Names of God in Islam: Difference between revisions
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'''Names of God in Islam''' ({{lang-ar|أَسْمَاءُ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ}} {{transliteration|ar|ʾasmāʾu llāhi l-ḥusnā}}, "''Allah's Beautiful Names''") are names attributed to [[God in Islam]] by [[Muslims]]. |
'''Names of God in Islam''' ({{lang-ar|أَسْمَاءُ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ}} {{transliteration|ar|ʾasmāʾu llāhi l-ḥusnā}}, "''Allah's Beautiful Names''") are names attributed to [[God in Islam]] by [[Muslims]]. These names usually denote His praise, gratitude, commendation, glorification, magnification, perfect attributes, majestic qualities, and acts of wisdom, mercy, benefit, and justice from Allah as believed by Muslims. These names are commonly invoked called upon by Muslims during [[Salah|prayers]], [[Dua|supplications]] and [[Dhikr|remembrance]], as these names hold significant spiritual and theological importance, serving as a means for Muslims to connect with God. |
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Some names are known from either the [[Qur’an]] or the [[hadith]], while others can be found in both sources, although most are found in the Qur’an.<ref name="morg10" /> Additionally, Muslims also believe that there are more names of God besides those found in the Qur'an and hadith, and that God has kept knowledge of these names hidden with Himself, and no one else knows them completely and fully except Him. |
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==List== |
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==List (according to Al-Walid ibn Muslim's list)== |
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Many scholars such as [[Muhammad ibn al-Uthaymin|Ibn Uthaymeen]], [[Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani|Ibn Hajar]], [[Ibn Hazm]], [[al-Bayhaqi]] and several others have different opinions on the list of the names of God, and many of them disagree on certain names. However, the most commonly used and recited one is [[Al-Walid ibn Muslim]]'s list, which can be seen in the table below: |
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! !! Classical [[Arabic alphabet|Arabic]] |
! !! Classical [[Arabic alphabet|Arabic]] |
Revision as of 14:30, 2 March 2024
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Allah (God in Islam) |
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Names of God in Islam (Template:Lang-ar ʾasmāʾu llāhi l-ḥusnā, "Allah's Beautiful Names") are names attributed to God in Islam by Muslims. These names usually denote His praise, gratitude, commendation, glorification, magnification, perfect attributes, majestic qualities, and acts of wisdom, mercy, benefit, and justice from Allah as believed by Muslims. These names are commonly invoked called upon by Muslims during prayers, supplications and remembrance, as these names hold significant spiritual and theological importance, serving as a means for Muslims to connect with God.
Some names are known from either the Qur’an or the hadith, while others can be found in both sources, although most are found in the Qur’an.[1] Additionally, Muslims also believe that there are more names of God besides those found in the Qur'an and hadith, and that God has kept knowledge of these names hidden with Himself, and no one else knows them completely and fully except Him.
List (according to Al-Walid ibn Muslim's list)
Many scholars such as Ibn Uthaymeen, Ibn Hajar, Ibn Hazm, al-Bayhaqi and several others have different opinions on the list of the names of God, and many of them disagree on certain names. However, the most commonly used and recited one is Al-Walid ibn Muslim's list, which can be seen in the table below:
Classical Arabic
(Quranic/ classical written forms)[2] |
Romanization
[Various Spellings] |
Translationa | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|
\*
اَلرَّحْمَـٰن [* = classical written form] |
ar-Raḥmān
[Ar-Raḥmaan] |
The Beneficent/ All-Compassionate/ Most Gracious/ | Quran: Beginning of every Surah (chapter) except of the first and numerous other places. The first verse ('ayat) of Surah ar-Raḥman (Surah 55) consists only of this Name. | |
اَلرَّحِيْمُ | ar-Raḥīm
[Ar-Raḥeem] |
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.) | |
اَلْمَلِك
[* = classical written form] |
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 | |
اَلقُدُّوسُ | al-Quddus
[al-Quddous, al-Quddoos] |
The Holy/ All-Holy/ All-Pure/ Sacred/ All-Sacred | 59:23, 62:1 | |
ٱلْسَّلَامُ
[* = classical written form] |
As-Salām
[As-Salaam] |
The Giver of Peace/ Peace/ All-Calm/ Ever-Tranquil | 59:23 | |
ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ | al-Muʿmin | The Granter of Security/ the Giver/ Faith/ Supreme Believer (of Belief)/ Giver of Belief/ All-Assurer | 59:23 | |
ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ | al-Muhaymin | The Controller/ Absolute Authority Over All/ Guardian Over All/ Absolute Master/ Eternal Dominating | 59:23 | |
ٱلْعَزِيزُ |
[al-Azeez] |
The Exalted in Might and Power/ Exalted/ Powerful/ Almighty/ Mighty | 3:6, 4:158, 9:40, 48:7, 59:23 | |
ٱلْجَبَّارُ | al-Jabbar
[al-Jabbaar] |
The Omnipotent/ Supreme Power/ Possessor of Having All Power/ Strong | 59:23 | |
ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ | al-Mutakabbir | The Possessor of Greatness/ Supreme/ Justly Proud | 59:23 | |
ٱلْخَالِقُ
[* = classical written form] |
al-Khaliq
[al-Khaaliq] |
The Creator/ Creator of the Universe/ Maker/ True Originator/ Absolute Author | 6:102, 13:16,[3] 36:81, 39:62, 40:62, 59:24 | |
ٱلْبَارِئُ | 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 | |
ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ | al-Muṣawwir
[al-Muṣṣawwir/ al-Muṣwawwir] |
The Fashioner/ Shaper/ Designer/ Artist | 59:24 | |
\*
ٱلْغَفَّارُ [* = classical written form] |
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 | |
ٱلْقَهَّارُ
[* = classical written form] |
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 | |
ٱلْوَهَّابُ | al-Wahhab
[al-Wahhaab] |
The Absolute Bestower/ Giver/ Grantor/ Great Donor | 38:9, 38:35 | |
ٱلْرَّزَّاقُ | Ar-Razzaq
[Ar-Razzaaq] |
The Provider/ Sustainer/ Bestower of Sustenance/ All-Provider | 51:58 | |
ٱلْفَتَّاحُ | al-Fattaḥ
[al-Fattaaḥ] |
The Opener/ Opener of the Gates of Profits/ Reliever/ The Victory Giver | 34:26 | |
ٱلْعَلِيمُ | 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 | |
ٱلْقَابِضُ | al-Qabiḍ/ al-Qabidh
[al-Qaabiḍ/ al-Qaabidh] |
The Restrainer/ Withholder/ Straightener/ Absolute Seizer | 2:245 | |
ٱلْبَاسِطُ | al-Basiṭ/ al-Basiṭṭ
[al-Baasiṭ/ al-Baasiṭṭ] |
The Extender/ Expander/ Generous Provider | 2:245 | |
ٱلْخَافِضُ | al-Khafiḍ/ al-Khafidh
[al-Khaafiḍ/ al-Khaafidh] |
The Abaser/ Humiliator/ Downgrader [Possessor of Giving Comfort, Free from Pain Anxiety or Troubles] | 56:3; al-Kafʿamī (1992:38) | |
ٱلْرَّافِعُ | Ar-Rafiʿ/ Ar-Rafee
[Ar-Raafiʿ/ Ar-Raafee] |
The Exalter/ Upgrader [of Ranks] | 58:11, 6:83 | |
ٱلْمُعِزُّ | al-Muʿizz
[al-Muʿeizz] |
The Giver of Honor/ Bestower of Honor/ Empowerer | 3:26 | |
ٱلْمُذِلُّ | al-Muzill
[al-Mudzhill] |
The Giver of Dishonor/ the Giver of Disgrace | 3:26 | |
ٱلْسَّمِيعُ | As-Samiʿ/ As-Samie
[As-Sameeʿ] |
The Hearing/ All-Hearing/ Hearer of Invocation | 2:127, 2:256, 8:17, 49:1 | |
ٱلْبَصِيرُ | al-Baṣir/ al-Baṣṣir/
al-Baṣwir [al-Baṣeer/ al-Baṣṣeer/ al-Baṣweer] |
The All-Seeing/ All-Seer/ Ever-Clairvoyant/ Clear-Sighted/ Clear-Seeing | 4:58, 17:1, 42:11, 42:27 | |
ٱلْحَكَمُ | al-Ḥakam | The Judge/ Arbitrator/ Arbiter/ All-Decree/ Possessor of Authority of Decisions and Judgment | 22:69 | |
ٱلْعَدْلُ | al-ʿAdl/ al-Edl | The Just/ Authorized and Straightforward Judge of Dealing Justly | Not Quranic, see al-Kafʿamī (1992:40) | |
ٱلْلَّطِيفُ | al-Laṭif / al-Laṭṭif/
al-Laṭwif [al-Laṭeef/ al-Laṭṭeef/ al-Laṭweef] |
The Gentle/ Benignant/ Subtly Kind/ All-Subtle | 22:63, 31:16, 33:34 | |
ٱلْخَبِيرُ | al-Khabir
[al-Khabeer] |
The All-Aware/ Well-Acquainted/ Ever-Adept | 6:18, 17:30, 49:13, 59:18 | |
ٱلْحَلِيمُ | al-Ḥalim
[al-Ḥaleem] |
The Forbearing/ Indulgent/ Oft Forbearing/ All-Enduring | 2:235, 17:44, 22:59, 35:41 | |
ٱلْعَظِيمُ | al-ʿAẓim, al-ʿAẓẓim, al-ʿAẓwim/ al-Eẓim,
al-Eẓẓim, al-Eẓwim [al-ʿAẓẓeem, al-ʿAẓweem/ al-Eẓẓeem, al-Eẓweem] |
The Most Great/ Ever-Magnificent/ Most Supreme/ Exalted/ Absolute Dignified | 2:255, 42:4, 56:96 | |
ٱلْغَفُورُ | al-Ghafur
[al-Ghafour, al-Ghafoor] |
The Ever-Forgiving/ Oft-Forgiving | 2:173, 8:69, 16:110, 41:32 | |
ٱلْشَّكُورُ | ash-Shakur
[Ash-Shakour, Ash-Shakoor] |
The Grateful/ Appreciative/ Multiplier of Rewards | 35:30, 35:34, 42:23, 64:17 | |
ٱلْعَلِىُّ *\ ٱلْعَلِيُّ
[* = 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 | |
ٱلْكَبِيرُ | al-Kabir
[al-Kabeer] |
The Great/ Ever-Great/ Grand/ Most Great/ Greatly Abundant of Extent, Capacity and Importance | 13:9, 22:62, 31:30, 34:23 | |
ٱلْحَفِيظُ | al-Hafiẓ
[al-Hafeeẓ] |
The Preserver/ Ever-Preserving/ All-Watching/ Protector/ Guardian/ Oft-Conservator | 11:57, 34:21, 42:6 | |
ٱلْمُقِيتُ | al-Muqit
[al-Muqeet] |
The Nourisher/ Feeder | 4:85 | |
ٱلْحَسِيبُ | al-Ḥasib
[al-Ḥaseeb] |
The Bringer of Judgment/ Ever-Reckoner [the One Who Takes Account of All Matters] | 4:6, 4:86, 33:39 | |
ٱلْجَلِيلُ | al-Jalil
[al-Jaleel] |
The Majestic/ Exalted/ Oft-Important/ Splendid | 55:27, 7:143 | |
ٱلْكَرِيمُ | al-Karim
[al-Kareem] |
The Noble/ Bountiful/ Generous/ Precious/ Honored/ Benefactor | 27:40, 82:6 | |
ٱلْرَّقِيبُ | Ar-Raqib
[Ar-Raqeeb] |
The Watchful/ Observer/ Ever-Watchful/ Watcher | 4:1, 5:117 | |
ٱلْمُجِيبُ | al-Mujib
[al-Mujiyb] |
The Responsive/ Answerer/ Supreme Answerer/ Accepter of Invocation | 11:61 | |
ٱلْوَاسِعُ
[* = classical written form] |
al-Wasi‘/ al-Wasie
[al-Waasi‘/ al-Waasie] |
The Vast/ All-Embracing/ Omnipresent/ Boundless/ All-Encompassing | 2:268, 3:73, 5:54 | |
ٱلْحَكِيمُ | al-Ḥakim
[al-Ḥakeem] |
The Wise/ Ever-Wise/ Endowed with Sound Judgment | 31:27, 46:2, 57:1, 66:2 | |
ٱلْوَدُودُ | al-Wadud
[al-Wadoud/ al-Wadood] |
The Affectionate/ Ever-Affectionate/ Loving One/ Loving/ the Lover/ the One Who Tenders and Warm Hearts | 11:90, 85:14 | |
ٱلْمَجِيدُ | al-Majid
[al-Majeed] |
The All-Glorious/ Majestic/ Ever-Illustrious
[Oft-Brilliant in Dignity, Achievements or Actions] |
11:73 | |
ٱلْبَاعِثُ | al-Baʿith / al-Baʿeith
[al-Baaʿith/ al-Baaʿeith] |
The Resurrector/ Awakener/ Arouser/ Dispatcher | 22:7 | |
ٱلْشَّهِيدُ | ash-Shahid
[Ash-Shaheed] |
The Witness/ Testifier/ Ever-Witnessing | 4:166, 22:17, 41:53, 48:28 | |
ٱلْحَقُّ | al-Ḥaqq | The Truth/ Reality/ the Only One Certainly Sound and Genuine in Truth | 6:62, 22:6, 23:116, 24:25 | |
ٱلْوَكِيلُ | al-Wakil
[al-Wakeel] |
The Trustee, The Dependable, The Advocate | 3:173, 4:171, 28:28, 73:9 | |
ٱلْقَوِيُّ | al-Qawi
[al-Qawee] |
The Strong | 22:40, 22:74, 42:19, 57:25 | |
ٱلْمَتِينُ | al-Matin
[al-Mateen] |
The Firm, The Steadfast | 51:58 | |
ٱلْوَلِيُّ | al-Wali
[al-Walee] |
The Friend, Helper | 4:45, 7:196, 42:28, 45:19 | |
ٱلْحَمِيدُ | al-Ḥamid
[al-Ḥameed] |
The All Praiseworthy | 14:8, 31:12, 31:26, 41:42 | |
\* ٱلْمُحْصِىُ
[* = classical written form] |
al-Muḥṣi
[al-Muḥṣee] |
The Accounter, The Numberer of All | 72:28, 78:29 | |
ٱلْمُبْدِئُ | al-Mubdiʾ
[al-Mubdie] |
The Originator, The Producer, The Initiator | 10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13 | |
ٱلْمُعِيدُ | al-Muʿid
[al-Muʿeid/ al-Muʿeyd] |
The Restorer, The Reinstater Who Brings Back All | 10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13 | |
ٱلْمُحْيِي
[* = classical written form] |
al-Muḥyi
[al-Muḥyee] |
The Giver of Life | 7:158, 15:23, 30:50, 57:2 | |
ٱلْمُمِيتُ | al-Mumit
[al-Mumeet] |
The Bringer of Death | 3:156, 7:158, 15:23, 57:2 | |
ٱلْحَىُّ | al-Ḥayy | The Living | 2:255, 3:2, 20:111, 25:58, 40:65 | |
ٱلْقَيُّومُ | al-Qayyum
[al-Qayyoum/ al-Qayyoom] |
The Subsisting, The Independent | 2:255, 3:2, 20:111 | |
ٱلْوَاجِدُ
[* = classical written form] |
al-Wajid
[al-Waajid] |
The Perceiver, The Finder, The Unfailing | 38:44 | |
ٱلْمَاجِدُ | al-Majid
[al-Maajid] |
The Illustrious, The Magnificent, The Glorious | 85:15, 11:73; al-Kafʿamī (1992:48) | |
ٱلْوَاحِدُ
[* = classical written form] |
al-Waḥid
[al-Waaḥid] |
The Unique, The Single | 13:16, 14:48, 38:65, 39:4 | |
ٱلْأَحَد | al-Aḥad | The One, The Indivisible | 112:1 | |
ٱلْصَّمَدُ | Aṣ-Ṣamad
[Aṣ-Ṣṣamad/ Aṣ-Ṣwamad] |
The Eternal, The Absolute, The Self-Sufficient | 112:2 | |
ٱلْقَادِرُ
[* = classical written form] |
al-Qadir
[al-Qaadir] |
The All-Powerful, He Who is able to do Everything | 6:65, 46:33, 75:40 | |
ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ | al-Muqtadir | The Determiner, The Dominant | 18:45, 54:42, 6:65 | |
ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ | al-Muqaddim | The Expediter, He Who Brings Forward | 16:61 | |
ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ | al-Muʾakhkhir
[al-Moʾakhkhir] |
The Delayer, He Who Puts Far Away | 71:4 | |
ٱلأَوَّلُ | al-Awwal | The First, The Beginning-less | 57:3 | |
اَلْآخِر
[* = classical written form] |
al-Akhir */
al-Aakhir [* = classical written form] |
The Last, The Endless | 57:3 | |
ٱلْظَّـٰهِرُ *\ ٱلْظَّاهِرُ
[* = classical written form] |
Aẓ-Ẓahir/ Aẓ-ẒẒahir/ Aẓ-Ẓwahir
[Aẓ-Ẓaahir/ Aẓ-Ẓẓaahir/ Aẓ-Ẓwaahir] |
The Manifest, The Evident, The Outer | 57:3 | |
ٱلْبَاطِنُ | al-Baṭin/ al-Baṭṭin/ al-Baṭwin
[al-Baaṭin/ al-Baaṭṭin/ al-Baaṭwin] |
The Hidden, The Unmanifest, The Inner | 57:3 | |
\* ٱلْوَالِى
ٱلْوَالِي [* = classical written form] |
al-Wali
[al-Waali] |
The Patron, The Protecting Friend, The Friendly Lord | 13:11 | |
\* ٱلْمُتَعَالِى
ٱلْمُتَعَالِي [* = classical written form] |
al-Mutaʿali
[al-Muta'aali] |
The Supremely Exalted, The Most High | 13:9 | |
ٱلْبَرُّ | al-Barr | The Good, The Beneficent | 52:28 | |
ٱلْتَّوَّابُ | At-Tawwab
[At-Tawwaab] |
The Ever-Returning, Ever-Relenting | 2:128, 4:64, 49:12, 110:3 | |
ٱلْمُنْتَقِمُ | al-Muntaqim | The Avenger | 32:22, 43:41, 44:16 | |
اَلْعَفُوُّ | al-ʿAfu
[al-ʿAfou] |
The Pardoner, The Effacer, The Forgiver | 4:43, 4:99, 4:149, 22:60, 58:2 | |
اَلْرَّؤُوفُ
[* = classical written form] |
Ar-Ra’uf
[Ar-Raʿouf/ Ar-Rawʿouf] |
The Kind, The Pitying | 9:117, 57:9, 59:10 | |
\* مَـٰلِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ
مَـٰلِكَ ٱلْمُلْكِ [* = classical written form] |
Malik ul-Mulk
[Maalik ul-Mulk] |
The Owner of all Sovereignty | 3:26 | |
\* ذُو ٱلْجَلَـٰلِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ
ذُو ٱلْجَلَالِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ [* = classical written form] |
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 | |
اَلْمُقْسِطُ | al-Muqsiṭ
[al-Muqsiṭṭ] |
The Equitable, The Requiter | 3:18; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58f) | |
اَلْجَامِعُ | al-Jamiʿ/ al-Jamie
[al-Jaamiʿ/ al-Jaamie] |
The Gatherer, The Unifier | 3:9 | |
\* اَلْغَنىُّ
ٱلْغَنيُّ [* = classical written form] |
al-Ghani
[al-Ghaani] |
The Rich, The Independent | 39:7, 47:38, 57:24 | |
\* اَلْمُغْنِىُّ
اَلْمُغْنِيُّ [* = classical written form] |
al-Mughni | The Enricher, The Emancipator | 9:28 | |
اَلْمَانِعُ | al-Maniʿ/ al-Manie
[al-Maaniʿ/ al-Maanie] |
The Preventer, The Withholder, The Shielder, The Defender | See al-Kafʿamī (1992:61) | |
اَلْضَّارُ | Aḍ-Ḍarr
[Adh-Dhaarr] |
The Distressor, The Harmer, The Afflictor | 6:17; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58) | |
اَلنَّافِعُ | An-Nafi‘/ An-Nafie
[An-Naafiʿ/ al-Naafie] |
The Propitious, The Benefactor, The Source of Good | 30:37 | |
اَلنُّورُ | An-Nur
[An-Nour] |
The Light | 24:35 | |
\* اَلْهَادِى
اَلْهَادِي [* = classical written form] |
al-Hadi
[al-Haadi] |
The Guide, The Way | 22:54 | |
اَلْبَدِيعُ | al-Badiʿ[al-Badiyʿ/ al-Badiye] | The Originator, The Incomparable, The Unattainable, The Beautiful | 2:117, 6:101 | |
\* اَلْبَاقِى
اَلْبَاقِي [* = classical written form] |
al-Baqi
[al-Baaqi] |
The Immutable, The Infinite, The Everlasting | 55:27; al-Kafʿamī (1992:64) | |
اَلْوَارِثُ
[* = classical written form] |
al-Warith
[al-Waarith] |
The Heir, The Inheritor of All | 15:23, 57:10 | |
اَلرَّشِيدُ | Ar-Rashid
[Ar-Rasheed] |
The Guide to the Right Path | 11:87 (Used Not referring to Allah) | |
اَلصَّبُورُ | Aṣ-Ṣabur/ Aṣ-Ṣṣabur/ Aṣ-Ṣwabur
[Aṣ-Ṣabour/ Aṣ-Ṣṣabour/ Aṣ-Ṣwabour] |
The Timeless, The Patient | 2:153, 3:200, 103:3 | |
[* = 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 |
Hadith
By what they said to Sahih Bukhari Hadith:[4]
Abu Hurairah reported that God has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and God is witr (one) and loves 'the witr' (i.e., odd numbers).
— Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book 75, Hadith 419
There is another Sahih Muslim Hadith:[5]
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "God has ninety-nine Names, one-hundred less one; and he who memorized them all by heart will enter Paradise." To count something means to know it by heart.
— Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 93, Hadith 489
The Quran refers to God's Most Beautiful Names (al-ʾasmāʾ al-ḥusná) in several Surahs.[6] 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.[7] Sunni mystic Ibn Arabi surmised that the 99 names are "outward signs of the universe's inner mysteries".[1]
Islamic mysticism
There is a tradition in Sufism to the effect the 99 names of God point to a mystical "Most Supreme and Superior Name" (ismu l-ʾAʿẓam (الاسْمُ 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.
The influential Sunni mystic Ibn Arabi (26 July 1165 – 16 November 1240) did not interpret the names of God as mere epithets, but as actual attributes paring the universe both in created and possible forms. By these names, the divine traits disclose for humans, whose divine potential is hidden, can learn to become a reflection of such names. However, such reflections are limited; the divine traits do not equal the divine essence of the names.[11] Influenced by the metaphysical teachings of Ibn Arabi, Haydar Amuli assigned angels to the different names of God. Accordingly, the good angels as a whole are a manifestation of God's Names of Beauty. Shaitan (shayatin) on the other hand are a manifestation of God's Names of majesty, such as "The Haughty".[12]
Theophoric given names
The Arabic names of God are used to form theophoric given names commonly used in Muslim cultures throughout the world, mostly in Arabic speaking societies.
Because the names of God themselves are reserved to God and their use as a person's given name is considered religiously inappropriate, theophoric names are formed by prefixing the term ˁabd (عَبْدُ: "slave/servant of") to the name in the case of male names;
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.
The two parts of the name starting with ˁabd may be written separately (as in the previous example) or combined as one in the transliterated form; in such a case, the vowel transcribed after ˁabdu is often written as u when the two words are transcribed as one: e.g., Abdur-Rahman, Abdul-Aziz, Abdul-Jabbar, or even Abdullah (عَبْدُ ٱللّٰه: "Servant of God"). (This has to do with Arabic case vowels, the final u vowel showing the normal "quote" nominative case form.)
Examples of Muslim theophoric names include:
- Raḥmān, such as Abdul-Raḥman Al-Sudais (عَبْدُ ٱلْرَّحْمَان ٱلْسُّدَيْس): Imam of the Grand Mosque of Makkah, KSA
- Salām, such as Salam Fayyaḍ (سَلَام فَيَّاض): Palestinian politician
- Jabbār, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (كَرِيم عَبْدُ ٱلْجَبَّار): American basketball player
- Ḥakīm, such as Sherman "Abdul Ḥakim" Jackson (عَبْدُ ٱلْحَكِيم—ˁabdu ʼl-Ḥakiym): American Islamic Studies scholar
- Ra'ūf, such as Ra'ouf Mus'ad (رَؤُوف مُسَعد): Egyptian-Sudanese novelist
- Mālik, such as Mālik bin ʼAnas (مَـٰالِك بِن أَنَس): classical Sunni Muslim scholars after whom the Maliki school of fiqh was named
- Abdul Muqtedar as in Muḥammad Abdul Muqtedar Khan (مُحَمَّد عَبْدُ ٱلمُقْتَدِر خَان): Indian-American academic
Use in Baháʼí sources
Baháʼí sources state that the 100th name was revealed as "Baháʼ" (Template:Lang-ar "glory, splendor"), which appears in the words Bahá'u'lláh and Baháʼí. They also believe that it is the greatest name of God.[13][14] The Báb wrote a noted pentagram-shaped tablet with 360 morphological derivation of the word "Baháʼ" used in it.[13]
According to Baháʼí scholar ‘Abdu’l-Hamíd Ishráq-Khávari, Bahāʾ al-dīn al-ʿĀmilī adopted the Persian poetic pen name "Bahāʾ" after being inspired by the words of the fifth Twelver Imam, Muhammad al-Baqir, and the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq, who stated that the greatest name of God was included in either the Duʿāʾu l-Bahāʾ, a dawn prayer for Ramadan, or the ʾAʿmal ʿam Dawūd.[13] In the first verse of the duʿāʾu l-Bahāʾ, the name "Bahāʾ" appears four times.[15]
See also
- The 99, a comic book based on the 99 names of God in Islam
- Basmala
- List of Arabic theophoric names
- Names of God
- Names of God in Zoroastrianism
- Names of God in Christianity
- Names of God in Judaism
- Names of God in Sikhism
- Sahasranama, the Hindu lists of 1000 names of God
- "The Nine Billion Names of God", a short story by Arthur C. Clarke
References
- ^ a b Morgan, Diane (2010). Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice. ABC-CLIO. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-313-36025-1.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "al-Quran (القرآن) :: Online Quran Project :: Translation and Tafsir". Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
- ^ "Hadith: Book of Invocations - Sahih al-Bukhari - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ "Hadith - Book of Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed) - Sahih al-Bukhari - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ See the Surah "al-A'raf" (7:180 ), "Al-Isra" (17:110 ), "Ta-Ha" (20:8 ) and "al-Hashr" (59:24 ).
- ^ http://quran.com/59/22-24 (59:22–24)
- ^ Schimmel, Annemarie (1993). The Mystery of Numbers. New York, US: Oxford University Press. p. 271. ISBN 0-19-508919-7.
- ^ Momen, Moojan (2000). Islam and the Bahá'í Faith. George Ronald. p. 241. ISBN 978-0-85398-446-7. The endnote states: "Ibn Májah, Sunan, 34. (Kitáb ad-Du'á), ch. 9, no. 3856, vol. 2, p. 1267. See also: Ad-Dárimí, Sunan, 23 (Fada'il al-Qur'án), ch. 15, no. 3296, vol. 2, pp. 324–325. Similar statements in Shi'i tradition include: Majlisí, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 26. p. 7.
- ^ Taymiyyah, ibn, Taqī ad-Dīn Ahmad (2003). The Goodly Word: al-Kalim al-Ṭayyib. Islamic Texts Society. p. 72. ISBN 1-903682-15-0.
- ^ Bruce Lawrence The Qur'an: A Biography Atlantic Books Ltd, 02.10.2014 ISBN 9781782392187 chapter 8
- ^ Ayman Shihadeh Sufism and Theology Edinburgh University Press, 21.11.2007 ISBN 9780748631346 pp. 54–56
- ^ a b c Lambden, Stephen (1993). "The Word Baháʼ: Quintessence of the Greatest Name". Baháʼí Studies Review. 3 (1).
- ^ Smith, Peter (2000). "greatest name". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 167–8. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
- ^ Khadem, Dhikru'llah (March 1976). "Bahá'u'lláh and His Most Holy Shrine". Baháʼí News (540): 4–5. Archived from the original on 2017-06-20.
- 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
- Al-Rahman al-Rahim. Problems of Interpretation and Translation