specify the names or their number.
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|180}}|And to Allah belong '''the best names''' (الأسماء الحسنى), so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been doing.
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|180}}|And to Allah belong '''the best names''' (الأسماء الحسنى), so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been doing.
}}
}}
Line 10: Line 11:
{{Quote|{{Quran|59|24}}|He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong '''the best names''' (الأسماء الحسنى). Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
{{Quote|{{Quran|59|24}}|He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong '''the best names''' (الأسماء الحسنى). Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
}}
}}
حسنى (husnaa) is translated as "beautiful", "best", "excellent" or "finest" <ref>http://quranx.com/7.180</ref>. The phrase "beaufiful names of Allah" and the word pig (خنزيير) were both mentioned exactly 4 times - for more word count "miracles" click [[Word Count Miracles in the Qur'an|here]].
==Hadith==
==Hadith==
There are many hadith claiming Allah has 99 names, this is one of them from Sahih Bukhari:
Numerous hadith, such as the following from Sahih Bukhari, indicate that Allah has 99 names:
{{Quote|{{Bukhari|9|93|489}}|Narrated Abu Huraira:
{{Quote|{{Bukhari|||7392|darussalam}}|Narrated Abu Huraira:


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.}}
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.}}
Some apologetic sources (including Wikipedia) claim that according to the hadith, there are ''at least'' 99 names. But the hadith doesn't say "at least". It says simply ninety-nine (تِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ) and even adds that it's one hundred minus one, which seems to emphasize, that it is exactly 99 and not 100 or more. And the hadith also says that who memorizes all these names would go to paradise - such a task would be hard in the time of Muhammad, considering that in that time the ummah was [[Muhammad and illiteracy|illiterate]]. And even today, as we'll see, it seems impossible to find the 99 names.
Some Islamic scholars and public figures argue that the above hadith indicates that Allah has ''at least'' 99 names. However, this specification does not appear in the original Arabic, which simply indicates that Allah has "ninety-nine" or "one-hundred less one" names.


==The popular list==
==The popular list==
===Source===
===Source===
The most popular list of 99 names of Allah among Muslims (which is also used on Wikipedia) seems to be a list from a weak (da'if) hadith from the collection of Tirmidhi.
A popular list of Allah's 99 names originates from a weak (da'if) hadith from the collection of Tirmidhi.
{{Quote|{{Al Tirmidhi||6|45|3507}} (weak)|Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
{{Quote|{{Al Tirmidhi||6|45|3507}} (weak)|Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:


“Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred less one, whoever counts them shall enter Paradise. He is Allah, the one whom there is none worthy of worship except for Him (Allāhu Lā Ilāha Illā Huwa), the Most Merciful (to the creation) (Ar-Raḥmān), the Most Beneficent (to the believers) (Ar-Raḥīm), the King (Al-Malik), the Free of Deficiencies (Al-Quddūs), the Granter of Safety (As-Salām), the Granter of Security (Al-Mu’min), the Watcher (Al-Muhaimin), the Mighty (Al-`Azīz), the Compeller (Al-Jabbār), the Supreme (Al-Mutakabbir), the Creator (Al-Khāliq), the Originator (Al-Bāri’), the Fashioner (Al-Muṣawwir), the Pardoner (Al-Ghaffār), the Overwhelming (Al-Qahhār), the Giving (Al-Wahhāb), the Provider (Ar-Razzāq), the Opener (Al-Fattāḥ), the Knowing (Al-`Alīm), the Taker (Al-Qābiḍ), the Giver (Al-Bāsiṭ), the Abaser (Al-Khāfiḍ), the Exalter (Ar-Rāfi`), the One who grants honor (Al-Mu`izz), the One who humiliates (Al-Mudhil), the Hearing (As-Samī`), the Seeing (Al-Baṣīr), the Judge (Al-Ḥakam), the Just (Al-`Adl), the Kind (Al-Laṭīf), the Aware (Al-Khabīr), the Forbearing (Al-Ḥalīm), the Magnificent (Al-`Aẓīm), the Oft-Forgiving (Al-Ghafūr), the Grateful (Ash-Shakūr), the Most High (Al-`Aliyy), the Great (Al-Kabīr), the Guardian (Al-Ḥafīẓ), the Powerful (Al-Muqīt), the Reckoner (Al-Ḥasīb), the Glorious (Al-Jalīl), the Generous (Al-Karīm), the Watcher (Ar-Raqīb), the Responder (Al-Mujīb), the Liberal Giver (Al-Wāsi`), the Wise (Al-Ḥakīm), the Loving (Al-Wadūd), the Majestic (Al-Majīd), the Reviver (Al-Bā`ith), the Witness (Ash-Shahīd), the Truth (Al-Ḥaqq), the Guarantor (Al-Wakīl), the Strong (Al-Qawiyy), the Firm (Al-Matīn), the One Who Aids (Al-Waliyy), the Praiseworthy (Al-Ḥamīd), the Encompasser (Al-Muḥṣi), the One Who Begins things (Al-Mubdi’), the One Who brings things back (Al-Mu`īd), the One Who gives life (Al-Muḥyi), the One Who causes death (Al-Mumīt), the Living (Al-Ḥayyu), the Self-Sufficient (Al-Qayyūm), the One Who brings into existence (Al-Wājid), the Illustrious (Al-Mājid), the One (Al-Wāḥid), the Master (Aṣ-Ṣamad), the Able (Al-Qādir), the Powerful (Al-Muqtadir), the One who hastens (Al-Muqaddim), the One who delays (Al-Mu’akhkhir), the First (Al-Awwal), the Last (Al-Ākhir), the Apparent (Aẓ-Ẓāhir), the Inner (Al-Bāṭin), the Owner (Al-Wāli), the Exalted (Al-Muta`āli), the Doer of Good (Al-Barr), the Acceptor of repentance (At-Tawwāb), the Avenger (Al-Muntaqim), the Pardoning (Al-`Afuww), the Kind (Ar-Ra’ūf), the Owner of Dominion (Mālikul-Mulk), the Possessor of Glory and Generosity (Dhul Jalāli wal Ikrām), the One who does justice (Al-Muqsiṭ), the Gatherer (Al-Jāmi`), the Rich (Al-Ghaniyy), the Enricher (Al-Mughni), the Preventer (Al-Māni`), the Harmer (Aḍ-Ḍār), the One who benefits (An-Nāfi`), the Light (An-Nūr), the Guide (Al-Hādi), the Originator (Al-Badī`), the Lasting (Al-Bāqi), the Inheritor (Al-Wārith), the Guide (Ar-Rashīd), the Tolerant (Aṣ-Ṣabūr).”}}
“Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred less one, whoever counts them shall enter Paradise. He is Allah, the one whom there is none worthy of worship except for Him (Allāhu Lā Ilāha Illā Huwa), the Most Merciful (to the creation) (Ar-Raḥmān), the Most Beneficent (to the believers) (Ar-Raḥīm), the King (Al-Malik), the Free of Deficiencies (Al-Quddūs), the Granter of Safety (As-Salām), the Granter of Security (Al-Mu’min), the Watcher (Al-Muhaimin), the Mighty (Al-`Azīz), the Compeller (Al-Jabbār), the Supreme (Al-Mutakabbir), the Creator (Al-Khāliq), the Originator (Al-Bāri’), the Fashioner (Al-Muṣawwir), the Pardoner (Al-Ghaffār), the Overwhelming (Al-Qahhār), the Giving (Al-Wahhāb), the Provider (Ar-Razzāq), the Opener (Al-Fattāḥ), the Knowing (Al-`Alīm), the Taker (Al-Qābiḍ), the Giver (Al-Bāsiṭ), the Abaser (Al-Khāfiḍ), the Exalter (Ar-Rāfi`), the One who grants honor (Al-Mu`izz), the One who humiliates (Al-Mudhil), the Hearing (As-Samī`), the Seeing (Al-Baṣīr), the Judge (Al-Ḥakam), the Just (Al-`Adl), the Kind (Al-Laṭīf), the Aware (Al-Khabīr), the Forbearing (Al-Ḥalīm), the Magnificent (Al-`Aẓīm), the Oft-Forgiving (Al-Ghafūr), the Grateful (Ash-Shakūr), the Most High (Al-`Aliyy), the Great (Al-Kabīr), the Guardian (Al-Ḥafīẓ), the Powerful (Al-Muqīt), the Reckoner (Al-Ḥasīb), the Glorious (Al-Jalīl), the Generous (Al-Karīm), the Watcher (Ar-Raqīb), the Responder (Al-Mujīb), the Liberal Giver (Al-Wāsi`), the Wise (Al-Ḥakīm), the Loving (Al-Wadūd), the Majestic (Al-Majīd), the Reviver (Al-Bā`ith), the Witness (Ash-Shahīd), the Truth (Al-Ḥaqq), the Guarantor (Al-Wakīl), the Strong (Al-Qawiyy), the Firm (Al-Matīn), the One Who Aids (Al-Waliyy), the Praiseworthy (Al-Ḥamīd), the Encompasser (Al-Muḥṣi), the One Who Begins things (Al-Mubdi’), the One Who brings things back (Al-Mu`īd), the One Who gives life (Al-Muḥyi), the One Who causes death (Al-Mumīt), the Living (Al-Ḥayyu), the Self-Sufficient (Al-Qayyūm), the One Who brings into existence (Al-Wājid), the Illustrious (Al-Mājid), the One (Al-Wāḥid), the Master (Aṣ-Ṣamad), the Able (Al-Qādir), the Powerful (Al-Muqtadir), the One who hastens (Al-Muqaddim), the One who delays (Al-Mu’akhkhir), the First (Al-Awwal), the Last (Al-Ākhir), the Apparent (Aẓ-Ẓāhir), the Inner (Al-Bāṭin), the Owner (Al-Wāli), the Exalted (Al-Muta`āli), the Doer of Good (Al-Barr), the Acceptor of repentance (At-Tawwāb), the Avenger (Al-Muntaqim), the Pardoning (Al-`Afuww), the Kind (Ar-Ra’ūf), the Owner of Dominion (Mālikul-Mulk), the Possessor of Glory and Generosity (Dhul Jalāli wal Ikrām), the One who does justice (Al-Muqsiṭ), the Gatherer (Al-Jāmi`), the Rich (Al-Ghaniyy), the Enricher (Al-Mughni), the Preventer (Al-Māni`), the Harmer (Aḍ-Ḍār), the One who benefits (An-Nāfi`), the Light (An-Nūr), the Guide (Al-Hādi), the Originator (Al-Badī`), the Lasting (Al-Bāqi), the Inheritor (Al-Wārith), the Guide (Ar-Rashīd), the Tolerant (Aṣ-Ṣabūr).”}}
This hadith is weak. Tirmidhi wrote about it:
Tirmidhi elaborates on the quality of the hadith:
{{Quote|Tirmidhi comment on the 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."
{{Quote|Tirmidhi comment on the 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."
}}
}}
Ibn Taimiyya said: {{Quote|Ibn Taimyya|"Al-Walid (one of the narrators of the hadith) related the Names from (the saying of) one of his Syrian teachers ... '''specific mention of the Names is not from the words of the Prophet''' (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), by the agreement of those familiar with Hadith."}}
From Ibn Tamiyya: {{Quote|Ibn Taimyya|"Al-Walid (one of the narrators of the hadith) related the Names from (the saying of) one of his Syrian teachers ... '''specific mention of the Names is not from the words of the Prophet''' (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), by the agreement of those familiar with Hadith."}}


===The list===
===The list===
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" class= "wikitable sortable"
Some of the words given as names of Allah in the list are not present in the Quran. The following table links to Quranic verses cited as sources of each name and notes instances where the name does not appear (for example where the same root word appears as a verb).
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
!Num.
!Num.
!In Arabic
!In Arabic
Line 38: Line 38:
!Actual translation
!Actual translation
!Reference
!Reference
!Comment
!Notes
|-
|-
|1||الرحمان||''ar-rahmaan''||The Most Gracious||The Gracious||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|1||الرحمان||''ar-rahmaan''||The Most Gracious||The Gracious||{{Quran|1|1}}||
Line 44: Line 44:
|2||الرحيم||''ar-raheem''||The Most Merciful||The Merciful||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|2||الرحيم||''ar-raheem''||The Most Merciful||The Merciful||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|-
|-
|3||المالك||''al-maalik''||The King||The Posessor <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83/</ref>||{{Quran|59|23}}||Some translations sasy "sovereign" <ref>http://quranx.com/59.23</ref>
|3||المالك||''al-maalik''||The King||The Posessor <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83/</ref>||{{Quran|59|23}}||Some translations say "sovereign" <ref>http://quranx.com/59.23</ref>
|-
|-
|4||القدوس||''al-quddoos''||The Holy||The Holy||{{Quran|59|23}}||
|4||القدوس||''al-quddoos''||The Holy||The Holy||{{Quran|59|23}}||
Line 56: Line 56:
|8||العزيز||''al-'azeez''||The Powerful||The Honorable <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B2/</ref>||{{Quran|3|6}}||
|8||العزيز||''al-'azeez''||The Powerful||The Honorable <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B2/</ref>||{{Quran|3|6}}||
|-
|-
|9||الجبار||''ar-jabbar''||The Strong||The Forceful <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/</ref>|||{{Quran|59|23}}||
|9||الجبار||''al-jabbar''||The Strong||The Forceful <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/</ref>|||{{Quran|59|23}}||
|-
|-
|10||المتكبر||''al-mutakabbir''||The Supreme||The Arrogant <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A8%D8%B1/</ref>||{{Quran|59|23}}||
|10||المتكبر||''al-mutakabbir''||The Supreme||The Arrogant/The Boaster <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A8%D8%B1/</ref>||{{Quran|59|23}}||
|-
|-
|11||الخالق||''al-khaaliq''||The Creator||The Creator||{{Quran|6|102}}||
|11||الخالق||''al-khaaliq''||The Creator||The Creator||{{Quran|6|102}}||
|-
|-
|12||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|12||البارئ||''al-baari''||The Maker||The Maker||{{Quran|59|24}}||
|-
|-
|13||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|13||المصور||''al-musawwir''||The Fashioner||The Fashioner||{{Quran|59|24}}||
|-
|-
|14||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|14||الغفار||''al-ghaffaar''||The Repeatedly Forgiving||The Forgiving||{{Quran|20|82}}||
|-
|-
|15||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|15||القهار||''al-qahhaar''||The Subduer||The Despot / The Conqueror||{{Quran|12|39}}||
|-
|-
|16||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|16||الوهاب||''al-wahhaab''||The Bestower||The Provider <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A8/</ref>||{{Quran|38|9}}||Also a name of the founder of Wahhabism.
|-
|-
|17||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|17||الرزاق||''ar-razaaq''||The Provider||The Provider||{{Quran|51|58}}||
|-
|-
|18||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|18||الفتاح||''al-fattaah''||The Opener||The Opener||{{Quran|34|26}}||"fath" (opening) is a euphemism for Islamic conquests (''futuhaat islamiyya'', literally "Islamic openings").
|-
|-
|19||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|19||العليم||''al-'aleem''||The Knowing||The Knowing||{{Quran|2|158}}||
|-
|-
|20||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|20||القابض||''al-qaabid''||The Restrainer||The Grabbing <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B6/</ref>||{{Quran|2|245}} (it's not there)||قبضة or ''qabda'' is fist
|-
|-
|21||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|21||الباسط||''al-baasit''||The Extender||The Extender||{{Quran|2|245}} (it's not there)||It should be rendered as باصط.
|-
|-
|22||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|22||الخافض||''al-khaafid''||The Humiliator||The Lessener/Lowerer||{{Quran|56|3}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|23||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|23||الرافع||''ar-raafee''||The Exalter||The Raiser||{{Quran|56|3}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|24||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|24||المعز||''al-muiz''||The Giver of Honor||The Honored||{{Quran|3|26}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|25||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|25||المذل||''al-mudhil''||The Giver of Dishonor||The Humiliating <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%B0%D9%84/</ref>||{{Quran|3|26}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|26||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|26||السميع||''as-samii''||The Hearing||The Hearing||{{Quran|2|127}}||
|-
|-
|27||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|27||البصير||''al-baseer''||The All-Seeing||The Seeing||{{Quran|4|58}}||
|-
|-
|28||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|28||الحكم||''al-hakam''||The Judge||The Judge||{{Quran|22|69}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|29||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|29||العدل||''al-adl''||The Just||The Justice||{{Quran|6|115}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|30||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|30||اللطيف||''al-lateef''||The Subtly Kind||The Kind||{{Quran|22|63}}||
|-
|-
|31||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|31||الخبير||''al-khabeer''||The All-aware||The Informed <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%AE%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1/</ref>||{{Quran|6|18}}||
|-
|-
|32||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|32||الحليم||''al-haleem''||The Forbearing||The Forbearing||{{Quran|2|235}}||
|-
|-
|33||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|33||العظيم||''al-'azeem''||The Great||The Great||{{Quran|2|255}}||
|-
|-
|34||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|34||الغفور||''al-ghafoor''||The Much Forgiving||The Forgiving||{{Quran|2|173}}||
|-
|-
|35||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|35||الشكور||''ash-shakoor''||The Grateful||The Thankful||{{Quran|35|30}}||
|-
|-
|36||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|36||العلى||''al-aliyy''||The Sublime||The Exalted||{{Quran|4|34}}||
|-
|-
|37||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|37||الكبير||''al-kabeer''||The Great||The Great||{{Quran|13|9}}||
|-
|-
|38||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|38||الحفيظ||''al-hafeez''||The Preserver||The Preserver||{{Quran|11|57}}||
|-
|-
|39||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|39||المقيت||''al-muqeet''||The Nourisher||The Nourisher||{{Quran|4|85}}||
|-
|-
|40||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|40||الحسيب||''al-haseeb''||The Bringer of Judgment||The Accountant||{{Quran|4|6}}||حساب or hisaab means "account"
|-
|-
|41||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|41||الجليل||''al-jaleel''||The Majestic||The Majestic||{{Quran|55|27}} (it's not there), {{Quran|7|143}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|42||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|42||الكريم||''al-kareem''||The Bountiful||The Bountiful||{{Quran|27|40}}||
|-
|-
|43||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|43||الرقيب||''ar-raqeeb''||The Watchful||The Watchman||{{Quran|4|1}}||
|-
|-
|44||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|44||المجيب||''al-mujeeb''||The Responsive||The Responsive||{{Quran|11|61}}||
|-
|-
|45||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|45||الواسع||''al-waasie''||The Vast||The Vast||{{Quran|2|268}}||
|-
|-
|46||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|46||الحكيم||''al-hakeem''||The Wise||The Wise||{{Quran|31|27}}||
|-
|-
|47||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|47||الودود||''al-wadood''||The Affectionate||The Affectionate||{{Quran|11|90}}||
|-
|-
|48||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|48||المجيد||''al-majeed''||The Glorious||The Glorious||{{Quran|11|73}}||
|-
|-
|49||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|49||الباعث||''al-baaith''||The Resurrector||The Resurrector||{{Quran|22|7}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|50||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|50||الشهيد||''ash-shaheed''||The Witness||The Witness||{{Quran|4|166}}||
|-
|-
|51||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|51||الحق||''al-haqq''||The Truth||The Truth||{{Quran|22|6}}||
|-
|-
|52||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|52||الوكيل||''al-wakeel''||The Trustee||The Trustee||{{Quran|3|173}}||
|-
|-
|53||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|53||القوي||''al-qawee''||The Strong||The Strong||{{Quran|22|40}}||
|-
|-
|54||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|54||المتين||''al-mateen''||The Firm||The Firm||{{Quran|51|58}}||
|-
|-
|55||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|55||الولي||''al-walee''||The Friend||The Friend||{{Quran|4|45}}||
|-
|-
|56||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|56||الحميد||''al-hameed''||The All Praiseworthy||The Praiseworthy||{{Quran|14|8}}||Muhammad (محمد) is derived from the same root
|-
|-
|57||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|57||المحصى||''al-muhsee''||The Accounter||The Accounter||{{Quran|72|28}} (it's not there), {{Quran|78|29}} (it's not there)||إحصىء means "statistics"
|-
|-
|58||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|58||المبدئ||''al-mubdi''||The Initiator||The Initiator||{{Quran|10|34}} (it's not there), {{Quran|27|64}} (it's not there), {{Quran|29|19}} (it's not there), {{Quran|85|13}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|59||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|59||المعيد||''al-mueed''||The Restorer||The Lecturer <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF/</ref>||{{Quran|10|34}} (it's not there), {{Quran|27|64}} (it's not there), {{Quran|29|19}} (it's not there), {{Quran|85|13}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|60||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|60||المحي||''al-muhee''||The Giver of Life||The Giver of Life||{{Quran|30|50}}||
|-
|-
|61||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|61||المميت||''al-mumeet''||The Bringer of Death||The Deadly <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA/</ref>||{{Quran|3|156}} (it's not there), {{Quran|7|158}} (it's not there), {{Quran|15|23}} (it's not there), {{Quran|57|2}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|61||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|61||الحى||''al-hayy''||The Living||The Living||{{Quran|2|255}}||
|-
|-
|63||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|63||القيوم||''al-qayyum''||The Subsisting||The Subsisting||{{Quran|2|255}}||
|-
|-
|64||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|64||الواجد||''al-waajid''||The Perceiver||The Angry <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AF/</ref>||{{Quran|38|44}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|65||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|65||الماجد||''al-maajid''||The Illustrious||The Illustrious||{{Quran|11|73}}||
|-
|-
|66||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|66||الواحد||''al-waahid''||The Single||The Single||{{Quran|13|16}}||
|-
|-
|67||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|67||الأحد||''al-ahad''||The One||The One||{{Quran|112|1}}||
|-
|-
|68||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|68||الصمد||''as-samad''||The Eternal||The Eternal||{{Quran|112|2}}||
|-
|-
|69||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|69||القادر||''al-qaadir''||The All-Powerful||The Able||{{Quran|6|65}}||
|-
|-
|70||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|70||المقتدر||''al-muqtadir''||The Determiner||The Able||{{Quran|18|45}}||
|-
|-
|71||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|71||المقدم||''al-muqaddim''||He Who Brings Forward||The Donor||{{Quran|16|61}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|72||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|72||المؤخر||''al-muakhir''||The Delayer||The Delayer||{{Quran|71|4}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|73||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|73||الأول||''al-awwal''||The First||The First||{{Quran|57|3}}||
|-
|-
|74||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|74||الآخر||''al-aakhir''||The Last||The Last||{{Quran|57|3}}||
|-
|-
|75||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|75||الظاهر||''az-zaahir''||The Apparent||The Apparent||{{Quran|57|3}}||
|-
|-
|76||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|76||الباطن||''al-baatin''||The Inner||The Inner||{{Quran|57|3}}||
|-
|-
|77||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|77||الوالي||''al-waali''||The Patron||The Patron||{{Quran|13|11}}||
|-
|-
|78||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|78||المتعالي||''al-mutaali''||The Most High||The Arrogant <ref>https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A/</ref>||{{Quran|13|9}}||
|-
|-
|79||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|79||البر||''al-barr''||The Good||The Good||{{Quran|52|28}}||
|-
|-
|80||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|80||التواب||''at-tawwaab''||The Ever-Returning||The Merciful||{{Quran|4|64}}||
|-
|-
|81||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|81||المنتقم||''al-muntaqim''||The Avenger||The Revenger||{{Quran|32|22}}||Appears in plural form
|-
|-
|82||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|82||العفو||''al-'afuu''||The Pardoner||The Pardoner||{{Quran|4|43}}||
|-
|-
|83||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|83||الرؤف||''ar-rauf''||The Kind||The Kind||{{Quran|9|117}}||
|-
|-
|84||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|84||مالك الملك||''maalik ul-mulk''||The Owner of all Sovereignty||The Owner of all Dominion||{{Quran|3|26}}||
|-
|-
|85||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|85||ذو الجلال والإكرام||''dhul jalaal wal ikraam''||The Owner, Lord of Majesty and Honour||The Owner, Lord of Majesty and Honour||{{Quran|55|27}}||
|-
|-
|86||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|86||المقسط||''al-muqsit''||The Equitable||The Equitable||{{Quran|3|18}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|87||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|87||الجامع||''al-jaami''||The Gatherer||The Gatherer||{{Quran|3|9}}||
|-
|-
|88||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|88||الغني||''al-ghaani''||The Rich||The Rich||{{Quran|57|24}}||
|-
|-
|89||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|89||المغني||''al-mughni''||The Enricher||The Enricher||{{Quran|9|28}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|90||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|90||المانع||''al-maani''||The Preventer||The Preventer||{{Quran|67|21}} (it's not there)||No form of the relevant word appears
|-
|-
|91||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|91||الضار||''ad-daar''||The Harmer||The Harmer||{{Quran|6|17}} (it's not there)||
|-
|-
|92||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|92||النافع||''an-naafi''||The Propitious||The Propitious||{{Quran|30|37}} (it's not there)||No form of the relevant word appears
|-
|-
|93||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|93||النور||''an-noor''||The Light||The Light||{{Quran|24|35}}||
|-
|-
|94||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|94||الهادي||''al-haadi''||The Guide||The Guide||{{Quran|22|54}}||
|-
|-
|95||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|95||البديع||''al-badee''||The Originator||The Originator||{{Quran|2|117}}||
|-
|-
|96||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|96||الباقي||''al-baaqi''||The Immutable||The Remaining||{{Quran|55|27}} (it's not there)||"And there '''will remain''' the Face of your Lord..."
|-
|-
|97||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|97||الوارث||''al-waarith''||The Heir||The Heir||{{Quran|15|23}}||Appears in plural form
|-
|-
|98||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|98||الرشيد||''ar-rasheed''||The Guide to the Right Path||The ِRightly Guided||{{Quran|72|10}} (it's not there)||"And we do not know [therefore] whether evil is intended for those on earth or whether their Lord intends for them '''a right course''' (رشدا)."
|-
|-
|99||ال||''ar-rahmaan''||The ||The ||{{Quran|1|1}}||
|99||الصبور||''as-saboor''||The Patient||The Patient||{{Quran|2|153}} (it's not there), {{Quran|3|200}} (it's not there), {{Quran|103|3}} (it's not there)||
|}
|}
===Issues===
==== "The Compassionate" ====
Reynolds (2020) discusses one of the most commonly used names for Allah, Al-Rahman or The Compassionate:
{{Quote|Reynolds, Gabriel Said. Allah: God in the Qur'an (pp. 94-96). Yale University Press. Kindle Edition.|Most tellingly, perhaps, on fifty-six occasions the Qur’an simply names God al-rahman, “the Compassionate.” This would seem to suggest that the Qur’an’s idea of God is deeply intertwined with the concept of mercy. A closer analysis, however, complicates this suggestion in three ways. <br><i>First, the name al-rahman is used for God in a number of verses in which God is not merciful.</i><sup>14</sup> This is the case with Q 19:45, in which Abraham tells his (pagan) father, “I am indeed afraid that a punishment from al-rahman will befall you, and you will become Satan’s accomplice.” This paradoxical use of al-rahman appears again in Q 21:42, where God commands the Prophet: “Say, ‘Who can guard you, day and night, against [the punishment of] al-rahman.”<sup>15</sup><i>Second, in the Qur’an the term al-rahman always appears with the definite article (al) and never as a simple adjective. And third, whereas rahim is used to refer to things other than God (e.g., in Q 9:128 Muhammad is rahim), al-rahman is used only to refer to God.</i><br>Together these things suggest that the Qur’an’s author meant to use al-rahman principally as a proper noun for God. This possibility seems more likely in light of what we know from the evidence left behind on rocks by monotheists who lived in Arabia before Islam. Pre-Islamic Arabian rock inscriptions often refer to God, or God the Father in the Christian Trinity, with a version of the name al-rahman. In South Arabian the name appears as rahmanan.<sup>16</sup>In North Arabia, too, God, or a god, was referred to as “the merciful.” A North Arabian inscription (in a variety of Ancient North Arabian known as Safaitic) includes an appeal to a god who is referred to with a term related to Arabic rahim and rahman.<sup>17</sup> Thus, al-rahman (or other versions of it) seems simply to have been a typical way to refer to God in Arabia.<sup>18</sup>}}
"Rahmanan" above is synonymous with al-rahman, with the definite article being expressed through the 'an' suffix,as in some Southern Arabian languages, rather than the 'al' prefix as in contemporary Arabic.<ref>Reynolds, Gabriel Said. ''Allah: God in the Qur'an (p. 254)'''.''''' Yale University Press. Kindle Edition.
Footnote 16: This is not the only name that Arabian monotheists used for God. The French archaeologist Christian Robin has carefully catalogued names for God used by Jews in the South Arabian kingdom of Himyar in the fifth and sixth centuries. In addition to rahmanan (“the Compassionate”; the an at the end of the word is the definite article used in certain South Arabian languages), they used a name close to Arabic allah (ʾlahan) along with rabb (“lord”)—a term closely related to a name used for God in the Qurʾan..
</ref>
====Duplicates====
The verse 55:27 is considered as an instance of both "ذو الجلال والإكرام" and "الجليل". It is not clear what the difference could be between الغفور and الغفار or between "مالك" and "مالك الملك".
====Names not mentioned in the Quran====
Some of the purported names of Allah do not appear in the Quran, for example the last on the list, الصبور (The Patient). It is often cited as appearing in verse 2:153:{{Quote|{{Quran|2|153}}|
O you who have believed, seek help '''through patience''' (بالصبر) and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.
}}
In this case, the relevant word means "patience" and not "The Patient One."
Another verse from which the claim is derived uses the term as a verb and command for believers:
{{Quote|{{Quran|3|200}}|O you who have believed, '''persevere and endure''' (اصبروا وصابروا) and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.
}}Another verse similarly translates to "patience," not "The Patient One":
{{Quote|{{Quran|103|3}}|Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other '''to patience''' (بالصبر).
}}
A similar phenomenon occurs with another purported name, The Preventer (المانع), which is cited as occuring in verse 67:21: the verb in this verse is not derived from the same root, منع.
====Other names not mentioned in the list====
The Qur'an refers to Allah as [[Allah the Best Deceiver|The Best of Deceivers]] (''khayru al-makireena'').{{quote |{{Qtt|3|54}}|
'''Arabic:''' ومكروا ومكر الله والله خير الماكرين
'''Transliteration:''' Wamakaroo wamakara Allahu waAllahu khayru almakireena
'''Literal:''' And they cheated/deceived and Allah cheated/deceived, and Allah (is) the best (of) the cheaters/deceivers.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://iknowledge.islamicnature.com/quran/surah/3/lang/englishliteral/|2=2011-08-25}} 3. Ali-Imran - The Family Of 'Imran (سورة آل عمران) - Revealed in Madinah (English: Literal)] - IslamicNature, accessed August 25, 2011</ref>}}
The list also doesn't mention the word "Allah" itself (الله).
==See also==
External:
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/101_Names_of_God Wikipedia: 101 Names of God in Zoroastrianism]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_and_titles_of_Muhammad Wikipedia: Names and titles of Muhammad]
*[https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%89#%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A5%D8%AD%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A1%D9%87%D8%A7 Arabic Wikipedia article compiling lists of Allah's names]


==References==
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Allah]]
[[Category:Sufism]]
[[Category:Supernatural beings]]

Latest revision as of 22:27, 5 December 2025

Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination

This article or section is being renovated.

Lead = 1 / 4
Structure = 2 / 4
Content = 3 / 4
Language = 4 / 4
References = 3 / 4
Lead
1 / 4
Structure
2 / 4
Content
3 / 4
Language
4 / 4
References
3 / 4


The Quran references the "beautiful names of Allah." Hadith elaborate on this further, specifying that Allah has exactly 99 names. Muslims are expected to learn these names, though not all are listed in the Quran or hadith. This required Islamic scholars to use ijtihad (independent judgement) to locate these names in the Quran and Sunnah, with different scholars proposing different lists. As many as 276 names have been proposed.

The phrase "beautiful names of Allah" mentioned in the Qur'an

The Quran states that Allah has "beautiful names" (الأسماء الحسنى, al-asmaa' ul-husnaa). It does not specify the names or their number.

And to Allah belong the best names (الأسماء الحسنى), so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been doing.
Say, "Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names (الأسماء الحسنى)." And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.
Allah - there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names (الأسماء الحسنى).
He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names (الأسماء الحسنى). Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

Hadith

Numerous hadith, such as the following from Sahih Bukhari, indicate that Allah has 99 names:

Narrated Abu Huraira: 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.

Some Islamic scholars and public figures argue that the above hadith indicates that Allah has at least 99 names. However, this specification does not appear in the original Arabic, which simply indicates that Allah has "ninety-nine" or "one-hundred less one" names.

The popular list

Source

A popular list of Allah's 99 names originates from a weak (da'if) hadith from the collection of Tirmidhi.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred less one, whoever counts them shall enter Paradise. He is Allah, the one whom there is none worthy of worship except for Him (Allāhu Lā Ilāha Illā Huwa), the Most Merciful (to the creation) (Ar-Raḥmān), the Most Beneficent (to the believers) (Ar-Raḥīm), the King (Al-Malik), the Free of Deficiencies (Al-Quddūs), the Granter of Safety (As-Salām), the Granter of Security (Al-Mu’min), the Watcher (Al-Muhaimin), the Mighty (Al-`Azīz), the Compeller (Al-Jabbār), the Supreme (Al-Mutakabbir), the Creator (Al-Khāliq), the Originator (Al-Bāri’), the Fashioner (Al-Muṣawwir), the Pardoner (Al-Ghaffār), the Overwhelming (Al-Qahhār), the Giving (Al-Wahhāb), the Provider (Ar-Razzāq), the Opener (Al-Fattāḥ), the Knowing (Al-`Alīm), the Taker (Al-Qābiḍ), the Giver (Al-Bāsiṭ), the Abaser (Al-Khāfiḍ), the Exalter (Ar-Rāfi`), the One who grants honor (Al-Mu`izz), the One who humiliates (Al-Mudhil), the Hearing (As-Samī`), the Seeing (Al-Baṣīr), the Judge (Al-Ḥakam), the Just (Al-`Adl), the Kind (Al-Laṭīf), the Aware (Al-Khabīr), the Forbearing (Al-Ḥalīm), the Magnificent (Al-`Aẓīm), the Oft-Forgiving (Al-Ghafūr), the Grateful (Ash-Shakūr), the Most High (Al-`Aliyy), the Great (Al-Kabīr), the Guardian (Al-Ḥafīẓ), the Powerful (Al-Muqīt), the Reckoner (Al-Ḥasīb), the Glorious (Al-Jalīl), the Generous (Al-Karīm), the Watcher (Ar-Raqīb), the Responder (Al-Mujīb), the Liberal Giver (Al-Wāsi`), the Wise (Al-Ḥakīm), the Loving (Al-Wadūd), the Majestic (Al-Majīd), the Reviver (Al-Bā`ith), the Witness (Ash-Shahīd), the Truth (Al-Ḥaqq), the Guarantor (Al-Wakīl), the Strong (Al-Qawiyy), the Firm (Al-Matīn), the One Who Aids (Al-Waliyy), the Praiseworthy (Al-Ḥamīd), the Encompasser (Al-Muḥṣi), the One Who Begins things (Al-Mubdi’), the One Who brings things back (Al-Mu`īd), the One Who gives life (Al-Muḥyi), the One Who causes death (Al-Mumīt), the Living (Al-Ḥayyu), the Self-Sufficient (Al-Qayyūm), the One Who brings into existence (Al-Wājid), the Illustrious (Al-Mājid), the One (Al-Wāḥid), the Master (Aṣ-Ṣamad), the Able (Al-Qādir), the Powerful (Al-Muqtadir), the One who hastens (Al-Muqaddim), the One who delays (Al-Mu’akhkhir), the First (Al-Awwal), the Last (Al-Ākhir), the Apparent (Aẓ-Ẓāhir), the Inner (Al-Bāṭin), the Owner (Al-Wāli), the Exalted (Al-Muta`āli), the Doer of Good (Al-Barr), the Acceptor of repentance (At-Tawwāb), the Avenger (Al-Muntaqim), the Pardoning (Al-`Afuww), the Kind (Ar-Ra’ūf), the Owner of Dominion (Mālikul-Mulk), the Possessor of Glory and Generosity (Dhul Jalāli wal Ikrām), the One who does justice (Al-Muqsiṭ), the Gatherer (Al-Jāmi`), the Rich (Al-Ghaniyy), the Enricher (Al-Mughni), the Preventer (Al-Māni`), the Harmer (Aḍ-Ḍār), the One who benefits (An-Nāfi`), the Light (An-Nūr), the Guide (Al-Hādi), the Originator (Al-Badī`), the Lasting (Al-Bāqi), the Inheritor (Al-Wārith), the Guide (Ar-Rashīd), the Tolerant (Aṣ-Ṣabūr).”

Tirmidhi elaborates on the quality of the hadith:

"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."
Tirmidhi comment on the list

From Ibn Tamiyya:

"Al-Walid (one of the narrators of the hadith) related the Names from (the saying of) one of his Syrian teachers ... specific mention of the Names is not from the words of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), by the agreement of those familiar with Hadith."
Ibn Taimyya

The list

Some of the words given as names of Allah in the list are not present in the Quran. The following table links to Quranic verses cited as sources of each name and notes instances where the name does not appear (for example where the same root word appears as a verb).

Num. In Arabic Transliteration Offical translation Actual translation Reference Notes
1 الرحمان ar-rahmaan The Most Gracious The Gracious Quran 1:1
2 الرحيم ar-raheem The Most Merciful The Merciful Quran 1:1
3 المالك al-maalik The King The Posessor [1] Quran 59:23 Some translations say "sovereign" [2]
4 القدوس al-quddoos The Holy The Holy Quran 59:23
5 السلام as-salaam The Peace Free from defect Quran 59:23 Ibn Kathir understands it as "free from defect" [3]
6 المؤمن al-mu'min The Granter of Security The Believer [4] Quran 59:23 Mu'min in all other verses means "believer" [5]
7 المهيمن al-muhaymin The Controller The Controller Quran 59:23
8 العزيز al-'azeez The Powerful The Honorable [6] Quran 3:6
9 الجبار al-jabbar The Strong The Forceful [7] Quran 59:23
10 المتكبر al-mutakabbir The Supreme The Arrogant/The Boaster [8] Quran 59:23
11 الخالق al-khaaliq The Creator The Creator Quran 6:102
12 البارئ al-baari The Maker The Maker Quran 59:24
13 المصور al-musawwir The Fashioner The Fashioner Quran 59:24
14 الغفار al-ghaffaar The Repeatedly Forgiving The Forgiving Quran 20:82
15 القهار al-qahhaar The Subduer The Despot / The Conqueror Quran 12:39
16 الوهاب al-wahhaab The Bestower The Provider [9] Quran 38:9 Also a name of the founder of Wahhabism.
17 الرزاق ar-razaaq The Provider The Provider Quran 51:58
18 الفتاح al-fattaah The Opener The Opener Quran 34:26 "fath" (opening) is a euphemism for Islamic conquests (futuhaat islamiyya, literally "Islamic openings").
19 العليم al-'aleem The Knowing The Knowing Quran 2:158
20 القابض al-qaabid The Restrainer The Grabbing [10] Quran 2:245 (it's not there) قبضة or qabda is fist
21 الباسط al-baasit The Extender The Extender Quran 2:245 (it's not there) It should be rendered as باصط.
22 الخافض al-khaafid The Humiliator The Lessener/Lowerer Quran 56:3 (it's not there)
23 الرافع ar-raafee The Exalter The Raiser Quran 56:3 (it's not there)
24 المعز al-muiz The Giver of Honor The Honored Quran 3:26 (it's not there)
25 المذل al-mudhil The Giver of Dishonor The Humiliating [11] Quran 3:26 (it's not there)
26 السميع as-samii The Hearing The Hearing Quran 2:127
27 البصير al-baseer The All-Seeing The Seeing Quran 4:58
28 الحكم al-hakam The Judge The Judge Quran 22:69 (it's not there)
29 العدل al-adl The Just The Justice Quran 6:115 (it's not there)
30 اللطيف al-lateef The Subtly Kind The Kind Quran 22:63
31 الخبير al-khabeer The All-aware The Informed [12] Quran 6:18
32 الحليم al-haleem The Forbearing The Forbearing Quran 2:235
33 العظيم al-'azeem The Great The Great Quran 2:255
34 الغفور al-ghafoor The Much Forgiving The Forgiving Quran 2:173
35 الشكور ash-shakoor The Grateful The Thankful Quran 35:30
36 العلى al-aliyy The Sublime The Exalted Quran 4:34
37 الكبير al-kabeer The Great The Great Quran 13:9
38 الحفيظ al-hafeez The Preserver The Preserver Quran 11:57
39 المقيت al-muqeet The Nourisher The Nourisher Quran 4:85
40 الحسيب al-haseeb The Bringer of Judgment The Accountant Quran 4:6 حساب or hisaab means "account"
41 الجليل al-jaleel The Majestic The Majestic Quran 55:27 (it's not there), Quran 7:143 (it's not there)
42 الكريم al-kareem The Bountiful The Bountiful Quran 27:40
43 الرقيب ar-raqeeb The Watchful The Watchman Quran 4:1
44 المجيب al-mujeeb The Responsive The Responsive Quran 11:61
45 الواسع al-waasie The Vast The Vast Quran 2:268
46 الحكيم al-hakeem The Wise The Wise Quran 31:27
47 الودود al-wadood The Affectionate The Affectionate Quran 11:90
48 المجيد al-majeed The Glorious The Glorious Quran 11:73
49 الباعث al-baaith The Resurrector The Resurrector Quran 22:7 (it's not there)
50 الشهيد ash-shaheed The Witness The Witness Quran 4:166
51 الحق al-haqq The Truth The Truth Quran 22:6
52 الوكيل al-wakeel The Trustee The Trustee Quran 3:173
53 القوي al-qawee The Strong The Strong Quran 22:40
54 المتين al-mateen The Firm The Firm Quran 51:58
55 الولي al-walee The Friend The Friend Quran 4:45
56 الحميد al-hameed The All Praiseworthy The Praiseworthy Quran 14:8 Muhammad (محمد) is derived from the same root
57 المحصى al-muhsee The Accounter The Accounter Quran 72:28 (it's not there), Quran 78:29 (it's not there) إحصىء means "statistics"
58 المبدئ al-mubdi The Initiator The Initiator Quran 10:34 (it's not there), Quran 27:64 (it's not there), Quran 29:19 (it's not there), Quran 85:13 (it's not there)
59 المعيد al-mueed The Restorer The Lecturer [13] Quran 10:34 (it's not there), Quran 27:64 (it's not there), Quran 29:19 (it's not there), Quran 85:13 (it's not there)
60 المحي al-muhee The Giver of Life The Giver of Life Quran 30:50
61 المميت al-mumeet The Bringer of Death The Deadly [14] Quran 3:156 (it's not there), Quran 7:158 (it's not there), Quran 15:23 (it's not there), Quran 57:2 (it's not there)
61 الحى al-hayy The Living The Living Quran 2:255
63 القيوم al-qayyum The Subsisting The Subsisting Quran 2:255
64 الواجد al-waajid The Perceiver The Angry [15] Quran 38:44 (it's not there)
65 الماجد al-maajid The Illustrious The Illustrious Quran 11:73
66 الواحد al-waahid The Single The Single Quran 13:16
67 الأحد al-ahad The One The One Quran 112:1
68 الصمد as-samad The Eternal The Eternal Quran 112:2
69 القادر al-qaadir The All-Powerful The Able Quran 6:65
70 المقتدر al-muqtadir The Determiner The Able Quran 18:45
71 المقدم al-muqaddim He Who Brings Forward The Donor Quran 16:61 (it's not there)
72 المؤخر al-muakhir The Delayer The Delayer Quran 71:4 (it's not there)
73 الأول al-awwal The First The First Quran 57:3
74 الآخر al-aakhir The Last The Last Quran 57:3
75 الظاهر az-zaahir The Apparent The Apparent Quran 57:3
76 الباطن al-baatin The Inner The Inner Quran 57:3
77 الوالي al-waali The Patron The Patron Quran 13:11
78 المتعالي al-mutaali The Most High The Arrogant [16] Quran 13:9
79 البر al-barr The Good The Good Quran 52:28
80 التواب at-tawwaab The Ever-Returning The Merciful Quran 4:64
81 المنتقم al-muntaqim The Avenger The Revenger Quran 32:22 Appears in plural form
82 العفو al-'afuu The Pardoner The Pardoner Quran 4:43
83 الرؤف ar-rauf The Kind The Kind Quran 9:117
84 مالك الملك maalik ul-mulk The Owner of all Sovereignty The Owner of all Dominion Quran 3:26
85 ذو الجلال والإكرام dhul jalaal wal ikraam The Owner, Lord of Majesty and Honour The Owner, Lord of Majesty and Honour Quran 55:27
86 المقسط al-muqsit The Equitable The Equitable Quran 3:18 (it's not there)
87 الجامع al-jaami The Gatherer The Gatherer Quran 3:9
88 الغني al-ghaani The Rich The Rich Quran 57:24
89 المغني al-mughni The Enricher The Enricher Quran 9:28 (it's not there)
90 المانع al-maani The Preventer The Preventer Quran 67:21 (it's not there) No form of the relevant word appears
91 الضار ad-daar The Harmer The Harmer Quran 6:17 (it's not there)
92 النافع an-naafi The Propitious The Propitious Quran 30:37 (it's not there) No form of the relevant word appears
93 النور an-noor The Light The Light Quran 24:35
94 الهادي al-haadi The Guide The Guide Quran 22:54
95 البديع al-badee The Originator The Originator Quran 2:117
96 الباقي al-baaqi The Immutable The Remaining Quran 55:27 (it's not there) "And there will remain the Face of your Lord..."
97 الوارث al-waarith The Heir The Heir Quran 15:23 Appears in plural form
98 الرشيد ar-rasheed The Guide to the Right Path The ِRightly Guided Quran 72:10 (it's not there) "And we do not know [therefore] whether evil is intended for those on earth or whether their Lord intends for them a right course (رشدا)."
99 الصبور as-saboor The Patient The Patient Quran 2:153 (it's not there), Quran 3:200 (it's not there), Quran 103:3 (it's not there)

Issues

"The Compassionate"

Reynolds (2020) discusses one of the most commonly used names for Allah, Al-Rahman or The Compassionate:

Most tellingly, perhaps, on fifty-six occasions the Qur’an simply names God al-rahman, “the Compassionate.” This would seem to suggest that the Qur’an’s idea of God is deeply intertwined with the concept of mercy. A closer analysis, however, complicates this suggestion in three ways.
First, the name al-rahman is used for God in a number of verses in which God is not merciful.14 This is the case with Q 19:45, in which Abraham tells his (pagan) father, “I am indeed afraid that a punishment from al-rahman will befall you, and you will become Satan’s accomplice.” This paradoxical use of al-rahman appears again in Q 21:42, where God commands the Prophet: “Say, ‘Who can guard you, day and night, against [the punishment of] al-rahman.”15Second, in the Qur’an the term al-rahman always appears with the definite article (al) and never as a simple adjective. And third, whereas rahim is used to refer to things other than God (e.g., in Q 9:128 Muhammad is rahim), al-rahman is used only to refer to God.
Together these things suggest that the Qur’an’s author meant to use al-rahman principally as a proper noun for God. This possibility seems more likely in light of what we know from the evidence left behind on rocks by monotheists who lived in Arabia before Islam. Pre-Islamic Arabian rock inscriptions often refer to God, or God the Father in the Christian Trinity, with a version of the name al-rahman. In South Arabian the name appears as rahmanan.16In North Arabia, too, God, or a god, was referred to as “the merciful.” A North Arabian inscription (in a variety of Ancient North Arabian known as Safaitic) includes an appeal to a god who is referred to with a term related to Arabic rahim and rahman.17 Thus, al-rahman (or other versions of it) seems simply to have been a typical way to refer to God in Arabia.18
Reynolds, Gabriel Said. Allah: God in the Qur'an (pp. 94-96). Yale University Press. Kindle Edition.

"Rahmanan" above is synonymous with al-rahman, with the definite article being expressed through the 'an' suffix,as in some Southern Arabian languages, rather than the 'al' prefix as in contemporary Arabic.[17]

Duplicates

The verse 55:27 is considered as an instance of both "ذو الجلال والإكرام" and "الجليل". It is not clear what the difference could be between الغفور and الغفار or between "مالك" and "مالك الملك".

Names not mentioned in the Quran

Some of the purported names of Allah do not appear in the Quran, for example the last on the list, الصبور (The Patient). It is often cited as appearing in verse 2:153:

O you who have believed, seek help through patience (بالصبر) and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.


In this case, the relevant word means "patience" and not "The Patient One."

Another verse from which the claim is derived uses the term as a verb and command for believers:

O you who have believed, persevere and endure (اصبروا وصابروا) and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.

Another verse similarly translates to "patience," not "The Patient One":

Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience (بالصبر).

A similar phenomenon occurs with another purported name, The Preventer (المانع), which is cited as occuring in verse 67:21: the verb in this verse is not derived from the same root, منع.

Other names not mentioned in the list

The Qur'an refers to Allah as The Best of Deceivers (khayru al-makireena).

Arabic: ومكروا ومكر الله والله خير الماكرين

Transliteration: Wamakaroo wamakara Allahu waAllahu khayru almakireena

Literal: And they cheated/deceived and Allah cheated/deceived, and Allah (is) the best (of) the cheaters/deceivers.[18]

The list also doesn't mention the word "Allah" itself (الله).

See also

External:

References

  1. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83/
  2. http://quranx.com/59.23
  3. http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1602&Itemid=115
  4. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%A4%D9%85%D9%86/
  5. http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=Amn
  6. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B2/
  7. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/
  8. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A8%D8%B1/
  9. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A8/
  10. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B6/
  11. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%B0%D9%84/
  12. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%AE%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1/
  13. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF/
  14. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA/
  15. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AF/
  16. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A/
  17. Reynolds, Gabriel Said. Allah: God in the Qur'an (p. 254). Yale University Press. Kindle Edition. Footnote 16: This is not the only name that Arabian monotheists used for God. The French archaeologist Christian Robin has carefully catalogued names for God used by Jews in the South Arabian kingdom of Himyar in the fifth and sixth centuries. In addition to rahmanan (“the Compassionate”; the an at the end of the word is the definite article used in certain South Arabian languages), they used a name close to Arabic allah (ʾlahan) along with rabb (“lord”)—a term closely related to a name used for God in the Qurʾan..
  18. 3. Ali-Imran - The Family Of 'Imran (سورة آل عمران) - Revealed in Madinah (English: Literal) - IslamicNature, accessed August 25, 2011