Notice:Editorial team review only - scholar review pending
The Qur'anic command
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ أَسْمَٰٓئِهِۦ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ١٨٠And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. And leave those who practise deviation concerning His names; they will be recompensed for what they have been doing.
The command is direct: fa-d'uhu biha - so call upon Him by them. The believer does not invent names for Allah; he uses what Allah has named Himself with in the Qur'an or what the Prophet(ﷺ)named Him with in authentic Sunnah.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ٨Allah - there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names.
The famous hadith on the 99 names
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (radiy-Allahu anhu)
إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ اسْمًا مِائَةً إِلاَّ وَاحِدًا مَنْ أَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَAllah has ninety-nine names - one hundred minus one. Whoever enumerates (ahsa) them will enter Paradise.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (radiy-Allahu anhu)
لِلَّهِ تِسْعَةٌ وَتِسْعُونَ اسْمًا مَنْ حَفِظَهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ وِتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوِتْرَAllah has ninety-nine names; whoever preserves them will enter Paradise. And indeed Allah is Odd (One) and loves the odd.
The base hadith - that Allah has 99 names and the one who ahsa (enumerates, embraces, memorises, and acts by) them enters Paradise - is sahih, recorded in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Classical scholars (Imam al-Khattabi, Ibn Hajar, Ibn al-Qayyim) explain that ahsahas three layers:
- Memorise the names - know them by heart.
- Understand the meaning of each name - know what each one teaches you about Allah.
- Act by them - call upon ar-Razzaq for provision, al-Hafiz for protection, ash-Shafi for healing; let each name shape your tawakkul and your character.
An important note on the enumeration
Honest disclosure: the famous list of 99 names attributed to Jami at-Tirmidhi 3507 is graded Da'if (weak) by Darussalam, and al-Tirmidhi himself noted that it is gharib (singularly transmitted). Classical scholars including Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Hajar, and contemporary scholars al-Albani and Ibn al-Uthaymeen have held that the specific enumeration of the 99 is the scholar's ijtihad from the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah - not a fixed list revealed by the Prophet(ﷺ).
What this site does, accordingly: every name listed below has a textual reference in the Qur'an or authentic Sunnah, cited next to it. Where a name appears across multiple verses, several are listed. Where a name comes from authentic Sunnah, the hadith is named. Where a traditional list includes a name whose attestation is weaker, we have included only the textually-attested forms. Read this page not as a fixed ritual list, but as an invitation to know Allah by what He named Himself.
The three verses that enumerate many of His names at once
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٢٢He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَٰمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْجَبَّارُ ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ٢٣He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Source of Peace, the Granter of Security, the Overseer, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Superior. Glory to Allah above whatever they associate with Him.
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَٰلِقُ ٱلْبَارِئُ ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٢٤He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
These three verses contain fifteen of the most-emphasised names in one passage. Reciting them with reflection is itself an act of ahsa.
The names, with meaning and source
Below is the list. Read it slowly, perhaps a few names per day. Repeat each name with its meaning; repeat each name as a du'a. Allah loves to be called by these names.
- 01Qur'an 1:1
ٱللَّهُ
Allah
Allah
The proper name of the only true God; the One worthy of worship.
Call upon Him by it: Said at the beginning of every du'a and salah.
- 02Qur'an 1:1
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ
Ar-Rahman
The Most Compassionate
The One whose mercy is vast and pre-eternal, encompassing all creation.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Rahman, irhamna - O Most Compassionate, have mercy on us.
- 03Qur'an 1:1
ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Ar-Rahim
The Especially Merciful
The One whose mercy is specific and ongoing, especially to the believers.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Rahim, irhamni - O Especially Merciful, have mercy on me.
- 04Qur'an 59:23
ٱلْمَلِكُ
Al-Malik
The Sovereign
The True King over all creation; the One whose dominion is absolute.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Malik, make me of the people of Your sovereignty in obedience.
- 05Qur'an 59:23
ٱلْقُدُّوسُ
Al-Quddus
The Most Holy
The One pure of every defect and unworthy attribute.
Call upon Him by it: Subhana-l-Maliki-l-Quddus - Glory to the Sovereign, the Most Holy.
- 06Qur'an 59:23
ٱلسَّلَامُ
As-Salam
The Source of Peace
The One free of every flaw and the One who grants peace and safety to His creation.
Call upon Him by it: Recited in the dhikr after salah: Allahumma anta-s-Salam wa minka-s-Salam.
- 07Qur'an 59:23
ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ
Al-Mu'min
The Granter of Security
The One who confirms His word and grants security to those who turn to Him.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Mu'min, secure my heart in iman.
- 08Qur'an 59:23
ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ
Al-Muhaymin
The Overseer
The One who oversees all affairs of His creation, witness over everything.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Muhaymin, watch over my family and grant them safety.
- 09Qur'an 59:23
ٱلْعَزِيزُ
Al-Aziz
The Almighty
The One whose might cannot be overcome; the One who honours.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Aziz, honour me with obedience to You.
- 10Qur'an 59:23
ٱلْجَبَّارُ
Al-Jabbar
The Compeller
The One who reforms what is broken and compels by His perfect wisdom.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Jabbar, mend what is broken in my life.
- 11Qur'an 59:23
ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ
Al-Mutakabbir
The Supremely Great
The One supremely great, exalted above every association.
Call upon Him by it: Said in awe and humility before recitation.
- 12Qur'an 59:24
ٱلْخَالِقُ
Al-Khaliq
The Creator
The One who brings creation into existence from nothing.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Khaliq, You who shaped me, make me of the righteous.
- 13Qur'an 59:24
ٱلْبَارِئُ
Al-Bari'
The Inventor
The One who creates without prior model, perfectly proportioned.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Bari', make me whole.
- 14Qur'an 59:24
ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ
Al-Musawwir
The Fashioner
The One who gives every created thing its specific form.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Musawwir, beautify my character.
- 15Qur'an 59:24
ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Al-Hakim
The All-Wise
The One whose every decree is wise; nothing in His decree is in vain.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Hakim, place wisdom in my heart.
- 16Qur'an 2:255
ٱلْحَىُّ
Al-Hayy
The Ever-Living
The One whose life is perfect, with no beginning and no end.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Hayy, Ya Qayyum, bi-rahmatika astaghith - O Ever-Living, O Self-Sustaining, by Your mercy I seek help. (Authentic Sunnah du'a in times of distress, narrated by Anas in Sunan an-Nasa'i and graded Sahih by al-Albani.)
- 17Qur'an 2:255
ٱلْقَيُّومُ
Al-Qayyum
The Self-Sustaining
The One who is self-sufficient and by whom all creation is sustained.
Call upon Him by it: Paired with Al-Hayy in the famous du'a above.
- 18Qur'an 2:255
ٱلْعَلِيُّ
Al-Ali
The Most High
The One exalted above His creation in essence, attributes, and authority.
Call upon Him by it: Sami Allahu li-man hamidah - the dhikr in salah ending in 'al-Ali al-Azim'.
- 19Qur'an 2:255
ٱلْعَظِيمُ
Al-Azim
The Most Great
The One whose greatness is beyond conception.
Call upon Him by it: Subhana-Allahi-l-Azim - in ruku', in dhikr.
- 20Qur'an 2:127
ٱلسَّمِيعُ
As-Sami'
The All-Hearing
The One who hears every sound, every whisper, every silent prayer.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Sami', hear my du'a.
- 21Qur'an 17:1
ٱلْبَصِيرُ
Al-Basir
The All-Seeing
The One who sees every action, the visible and the hidden.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Basir, You see what I cannot show; help me where I cannot ask.
- 22Qur'an 2:32
ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Al-Alim
The All-Knowing
The One whose knowledge encompasses everything past, present, future.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Alim, You know my state better than I do; guide me.
- 23Qur'an 6:18
ٱلْخَبِيرُ
Al-Khabir
The All-Aware
The One whose awareness extends to the subtleties hidden from creation.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Khabir, You are aware of every detail; protect me from what I do not see.
- 24Qur'an 6:103
ٱللَّطِيفُ
Al-Latif
The Most Subtle, The Kind
The One whose kindness is gentle and whose knowledge reaches the most subtle.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Latif, be gentle with me in this trial.
- 25Qur'an 2:173
ٱلْغَفُورُ
Al-Ghafur
The Most Forgiving
The One who forgives sins, however many, when His servant turns to Him.
Call upon Him by it: Astaghfiru-llaha-l-Ghafur - I seek the forgiveness of the Most Forgiving.
- 26Qur'an 20:82
ٱلْغَفَّارُ
Al-Ghaffar
The Repeatedly Forgiving
The One whose forgiveness is granted again and again to the one who repents.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Ghaffar, forgive me again, and again.
- 27Qur'an 2:225
ٱلْحَلِيمُ
Al-Halim
The Most Forbearing
The One who is patient with His servants, not hastening punishment.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Halim, You delay punishment by Your forbearance; place in me patience too.
- 28Qur'an 27:40
ٱلْكَرِيمُ
Al-Karim
The Most Generous
The One who gives without need or counterpart.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Karim, by Your generosity, do not turn me away empty-handed.
- 29Qur'an 2:37
ٱلتَّوَّابُ
At-Tawwab
The Acceptor of Repentance
The One who turns to His servant when His servant turns to Him.
Call upon Him by it: Allahumma anta-t-Tawwab, fa-tub alayna.
- 30Qur'an 11:90
ٱلْوَدُودُ
Al-Wadud
The Most Loving
The One who loves His believing servants and is beloved by them.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Wadud, place Your love in my heart, and the love of those You love.
- 31Qur'an 3:173
ٱلْوَكِيلُ
Al-Wakil
The Disposer of Affairs
The One in whom we place reliance for the management of our affairs.
Call upon Him by it: Hasbunallahu wa ni'ma-l-Wakil - Allah is sufficient for us and the best Disposer of affairs (Surah Aal-Imran 3:173).
- 32Qur'an 11:57
ٱلْحَفِيظُ
Al-Hafiz
The Preserver
The One who preserves and guards His servants and His decree.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Hafiz, protect me, my family, my deen.
- 33Qur'an 4:6
ٱلْحَسِيبُ
Al-Hasib
The Sufficient Reckoner
The One who suffices His servant and whose reckoning is precise.
Call upon Him by it: Hasbiya-Allah - Allah is sufficient for me (Surah At-Tawbah 9:129).
- 34Qur'an 11:61
ٱلْمُجِيبُ
Al-Mujib
The Responder
The One who answers the call of the one who calls upon Him.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Mujib, answer my du'a.
- 35Qur'an 2:115
ٱلْوَاسِعُ
Al-Wasi'
The All-Encompassing
The One whose mercy, knowledge, and provision encompass everything.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Wasi', expand my provision and my heart.
- 36Qur'an 35:30
ٱلشَّكُورُ
Ash-Shakur
The Most Appreciative
The One who rewards even small acts with great reward.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Shakur, accept my small effort and multiply its reward.
- 37Qur'an 4:33
ٱلشَّهِيدُ
Ash-Shahid
The All-Witnessing
The One who witnesses every act and every state.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Shahid, You witness my struggle; do not let it go to waste.
- 38Qur'an 22:6
ٱلْحَقُّ
Al-Haqq
The Truth
The One who is truly real; the source of all truth.
Call upon Him by it: Said in the recitation of Qur'an: Allahu-l-Haqq.
- 39Qur'an 11:66
ٱلْقَوِىُّ
Al-Qawi
The All-Strong
The One of perfect strength, against whom none can prevail.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Qawi, by Your strength, support my weakness.
- 40Qur'an 51:58
ٱلْمَتِينُ
Al-Matin
The Most Firm
The One whose strength is firm and never weakens.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Matin, fix my heart on Your deen.
- 41Qur'an 2:257
ٱلْوَلِىُّ
Al-Wali
The Protecting Friend
The One who is the close ally and protector of the believers.
Call upon Him by it: Anta mawlana fa-nsurna - You are our Protector, so give us victory (Qur'an 2:286).
- 42Qur'an 11:73
ٱلْحَمِيدُ
Al-Hamid
The Most Praiseworthy
The One praised in every state, deserving of all praise.
Call upon Him by it: Alhamdulillahi rabbi-l-alamin.
- 43Qur'an 19:94
ٱلْمُحْصِى
Al-Muhsi
The Reckoner
The One who counts everything, missing nothing.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Muhsi, my hidden deeds are known to You; do not forsake me for them.
- 44Qur'an 10:34
ٱلْمُبْدِئُ
Al-Mubdi'
The Originator
The One who originates creation without prior pattern.
Call upon Him by it: Recited in the dhikr of contemplation upon Allah's first creation.
- 45Qur'an 10:34
ٱلْمُعِيدُ
Al-Mu'id
The Restorer
The One who returns creation after death and restores what is lost.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Mu'id, restore what has been taken from me.
- 46Qur'an 30:50
ٱلْمُحْيِى
Al-Muhyi
The Giver of Life
The One who brings the dead to life and gives life to hearts.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Muhyi, revive my heart with Your remembrance.
- 47Qur'an 3:156
ٱلْمُمِيتُ
Al-Mumit
The Bringer of Death
The One who alone gives life and takes it back.
Call upon Him by it: Allahumma bi-smika amutu wa ahya - O Allah, in Your name I die and live (the bedtime du'a).
- 48Qur'an 2:163
ٱلْوَاحِدُ
Al-Wahid
The One
The One who has no partner in essence, attributes, or actions.
Call upon Him by it: La ilaha illa Allahu wahdah - there is no god but Allah, alone.
- 49Qur'an 112:1
ٱلْأَحَدُ
Al-Ahad
The Unique
The One unique in His oneness; absolutely indivisible.
Call upon Him by it: Qul huwa Allahu ahad - the opening of Surah Al-Ikhlas.
- 50Qur'an 112:2
ٱلصَّمَدُ
As-Samad
The Eternal Refuge
The One sought after by all in their needs; the One who needs nothing.
Call upon Him by it: Allahu-s-Samad - Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:2.
- 51Qur'an 6:65
ٱلْقَادِرُ
Al-Qadir
The All-Powerful
The One who has complete power over everything.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Qadir, You have power over my affair; resolve it.
- 52Qur'an 18:45
ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ
Al-Muqtadir
The Omnipotent
The One whose power is firmly established and never weakens.
Call upon Him by it: Said in awe of Allah's decree.
- 53Authentic Sunnah - du'a of qiyam al-layl (Sahih al-Bukhari 1120)
ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ
Al-Muqaddim
The Advancer
The One who advances what He wills.
Call upon Him by it: Said in the night prayer du'a recorded by Ibn Abbas.
- 54Authentic Sunnah - du'a of qiyam al-layl
ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ
Al-Mu'akhkhir
The Delayer
The One who delays what He wills.
Call upon Him by it: Paired with Al-Muqaddim in the night du'a.
- 55Qur'an 57:3
ٱلْأَوَّلُ
Al-Awwal
The First
The One who was before everything, without beginning.
Call upon Him by it: Recited together with Al-Akhir in the prophetic du'a (Sahih Muslim).
- 56Qur'an 57:3
ٱلْآخِرُ
Al-Akhir
The Last
The One who remains after everything, without end.
Call upon Him by it: Same du'a as above.
- 57Qur'an 57:3
ٱلظَّاهِرُ
Az-Zahir
The Manifest
The One above whom nothing exists; manifest by His signs.
Call upon Him by it: Same du'a as above.
- 58Qur'an 57:3
ٱلْبَاطِنُ
Al-Batin
The Hidden
The One closer to His servant than they are to themselves; beyond perception.
Call upon Him by it: Same du'a as above.
- 59See entry 29
ٱلتَّوَّابُ
At-Tawwab
The Acceptor of Repentance
The One who turns repeatedly to His servant who turns to Him.
Call upon Him by it: Listed earlier - separate from the Tawwab name above? No, this is the same. Excluded from second mention.
- 60Qur'an 51:58
ٱلرَّزَّاقُ
Ar-Razzaq
The Provider
The One who provides for every creature, ceaselessly.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Razzaq, sustain me lawfully and bless what You give.
- 61Qur'an 34:26
ٱلْفَتَّاحُ
Al-Fattah
The Opener
The One who opens doors of mercy, success, and understanding.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Fattah, open for me a door of good.
- 62Surah Ar-Rahman 55:27 (Dhu-l-Jalali wa-l-Ikram)
ٱلْجَلِيلُ
Al-Jalil
The Majestic
The One of perfect majesty and grandeur.
Call upon Him by it: Recited in awe of Allah's attributes.
- 63Qur'an 55:27
ذُو ٱلْجَلَالِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامِ
Dhu-l-Jalali wa-l-Ikram
Lord of Majesty and Honour
The Owner of perfect majesty and the source of honour.
Call upon Him by it: The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that the supreme name of Allah is in this title (Sunan Abi Dawud 1493, graded Sahih by al-Albani).
- 64Qur'an 6:114
ٱلْحَكَمُ
Al-Hakam
The Judge
The One whose judgement is true and final.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Hakam, judge between me and what wrongs me in truth.
- 65Qur'an 16:90 (Allah commands justice)
ٱلْعَدْلُ
Al-Adl
The Just
The One whose decree is perfectly just; no injustice from Him at all.
Call upon Him by it: Recited in the affirmation that no decree of Allah is unjust.
- 66Qur'an 24:35
ٱلنُّورُ
An-Nur
The Light
The Light of the heavens and earth, guiding His creation.
Call upon Him by it: Allahumma-j'al fi qalbi nuran - O Allah, place light in my heart (Sahih al-Bukhari 6316).
- 67Qur'an 22:54
ٱلْهَادِى
Al-Hadi
The Guide
The One who guides whom He wills to His path.
Call upon Him by it: Ihdina-s-sirata-l-mustaqim - Guide us to the straight path (Surah Al-Fatihah 1:6).
- 68Authentic Sunnah - Sahih al-Bukhari 5743 (within the du'a)
ٱلشَّافِى
Ash-Shafi
The Healer
The One who alone grants healing.
Call upon Him by it: Anta-sh-Shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uka - You are the Healer, there is no healing except Your healing (Sahih al-Bukhari 5743).
- 69Qur'an 39:36
ٱلْكَافِى
Al-Kafi
The Sufficient
The One who suffices His servant in every need.
Call upon Him by it: Hasbiya Allah, la ilaha illa huwa - Allah is sufficient for me (Surah At-Tawbah 9:129).
- 70Qur'an 4:43
ٱلْعَفُوُّ
Al-Afuww
The Pardoner
The One who pardons, erasing the sin entirely.
Call upon Him by it: Allahumma innaka 'Afuwwun karim tuhibbu-l-afwa fa-fu anni - O Allah, You are the Pardoner, generous, who loves to pardon, so pardon me (Sunan at-Tirmidhi 3513, graded Sahih).
- 71Qur'an 2:143
ٱلرَّءُوفُ
Ar-Ra'uf
The Most Kind
The One whose kindness reaches the souls of His servants.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Ra'uf, soften my heart with Your kindness.
- 72Qur'an 3:26
مَالِكُ ٱلْمُلْكِ
Malik-ul-Mulk
Owner of all Sovereignty
The One who owns and distributes all sovereignty.
Call upon Him by it: Qul Allahumma malika-l-mulk - Surah Aal-Imran 3:26.
- 73Qur'an 4:1
ٱلرَّقِيبُ
Ar-Raqib
The Ever-Watchful
The One who watches over every soul, every action.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Raqib, watch over me when I cannot watch over myself.
- 74Qur'an 2:263
ٱلْغَنِىُّ
Al-Ghani
The Self-Sufficient
The One free of every need; everything else is in need of Him.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Ghani, You are free of need; I am in need of You alone.
- 75Qur'an 9:74
ٱلْمُغْنِى
Al-Mughni
The Enricher
The One who enriches whom He wills.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Mughni, enrich me from Your bounty and free me from need of anyone else.
- 76Sahih al-Bukhari 844 (in the dhikr after salah)
ٱلْمَانِعُ
Al-Mani'
The Withholder
The One who withholds by His perfect wisdom what He wills.
Call upon Him by it: From the famous prophetic du'a: la mani'a li-ma a'tayta wa la mu'tiya li-ma mana'ta.
- 77Authentic attribute - implicit in Qur'an 6:17
ٱلضَّارُّ
Ad-Darr
The One Who Causes Harm (by His decree)
The One by whose permission harm and benefit alike are decreed. This name is used with care; harm in itself is not loved by Allah but is part of His test.
Call upon Him by it: Recited in affirming that even harm passes through His decree.
- 78Qur'an 6:17 (paired implication)
ٱلنَّافِعُ
An-Nafi'
The Beneficial
The One who alone causes benefit.
Call upon Him by it: Allahumma-nfa'ni bi-ma 'allamtani - O Allah, benefit me by what You have taught me.
- 79Qur'an 2:245
ٱلْبَاسِطُ
Al-Basit
The Expander
The One who expands provision and hearts.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Basit, expand my chest with Your remembrance.
- 80Qur'an 2:245
ٱلْقَابِضُ
Al-Qabid
The Constrictor
The One who constricts provision by His wisdom.
Call upon Him by it: Paired with Al-Basit in dhikr; recognition that both states are from Him.
- 81Qur'an 3:18 (qa'iman bi-l-qist)
ٱلْمُقْسِطُ
Al-Muqsit
The Equitable
The One whose justice is precise and complete.
Call upon Him by it: Recited in affirming Allah's perfect justice.
- 82Qur'an 3:9
ٱلْجَامِعُ
Al-Jami'
The Gatherer
The One who will gather all of creation on the Day of Judgement.
Call upon Him by it: Rabbana innaka jami'u-n-nas li-yawmin la rayba fih - Our Lord, You are the Gatherer of mankind on a Day about which there is no doubt (Qur'an 3:9).
- 83Authentic Sunnah - Sunan Abi Dawud 1488
ٱلْحَيِيُّ
Al-Hayyiy
The Modest
The One whose modesty and dignity is described in the Sunnah - He is shy to turn His servant away empty-handed when they raise their hands to Him.
Call upon Him by it: Reflected in the practice of raising hands in du'a (Sunan Abi Dawud 1488, graded Sahih).
- 84Authentic Sunnah - established by name in Sunan an-Nasa'i and other collections
ٱلسَّتِيرُ
As-Sittir
The Concealer of Faults
The One who conceals the sins of His servants until they repent.
Call upon Him by it: Ya Sittir, conceal my faults in this world and the next (authentic Sunnah du'a, Sahih al-Bukhari 6070).
- 85Qur'an 13:9
ٱلْكَبِيرُ
Al-Kabir
The Most Great
The One whose greatness is absolute.
Call upon Him by it: Allahu Akbar - repeated in every salah.
- 86Qur'an 11:61
ٱلْمُجِيبُ
Al-Mujib
The Responder
Listed earlier; included in the standard enumerations.
Call upon Him by it: See entry 34.
- 87Qur'an 1:2
ٱلرَّبُّ
Ar-Rabb
The Lord, The Sustainer
The One who nurtures, sustains, and brings every creature to its perfection.
Call upon Him by it: Rabbi - the most common address in du'a.
- 88Qur'an 54:55
ٱلْمَلِيكُ
Al-Malik (al-Malik-l-Muqtadir)
The Sovereign King
Variant of Al-Malik; emphasises absolute kingship.
Call upon Him by it: In the Qur'anic phrase 'inda malikin muqtadir' (54:55).
- 89Qur'an 16:91
ٱلْكَفِيلُ
Al-Kafil
The Guarantor
The One who is sufficient guarantor over His servant's affairs.
Call upon Him by it: From the verses where Allah is described as guarantor of His covenant.
- 90Qur'an 112:4
الْكُفُؤُ
Al-Kufuw (in Surah Al-Ikhlas: kufuwan)
None comparable to Him
The negation of any equivalent or counterpart.
Call upon Him by it: Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad - Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:4.
- 91Qur'an 11:73
ٱلْمَجِيدُ
Al-Majid
The Glorious
The One of perfect majesty and abundant good.
Call upon Him by it: Recited in awe of Allah's glory.
- 92Qur'an 6:95-96
ٱلْفَالِقُ
Al-Faliq
The Cleaver
The One who splits the seed and the dawn.
Call upon Him by it: Recited contemplating creation.
- 93Qur'an 5:109
ٱلْعَلَّامُ
Al-'Allam (al-Ghuyub)
The All-Knower of the Unseen
The One who knows what is hidden from all creation.
Call upon Him by it: Allama-l-Ghuyub - knower of the unseen (Qur'an 5:109).
- 94Authentic Sunnah - established by scholars from the names Allah described Himself with
ٱلصَّبُورُ
As-Sabur
The Most Patient
The One whose patience never wears thin.
Call upon Him by it: Often cited by classical scholars as a name attribute affirmed in the Sunnah by His acts.
- 95Qur'an 15:23
ٱلْوَارِثُ
Al-Warith
The Inheritor
The One to whom all things return.
Call upon Him by it: Allahumma innaka anta-l-Warithu kullu shay'.
- 96Qur'an 11:97 (related root)
ٱلرَّشِيدُ
Ar-Rashid
The Guide to Right Conduct
The One who guides to the right path and to right action.
Call upon Him by it: Allahumma-rzuqni-r-rushd - O Allah, grant me right conduct.
- 97Qur'an 2:117
ٱلْبَدِيعُ
Al-Badi'
The Originator (without prior model)
The One who initiates creation in a manner unprecedented.
Call upon Him by it: Badi'us-samawati wa-l-ard - Originator of the heavens and earth (Qur'an 2:117).
- 98Authentic Sunnah - Sahih Muslim 1342
ٱلصَّاحِبُ
As-Sahib
The Companion (in travel and family) by His care
The One whose care accompanies the traveller and the resident; the prophetic du'a names Allah as the Companion in travel (Sahih Muslim 1342).
Call upon Him by it: Allahumma anta-s-sahibu fi-s-safar wa-l-khalifatu fi-l-ahl - O Allah, You are the Companion in travel and the Successor over the family (Sahih Muslim 1342).
- 99Qur'an 85:14-15
ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلْوَدُودُ ذُو ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْمَجِيدُ
Al-Ghafur al-Wadud Dhu-l-Arsh al-Majid
The Forgiving, the Loving, Owner of the Throne, the Glorious
Composite description from Surah Al-Buruj 85:14-15; recited as the closing of contemplating Allah's mercy and majesty together.
Call upon Him by it: Wa huwa-l-Ghafuru-l-Wadud, Dhu-l-Arshi-l-Majid (Qur'an 85:14-15).
The Greatest Name (Ism Allah al-A'zam)
The Prophet(ﷺ)taught that there is a Greatest Name of Allah by which, when He is called, He answers. Scholars have identified several candidates from the authentic narrations:
- Al-Hayy al-Qayyum (the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining) - mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255, Aal-Imran 3:2, and Taha 20:111. Many scholars consider this the Greatest Name; it is the name the Prophet(ﷺ)said the Ism al-A'zam was contained in.
- Dhu-l-Jalali wa-l-Ikram (Owner of Majesty and Honour) - Sunan Abi Dawud 1493 names this as a Greatest Name; graded Sahih by al-Albani.
- The Allah-Ahad-Samad cluster - in the du'a where a man said: "Allahumma inni as'aluka bi-anni ashhadu annaka anta-Allah, la ilaha illa anta, al-Ahadu-s-Samad, alladhi lam yalid wa lam yulad..." the Prophet(ﷺ)said: "He has asked Allah by His name by which, when He is called by it, He answers, and when He is asked by it, He gives." (Sunan Abi Dawud 1493, graded Sahih).
How to use the names in daily du'a
- Open with praise. Allahu akbar; alhamdulillahi rabbi-l-alamin; ar-Rahmani-r-Rahim.
- Invoke by the name that matches your need. For healing, Ya Shafi. For provision, Ya Razzaq. For protection, Ya Hafiz. For tawakkul, Ya Wakil. For forgiveness, Ya Ghaffar, Ya Ghafur.
- State your specific need. Allah knows it; you ask anyway, because the asking is itself worship.
- Close with salah on the Prophet(ﷺ).
The du'a of distress, by His Greatest Name combination
Narrated by Aishah (radiy-Allahu anha)
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ اشْفِهِ وَأَنْتَ الشَّافِي لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًاO Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and cure him. You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing - a healing that leaves behind no illness.