Names of God in Islam

"al-Badi" redirects here. For the palace in Marrakesh, see El Badi Palace.

Names of God in Islam (Arabic: أَسْمَاءُ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ʾasmāʾu llāhi l-ḥusnā, "Allah's Beautiful Names") are names attributed to God in Islam by Muslims. In some hadiths of Shia and Sunni, it is said that the Mahdi will reveal the 100th name. While some names are only in the Quran, and others are only in the hadith, there are some names which appear in both.

Theophoric given names

See also: List of Arabic theophoric names

Talismanic shirt inscribed with the 99 names of God as well as Quranic verses and prayers, Turkey, 18th century, Khalili Collection of Hajj and the Arts of Pilgrimage

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; in the case of female names, the prefix amat is used in place of ˁabd.

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.

— Quran 3:26

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:

• Rahmān, such as Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais (عَبْدُ ٱلْرَّحْمَان ٱلْسُّدَيْس): Imam of the Grand Mosque of Makkah, KSA
• Salām, such as Salam Fayyad (سَلَام فَيَّاض): Palestinian politician
• Jabbār, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (كَرِيم عَبْدُ ٱلْجَبَّار): American basketball player
• Hakīm, such as Sherman "Abdul Hakim" 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 Muhammad Abdul Muqtedar Khan (مُحَمَّد عَبْدُ ٱلمُقْتَدِر خَان): Indian-American academic

List

	Classical Arabic (Quranic/ classical written forms)	Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) (Variant with vowels/ without vowels)	Transliteration	Romanization [Various Spellings]	Translationa	Reference	grammatical typeb
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	ar-Raḥmān/ ar-Raḥmān	ar-Raḥmān [Ar-Rahmaan]	The Beneficent/ All-Compassionate/ Most Gracious/	Quran: Beginning of every Surah (chapter) except one, and numerous other places. The first verse ('ayat) of Surah ar-Rahman (Surah 55) consists only of this Name.	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	ar-Raḥiym/ ar-Raḥīm	ar-Raḥīm [Ar-Raheem]	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.)	D
	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Mālik/ al-Mālik	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	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Quddūs/ al-Quddūs	al-Quddus [al-Quddous, al-Quddoos]	The Holy/ All-Holy/ All-Pure/ Sacred/ All-Sacred	59:23, 62:1	D
	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 \Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	as-Salām/ as-Salām	As-Salām [As-Salaam]	The Giver of Peace/ Peace/ All-Calm/ Ever-Tranquil	59:23	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Muʿumin/ al-Muʿmin	al-Muʿmin	The Granter of Security/ the Giver/ Faith/ Supreme Believer (of Belief)/ Giver of Belief/ All-Assurer	59:23	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Muhaymin	al-Muhaymin	The Controller/ Absolute Authority Over All/ Guardian Over All/ Absolute Master/ Eternal Dominating	59:23	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-ʿAziyz/ al-ʿAzīz	al-ʿAzīz [al-Azeez]	The Exalted in Might and Power/ Exalted/ Powerful/ Almighty/ Mighty	3:6, 4:158, 9:40, 48:7, 59:23	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Jabbār/ al-Jabbār	al-Jabbar [al-Jabbaar]	The Omnipotent/ Supreme Power/ Possessor of Having All Power/ Strong	59:23	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Mutakabbir	al-Mutakabbir	The Possessor of Greatness/ Supreme/ Justly Proud	59:23	D mutafaʿʿil
	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Khāliq/ al-Khāliq	al-Khaliq [al-Khaaliq]	The Creator/ Creator of the Universe/ Maker/ True Originator/ Absolute Author	6:102, 13:16, 36:81, 39:62, 40:62, 59:24	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Bāriʿ/ al-Bāriʿ	al-Bariʿ [al-BaariTemplate:Ar2 al-Baarie]	The Initiator/ Evolver/ Eternal Spirit Worshipped By All, Have Absolute Power Over All Matters, Nature and Events	59:24	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Muṣawwir	al-Musawwir [al-Mussawwir/ al-Muswawwir]	The Fashioner/ Shaper/ Designer/ Artist	59:24	D
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Ghaffār/ al-Ghaffār	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	D
	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Qahhār/ al-Qahhār	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	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Wahhāb/ al-Wahhāb	al-Wahhab [al-Wahhaab]	The Absolute Bestower/ Giver/ Grantor/ Great Donor	38:9, 38:35	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	ar-Razzāq/ ar-Razzāq	Ar-Razzaq [Ar-Razzaaq]	The Provider/ Sustainer/ Bestower of Sustenance/ All-Provider	51:58	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Fattāḥ/ al-Fattāḥ	al-Fattah [al-Fattaah]	The Opener/ Opener of the Gates of Profits/ Reliever/ The Victory Giver	34:26	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Aliym/ al-Alīm	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	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Qābiḍ/ al-Qābiḍ	al-Qabid/ al-Qabidh [al-Qaabid/ al-Qaabidh]	The Restrainer/ Withholder/ Straightener/ Absolute Seizer	2:245	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Bāsiṭ/ al-Bāsiṭ	al-Basit/ al-Basitt [al-Baasit/ al-Baasitt]	The Extender/ Expander/ Generous Provider	2:245	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Khāfiḍ/ al-Khāfiḍ	al-Khafid/ al-Khafidh [al-Khaafid/ al-Khaafidh]	The Abaser/ Humiliator/ Downgrader [Possessor of Giving Comfort, Free from Pain Anxiety or Troubles]	56:3; al-Kafʿamī (1992:38)	O
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	ar-Rāfiʿ/ ar-Rāfiʿ	Ar-Rafiʿ/ Ar-Rafee [Ar-Raafiʿ/ Ar-Raafee]	The Exalter/ Upgrader [of Ranks]	58:11, 6:83	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Muʿizz	al-Muʿizz [al-Muʿeizz]	The Giver of Honor/ Bestower of Honor/ Empowerer	3:26	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-MuḏillTemplate:Ar2al-Mudhill	al-Muzill [al-Mudzhill]	The Giver of Dishonor/ the Giver of Disgrace	3:26	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	as-SamiyʿTemplate:Ar2as-Samīʿ	As-Samiʿ/ As-Samie [As-Sameeʿ]	The Hearing/ All-Hearing/ Hearer of Invocation	2:127, 2:256, 8:17, 49:1	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-BaṣīrTemplate:Ar2al-Baṣīr	al-Basir/ al-Bassir/ al-Baswir [al-Baseer/ al-Basseer/ al-Basweer]	The All-Seeing/ All-Seer/ Ever-Clairvoyant/ Clear-Sighted/ Clear-Seeing	4:58, 17:1, 42:11, 42:27	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Ḥakam	al-Hakam	The Judge/ Arbitrator/ Arbiter/ All-Decree/ Possessor of Authority of Decisions and Judgment	22:69	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-ʿAdl	al-ʿAdl/ al-Edl	The Just/ Authorized and Straightforward Judge of Dealing Justly	Not Quranic, see al-Kafʿamī (1992:40)
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Laṭiyf/ al-Laṭīf	al-Latif / al-Lattif/ al-Latwif [al-Lateef/ al-Latteef/ al-Latweef]	The Gentle/ Benignant/ Subtly Kind/ All-Subtle	22:63, 31:16, 33:34	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Khabiyr/ al-Khabīr	al-Khabir [al-Khabeer]	The All-Aware/ Well-Acquainted/ Ever-Adept	6:18, 17:30, 49:13, 59:18	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Ḥaliym/ al-Ḥalīm	al-Halim [al-Haleem]	The Forbearing/ Indulgent/ Oft Forbearing/ All-Enduring	2:235, 17:44, 22:59, 35:41	A
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-ʿAẓiym/ al-ʿAẓīm	al-ʿAzim, al-ʿAzzim, al-ʿAzwim/ al-Ezim, al-Ezzim, al-Ezwim [al-ʿAzzeem, al-ʿAzweem/ al-Ezzeem, al-Ezweem]	The Most Great/ Ever-Magnificent/ Most Supreme/ Exalted/ Absolute Dignified	2:255, 42:4, 56:96	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Ghafūr/ al-Ghafūr	al-Ghafur [al-Ghafour, al-Ghafoor]	The Ever-Forgiving/ Oft-Forgiving	2:173, 8:69, 16:110, 41:32	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	ash-Shakūr/ ash-Shakūr	ash-Shakur [Ash-Shakour, Ash-Shakoor]	The Grateful/ Appreciative/ Multiplier of Rewards	35:30, 35:34, 42:23, 64:17	A
	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-ʿAlī Template:Ar2/ al-ʿAliyy [[[:Template:Ar2]] = 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	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Kabiyr/ al-Kabīr	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	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Ḥafiyẓ/ al-Ḥafīẓ	al-Hafiz [al-Hafeez]	The Preserver/ Ever-Preserving/ All-Watching/ Protector/ Guardian/ Oft-Conservator	11:57, 34:21, 42:6	A
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Muqiyt/ al-Muqīt	al-Muqit [al-Muqeet]	The Nourisher/ Feeder	4:85	I
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Ḥasiyb/ al-Ḥasīb	al-Hasib [al-Haseeb]	The Bringer of Judgment/ Ever-Reckoner [the One Who Takes Account of All Matters]	4:6, 4:86, 33:39	I
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Jaliyl/ al-Jalīl	al-Jalil [al-Jaleel]	The Majestic/ Exalted/ Oft-Important/ Splendid	55:27, 7:143	A, V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Kariym/ al-Karīm	al-Karim [al-Kareem]	The Noble/ Bountiful/ Generous/ Precious/ Honored/ Benefactor	27:40, 82:6	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	ar-Raqiyb/ ar-Raqīb	Ar-Raqib [Ar-Raqeeb]	The Watchful/ Observer/ Ever-Watchful/ Watcher	4:1, 5:117	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Mujiyb/ al-Mujīb	al-Mujib [al-Mujiyb]	The Responsive/ Answerer/ Supreme Answerer/ Accepter of Invocation	11:61	A
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	’al-Wāsi‘/ ’al-Wāsi‘	al-Wasi‘/ al-Wasie [al-Waasi‘/ al-Waasie]	The Vast/ All-Embracing/ Omnipresent/ Boundless/ All-Encompassing	2:268, 3:73, 5:54	A
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Ḥakiym/ al-Ḥakīm	al-Hakim [al-Hakeem]	The Wise/ Ever-Wise/ Endowed with Sound Judgment	31:27, 46:2, 57:1, 66:2	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Wadūd/ al-Wadūd	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	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Majiyd/ al-Majīd	al-Majid [al-Majeed]	The All-Glorious/ Majestic/ Ever-Illustrious [Oft-Brilliant in Dignity, Achievements or Actions]	11:73	A
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Bāʿith/ al-Bāʿith	al-Baʿith / al-Baʿeith [al-Baaʿith/ al-Baaʿeith]	The Resurrector/ Awakener/ Arouser/ Dispatcher	22:7	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	ash-Shahiyd/ ash-Shahīd	ash-Shahid [Ash-Shaheed]	The Witness/ Testifier/ Ever-Witnessing	4:166, 22:17, 41:53, 48:28	A
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	ʾal-Ḥaqq	al-Haqq	The Truth/ Reality/ the Only One Certainly Sound and Genuine in Truth	6:62, 22:6, 23:116, 24:25	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Wakiyl/ al-Wakīl	al-Wakil [al-Wakeel]	The Trustee, The Dependable, The Advocate	3:173, 4:171, 28:28, 73:9	A
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Qawiyy	al-Qawi [al-Qawee]	The Strong	22:40, 22:74, 42:19, 57:25	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Matiyn/ al-Matīn	al-Matin [al-Mateen]	The Firm, The Steadfast	51:58	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Waliyy	al-Wali [al-Walee]	The Friend, Helper	4:45, 7:196, 42:28, 45:19	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Ḥamiyd/ al-Ḥamīd	al-Hamid [al-Hameed]	The All Praiseworthy	14:8, 31:12, 31:26, 41:42	D
	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Muḥṣiy/ al-Muḥṣī	al-Muhsi [al-Muhsee]	The Accounter, The Numberer of All	72:28, 78:29	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	’al-Mubdi’ [’al-Mubdiy]	al-Mubdiʾ [al-Mubdie]	The Originator, The Producer, The Initiator	10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Muʿiyd/ al-Muʿīd	al-Muʿid [al-Muʿeid/ al-Muʿeyd]	The Restorer, The Reinstater Who Brings Back All	10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13	V
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Muḥ·yi Template:Ar2/ al-Muḥ·yiy [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Muhyi [al-Muhyee]	The Giver of Life	7:158, 15:23, 30:50, 57:2	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Mumiyt/ al-Mumīt	al-Mumit [al-Mumeet]	The Bringer of Death	3:156, 7:158, 15:23, 57:2	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Ḥayy	al-Hayy	The Living	2:255, 3:2, 20:111, 25:58, 40:65	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Qayyūm/ al-Qayyūm	al-Qayyum [al-Qayyoum/ al-Qayyoom]	The Subsisting, The Independent	2:255, 3:2, 20:111	D
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Wājid/ al-Wājid	al-Wajid [al-Waajid]	The Perceiver, The Finder, The Unfailing	38:44	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Mājid/ al-Mājid	al-Majid [al-Maajid]	The Illustrious, The Magnificent, The Glorious	85:15, 11:73; al-Kafʿamī (1992:48)	A
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Wāḥid/ al-Wāḥid	al-Wahid [al-Waahid]	The Unique, The Single	13:16, 14:48, 38:65, 39:4	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-ِِِʿAḥad	al-Ahad	The One, The Indivisible	112:1	A
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	aṣ-ِِِṢamad	As-Samad [As-Ssamad/ As-Swamad]	The Eternal, The Absolute, The Self-Sufficient	112:2	D
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Qādir/ al-Qādir	al-Qadir [al-Qaadir]	The All-Powerful, He Who is able to do Everything	6:65, 46:33, 75:40	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Muqtadir	al-Muqtadir	The Determiner, The Dominant	18:45, 54:42, 6:65	A
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Muqaddim	al-Muqaddim	The Expediter, He Who Brings Forward	16:61	V
	Template:Ar2	\ Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Muʿakh·khir	al-Muʾakhkhir [al-Moʾakhkhir]	The Delayer, He Who Puts Far Away	71:4	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-ʿAwwal	al-Awwal	The First, The Beginning-less	57:3	D
	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-ʿAkhir Template:Ar2/ al-ʿĀkhir [variant] [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Akhir */ al-Aakhir [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	The Last, The Endless	57:3	D
	Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	aẓ-Ẓāhir/ aẓ-Ẓāhir	Az-Zahir/ Az-ZZahir/ Az-Zwahir [Az-Zaahir/ Az-Zzaahir/ Az-Zwaahir]	The Manifest, The Evident, The Outer	57:3	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Bāṭin/ al-Bāṭin	al-Batin/ al-Battin/ al-Batwin [al-Baatin/ al-Baattin/ al-Baatwin]	The Hidden, The Unmanifest, The Inner	57:3	D
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Wāliy/ al-Wālī	al-Wali [al-Waali]	The Patron, The Protecting Friend, The Friendly Lord	13:11	I
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	al-Mutaʿāliy/ al-Mutaʿālī	al-Mutaʿali [al-Muta'aali]	The Supremely Exalted, The Most High	13:9	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-Barr	al-Barr	The Good, The Beneficent	52:28	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	at-Tawwāb/ at-Tawwāb	At-Tawwab [At-Tawwaab]	The Ever-Returning, Ever-Relenting	2:128, 4:64, 49:12, 110:3	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Muntaqim	al-Muntaqim	The Avenger	32:22, 43:41, 44:16	P
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	al-ʿAfuww/ al-ʿAfūw	al-ʿAfu [al-ʿAfou]	The Pardoner, The Effacer, The Forgiver	4:43, 4:99, 4:149, 22:60, 58:2	V, I
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	ar-Raʿwūf/ ar-Raʿūf	Ar-Ra’uf [Ar-Raʿouf/ Ar-Rawʿouf]	The Kind, The Pitying	9:117, 57:9, 59:10	I
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical written form]	Māliku Template:Ar2l-Mulk/ Māliku Template:Ar2l-Mulk	Malik ul-Mulk [Maalik ul-Mulk]	The Owner of all Sovereignty	3:26	D
	\* ذُو ٱلْجَلَـٰلِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ ذُو ٱلْجَلَالِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ [* = classical written form]	\* ذو الجلـٰل والإكرام ذو الجلال والإكرام [* = classical written form]	Ḏuʼl-Jalāli waʼl-ʼIkrām, Dhuʼl-Jalāli waʼl-ʼIkrām/ Ḏuʼl-Jalāli waʼl-ʼIkrām, Dhuʼl-Jalāli waʼl-ʼIkrām/	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	D
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Muqsiṭ	al-Muqsit [al-Muqsitt]	The Equitable, The Requiter	3:18; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58f)	O
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Jāmiʿ/ al-Jāmi	al-Jamiʿ/ al-Jamie [al-Jaamiʿ/ al-Jaamie]	The Gatherer, The Unifier	3:9	I
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	al-Ghāniyy/ al-Ghānī	al-Ghani [al-Ghaani]	The Rich, The Independent	39:7, 47:38, 57:24	I, A, D
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	al-Mugh·niyy/ al-Mugh·nī	al-Mughni	The Enricher, The Emancipator	9:28	V
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Māniʿ/ al-Mānīʿ	al-Maniʿ/ al-Manie [al-Maaniʿ/ al-Maanie]	The Preventer, The Withholder, The Shielder, The Defender	See al-Kafʿamī (1992:61)
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	aḍ-Ḍārr/ aḍ-Ḍārr	Adh-Dharr [Adh-Dhaarr]	The Distressor, The Harmer, The Afflictor	6:17; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58)
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	an-Nāfiʿ/ an-Nāfīʿ	An-NafiTemplate:Ar2 An-Nafie [An-Naafiʿ/ al-Naafie]	The Propitious, The Benefactor, The Source of Good	30:37
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	an-Nūr/ an-Nūr	An-Nur [An-Nour]	The Light	24:35	I
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	al-Hādiy/ al-Hādī	al-Hadi [al-Haadi]	The Guide, The Way	22:54	I
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2	al-Badiyʿ/ al-Badīʿ	al-Badiʿ[al-Badiyʿ/ al-Badiye]	The Originator, The Incomparable, The Unattainable, The Beautiful	2:117, 6:101	I
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	al-Bāqiy/ al-Bāqī	al-Baqi [al-Baaqi]	The Immutable, The Infinite, The Everlasting	55:27; al-Kafʿamī (1992:64)	V
	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2 [* = classical written form]	al-Wārith/ al-Wārith	al-Warith [al-Waarith]	The Heir, The Inheritor of All	15:23, 57:10	P
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	ar-Rashiyd/ ar-Rashīd	Ar-Rashid [Ar-Rasheed]	The Guide to the Right Path	11:87 (Used Not referring to Allah)
	Template:Ar2	Template:Ar2 Template:Ar2	aṣ-Ṣabūr/ aṣ-Ṣabūr	As-Sabur/ As-Ssabur/ As-Swabur [As-Sabour/ As-Ssabour/ As-Swabour]	The Timeless, The Patient	2:153, 3:200, 103:3	I
[[[:Template:Ar2]] = classical calligraphic short written form]
a.      b D = Direct; 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:

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:

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. 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. Sunni mystic Ibn Arabi surmised that the 99 names are "outward signs of the universe's inner mysteries".

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). This "Greatest Name of God" is said to be "the one which if He is called (prayed to) by it, He will answer." The Greatest name of God is 'I Am'

According to a hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Masud, some of the names of God have also been hidden from mankind. 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. 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. Evil angels (shayatin) on the other hand are a manifestation of God's Names of majesty, such as "The Haughty".

Use in Baháʼí sources

Baháʼí sources state that the 100th name was revealed as "Baháʼ" (Arabic: بهاء "glory, splendor"), which appears in the words Bahá'u'lláh and Baháʼí. They also believe that it is the greatest name of God. The Báb wrote a noted pentagram-shaped tablet with 360 morphological derivation of the word "Baháʼ" used in it.

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. In the first verse of the duʿāʾu l-Bahāʾ, the name "Bahāʾ" appears four times.

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 Judaism
• Sahasranama, the Hindu lists of 1000 names of God
• "The Nine Billion Names of God", a short story by Arthur C. Clarke

References

• 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