99 Names of Allah (Al Asma Ul Husna)
The first pillar of Imaan (faith) in Islam is Belief in Allah. As Muslims, we believe in Allah following His beautiful names and attributes.
Allah says in the Quran:
(1) And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them… (Quran 7:180)
(2) Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names. (Quran 20:8)
(3) He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. (Quran 59:24)
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise.”
(Sahih Bukhari 54:23)
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
There are ninety-nine names of Allah; he who commits them to memory will get into Paradise. Verily, Allah is Odd (He is one, and it is an odd number) and He loves odd numbers..”
(Sahih Muslim Book-48 Hadith-5)
99 Names of Allah with Meaning and Explanation
| ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ | AR-RAHMAAN | The Most or Entirely Merciful |
| ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ | AR-RAHEEM | The Bestower of Mercy |
| ٱلْمَلِكُ | AL-MALIK | The King and Owner of Dominion |
| ٱلْقُدُّوسُ | AL-QUDDUS | The Absolutely Pure |
| ٱلْسَّلَامُ | AS-SALAM | The Perfection and Giver of Peace |
| ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ | AL-MU’MIN | The One Who gives Emaan and Security |
| ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ | AL-MUHAYMIN | The Guardian, The Witness, The Overseer |
| ٱلْعَزِيزُ | AL-AZEEZ | The All Mighty |
| ٱلْجَبَّارُ | AL-JABBAR | The Compeller, The Restorer |
| ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ | AL-MUTAKABBIR | The Supreme, The Majestic |
| ٱلْخَالِقُ | AL-KHAALIQ | The Creator, The Maker |
| ٱلْبَارِئُ | AL-BAARI’ | The Originator |
| ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ | AL-MUSAWWIR | The Fashioner |
| ٱلْغَفَّارُ | AL-GHAFFAR | The All- and Oft-Forgiving |
| ٱلْقَهَّارُ | AL-QAHHAR | The Subduer, The Ever-Dominating |
| ٱلْوَهَّابُ | AL-WAHHAAB | The Giver of Gifts |
| ٱلْرَّزَّاقُ | AR-RAZZAAQ | The Provider |
| ٱلْفَتَّاحُ | AL-FATTAAH | The Opener, The Judge |
| ٱلْعَلِيمُ | AL-‘ALEEM | The All-Knowing, The Omniscient |
| ٱلْقَابِضُ | AL-QAABID | The Withholder |
| ٱلْبَاسِطُ | AL-BAASIT | The Extender |
| ٱلْخَافِضُ | AL-KHAAFIDH | The Reducer, The Abaser |
| ٱلْرَّافِعُ | AR-RAAFI’ | The Exalter, The Elevator |
| ٱلْمُعِزُّ | AL-MU’IZZ | The Honourer, The Bestower |
| ٱلْمُذِلُّ | AL-MUZIL | The Dishonourer, The Humiliator |
| ٱلْسَّمِيعُ | AS-SAMEE’ | The All-Hearing |
| ٱلْبَصِيرُ | AL-BASEER | The All-Seeing |
| ٱلْحَكَمُ | AL-HAKAM | The Judge, The Giver of Justice |
| ٱلْعَدْلُ | AL-‘ADL | The Utterly Just |
| ٱلْلَّطِيفُ | AL-LATEEF | The Subtle One, The Most Gentle |
| ٱلْخَبِيرُ | AL-KHABEER | The Acquainted, the All-Aware |
| ٱلْحَلِيمُ | AL-HALEEM | The Most Forbearing |
| ٱلْعَظِيمُ | AL-‘ATHEEM | The Magnificent, The Supreme |
| ٱلْغَفُورُ | AL-GHAFOOR | The Forgiving, The Exceedingly Forgiving |
| ٱلْشَّكُورُ | ASH-SHAKOOR | The Most Appreciative |
| ٱلْعَلِيُّ | AL-‘ALEE | The Most High, The Exalted |
| ٱلْكَبِيرُ | AL-KABEER | The Greatest, The Most Grand |
| ٱلْحَفِيظُ | AL-HAFEEDH | The Preserver, The All-Heedful and All-Protecting |
| ٱلْمُقِيتُ | AL-MUQEET | The Sustainer |
| ٱلْحَسِيبُ | AL-HASEEB | The Reckoner, The Sufficient |
| ٱلْجَلِيلُ | AL-JALEEL | The Majestic |
| ٱلْكَرِيمُ | AL-KAREEM | The Most Generous, The Most Esteemed |
| ٱلْرَّقِيبُ | AR-RAQEEB | The Watchful |
| ٱلْمُجِيبُ | AL-MUJEEB | The Responsive One |
| ٱلْوَاسِعُ | AL-WAASI’ | The All-Encompassing, the Boundless |
| ٱلْحَكِيمُ | AL-HAKEEM | The All-Wise |
| ٱلْوَدُودُ | AL-WADOOD | The Most Loving |
| ٱلْمَجِيدُ | AL-MAJEED | The Glorious, The Most Honorable |
| ٱلْبَاعِثُ | AL-BA’ITH | The Resurrector, The Raiser of the Dead |
| ٱلْشَّهِيدُ | ASH-SHAHEED | The All- and Ever Witnessing |
| ٱلْحَقُّ | AL-HAQQ | The Absolute Truth |
| ٱلْوَكِيلُ | AL-WAKEEL | The Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs |
| ٱلْقَوِيُّ | AL-QAWIYY | The All-Strong |
| ٱلْمَتِينُ | AL-MATEEN | The Firm, The Steadfast |
| ٱلْوَلِيُّ | AL-WALIYY | The Protecting Associate |
| ٱلْحَمِيدُ | AL-HAMEED | The Praiseworthy |
| ٱلْمُحْصِيُ | AL-MUHSEE | The All-Enumerating, The Counter |
| ٱلْمُبْدِئُ | AL-MUBDI | The Originator, The Initiator |
| ٱلْمُعِيدُ | AL-MU’ID | The Restorer, The Reinstater |
| ٱلْمُحْيِى | AL-MUHYEE | The Giver of Life |
| ٱلْمُمِيتُ | AL-MUMEET | The Bringer of Death, the Destroyer |
| ٱلْحَىُّ | AL-HAYY | The Ever-Living |
| ٱلْقَيُّومُ | AL-QAYYOOM | The Sustainer, The Self-Subsisting |
| ٱلْوَاجِدُ | AL-WAAJID | The Perceiver |
| ٱلْمَاجِدُ | AL-MAAJID | The Illustrious, the Magnificent |
| ٱلْوَاحِدُ | AL-WAAHID | The One |
| ٱلْأَحَد | AL-AHAD | The Unique, The Only One |
| ٱلْصَّمَدُ | AS-SAMAD | The Eternal, Satisfier of Needs |
| ٱلْقَادِرُ | AL-QADIR | The Capable, The Powerful |
| ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ | AL-MUQTADIR | The Omnipotent |
| ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ | AL-MUQADDIM | The Expediter, The Promoter |
| ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ | AL-MU’AKHKHIR | The Delayer, the Retarder |
| ٱلأَوَّلُ | AL-AWWAL | The First |
| ٱلْآخِرُ | AL-AAKHIR | The Last |
| ٱلْظَّاهِرُ | AZ-DHAAHIR | The Manifest |
| ٱلْبَاطِنُ | AL-BAATIN | The Hidden One, Knower of the Hidden |
| ٱلْوَالِي | AL-WAALI | The Governor, The Patron |
| ٱلْمُتَعَالِي | AL-MUTA’ALI | The Self Exalted |
| ٱلْبَرُّ | AL-BARR | The Source of Goodness, the Kind Benefactor |
| ٱلْتَّوَّابُ | AT-TAWWAB | The Ever-Pardoning, The Relenting |
| ٱلْمُنْتَقِمُ | AL-MUNTAQIM | The Avenger |
| ٱلْعَفُوُّ | AL-‘AFUWW | The Pardoner |
| ٱلْرَّؤُفُ | AR-RA’OOF | The Most Kind |
| مَالِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ | MAALIK-UL-MULK | Master of the Kingdom, Owner of the Dominion |
| ذُو ٱلْجَلَالِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ | DHUL-JALAALI WAL-IKRAAM | Possessor of Glory and Honour, Lord of Majesty and Generosity |
| ٱلْمُقْسِطُ | AL-MUQSIT | The Equitable, the Requiter |
| ٱلْجَامِعُ | AL-JAAMI’ | The Gatherer, the Uniter |
| ٱلْغَنيُّ | AL-GHANIYY | The Self-Sufficient, The Wealthy |
| ٱلْمُغْنِيُّ | AL-MUGHNI | The Enricher |
| ٱلْمَانِعُ | AL-MANI’ | The Withholder |
| ٱلْضَّارُ | AD-DHARR | The Distresser |
| ٱلْنَّافِعُ | AN-NAFI’ | The Propitious, the Benefactor |
| ٱلْنُّورُ | AN-NUR | The Light, The Illuminator |
| ٱلْهَادِي | AL-HAADI | The Guide |
| ٱلْبَدِيعُ | AL-BADEE’ | The Incomparable Originator |
| ٱلْبَاقِي | AL-BAAQI | The Ever-Surviving, The Everlasting |
| ٱلْوَارِثُ | AL-WAARITH | The Inheritor, The Heir |
| ٱلْرَّشِيدُ | AR-RASHEED | The Guide, Infallible Teacher |
| ٱلْصَّبُورُ | AS-SABOOR | The Forbearing, The Patient |
The importance of the 99 names of Allah Almighty.
In Islam, the names of Allah are of prime importance because they form the ascription of various attributes to Allah to gain a clue about His nature. Because every name describes a particular quality that helps Muslims to comprehend and reach Allah, here are some of the key reasons why the 99 Names of Allah are essential:
Understanding Allah’s Attributes
Each of the 99 names symbolizes a quality that Allah possesses. For example, “Ar-Rahman” means “The Most Merciful,” while “Al-Hakeem” means “The Wise.” The names of Allah have portrayed the almighty power, mercy, wisdom, and justice that Allah holds. Through the self-reflection of the names, believers can fathom what greatness Allah could be in their lives.
Building of Faith and Relationship with Allah
Enhancing one’s faith is accomplished by reciting and reflecting on the 99 Names of Allah. Such an understanding with Allah as “Ar-Razzaq” – The Provider, or “As-Salam” – The Source of Peace will bring further trust in Him regarding the provision of needs in life and bringing peacefulness into their living. Such skills enhance the spiritual bond further.
Code of Conduct for Employees
Most of Allah’s names represent qualities Muslims should reflect in their daily lives. For example, “Al-Adl” (The Just) teaches believers to be fair and just in all their activities. In the same teaching line is “Al-Ghafoor” (The Forgiving), which shows forgiveness and mercy towards others. These names, therefore, are an ethical system guiding personal behavior.
Source of comfort and peace
The 99 Names of Allah always remind believers of His presence and support. Trying times can be alleviated with incredible comfort when knowing Allah as “Al-Wadud” (The Loving) or “Al-Lateef” (The Gentle). Comparing His names in prayers and supplications makes a Muslim’s heart peaceful.
Punishment in the Hereafter
Other narrations also state that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Allah has 99 names, whoever memorizes them will enter Paradise” (Sahih Bukhari), one enhances spirituality and attracts rewards from God in the afterlife by attaining knowledge, pondering it, and reciting the 99 names of Allah.
Conclusion
Indeed, the 99 Names of Allah are profoundly insightful regarding His attributes and a source that connects believers, consolidates faith, and enhances personal conduct. These names bring comfort and guidance as sources of spiritual reward that remind Muslims of the force, mercy, and presence of Allah in their lives.