The grandness of Allah the Almighty is impossible to comprehend. Allah (SWT) is the Creator and Lord of the Worlds. All aspects of life – from our possessions to the living things around us – were granted and created by him. There is nothing like Him, nor will there ever be anything that matches Him.
The name “Allah” itself does not have a dual or plural form. It exists solely as a singular noun and is not derived from root letters, nor are any adjectives derived from the name. The name also cannot be given or used to describe anyone else.
As such, the attributes of Allah (SWT) are never comparable with those of the created. They are all perfect and completely free from any shortcomings or defects. This is confirmed to be true within many verses of the Quran, the word of Allah (SWT), some of which dictate:
‘Allah is free from need of the worlds” (3:97)
“...Nothing in the heavens or the earth can escape Him as He is All-Knowing and All-Powerful (Qur’an, 35:44).
“When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is.” (Qur’an, 2:117).
Pondering over these attributes means growing to understand and know Allah (SWT) in accordance with them, particularly through His 99 beautiful names.
So what are the 99 names of Allah (SWT)?
The 99 Names of Allah (Al Asma Ul Husna)
The first pillar of Islam is Belief in Allah (SWT) and it is our duty as Muslims to believe in Allah (SWT) in accordance with His beautiful names and attributes. These names are repeated within the Quran so that we can understand who He is and memorise these attributes.
As it says in the Quran: “Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names.” (Quran 20:8)
Just as Allah cannot be used for anyone other than Him, these 99 names are unique to Allah (SWT). And there is nothing more sacred and blessed than understanding the names of Allah and living by them.
In a hadith narrated by Abu Huraira, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise.”
Thus, it is these 99 names that we should keep in our hearts and associate with Allah (SWT)
- Ar-Rahman (الرَّحْمَنُ) – The Beneficent
- Ar-Raheem (الرَّحِيمُ) – The Merciful
- Al-Malik (الْمَلِكُ) – The King
- Al-Quddus (الْقُدُّوسُ) – The Most Sacred
- As-Salam (السَّلاَمُ) – The Source of Peace, The Flawless
- Al-Mu’min (الْمُؤْمِنُ) – The Infuser of Faith
- Al Muhaymin (الْمُهَيْمِنُ) – The Preserver of Safety
- Al-Aziz (الْعَزِيزُ) – All Mighty
- Al-Jabbar (الْجَبَّارُ) – The Compeller, The Restorer
- Al-Mutakabbir (ُالْمُتَكَبِّر) – The Supreme, The Majestic
- Al-Khaaliq (الْخَالِقُ) – The Creator, The Maker
- Al-Baari (الْبَارِئُ) – The Evolver
- Al-Musawwir (الْمُصَوِّرُ) – The Fashioner
- Al-Ghaffar (الْغَفَّارُ) – The Great Forgiver
- Al-Qahhar (الْقَهَّارُ) – The All-Prevailing One
- Al Wahhaab (الْوَهَّابُ) – The Supreme Bestower
- Ar-Razzaaq (الرَّزَّاقُ) – The Provider
- Al-Fattaah (الْفَتَّاحُ) – The Supreme Solver
- Al-‘Aleem (اَلْعَلِيْمُ ) – The All-Knowing
- Al-Qaabid (الْقَابِضُ) – The Withholder
- Al-Baasit (الْبَاسِطُ) – The Extender
- Al-Khaafidh (الْخَافِضُ) – The Reducer
- Ar-Raafi’ (الرَّافِعُ ) – The Exalter, The Elevator
- Al-Mu’izz (الْمُعِزُّ ) – The Honourer, The Bestower
- Al-Muzil (ٱلْمُذِلُّ) – The Dishonourer, The Humiliator
- As-Samee’ (السَّمِيعُ) – The All-Hearing
- Al-Baseer (الْبَصِيرُ) – The All-Seeing
- Al-Hakim (الْحَكَمُ) – The Impartial Judge
- Al-’Adl (الْعَدْلُ) – The Utterly Just
- Al-Lateef (اللَّطِيفُ) – The Subtle One, The Most Gentle
- Al-Khabeer (الْخَبِيرُ) – The All-Aware
- Al-Haleem (الْحَلِيمُ) – The Most Forbearing
- Al-Azeem (الْعَظِيمُ) – The Magnificent, The Supreme
- Al-Ghafoor (الْغَفُور) – The Great Forgiver
- Ash-Shakoor (الشَّكُورُ) – The Most Appreciative
- Al-‘Alee (الْعَلِيُّ) – The Most High, The Exalted
- Al-Kabeer (الْكَبِيرُ) – The Most Great
- Al-Hafeedh (الْحَفِيظُ) – The Preserver
- Al-Muqeet (المُقيِت) – The Sustainer
- Al-Haseen (اﻟْﺣَسِيبُ) – The Reckoner
- Al-Jaleel (الْجَلِيلُ ) – The Majestic
- Al-Kareem (الْكَرِيمُ) – The Most Generous, The Most Esteemed
- Ar-Raqeeb (الرَّقِيبُ) – The Watchful
- Al-Mujeeb (ٱلْمُجِيبُ) – The Responsive One
- Al-Waasi’ (الْوَاسِعُ) – The All-Encompassing, the Boundless
- Al-Hakeem (الْحَكِيمُ) – The All-Wise
- Al-Wadud (الْوَدُودُ) – The Most Loving
- Al-Majeed (الْمَجِيدُ) – The Glorious, The Most Honorable
- Al-Ba’ith (الْبَاعِثُ ) – The Infuser of New Life
- Ash-Shaheed (الشَّهِيدُ) – The All Observing Witnessing
- Al-Haq (الْحَقُ) – The Absolute Truth
- Al-Wakeel (الْوَكِيلُ) – The Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs
- Al-Qawiyy (الْقَوِيُ) – The All-Strong
- Al-Mateen (الْمَتِينُ) – The Firm, The Steadfast
- Al-Waliyy (الْوَلِيُّ ) – The Protecting Associate
- Al-Hameed (الْحَمِيدُ) – The Praiseworthy
- Al-Muhsee (الْمُحْصِي) – The All-Enumerating, The Counter
- Al-Mubdi (الْمُبْدِئُ) – The Originator, The Initiator
- Al Mueed (ٱلْمُعِيدُ) – The Restorer, The Reinstater
- Al-Muhyi (الْمُحْيِي) – The Giver of Life
- Al-Mumeet (اَلْمُمِيتُ) – The Creator of Death
- Al-Hayy (الْحَيُّ) – The Ever-Living
- Al-Qayyoom (الْقَيُّومُ) – The Sustainer, The Self-Subsisting
- Al-Waajid (الْوَاجِدُ) – The Perceiver
- Al-Maajid (الْمَاجِدُ) – The Illustrious, the Magnificent
- Al-Waahid (الْواحِدُ) – The One
- Al-Ahad (اَلاَحَدُ) – The Unique, The Only One
- As-Samad (الصَّمَدُ) – The Eternal, Satisfier of Needs
- Al-Qadeer (الْقَادِرُ) – The Omnipotent One
- Al-Muqtadir (الْمُقْتَدِرُ) – The Powerful
- Al-Muqaddim (الْمُقَدِّمُ) – The Expediter, The Promoter
- Al Mu’akhkhir (الْمُؤَخِّرُ) – The Delayer
- Al-Awwal (الأوَّلُ ) – The First
- Al-Aakhir (الآخِرُ ) – The Last
- Az-Zaahir (الظَّاهِرُ) – The Manifest
- Al-Baatin (الْبَاطِنُ) – The Hidden One, Knower of the Hidden
- Al-Waali (الْوَالِي) – The Sole Governor
- Al-Muta’ali (الْمُتَعَالِي) – The Self Exalted
- Al-Barr (الْبَرُّ) – The Source of All Goodness
- At-Tawwab (التَّوَابُ) – The Ever-Pardoning, The Relenting
- Al-Muntaqim (الْمُنْتَقِمُ) – The Avenger
- Al-‘Afuww (العَفُوُ ) – The Pardoner
- Ar-Ra’oof (الرَّؤُوفُ) – The Most Kind
- Maalik-Ul-Mulk (َمَالِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ) – Master of the Kingdom, Owner of the Dominion
- Dhul-Jalaali Wal-Ikraam (ذُوالْجَلاَلِ وَالإكْرَامِ) – Lord of Glory and Honour, Lord of Majesty and Generosity
- Al-Muqsit (الْمُقْسِطُ) – The Just One
- Al-Jaami’ (الْجَامِعُ) – The Gatherer, the Uniter
- Al-Ghaniyy (ٱلْغَنيُّ) – The Self-Sufficient, The Wealthy
- Al-Mughni (ٱلْمُغْنِيُّ) – The Enricher
- Al-Mani’ (اَلْمَانِعُ) – The Withholder
- Ad-Dharr (الضَّارَ) – The Distresser
- An-Nafi’ (النَّافِعُ) – The Propitious, the Benefactor
- An-Nur (النُّورُ) – The Light, The Illuminator
- Al-Haadi (الْهَادِي) – The Guide
- Al-Badee’ (الْبَدِيعُ) – The Incomparable Originator
- Al-Baaqi (اَلْبَاقِي) – The Everlasting
- Al-Waarith (الْوَارِثُ) – The Inheritor, The Heir
- Ar-Rasheed (الرَّشِيدُ) – The Guide, Infallible Teacher
- As-Saboor (الصَّبُورُ) – The Forbearing, The Patient
How Do We Memorise the Names of Allah (SWT)?
One of the best ways to learn the 99 Names of Allah is through using aides to help commit them to memory. Listen to a podcast that goes through each name in detail and the specific Quranic verses, ahadith and duas that uses them. You can also get advice from a scholar or Arabic teacher and ask them to help you with pronunciation.
There are also several books available at your local Islamic bookstore, such as Darussalam, that similarly go into detail about Allah’s (SWT) Names that are suited for all levels and learning styles.
Books like I Know The 99 Beautiful Names Of Allah Talking Book are perfect for both children and adults who enjoy vibrant colours and learning through sound.
For art lovers, The Beautiful Names of Allah Exhibition is a beautiful guide to the 99 names of Allah (SWT) and is an official product straight from the exhibition in Medinah – the city of the Prophet (ﷺ).
For more information on the books that help you learn the 99 beautiful names and attributes of Allah (SWT), view our Darussalam catalogue or contact us!