The Names of Allah
Learning and memorising the names of Allah is a path to Paradise. As narrated by Abu Huraira, the Prophet (SAW) said, “Allah has ninety-nine names; anyone who memorises them will enter Jannah (Paradise).” (Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 7392.)
This hadith can be a reminder that our only purpose in this life is to worship Allah, as mentioned in the Quran when Allah says:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
I created the jinn and humans for nothing else but that they may serve Me;
(Surah Adh-Dhariyat – Chapter 51, verse 56.)
To help us properly worship Allah, we should strive to learn His attributes, names, and characteristics. And being Ar-Rahman (the Entirely Merciful), Allah has decreed that anyone who makes the sincere effort to memorise His names, fulfils their duties to Him, and avoids major sins, He will grant them Jannah.
It is important to know that, while Allah has revealed 99 of His names to us, there is a hadith that indicates more names that Allah has not revealed. An informative article discussing the names of Allah is question 41,003 (‘How Many Names Does Allah Have?’) on ‘islamqa.info’.
Of the 99 names Allah has revealed, most are mentioned in the Quran, but some are revealed in the Sunnah (teachings) of the Prophet (SAW) – this section will go over all of them. (Note that there may be many mentions of a name of Allah in the Quran or there may only be one mention. There may also be mentions in the Sunnah as well as the Quran.)
When translating anything from one language to another (in this case, Classical Arabic to English), different people and sources may translate texts differently, so if you see a translation that is different to what you are familiar with, it may be that something has been translated differently.
The Names of Allah
Allah – Glorified and Exalted be He
‘Allah’ is the proper name of God. The only true God, Lord and Creator of the universe, who is the only One who deserves to be worshiped by all of His creation, and the only One to whom we should turn when we need help. This name represents every meaning of all of His beautiful names.
إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي
Innaneee Anal laahu laaa ilaaha illaa Ana fa'budnee wa aqimis-salaata lizikree
Verily I am Allah. There is no god beside Me. So serve Me and establish Prayers to remember Me.
(Surah Taha – Chapter 20, verse 14.)
Ar-Rahman – The Entirely Merciful
Mentioned in the Quran.
This name demonstrates the all-encompassing mercy of Allah that he shows to all of His creation without any exceptions, by creating them and providing for them.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
(Surah Al-Fatiha – Chapter 1, verse 1.)
Ar-Raheem – The Especially Merciful
Mentioned in the Quran.
This name of Allah is the specific mercy He has only for those who believe in Him, both in this life and in the hereafter.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
(Surah Al-Fatiha – Chapter 1, verse 1.)
Al-Malik / Al-Maleek / Al-Maalik / Malik Al-Mulk – The King / The Possessor of Sovereignty
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One to whom absolute power and dominion over everything belongs, the King and Sovereign of everything in existence. There is nothing above Him and there is nothing that can change the way He governs the universe.
قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتَنْزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Qulil laahumma Maalikal Mulki tu'til mulka man tashaaa'u wa tanzi'ul mulka mimman tashhaaa'u wa tu'izzu man tashaaa'u wa tuzillu man tashaaa'u biyadikal khairu innaka 'alaa kulli shai'in Qadeer
Say: 'O Allah, Lord of all dominion! You give dominion to whom You will, and take away dominion from whom You will, and You exalt whom You will, and abase whom You will. In Your Hand is all good. Surely You are All-Powerful.
(Surah Ali-Imran – Chapter 3, verse 26.)
Al-Quddus – The Pure / The Holy
Mentioned in the Quran.
He who is perfect and has no flaws. No evil is attributed to Him because all perfection belongs to Him.
يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ
Yusabbihu lilaahi maa fis samaawaati wa maa fil ardil Malikil Quddoosil ‘Azeezil Hakeem
All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth extols the glory of Allah, the Sovereign, the Holy, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
(Surah Al-Jumu’a – Chapter 62, verse 1.)
As-Salam – The Source of Peace and Perfection
Mentioned in the Quran.
The Flawless One who has no imperfection associated with His attributes, names, or actions whatsoever. He is the One who grants peace to all His creation, and He is the One from whom all peace derives.
هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Huwal-laahul-lazee laaa Ilaaha illaa Huwal-Malikul Quddoosus-Salaamul Muminul Muhaiminul-'aAzeezul Jabbaarul-Mutakabbir; Subhaanal laahi 'Ammaa yushrikoon
He is Allah: there is no god but He: the King, the Holy, the All-Peace, the Giver of security, the Overseer, the Most Mighty, the Overpowering, the All-Great. Exalted be He from whatever they associate with Him.
(Surah Al-Hashr – Chapter 59, verse 23.)
Al-Mu’min – The Granter of Security
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who grants physical, emotional, and spiritual peace and security to those who Believe in Him, and who assures those who believe in Him that He will not wrong them in any way.
هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Huwal-laahul-lazee laaa Ilaaha illaa Huwal-Malikul Quddoosus-Salaamul Muminul Muhaiminul-'aAzeezul Jabbaarul-Mutakabbir; Subhaanal laahi 'Ammaa yushrikoon
He is Allah: there is no god but He: the King, the Holy, the All-Peace, the Giver of security, the Overseer, the Most Mighty, the Overpowering, the All-Great. Exalted be He from whatever they associate with Him.
(Surah Al-Hashr – Chapter 59, verse 23.)
Al-Muhamin – The Everwatching, Overseeing Guardian
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who oversees everything and is in control of everything. The One who is seeing of all of the doings of all of His creations.
هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Huwal-laahul-lazee laaa Ilaaha illaa Huwal-Malikul Quddoosus-Salaamul Muminul Muhaiminul-'aAzeezul Jabbaarul-Mutakabbir; Subhaanal laahi 'Ammaa yushrikoon
He is Allah: there is no god but He: the King, the Holy, the All-Peace, the Giver of security, the Overseer, the Most Mighty, the Overpowering, the All-Great. Exalted be He from whatever they associate with Him.
(Surah Al-Hashr – Chapter 59, verse 23.)
Al-‘Aziz – The All-Mighty
Mentioned in the Quran.
The All-Strong, the Invincible, the Honourable. The One who has total strength and authority of every creation in the heavens and the universe.
وَلَهُ الْكِبْرِيَاءُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Wa lahul kibriyaaa'u fissamaawaati wal ardi wa Huwal 'Azeezul Hakeem (section 4) (End Juz 25)
His is the glory in the heavens and the earth. He is the Most Mighty, the Most Wise.
(Surah Al-Jathiya – Chapter 45, verse 37.)
Al-Jabbar – The Compeller
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One from whose might we cannot resist – that which He decrees will certainly come to pass without fail or hesitation. Those who turn to Him when they are weak and heartbroken will certainly receive a safe refuge and healing.
هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Huwal-laahul-lazee laaa Ilaaha illaa Huwal-Malikul Quddoosus-Salaamul Muminul Muhaiminul-'aAzeezul Jabbaarul-Mutakabbir; Subhaanal laahi 'Ammaa yushrikoon
He is Allah: there is no god but He: the King, the Holy, the All-Peace, the Giver of security, the Overseer, the Most Mighty, the Overpowering, the All-Great. Exalted be He from whatever they associate with Him.
(Surah Al-Hashr – Chapter 59, verse 23.)
Al-Mutakabbir – The Superior
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the Proud, the One to whom all supremacy belongs. If a human is labelled as ‘mutakabbir,’ they are arrogant but this name has beautiful meanings for Allah.
هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Huwal-laahul-lazee laaa Ilaaha illaa Huwal-Malikul Quddoosus-Salaamul Muminul Muhaiminul-'aAzeezul Jabbaarul-Mutakabbir; Subhaanal laahi 'Ammaa yushrikoon
He is Allah: there is no god but He: the King, the Holy, the All-Peace, the Giver of security, the Overseer, the Most Mighty, the Overpowering, the All-Great. Exalted be He from whatever they associate with Him.
(Surah Al-Hashr – Chapter 59, verse 23.)
Al-Khaliq / Al-Khallaaq – The Creator / The All-Creator
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who creates things out of nothing with no help and no boundaries. Al-Khallaaq is the intensive form of Al-Khaliq, and it indicates the quantity of the things He creates (every single thing in existence in the heavens and in the universe).
ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنْشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ
Summa khalaqnan nutfata 'alaqatan fakhalaqnal 'alaqata mudghatan fakhalaq nal mudghata 'izaaman fakasawnal 'izaama lahman summa anshaanaahu khalqan aakhar; fatabaarakal laahu ahsanul khaaliqeen
then We made this drop into a clot, then We made the clot into a lump, then We made the lump into bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We caused it to grow into another creation. Thus, Most Blessed is Allah, the Best of all those that create.
(Surah Al-Mu’minun – Chapter 23, verse 14.)
Al-Bari’ – The Originator / The Producer
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who has brought things into existence from nothing and who fashions His creations in a specific manner.
هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Huwal Laahul Khaaliqul Baari 'ul Musawwir; lahul Asmaaa'ul Husnaa; yusabbihu lahoo maa fis samaawaati wal ardi wa Huwal 'Azeezul Hakeem
He is Allah, the Planner, Executer and Fashioner of creation. His are the names most beautiful. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth extols His Glory. He is the Most Mighty, the Most-Wise.
(Surah Al-Hashr – Chapter 59, verse 24.)
Al-Musawwir – The Fashioner
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who gives everything its own form.
هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Huwal Laahul Khaaliqul Baari 'ul Musawwir; lahul Asmaaa'ul Husnaa; yusabbihu lahoo maa fis samaawaati wal ardi wa Huwal 'Azeezul Hakeem
He is Allah, the Planner, Executer and Fashioner of creation. His are the names most beautiful. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth extols His Glory. He is the Most Mighty, the Most-Wise.
(Surah Al-Hashr – Chapter 59, verse 24.)
Al-Ghaffar – The Perpetual Forgiver
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who continuously forgives – even the greatest sins.
وَإِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِمَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا ثُمَّ اهْتَدَىٰ
Wa innee la Ghaffaarul liman taaba wa aamana wa 'amila saalihan summah tadaa
But I am indeed Most Forgiving to him who repents and believes and does righteous works and keeps to the Right Way."
(Surah Taha – Chapter 20, verse 82.)
Al-Qahhar – The Prevailing
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who prevails over all of His creations, and to whom everyone and everyone submits.
يَوْمَ هُمْ بَارِزُونَ ۖ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَيْءٌ ۚ لِمَنِ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ ۖ لِلَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ
Yawma hum baarizoona laa yakhfaa 'alal laahi minhum shai; limanil mulkul Yawma lillaahil Waahidil Qahaar
the Day when they will emerge and nothing of them shall be hidden from Allah. (On that Day they will be asked): “Whose is the kingdom today?” (The whole world will cry out): “It is Allah's, the One, the Overpowering.”
(Surah Ghafir – Chapter 40, verse 16.)
Al-Wahhab – The Ever-Giving
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who grants blessings upon all, including guidance to His true religion, sustenance, and cures.
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ
Rabbanaa laa tuzigh quloobanaa ba'da iz hadaitanaa wa hab lanaa mil ladunka rahmah; innaka antal Wahhaab
They pray to Allah: 'Our Lord! Do not let our hearts swerve towards crookedness after You have guided us to the right way, and. bestow upon us Your mercy. Surely You, only You, are the Munificent Giver!
(Surah Ali-Imran – Chapter 3, verse 8.)
Ar-Razzaq – The Provider / The Sustainer
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who provides for all His creations without exceptions. He grants to His righteous servant physical and spiritual blessings, such as halal earning and increased faith.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ
Innal laaha Huwar Razzaaqu Zul Quwwatil Mateen
Surely Allah is the Bestower of all provision, the Lord of all power, the Strong.
(Surah Adh-Dhariyat – Chapter 51, verse 58.)
Al-Fattah – The Opener / The Judge
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who opens that which is closed, whether it is making a source of halal sustenance available or opening the doors of mercy for them.
قُلْ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا رَبُّنَا ثُمَّ يَفْتَحُ بَيْنَنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَهُوَ الْفَتَّاحُ الْعَلِيمُ
Qul yajma'u bainanaa Rabbunaa summa yaftahu bainanaa bilhaqq; wa Huwal Fattaahul 'Aleem
Say: “Our Lord will bring us together and then He will rightly judge between us. He is the Great Judge, the All-Knowing.”
(Surah Saba – Chapter 34, verse 26.)
Al-‘Aleem – The All-Knowing / The Omniscient / The Knowing of the Unseen
Mentioned in the Quran.
His knowledge encompasses everything that can be seen and that cannot be seen. Nothing is hidden from Him, and nothing can be hidden from Him. He knows what has been, what is, and what will be.
وَلِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ ۚ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Wa lillaahil mashriqu walmaghrib; fa aynamaa tuwalloo fasamma wajhullaah; innal laaha waasi'un Aleem
The East and the West belong to Allah. To whichever direction you turn, you will be turning to Allah. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.
(Surah Al-Baqara – Chapter 2, verse 115.)
Al-Qabid – The Reducer; and Al-Basit – The Expander
Mentioned in the Sunnah.
These are two different names that always come together, and they cannot be used separately.
Al-Qabid is the One who takes away and withholds souls, provision, and anything else He pleases.
Al-Basit is the One who gives sustenance, mercy, and anything else He pleases.
The Prophet (SAW) said, “Allah is the One who fixes prices and who withholds (Al-Qabid) and gives abundantly (Al-Basit).” Reported by at-Tirmidhi and Abu Daawood.
Al-Khafid – The Abaser; and Ar-Rafi – The Exalter
Mentioned in the Sunnah.
Scholars have mentioned that these two names should also be used together.
Al-Khafid is the One who lowers who He wills, and Ar-Rafi is the One who raises and elevates who He wills.
خَافِضَةٌ رَافِعَةٌ
Khafidatur raafi'ah
(Many) will it bring low; (many) will it exalt…
(Surah Al-Waqi’a – Chapter 56, verse 3. Note that this verse is only a reference to the attributes of these names, not a direct mention of the names – this verse states that some people will be abased whereas others will be exalted (on Judgement Day).)
Al-Mu’izz – The Honourer / The Bestower
Mentioned in the Sunnah.
He bestows honour upon who He wills, so there is no one who can degrade Him; And He degrades whoever He wills, so there is no one who can give Him esteem. Al-Mu'izz gives strength and honor to His righteous servants and gives material power to whoever He wills. He grants strength, power, and respect to those who He wills.
مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۖ وَمَكْرُ أُولَٰئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ
Man kaana yureedul 'izzata falillaahil 'izzatu jamee'aa; ilaihi yas'adul kalimut taiyibu wal'amalus saalihu yarfa'uh; wallazeena yamkuroonas sayyiaati lahum 'azaabun shadeed; wa makru ulaaa'ika huwa yaboor
He who seeks glory, let him know that all glory belongs to Allah alone. To Him do good words go up, and righteous action uplifts them. But those who contrive evil deeds, a severe punishment lies in store for them, and their contriving will come to naught.
(Surah Fatir – Chapter 35, verse 10. Note that this verse is only a reference to the attribute of this name, not a direct mention of the name.)
Al-Muzil – The Humiliator / The Disgracer / The Degrader
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the owner of Honour and Grace, so He grants them to whoever He wills and restricts/rejects it from whoever He wills. Being the owner of these qualities, there is no one who can grant these attributes to Him and no one who can reduce these attributes from Him. If Allah disgraces someone, they will never again be honoured without the permission of Allah.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحَادُّونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي الْأَذَلِّينَ
Innal lazeena yuhaaaddoonal laaha wa Rasoolahooo ulaaa'ika fil azalleen
Verily those who oppose Allah and His Messenger will be among the most abject beings.
(Surah Al-Mujadilah – Chapter 58, verse 20.)
As-Sami’ – The All-Hearing
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who hears everything in the heavens and the earth, and everything in and between them. He hears the good and the bad, that which is whispered or shouted, He hears that which is spoken in any language – and He understands and pays attention to it all.
فَاطِرُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَمِنَ الْأَنْعَامِ أَزْوَاجًا ۖ يَذْرَؤُكُمْ فِيهِ ۚ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ ۖ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
Faatirus samaawaati wal ard; ja'ala lakum min anfusikum azwaajanw wa minal an'aami azwaajai yazra'ukum feeh; laisa kamislihee shai'unw wa Huwas Samee'ul Baseer
The Originator of the heavens and the earth, He has appointed for you pairs of your own kind, and pairs also of cattle. Thus does He multiply you. Naught in the universe is like Him. He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.
(Surah Ash-Shura – Chapter 42, verse 11.)
Al-Baseer – The All-Seeing
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who sees everything in existence, regardless of how small or hidden it is. He does not miss any detail, even that which may seem insignificant, such as a small black ant on a black rock when it is pitch black at night. He is a witness to everything.
فَاطِرُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَمِنَ الْأَنْعَامِ أَزْوَاجًا ۖ يَذْرَؤُكُمْ فِيهِ ۚ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ ۖ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
Faatirus samaawaati wal ard; ja'ala lakum min anfusikum azwaajanw wa minal an'aami azwaajai yazra'ukum feeh; laisa kamislihee shai'unw wa Huwas Samee'ul Baseer
The Originator of the heavens and the earth, He has appointed for you pairs of your own kind, and pairs also of cattle. Thus does He multiply you. Naught in the universe is like Him. He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.
(Surah Ash-Shura – Chapter 42, verse 11.)
Al-Hakam – The Impartial Judge
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who judges everyone with absolute fairness and justice (and never makes a mistake), based on He will, His religious legislation, and His reward and punishment. Once He makes a judgement, there is nothing that can hinder or prevent His judgement from being carried out.
وَاتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَاصْبِرْ حَتَّىٰ يَحْكُمَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ
Wattabi' maa yoohaaa ilaika wasbir hattaa yahkumal laah; wa Huwa khairul haakimeen (section 11)
And follow, (O Prophet!), whatever is revealed to you, and remain patient until Allah brings forth His judgement. He is the best of those who judge.'
(Surah Yunus – Chapter 10, verse 109.)
Al-Adl – The Embodiment of Justice
Mentioned in the Sunnah.
The one who corrects matters and sets them straight in a just manner, in this life and in the Hereafter. He delivers the utmost justice through absolute His wisdom without failure. Every creation receives that which they have earned, and Al-Adl puts everything in its proper order.
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا ۚ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Wa tammat Kalimatu Rabbika sidqanw wa 'adlaa; laa mubaddila li Kalimaatih; wa Huwas Samee'ul 'Aleem
The Word of your Lord is perfect in truthfulness and justice; no one can change His words. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
(Surah An-Na’am – Chapter 6, verse 115 – Note that this verse is only a reference to the attribute of this name, not a direct mention of the names.)
Al-Lateef – The Subtle
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who grants goodness, sustenance, rewards, and more to His creation in ways which the creation may not notice. If a believer makes a dua, Allah could decide to grant the believer something better because the original dua would not have been beneficial (because He is Al-Alim, the All-Knowing) and He may choose to provide the supplicant something which is even better – but because the dua was not directly answered (or it was not answered immediately), the blessing may go unnoticed.
أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ
Alaa ya'lamu man khalaqa wa huwal lateeful khabeer
Would He not know, He Who has created, when He is All-Subtle, All-Aware?
(Surah Al-Mulk – Chapter 67, verse 14.)
Al-Khabeer – The All-Aware
Mentioned in the Quran.
The Knower of everything in existence, with knowledge that extends from the precise workings of atoms to the machinations of galaxy clusters, from the doings of the tiniest organisms to the lives of the largest beasts. He knows and understands everything.
وَإِذْ أَسَرَّ النَّبِيُّ إِلَىٰ بَعْضِ أَزْوَاجِهِ حَدِيثًا فَلَمَّا نَبَّأَتْ بِهِ وَأَظْهَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَرَّفَ بَعْضَهُ وَأَعْرَضَ عَنْ بَعْضٍ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَبَّأَهَا بِهِ قَالَتْ مَنْ أَنْبَأَكَ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالَ نَبَّأَنِيَ الْعَلِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ
Wa iz asarran nabiyyu ilaa ba'di azwaajihee hadeesan falammaa nabba at bihee wa azharahul laahu 'alaihi 'arrafa ba'dahoo wa a'rada 'am ba'din falammaa nabba ahaa bihee qaalat man amba aka haaza qaala nabba aniyal 'aleemul khabeer
The Prophet confided something to one of his wives and then she disclosed it (to another); so after Allah revealed to the Prophet (that she had disclosed that secret), he made a part of it known to her and passed over a part of it. And when he told her about this (i.e., that she had disclosed the secret entrusted to her), she asked: “Who informed you of this?” He said: “I was told of it by He Who is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”
(Surah At-Tahrim – Chapter 66, verse 3.)
Al-Haleem – The Clement One / The Magnanimous
Mentioned in the Quran.
Allah is patient and does not punish His servant for any sin they commit, instead, He provides the opportunity for them to repent so He can forgive them, in His infinite mercy, even though He can punish them for the sins they commit.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا مِنْكُمْ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ إِنَّمَا اسْتَزَلَّهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ بِبَعْضِ مَا كَسَبُوا ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ
Innal lazeena tawallaw minkum yawmal taqal jam'aani innamas tazallahumush Shaitaanu biba'di maa kasaboo wa laqad 'afal laahu 'anhum; innnal laaha Ghafoorun Haleem (Section 16)
Surely those of them who turned their backs on the day when the two armies met (at Uhud) did so because Satan made them slip because of some of their lapses. But Allah has pardoned them; He is All-Forgiving, All-Forbearing.
(Surah Ali-Imran – Chapter 3, verse 155.)
Al-Azeem – The Most-Magnificent / The Mighty
Mentioned in the Quran.
The extent of His reality is so great that the human mind cannot fully understand it. He is infinitely greater than His creation.
فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ
Fassabbih bismi Rabbikal 'Azeem
So glorify the name of your Lord Most Great.
(Surah Al-Haqqa – Chapter 69, verse 52.)
Al-Ghafur / Al-Ghafoor – The All-Forgiving
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who grants absolute forgiveness to those who repent, so long as the repentance is sincere and the person seeking forgiveness makes a sincere attempt to change their ways. Anyone can attain His forgiveness, so long as they turn to Him in humility and truly seek to repent.
(2) تَنْزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ
(3) غَافِرِ الذَّنْبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ الْعِقَابِ ذِي الطَّوْلِ ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ إِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
(2) Tanzeelul Kitaabi minal laahil Azeezil 'Aleem (2) Ghaafiriz zambi wa qaabilit tawbi shadeedil 'iqaabi zit tawli laaa ilaaha illaa Huwa ilaihil maseer
(2) This Book is a revelation from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing; (3) the Forgiver of sins, the Accepter of repentance, the Stern in retribution, the Bountiful. There is no god but He. To Him are all destined to return.
(Surah Ghafir – Chapter 40, verses 2 to 3.)
Ash-Shakur / Ash-Shukoor – The Grateful
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who is the most grateful and is the rewarder of good deeds, not matter how insignificant the good deed may be. He grants great rewards for even the smallest of deeds.
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
Innas Safaa wal-Marwata min sha'aaa'iril laahi faman hajjal Baita awi'tamara falaa junaaha 'alaihi ai yattawwafa bihimaa; wa man tatawwa'a khairan fa innal laaha Shaakirun'Aleem
Surely, al-Safa and al-Marwah are the symbols of Allah. Hence, whoever performs Hajj (Full Pilgrimage) to the House (of Allah) or makes 'Umrah (Minor Pilgrimage), will find that it is no sin for him to ambulate between the two. And whoever does a good work voluntarily should know that Allah is Appreciative, All-Knowing.
(Surah Al-Baqara – Chapter 2, verse 158.)
Al-‘Aliyy – The Most High
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who has absolute highness in every sense above everything – highness with regards to His Being, majestic position, attributes, and absolute dominance. He is so much higher than every creation, and everyone and everything is under His control and in His awareness. He is above everything that has ever been, everything that currently is, and everything that will come to be.
سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَى
Sabbihisma Rabbikal A'laa
Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High
(Surah Al-A’la – Chapter 87, verse 1.)
Al-Kabeer – The Most Great
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who is perfect in His greatness, and there is nothing comparable to Him. He is the Magnificent, the Sublime, and the Most Great in his Being, attributes, and actions.
عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ الْكَبِيرُ الْمُتَعَالِ
'Aalimul Ghaibi wash shahaadatil Kaabeerul Muta'aal
He knows both what is hidden and what is manifest. He is the Supreme One, the Most High.
(Surah Ar-Ra’ad – Chapter 13, verse 9.)
Al-Hafiz – The Guardian / The Protector
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who protects, sustains, and remembers everything in and everything that occurs in and between the heavens and the Earth – and it is not difficult for Him to do so. He is the Protector of the Quran and has taken a vow to guard it from being changed and altered, as was the case with the previous scriptures.
فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ مَا أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ إِلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ رَبِّي قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُ شَيْئًا ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيظٌ
Fa in tawallaw faqad ablaghtukum maaa ursiltu biheee ilaikum; wa yastakhlifu Rabbee qawman ghairakum wa laa tadur roonahoo shai'aa; inna Rabbee 'alaa kulli shai'in Hafeez
If you, then, turn away (from the truth), know that I have delivered the message with which I was sent to you. Now my Lord will set up another people in place of you and you shall in no way be able to harm Him. Surely my Lord keeps a watch over everything.'
(Surah Hud – Chapter 11, verse 57.)
Al-Muqit / Al-Muqeet – The Nourisher
Mentioned in the Quran.
The Ultimate Sustainer, who gives strength and nourishment to all of His creations and maintains all of existence. Everything we need comes from Allah, but Allah is the only One who does not need anything.
مَنْ يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُنْ لَهُ نَصِيبٌ مِنْهَا ۖ وَمَنْ يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُنْ لَهُ كِفْلٌ مِنْهَا ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُقِيتًا
Mai yashfa' shafaa'atan hasanatay yakul lahoo naseebum minhaa wa mai yashfa' shafaa'atan saiyi'atany-yakul lahoo kiflum minhaa; wa kaanal laahu 'alaa kulli shai'im Muqeetaa
He who intercedes in a good cause shall share in its good result, and he who intercedes in an evil cause shall share in its burden. Allah watches over everything.
(Surah An-Nisa – Chapter 4, verse 85.)
Al-Haseeb / Al-Hasib – The Reckoner
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who takes account of every action and doing of every creation and reckons them on Judgement Day. Nothing goes unnoticed (regardless of how small), and He will question every believer and non-believer for everything they ever say and do – and everything they do not say and do, if it was required of them. He will then reward or punish everyone accordingly with His unknowable wisdom and absolute knowledge. Allah is sufficient for the believers.
الَّذِينَ يُبَلِّغُونَ رِسَالَاتِ اللَّهِ وَيَخْشَوْنَهُ وَلَا يَخْشَوْنَ أَحَدًا إِلَّا اللَّهَ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ حَسِيبًا
Allazeena yuballighoona Risaalaatil laahi wa yakhshaw nahoo wa laa yakkhshawna ahadan illal laah; wa kafaa billaahi Haseebaa
(This is Allah's Way) regarding those who deliver the Messages of Allah and who fear Him, and fear no one else than Allah. Allah is Sufficient as a Reckoner.
(Surah Al-Ahzab – Chapter 33, verse 39.)
Al-Jalil – The Majestic One
Mentioned in the Sunnah.
He is the great One, above all dignity and rank. All honour and devotion should be given exclusively to Him.
كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ
وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ
(26) Kullu man 'alaihaa faan (27) Wa yabqaa wajhu rabbika zul jalaali wal ikraam
(26) All that is on earth will perish, (27) only the Person of your Lord, full of majesty and splendour, will endure.
(Surah Ar-Rahman – Chapter 55, verses 26 to 27. Although there is a scholarly dispute as to whether this is a name of Allah, there are several verses in the Quran seeming to refer to this attribute of Allah. There is also an authentic hadith that mentioned this attribute of Allah (Sahih (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2390).)
Al-Karim – The Most Gracious / The Most Bountiful
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who provides for His servants with no limits, even before the servant has become deserving of the bounty. He continuously gives without measure and without being asked.
يَا أَيُّهَا الْإِنْسَانُ مَا غَرَّكَ بِرَبِّكَ الْكَرِيمِ
Yaaa ayyuhal insaaanu maa gharraka bi Rabbikal kareem
O man! What has deceived you about your generous Lord
(Surah Al-Infitar – Chapter 82, verse 6.)
Ar-Raqib – The All-Watchful / The Ever Watchful
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who hears, sees, and knows everything, and nothing can be hidden from Him.
مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلَّا مَا أَمَرْتَنِي بِهِ أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ ۚ وَكُنْتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا مَا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنْتَ أَنْتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنْتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
Maa qultu lahum illaa maaa amartanee bihee ani'budul laaha Rabbeee wa Rabbakum; wa kuntu 'alaihim shaheedam maa dumtu feehim falammaa tawaffaitanee kunta Antar Raqeeba 'alaihim; wa Anta 'alaa kulli shai'in Shaheed
I said to them nothing except what You commanded me, that is: 'Serve Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' I watched over them as long as I remained among them; and when You did recall me, then You Yourself became the Watcher over them. Indeed, You are Witness over everything.
(Surah Al-Ma-idah – Chapter 5, verse 117.)
Al-Mujeeb – The Ever Responsive
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who readily responds to the supplications of His servants in a way that has the most benefit to the servant. Whenever you find yourself in need, call upon this name of Allah when making dua.
وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا ۚ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ هُوَ أَنْشَأَكُمْ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي قَرِيبٌ مُجِيبٌ
Wa ilaa Samooda akhaahum Saalihaa; qaala yaa qawmi' budul laaha maa lakum min ilaahim ghairuhoo Huwa ansha akum minal ardi wasta' marakum feehaa fastaghfiroohu summa toobooo ilaih; inna Rabbee Qareebum Mujeeb
And to Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said: 'My people! Serve Allah; you have no god other than Him. He brought you into being out of the earth and has made you dwell in it. So ask Him to forgive you, and do turn towards Him in repentance. Indeed My Lord is near, responsive to prayers.
(Surah Hud, verse 11, verse 61.)
Al-Wasi’ – The All Embracing
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One whose mercy, sustenance, and knowledge encompasses everything. He has limitless sustenance and mercy, which He bestows generously on His servants.
وَلِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ ۚ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Wa lillaahil mashriqu walmaghrib; fa aynamaa tuwalloo fasamma wajhullaah; innal laaha waasi'un Aleem
The East and the West belong to Allah. To whichever direction you turn, you will be turning to Allah. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.
(Surah Al-Baqara – Chapter 2, verse 115.)
Al-Hakeem – The All-Wise
Mentioned in the Quran.
He has the highest wisdom in everything, in everything He has decreed, in His legislation, and the reward and punishment He will distribute on Judgement Day. He has created everything perfectly and he never creates or decrees something without a purpose.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ ۖ فَيُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Wa maaa arsalnaa mir Rasoolin illaa bilisaani qawmihee liyubaiyina lahum fa yudillul laahu mai yashaaa'u wa yahdee mai yashaaa'; wa Huwal 'Azeezul Hakeem
Never have We sent a Messenger but he has addressed his people in their language that he may fully expound his Message to them. (And after the Message is expounded), Allah lets go astray whomsoever He wills, and guides to the Right Way whomsoever He wills. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
(Surah Ibrahim – Chapter 14, verse 4.)
Al-Wadud – The Most Loving
Mentioned in the Quran.
Allah loves His prophets, messengers, and righteous servants who love and obey Him. From Him comes all love and kindness, and we should strive to love Him more than we love anything and anyone else, because He is our Lord and Creator.
وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ
Wastaghfiroo Rabbakum summa toobooo ilaih; inna Rabbee Raheemunw Wadood
Seek the forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him in repentance. Surely my Lord is Ever Merciful, Most Loving.
(Surah Hud – Chapter 11, verse 90.)
Al-Majeed – The All-Glorious
Mentioned in the Quran.
This name covers several attributes because it represents the One who is the most glorious, honourable, dignified, noble, and generous. He is the only One who deserves all of our praise and honour.
قَالُوا أَتَعْجَبِينَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ ۖ رَحْمَتُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ ۚ إِنَّهُ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Qaalooo ata'jabeena min amril laahi rahmatul laahi wa barakaatuhoo 'alaikum Ahlal Bayt; innahoo Hameedun Majeed
They said: 'Do you wonder at Allah's decree? Allah's mercy and His blessings be upon you, O people of the house. Surely, He is Praiseworthy, Glorious.'
(Surah Hud – Chapter 11, verse 73.)
Al-Ba’ith – The Resurrector
Mentioned in the Sunnah.
The One who chooses whose soul wakes up from their sleep and gets sent back to their body. He is the One who creates and sustains life. And He is the One who will resurrect His servants on Judgement Day so that they can be judged and sent to Heaven or Hell.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُمْ بِالنَّهَارِ ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُكُمْ فِيهِ لِيُقْضَىٰ أَجَلٌ مُسَمًّى ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
Wa Huwal lazee yatawaf faakum billaili wa ya'lamu maa jarahtum binnahaari summa yab'asukum feehee liyuqdaaa ajalum musamman summa ilaihi marji'ukum summa yunabbi 'ukum bimaa kuntum ta'maloon (Section 7)
He recalls your souls by night and knows what you do by day; and then He raises you back each day in order that the term appointed by Him is fulfilled. Then to Him you will return whereupon He will let you know what you have been doing.
(Surah An-Na’am – Chapter 6, verse 60. Note that this verse is only a reference to the attribute of this name, not a direct mention of the name.)
Ash-Shaheed – The Witness / The Testifier
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who has been, is, and will be a witness to everything and everyone from the first creation all throughout time until the Judgement Day and beyond. There is nothing He does not notice, no matter how insignificant and hidden it may seem. His knowledge of the seen and unseen encompasses everything, and He will be the ultimate witness on Judgement Day.
مَا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِنْ نَفْسِكَ ۚ وَأَرْسَلْنَاكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
Maaa asaabaka min hasanatin faminal laahi wa maaa asaaabaka min saiyi'atin famin nafsik; wa arsalnaaka linnaasi Rasoolaa; wa kafaa billaahi Shaheedaa
Whatever good happens to you is from Allah; and whatever misfortune smites you is because of your own action. We have sent you to mankind (O Muhammad!) as a Messenger, and Allah is sufficient as a witness.
(Surah An-Nisa – Chapter 4, verse 79.)
Al-Haqq – The Absolute Truth
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who exists and is the undeniable Lord and King of all creation. His speech, decree, promise, and legislation are all the unchangeable truth.
فَذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمُ الْحَقُّ ۖ فَمَاذَا بَعْدَ الْحَقِّ إِلَّا الضَّلَالُ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصْرَفُونَ
Fazaalikumul laahu Rabbukumul haqq; famaazaa ba'dal haqqi illad dalaalu fa anna tusrafoon
Such, then, is Allah, your true Lord. And what is there after truth but error? How, then, are you being turned away?
(Surah Yunus – Chapter 10, verse 32.)
Al-Wakeel – The Disposer of Affairs
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who takes care of all the affairs of all of His creations. The One who provides for them, listens to and grants them their supplications, takes care of their needs. He is the One who helps and protects those who seek His refuge, He guides His servants to that which is beneficial and easy, and keeps them away from that which is harmful.
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا
Wa lillaahi maa fis samaawaati wa maa fil ard; wa kafaa billaahi Wakeelaa
And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; and Allah suffices for help and protection.
(Surah An-Nisa – Chapter 4, verse 132.)
Al-Qawiyy – The All-Strong
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One from whom all strength and power comes. His strength is inexhaustible and has no equal. He cannot be overpowered, and His decree cannot be thwarted or altered. Al-Qawiyy and Al-Mateen are often grouped together for having similar meaning.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ
Innal laaha Huwar Razzaaqu Zul Quwwatil Mateen
Surely Allah is the Bestower of all provision, the Lord of all power, the Strong.
(Surah Adh-Dhariyat – Chapter 51, verse 58.)
Al-Mateen – The Powerful
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who has the strength and capability to achieve anything, and He goes through no hardship or weariness. Al-Mateen and Al-Qawiyy are often grouped together for having similar meaning.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ
Innal laaha Huwar Razzaaqu Zul Quwwatil Mateen
Surely Allah is the Bestower of all provision, the Lord of all power, the Strong.
(Surah Adh-Dhariyat – Chapter 51, verse 58.)
Al-Waliyy – The Protector
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the Guardian who managed everything and disposes of all affairs.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوا وَيَنْشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُ ۚ وَهُوَ الْوَلِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ
Wa Huwal lazee yunazzilul ghaisa min ba'di maa qanatoo wa yanshuru rahmatah; wa Huwal Waliyyul Hameed
He it is Who sends down the rain after they despair of it, spreading out His Mercy. He is the Protector, the Immensely Praiseworthy.
(Surah Ash-Shura – Chapter 42, verse 28.)
Al-Hameed – The Immensely Praiseworthy
Mentioned in the Quran.
Everyone one of His actions, statements, decrees, names, legislation, and attributes are worthy of the utmost praise.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوا وَيَنْشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُ ۚ وَهُوَ الْوَلِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ
Wa Huwal lazee yunazzilul ghaisa min ba'di maa qanatoo wa yanshuru rahmatah; wa Huwal Waliyyul Hameed
He it is Who sends down the rain after they despair of it, spreading out His Mercy. He is the Protector, the Immensely Praiseworthy.
(Surah Ash-Shura – Chapter 42, verse 28.)
Al-Muhsi – The Knower of Everything / The Enumerator
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who knows and understands the minutiae of everything in existence. His knowledge is limitless, including both the seen and the unseen.
لَقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا
Laqad ahsaahum wa addahum 'addaa
Verily He encompasses them and has counted them all.
(Surah Maryam – Chapter 19, verse 94.)
Al-Mubdi – The Beginner; and Al-Mu’id – The Restorer
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who began all creation and the One who can and will restore them on Judgement Day. These two are often associated with one another.
إِنَّهُ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ
Innahoo Huwa yubdi'u wa yu'eed
He it is Who creates for the first time and He it is Who will create again,
(Surah Al-Burooj – Chapter 85, verse 13.)
Al-Muhyi – The Giver of Life; and Al-Mumit – The Giver of Death
Referenced in the Quran.
These names describe the attributes of Allah that He gives life and death, and He can and will give life to the dead.
هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Huwa yuhyee wa yumeetu wa ilaihi turja'oon
He it is Who gives life and causes death, and to Him shall you all be returned.
(Surah Yunus – Chapter 10, verse 56. Note that this verse is only a reference to the attribute of these names, not a direct mention of the names.)
Al-Hayy – The Ever-Living / The Living One
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who is alive (and in Heaven) and He is the source of all life. He cannot and never will die.
هُوَ الْحَيُّ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ ۗ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Huwal Hayyu laaa ilaaha illaa Huwa fad'oohu mukh liseena lahud-deen; alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen
He is the Ever-Living: there is no god but He. So call upon Him, consecrating to Him all your devotion. All praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the whole Universe.
(Surah Ghafir – Chapter 40, verse 65.)
Al-Qayyum – The Self-Subsisting / The All-Sustaining
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who has no need of anything or anyone. Everything is dependant on Him and is absolutely dependent on Him.
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ
Allaahu laaa ilaaha illaa Huwal Haiyul Qaiyoom
Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting, Who sustains the entire order of the universe - there is no God but He.
(Surah Ali-Imran – Chapter 3, verse 2.)
Al-Wajid – The All-Perceiving / The Resourceful
Mentioned in the Quran.
He Who has and knows of everything and is in need of nothing.
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَعْمَالُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍ بِقِيعَةٍ يَحْسَبُهُ الظَّمْآنُ مَاءً حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَهُ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْئًا وَوَجَدَ اللَّهَ عِنْدَهُ فَوَفَّاهُ حِسَابَهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ
Wallazeena kafarooo a'maaluhum kasaraabim biqee'atiny yahsabuhuz zamaanu maaa'an hattaaa izaa jaaa'ahoo lam yajid hu shai'anw wa wajadal laaha 'indahoo fa waffaahu hisaabah; wallaahu saree'ul hisaab
But for those who deny the Truth, their deeds are like a mirage in the desert, which the thirsty supposes to be water until he comes to it only to find that it was nothing; he found instead that Allah was with Him and He paid his account in full. Allah is swift in settling the account.
(Surah An-Noor – Chapter 24, verse 39.)
Al-Wahid – The One; and Al-Ahad – The Unique
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One only and true deity in existence and the only One worthy of worship. He is completely Unique in His attributes, capabilities, and essence – and there is nothing even remotely similar to Him.
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Qul huwal laahu ahad
Say: “He is Allah, the One and Unique;
(Surah Al-Ikhlas – Chapter 112, verse 1.)
As-Samad – The Eternal One
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One with absolute mastery and sovereignty over everything. All of His servants should seek help and assistance exclusively from Him when feeling lost, weak, vulnerable, and when feeling positive feelings.
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
Allah hus-samad
Allah, Who is in need of none and of Whom all are in need;
(Surah Al-Ikhlas – Chapter 112, verse 2.)
Al-Qaadir – The Powerful; Al-Qadeer – The Omnipotent; and Al-Muqtadir – The Determiner
Mentioned in the Quran.
Al-Qaadir is the One who can do whatever He wants and nothing can change His decree. Al-Qadeer is the One whose abilities are perfect and complete. Al-Muqtadir is an intensive form that emphasises the perfection of Allah.
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Wa lillaahi mulkus samaawaati wal ard; wallaahu 'alaa kulli shai'in Qadeer (Section 19)
To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is All-Powerful.
(Surah Ali-Imran – Chapter 3, verse 189.)
Al-Muqaddim – The Advancer; and Al-Mu’akhir – The Delayer
Mentioned in the Sunnah.
The One who advances certain actions and delays others, according to His infinite wisdom. He also promotes some due to their good deeds while pushing others away due to their sins. No one can advance what He delays, and no one can delay what He advances.
The Prophet (SAW) said, "...You (O Allah) are the Advancer and You are the Delayer..." (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Al-Awwal – The First
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the first with no beginning. There was nothing before Him – no creation whatsoever, until Allah created the first creation (which He created from nothing).
هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Huwal Awwalu wal'Aakhiru waz Zaahiru wal Baatinu wa huwa bikulli shai'in Aleem
He is the First and the Last, and the Manifest and the Hidden, and He has knowledge of everything.
(Surah Al-Hadid – Chapter 57, verse 3.)
Al-Akhir – The Last
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the last with no ending. He will exist for eternity and nothing in the worldly life or in the Hereafter can cause Him any harm.
هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Huwal Awwalu wal'Aakhiru waz Zaahiru wal Baatinu wa huwa bikulli shai'in Aleem
He is the First and the Last, and the Manifest and the Hidden, and He has knowledge of everything.
(Surah Al-Hadid – Chapter 57, verse 3.)
Adh-Dhaahir – The Outward
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who has made Himself evident without being visible (through the miracles of Islam, such as the Quran and divine prophesies, as well as the miracles of creation and existence itself, such as life.
هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Huwal Awwalu wal'Aakhiru waz Zaahiru wal Baatinu wa huwa bikulli shai'in Aleem
He is the First and the Last, and the Manifest and the Hidden, and He has knowledge of everything.
(Surah Al-Hadid – Chapter 57, verse 3.)
Al-Baatin – The Inward
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who is hidden but whose existence is irrefutable due the abundance of signs He has revealed. He is the One who is closest to everyone and everything due to His inexhaustible knowledge of the seen and the unseen.
هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Huwal Awwalu wal'Aakhiru waz Zaahiru wal Baatinu wa huwa bikulli shai'in Aleem
He is the First and the Last, and the Manifest and the Hidden, and He has knowledge of everything.
(Surah Al-Hadid – Chapter 57, verse 3.)
Al-Wali – The Holder of Supreme Authority
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who is the only planner and governor of everything. He is the One who supports all based on His infinite wisdom and judgement.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوا وَيَنْشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُ ۚ وَهُوَ الْوَلِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ
Wa Huwal lazee yunazzilul ghaisa min ba'di maa qanatoo wa yanshuru rahmatah; wa Huwal Waliyyul Hameed
He it is Who sends down the rain after they despair of it, spreading out His Mercy. He is the Protector, the Immensely Praiseworthy.
(Surah Ash-Shura – Chapter 42, verse 28.)
Al-‘Ali – The Most High; and Al-Muta’ali – The Transcendent
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who is elevated above all of His creation in every meaning facet. The One who is perfect beyond humanly perception.
لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Lahoo maa fis samaa waati wa maa fil ardi wa Huwal 'Aliyul 'Azeem
His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; He is the Most-High, the All-Great.
(Surah Ash-Shura – Chapter 42, verse 4.)
Al-Barr – The Doer of Good / The Most Kind / The Source of All Goodness
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who pours seeable and unseeable blessings upon His servants. When He rewards a servant of His, He multiplies so that the servant gains more blessings than that it seems to be worth. He keeps all of His promise’s and forgives a believer when they sincerely repent.
إِنَّا كُنَّا مِنْ قَبْلُ نَدْعُوهُ ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْبَرُّ الرَّحِيمُ
Innaa kunnaa min qablu nad'oohu innahoo huwal barrur raheem
Formerly we had always prayed to Him. Surely, He is Most Benign, Most Compassionate.”
(Surah At-Tur – Chapter 52, verse 28.)
At-Tawwab – The Acceptor of Repentance
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who forgives and pardons the sins of those who turn to Him in sincere repentance.
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا
Fasabbih bihamdi rabbika wastaghfirh, innahoo kaana tawwaaba
then extol the praise of your Lord and pray to Him for forgiveness. For He indeed is ever disposed to accept repentance.
(Surah An-Nasr – Chapter 110, verse 3.)
Al-Muntaqim – The Avenger
Referenced in the Quran.
He is the One who provides justice in this life and in the Hereafter to those who have been wronged. No wrongdoing that has not been repented for goes unpunished – whether the punishment is given in this life or in the Hereafter, the punishment will come, unless the one who has committed the sin sincerely repents.
يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ الْبَطْشَةَ الْكُبْرَىٰ إِنَّا مُنْتَقِمُونَ
Yawma nabtishul batsha tal kubraa innaa muntaqimoon
The Day when We shall seize them with a mighty seizing, that will be the Day on which We shall inflict upon you full retribution.
(Surah Al-Dukhan – Chapter 44, verse 16.)
AL-‘Afuww – The Ever-Pardoning
Mentioned in the Quran.
He forgives sins that have been sincerely repented and overlooks the transgressions of the wrongdoers and gives a general pardon that erases all sins committed by the one repenting.
فَأُولَٰئِكَ عَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا
Fa ulaaa'ika 'asal laahu ai ya'fuwa 'anhum; wa kaanal laahu 'Afuwwan Ghafooraa
maybe Allah shall pardon these, for Allah is All-Pardoning, All-Forgiving.
(Surah An-Nisa – Chapter 4, verse 99.)
Ar-Ra’uf – The Compassionate
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who grants extreme mercy to His servants in this life and in the Hereafter.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
Wa minan naasi mai yashree nafsahub tighaaa'a mardaatil laah; wallaahu ra'oofum bil'ibaad
On the other hand, among men there is a kind who dedicates his life seeking to please Allah; Allah is Immensely Kind to such devoted servants.
(Surah Al-Baqara – Chapter 2, verse 207.)
Dhul Jalali Wal Ikram – The Possessor or Majesty and Generosity
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who deserves to be exalted and not denied. He is majestic in all of His attributes and Being.
وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ
Wa yabqaa wajhu rabbika zul jalaali wal ikraam
only the Person of your Lord, full of majesty and splendour, will endure.
(Surah Ar-Rahman – Chapter 55, verse 27.)
Al-Muqsit – The Equitable / The One Who is Just
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who is the most fair and the most just. He acknowledges and rewards all goodness without measure, regardless of whether the goodness is seen or unseen.
شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ ۚ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Shahidal laahu annahoo laa ilaaha illaa Huwa walmalaaa'ikatu wa ulul 'ilmi qaaa'imam bilqist; laaa ilaaha illaa Huwal 'Azeezul Hakeem
Allah Himself bears witness that there is no God but He; and likewise do the angels and the men possessed of knowledge bear witness in truth and justice that there is no God but He, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
(Surah Ali-Imran – Chapter 3, verse 18.)
Al-Jami’ – The Gatherer / The Unifier
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who can connect all different aspects of life together. He will bring all of humanity together on Judgement Day.
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ لَيَجْمَعَنَّكُمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۗ وَمَنْ أَصْدَقُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَدِيثًا
Allaahu laaa ilaaha illaa huwa la yajma'annakum ilaa Yawmil Qiyaamati laa raiba feeh; wa man asdaqu min allaahi hadeesaa (Section 11)
There is no god but Allah. He will certainly gather you all together on the Day of Resurrection - the Day regarding which there can be no doubt. Whose word can be truer than Allah's?
(Surah An-Nisa – Chapter 4, verse 87.)
Al-Ghaniyy – The Self-Sufficient
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who does not need anything, but His servants rely on Him for everything.
قَالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَانَهُ ۖ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ ۖ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنْ عِنْدَكُمْ مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ بِهَٰذَا ۚ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Qaalut takhazal laahu waladan Subhaanahoo Huwal Ghaniyyu lahoo maa fis samaawaati wa maa fil ard; in 'indakum min sultaanin bihaazaaa; a' taqooloona 'al allaahi maa laa ta'lamoon
They say: 'Allah has taken a son. Glory be to Him. He is self-sufficient! His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Have you any authority to support (that Allah has taken a son)? Do you ascribe to Allah something of which you have no knowledge?
(Surah Yunus – Chapter 10, verse 68.)
Al-Mughni – The Enricher
Referenced in the Quran.
The One who gives abundantly and gives what is needed. Depending on how the servant gives what has been provided to them determines if the nourishment is a blessing or a curse.
وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ أَغْنَىٰ وَأَقْنَىٰ
Wa annahoo huwa aghnaa wa aqnaa
that He it is Who bestowed wealth and riches,
(Surah An-Najm – Chapter 53, verse 48.)
Al-Mani’ – The Withholder / The Preventer
Mentioned in the Sunnah.
No one and nothing can prevent what He gives, and nothing and no one can give what He prevents. He protects His servants from harmful situations if He knows that they cannot resist the harm that someone else may be able to overcome; or He may prevent someone’s dua from being answered if they regularly consume haram and commit sins. All is done in His wisdom.
The Prophet (SAW) made a dua saying:
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهْوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ اللَّهُمَّ لاَ مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَلاَ مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ وَلاَ يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُّ
La ilaha illa l-lahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-hamdu, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. Allahumma la mani'a lima a'taita, wa la mu'tiya lima mana'ta, wa la yanfa'u dhal-jaddi minka l-jadd
There is no Deity but Allah, Alone, no Partner to Him. His is the Kingdom and all praise, and Omnipotent is he. O Allah! Nobody can hold back what you gave, nobody can give what You held back, and no struggler's effort can benefit against You.
(Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
Adh-Dharr – The One Who Harms
Referenced in the Quran.
The One who harms and benefits who He wants when He wants. He may use forceful measures to dissuade someone from doing something wrong or to teach them the severity of an action, either as a punishment or a lesson.
قُلْ أَنَدْعُو مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنْفَعُنَا وَلَا يَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ كَالَّذِي اسْتَهْوَتْهُ الشَّيَاطِينُ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَيْرَانَ لَهُ أَصْحَابٌ يَدْعُونَهُ إِلَى الْهُدَى ائْتِنَا ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَىٰ ۖ وَأُمِرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Qul anad'oo min doonil laahi maa laa yanfa'unaa wa laa yadurrunaa wa nuraddu 'alaaa a'qaabina ba'da iz hadaanal laahu kallazis tahwat hush Shayaateenu fil ardi hairaana lahooo ashaabuny yad'oo nahooo ilal huda' tinaa; qul inna hudal laahi huwal hudaa wa umirnaa linuslima li Rabbil 'aalameen
Ask them (O Muhammad!): "Shall we invoke, apart from Allah, something that can neither benefit nor harm us, and thus be turned back on our heels after Allah has guided us? Like the one whom the evil ones have lured into bewilderment in the earth, even though he has friends who call him to true guidance saying: "Come to us." Say: "Surely Allah's guidance is the only true guidance, and we have been commanded to submit ourselves to the Lord of the entire universe,
(Surah Al-Na’am – Chapter 6, verse 71.)
An-Naafi – The Creator of All Good
Referenced in the Quran.
He is the One who grants success and provides favourable outcomes. Every source of benefit comes from Him. Among the favours and gifts, He has given humanity are intelligence, consciousness, and faith.
قُلْ أَنَدْعُو مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنْفَعُنَا وَلَا يَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ كَالَّذِي اسْتَهْوَتْهُ الشَّيَاطِينُ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَيْرَانَ لَهُ أَصْحَابٌ يَدْعُونَهُ إِلَى الْهُدَى ائْتِنَا ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَىٰ ۖ وَأُمِرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Qul anad'oo min doonil laahi maa laa yanfa'unaa wa laa yadurrunaa wa nuraddu 'alaaa a'qaabina ba'da iz hadaanal laahu kallazis tahwat hush Shayaateenu fil ardi hairaana lahooo ashaabuny yad'oo nahooo ilal huda' tinaa; qul inna hudal laahi huwal hudaa wa umirnaa linuslima li Rabbil 'aalameen
Ask them (O Muhammad!): "Shall we invoke, apart from Allah, something that can neither benefit nor harm us, and thus be turned back on our heels after Allah has guided us? Like the one whom the evil ones have lured into bewilderment in the earth, even though he has friends who call him to true guidance saying: "Come to us." Say: "Surely Allah's guidance is the only true guidance, and we have been commanded to submit ourselves to the Lord of the entire universe,
(Surah Al-Na’am – Chapter 6, verse 71.)
An-Noor – The Light / The One Who Illuminates
Referenced in the Quran.
The One who illuminates and shines a guiding light for all those who see. His light provides clarity and guidance from darkness/ignorance.
اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Allaahu noorus samaawaati wal ard; masalu noorihee kamishkaatin feehaa misbaah; almisbaahu fee zujaajatin azzujaajatu ka annahaa kawkabun durriyyuny yooqadu min shajaratim mubaarakatin zaitoonatil laa shariqiyyatinw wa laa gharbiyyatiny yakaadu zaituhaa yudeee'u wa law lam tamsashu naar; noorun 'alaa noor; yahdil laahu linoorihee mai yashaaa'; wa yadribul laahul amsaala linnaas; wallaahu bikulli shai'in Aleem
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His Light (in the Universe) may be likened to a niche wherein is a lamp, and the lamp is in the crystal which shines in star-like brilliance. It is lit from (the oil) of a blessed olive tree that is neither eastern nor western. Its oil well nigh glows forth (of itself) though no fire touched it: Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. Allah sets forth parables to make people understand. Allah knows everything.
(Surah Al-Noor – Chapter 24, verse 35.)
Al-Haadee – The Guide
Mentioned in the Quran.
He is the One who guides His creation upon the path of knowledge, so that they may get to know Him. He guides them to that which is beneficial and pure, and He may choose to guide people towards an evil path as a means of testing them. He guides whom he wants to where He wants.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا مِنَ الْمُجْرِمِينَ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ هَادِيًا وَنَصِيرًا
Wa kazaalika ja'alnaa likulli Nabiyyin 'aduwwan minal mujrimeen; wa kafaa bi Rabbika haadiyanw wa naseeraa
(O Muhammad), thus did We make for every Prophet enemies from among those immersed in evil. Your Lord suffices you as a Guide and a Helper.
(Surah Al-Furqan – Chapter 25, verse 31.)
Al-Badi – The Incomparable Originator
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who created and designed the universe from nothing without any help or a template. With His undeniable power and mastery of the everything, He can create from nothing whatever He wants.
بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
Badeee'us samaawaati wal ardi wa izaa qadaaa amran fa innamaa yaqoolu lahoo kun fayakoon
He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth; whenever He decrees a matter He (merely) says: “Be”, and it is.
(Surah Al-Baqara – Chapter 2, verse 117.)
Al-Baqi – The Ever-Lasting
Referenced in the Quran.
The One who has always existed and will always exist. He has no beginning or ending – He is perpetual and everlasting. As time passes, His power, dominion, and all of His other attributes will remain perfected and will not diminish.
كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ (26)
وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ (27)
(26) Kullu man 'alaihaa faan (27) Wa yabqaa wajhu rabbika zul jalaali wal ikraam
(26) All that is on earth will perish, (27) only the Person of your Lord, full of majesty and splendour, will endure.
(Surah Ar-Rahman – Chapter 55, verses 26 to 27.)
Al-Waarith – The Inheritor
Mentioned in the Quran.
The One who will remain after the creation perishes, inheriting all that He provided the creation in life once they die. He is and always will be the owner of everything, regardless of what He temporarily grants and provides to people.
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ نُحْيِي وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحْنُ الْوَارِثُونَ
Wa innnaa la nahnu nuhyee wa numeetu wa nahnul waarisoon
It is indeed We Who grant life and cause death, and it is We who shall be the sole Inheritors of all.
(Surah Al-Hijr – Chapter 15, verse 23.)
Ar-Rasheed – The Guide
Referenced in the Quran.
The One who guides to rectitude (righteousness). He does not force or trick people in following His religion – rather, He guides them along the path of righteousness, and whether they choose to believe and practice the religion is up to them (whether or not they choose to obey their Lord).
إِذْ أَوَى الْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى الْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
Iz awal fityatu ilal Kahfi faqaaloo Rabbanaaa aatinaa mil ladunka rahmatanw wa haiyi' lanaa min amrinaa rashadaa
When those youths sought refuge in the Cave and said: "Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and provide for us rectitude in our affairs."
(Surah Al-Kahf – Chapter 18, verse 10.)
As-Sabr – The Patient / The Restrained
Referenced in the Quran.
He is the most patient and the most enduring. He chooses to wait for the right time to send a reward or a punishment. Despite having the power to immediately punish everyone who sins, He gives the sinner time to repent and change their ways.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
Yaaa ayyuhal laazeena aamanus ta'eenoo bissabri was Salaah; innal laaha ma'as-saabireen
Believers! Seek help in patience and in Prayer; Allah is with those that are patient.
(Surah Al-Baqara – Chapter 2, verse 153.)