Jump to content

Names of God in Islam

From Niidae Wiki

Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Redirect Template:External links Template:Allah

Names of God in Islam (Template:Langx) are 99 names that each contain Attributes of God in Islam,<ref name="Muhammad al-Sharif attributes of God">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="names and attributes difference; Risala" /><ref name="names and attributes difference; al-Hanan">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Onomastics between Sacred and Profane" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> which are implied by the respective names.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

These names usually denote his praise, gratitude, commendation, glorification, magnification, perfect attributes, majestic qualities, and acts of wisdom, mercy, benefit, and justice from Allah, as believed by Muslims. These names are commonly called upon by Muslims during prayers, supplications, and remembrance, as they hold significant spiritual and theological importance, serving as a means for Muslims to connect with God. Each name reflects a specific attribute of Allah and serves as a means for believers to understand and relate to the Divine.

Some names are known from either the Qur’an or the hadith, while others can be found in both sources, although most are found in the Qur’an.<ref name="morg10" /> Additionally, Muslims also believe that there are more names of God besides those found in the Qur'an and hadith and that God has kept knowledge of these names hidden with himself, and no one else knows them completely and fully except him.

List of names

[edit]

Different sources give different lists of the 99 names. The most commonly known list is based on the one found in the Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi (9th century) that was narrated by al-Walid ibn Muslim, which is the most commonly known.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> However, al-Tirmidhi comments on his list: "This (version of the) hadith is gharib [unusual]; it has been narrated from various routes on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, but we do not know of the mention of the Names in the numerous narrations, except this one." Other hadiths, such as those of al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi or Ibn ʿAsākir, have variant lists. Various early Muslim exegetes, including Jaʿfar al-Sadiq, Sufyan ibn `Uyaynah, Ibn Hazm, al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, have given their own versions of lists of 99 names.

al-Tirmidhi's list

[edit]
Pronunciation Classical Arabic

(Quranic/ classical written forms)<ref>Please note the written Arabic spelling of the names written in Arabic in the table are in the vowelled Classical/Quranic form (proper = in the Quran and Ahādith) with the square bracketed "[.]" variant of the written Arabic forms given in common or modern texts—usually in media, some long vowels and punctuations are omitted for the easier typing and reading.</ref>

Romanization Translation Reference

Template:Audio
Template:Huge ar-Raḥmān The Most Merciful (in major affairs)/<ref name="Rahman Rahim difference">Template:Cite book</ref> The Beneficent/ All-Compassionate/ Most Gracious/ Quran: Beginning of every Surah (chapter) except one, and numerous other places. The first Ayah (verse) of Surah ar-Raḥman (Surah 55) consists only of this name.
Template:Audio Template:Huge ar-Raḥīm The Most Merciful/ Ever-Merciful/ Merciful/ Most Clement (in specific or detailed affairs).<ref name="Rahman Rahim difference" /> Quran: Beginning of every Surah except one, and numerous other places.
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Malik The King/ Lord/ Sovereign/ Dominion/ Master/Possessor of the Throne of God.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref>

[also means "the God/ Lord, the One and Only", "Possessor of Supreme Power or Authority"]

Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Quddūs The Holy/ All-Holy/ All-Pure/ Sacred/ All-Sacred Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge as-Salām The Giver of Peace/ Peace/ All-Calm/ Ever-Tranquil Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muʾmin The Granter of Security/ the Giver/ Faith/ Supreme Believer (of Belief)/ Giver of Belief/ All-Assurer Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muhaymin The Controller/ Absolute Authority Over All/ Guardian Over All/ Absolute Master/ Eternal Dominating Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-ʿAzīz The Exalted in Might and Power/ Exalted/ Powerful/ Almighty/ Mighty Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran,Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Jabbār The Omnipotent/ Supreme Power/ Possessor of Having All Power/ Strong Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Mutakabbir The Possessor of Greatness/ Supreme/ Justly Proud Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Khāliq The Creator/ Creator of the Universe/ Maker/ True Originator/ Absolute Author Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Bāriʾ The Initiator/ Evolver/ Eternal Spirit Worshipped By All, Have Absolute Power Over All Matters, Nature and Events Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muṣawwir The Fashioner/ Shaper/ Designer/ Artist Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ghaffār The Repeatedly Forgiving/ Absolute Forgiver/ Pardoner/ Condoner

[He Who is Ready to Pardon and Forgive]

Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran, Template:Cite Quran
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Qahhār 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
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Wahhāb The Absolute Bestower/ Giver/ Grantor/ Great Donor 38:9, 38:35
Template:Audio Template:Huge ar-Razzāq The Provider/ Sustainer/ Bestower of Sustenance/ All-Provider 51:58
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Fattāḥ The Opener/ Opener of the Gates of Profits/ Reliever/ The Victory Giver 34:26
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-ʿAlīm 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
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Qābiḍ The Restrainer/ Withholder/ Straightener/ Absolute Seizer 2:245
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Bāsiṭ The Extender/ Expander/ Generous Provider 2:245
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Khāfiḍ The Abaser/ Humiliator/ Downgrader [Possessor of Giving Comfort, Free from Pain Anxiety or Troubles] 56:3; al-Kafʿamī (1992:38)
Template:Audio Template:Huge ar-Rāfiʿ The Exalter/ Upgrader [of Ranks] 58:11, 6:83
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muʿizz The Giver of Honor/ Bestower of Honor/ Empowerer 3:26
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muḏill The Giver of Dishonor/ the Giver of Disgrace 3:26
Template:Audio Template:Huge as-Samīʿ The Hearing/ All-Hearing/ Hearer of Invocation 2:127, 2:256, 8:17, 49:1
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Baṣīr The All-Seeing/ All-Seer/ Ever-Clairvoyant/ Clear-Sighted/ Clear-Seeing 4:58, 17:1, 42:11, 42:27
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ḥakam The Judge/ Arbitrator/ Arbiter/ All-Decree/ Possessor of Authority of Decisions and Judgment 22:69
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-ʿAdl The Just/ Authorized and Straightforward Judge of Dealing Justly 6:115
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Laṭīf The Gentle/ Benignant/ Subtly Kind/ All-Subtle 22:63, 31:16, 33:34
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Khabīr The All-Aware/ Well-Acquainted/ Ever-Adept 6:18, 17:30, 49:13, 59:18
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ḥalīm The Forbearing/ Indulgent/ Oft Forbearing/ All-Enduring 2:235, 17:44, 22:59, 35:41
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-ʿAẓīm The Most Great/ Ever-Magnificent/ Most Supreme/ Exalted/ Absolute Dignified 2:255, 42:4, 56:96
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ghafūr The Ever-Forgiving/ Oft-Forgiving 2:173, 8:69, 16:110, 41:32
Template:Audio Template:Huge ash-Shakūr The Grateful/ Appreciative/ Multiplier of Rewards 35:30, 35:34, 42:23, 64:17
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-ʿAliyy The Sublime/ Ever-Exalted/ Supreme/ Most High/ Most Lofty 4:34, 31:30, 42:4, 42:51 34:23
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Kabīr The Great/ Ever-Great/ Grand/ Most Great/ Greatly Abundant of Extent, Capacity and Importance 13:9, 22:62, 31:30, 34:23
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ḥafīz The Preserver/ Ever-Preserving/ All-Watching/ Protector/ Guardian/ Oft-Conservator 11:57, 34:21, 42:6
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muqīt The Nourisher/ Feeder 4:85
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ḥasīb The Bringer of Judgment/ Ever-Reckoner [the One Who Takes Account of All Matters] 4:6, 4:86, 33:39
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Jalīl The Majestic/ Exalted/ Oft-Important/ Splendid 55:27, 7:143
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Karīm The Noble/ Bountiful/ Generous/ Precious/ Honored/ Benefactor 27:40, 82:6
Template:Audio Template:Huge ar-Raqīb The Watchful/ Observer/ Ever-Watchful/ Watcher 4:1, 5:117
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Mujīb The Responsive/ Answerer/ Supreme Answerer/ Accepter of Invocation 11:61
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Wāsiʿ The Vast/ All-Embracing/ Omnipresent/ Boundless/ All-Encompassing 2:268, 3:73, 5:54
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ḥakīm The Wise/ Ever-Wise/ Endowed with Sound Judgment 31:27, 46:2, 57:1, 66:2
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Wadūd The Affectionate/ Ever-Affectionate/ Loving One/ Loving/ the Lover/ the One Who Tenders and Warm Hearts 11:90, 85:14
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Majīd The All-Glorious/ Majestic/ Ever-Illustrious

[Oft-Brilliant in Dignity, Achievements or Actions]

11:73
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Bāʿiṯ The Resurrector/ Awakener/ Arouser/ Dispatcher 22:7
Template:Audio Template:Huge ash-Shahīd The Witness/ Testifier/ Ever-Witnessing 4:166, 22:17, 41:53, 48:28
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ḥaqq The Truth/ Reality/ the Only One Certainly Sound and Genuine in Truth 6:62, 22:6, 23:116, 24:25
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Wakīl The Trustee, The Dependable, The Advocate 3:173, 4:171, 28:28, 73:9
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Qawiyy The Strong 22:40, 22:74, 42:19, 57:25
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Matīn The Firm, The Steadfast 51:58
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Waliyy The Friend, Helper 4:45, 7:196, 42:28, 45:19
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ḥamīd The All Praiseworthy 14:8, 31:12, 31:26, 41:42
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muḥsīy The Accounter, The Numberer of All 72:28, 78:29
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Mubdiʾ The Originator, The Producer, The Initiator 10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muʿīd The Restorer, The Reinstater Who Brings Back All 10:34, 27:64, 29:19, 85:13
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muḥyē The Giver of Life 7:158, 15:23, 30:50, 57:2
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Mumīt The Bringer of Death 3:156, 7:158, 15:23, 57:2
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ḥayy The Living 2:255, 3:2, 20:111, 25:58, 40:65
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Qayyūm The Subsisting, The Independent 2:255, 3:2, 20:111
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Wājid The Perceiver, The Finder, The Unfailing 38:44
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Mājid The Illustrious, The Magnificent, The Glorious 85:15, 11:73; al-Kafʿamī (1992:48)
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Wāḥid The Unique, The Single 13:16, 14:48, 38:65, 39:4
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-ʾAḥad The One, The Indivisible 112:1
Template:Audio Template:Huge aṣ-Ṣamad The Eternal, The Absolute, The Self-Sufficient 112:2
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Qādir The All-Powerful, He Who is able to do Everything 6:65, 46:33, 75:40
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muqtadir The Determiner, The Dominant 18:45, 54:42, 6:65
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muqaddim The Expediter, He Who Brings Forward 16:61
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muʾakhkhir The Delayer, He Who Puts Far Away 71:4
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-ʾAwwal The First, The Beginning-less 57:3
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-ʾÃkhir The Last, The Endless 57:3
Template:Audio Template:Huge aẓ-Ẓāhir The Manifest, The Evident, The Outer 57:3
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Bāṭin The Hidden, The Unmanifest, The Inner 57:3
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Wāliy The Patron, The Protecting Friend, The Friendly Lord 13:11
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Mutʿāliy The Supremely Exalted, The Most High 13:9
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Barr The Good, The Beneficent 52:28
Template:Audio Template:Huge at-Tawwāb The Ever-Returning, Ever-Relenting 2:128, 4:64, 49:12, 110:3
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muntaqim The Avenger 32:22, 43:41, 44:16
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-ʿAfuww The Pardoner, The Effacer, The Forgiver 4:43, 4:99, 4:149, 22:60, 58:2
Template:Audio Template:Huge ar-Raʾūf The Kind, The Pitying 9:117, 57:9, 59:10
Template:Audio Template:Huge Mālik-ul-mulk The Owner of all Sovereignty 3:26
Template:Audio Template:Huge Ḏū l-Jalāli wa l-ʾIkrām The Owner, Lord of Majesty and Honour 55:27, 55:78
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Muqsiṭ The Equitable, The Requiter 3:18,5:42,57:25,5:42
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Jāmiʿ The Gatherer, The Unifier 3:9
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Ghāniyy The Rich, The Independent 39:7, 47:38, 57:24
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Mughniyy The Enricher, The Emancipator 9:28
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Māniʿ The Preventer, The Withholder, The Shielder, The Defender See al-Kafʿamī (1992:61)
Template:Audio Template:Huge aḍ-Ḍār The Distressor, The Harmer, The Afflictor 6:1758:10; al-Kafʿamī (1992:58)
Template:Audio Template:Huge an-Nāfiʿ The Propitious, The Benefactor, The Source of Good 30:37
Template:Audio Template:Huge an-Nūr The Light 24:35
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Hādī The Guide, The Way 22:54
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Badīʿ The Originator, The Incomparable, The Unattainable, The Beautiful 2:117, 6:101
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Bāqī The Immutable, The Infinite, The Everlasting 55:27; al-Kafʿamī (1992:64)
Template:Audio Template:Huge al-Wāriṯ The Heir, The Inheritor of All 15:23, 57:10
Template:Audio Template:Huge ar-Rashīd The Guide to the Right Path 11:87 (Used Not referring to Allah)
Template:Audio Template:Huge aṣ-Ṣabūr The Timeless, The Patient 2:153, 3:200, 103:3

Based on al-Tirmidhi's list above, the names for which there is no evidence, as specified by Sheikh Abd al-Muhsin al-Abbad, Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, and others, are as follows:Template:Quote

Comparisons of other lists

[edit]
99 Names of Allah
No. Arabic Reference Romanization Translation Narrators
Al-Tirmidhi Ibn Majah Al-Hakim Ibn Mandah Ibn Hazm Ibn al-Arabi Ibn al-Wazir Ibn Hajar Al-Bayhaqi Ibn Uthaymeen Al-Ridhwani Al-Ghasn Ibn Nasir Ibn Wahf Al-Abbad
1 الله Q1:1 Allāh Allah Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C
2 الرحمن Q1:1 al-Raḥmān The Most Gracious Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C
3 الرحيم Q1:1 al-Raḥīm The Most Merciful Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C Template:Yes C

Hidden names

[edit]

There is no universal agreement among Islamic exegesis scholars about the number of names of God, since it was only Ibn Hazm who argued a limitation of 99 names. Instead, Islamic scholars such as al-Khattabi, al-Qurtubi, Abi Bakr bin Thayyib, Ibn al-'Arabi (not Ibn Arabi),Template:Efn Abu Abdillah ar-Razi, Ibn Taymiyya, Al-Nawawi, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani,<ref name="Ahmad Hadith Asma infinite" /> Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya<ref name="Hadith of secret names of Allah" /> and Ibn Rajab,<ref name="Hakim Hibban Hadith Asma infinite" /> have stated that Allah has an infinite number of names. While there are rulings that only a few names and their attributes are revealed and known in the Qur'an and Hadiths, the uncountably unrevealed names and their attributes are only known by Allah Himself.<ref name="Dar Ifta Asma infinite">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The basis of these rulings was the Hadith, which contains a supplication as narrated in Hisn al-Muslim:

Template:Translated blockquote

Another Hadith contains a supplication, with multiple chains of transmitters:

Template:Translated blockquote

In the established Islamic creed about the unrevealed names of Allah, the majority of fatwas say it is obligatory for a Muslim to believe in the existence of the unrevealed names and their attributes, but it is forbidden for Muslims to try to search for them without literal evidences from the Qur'an and authentic Hadiths.<ref name="Ahmad Hadith Asma infinite" /><ref name="Hakim Hibban Hadith Asma infinite" /><ref name="Dar Ifta Asma infinite" /><ref name="Hadith of secret names of Allah" /> In the creed of Islamic eschatology, the hidden names are believed to be hidden from anyone but Allah, and will only be revealed personally to Muhammad during Judgement Day.<ref name="Hadith of secret names of Allah" />

In textual sources

[edit]

According to Muslims, the names of God must be established by evidence and direct reference in the Qur'an and hadiths (the concept of tawqif). Thus, it is impermissible (haram) for Muslims to give Allah names except with what He has named Himself in the Qur'an or in authentic Hadiths.

The Quran

[edit]

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. Template:Translated blockquote A cluster of more than a dozen Divine epithets which are included in such lists is found in Surah 59. Template:Translated blockquote

Hadith

[edit]

In a hadith narrated by Sahih al-Bukhari, it is mentioned that Allah has 99 names.Template:BlockquoteIn another hadith, this fact is also mentioned again.Template:Blockquote

Attributes

[edit]

Islamic tenets has detailed descriptions about to differentiate names with attributes (Template:Langx plural of sˤi.faːt), which has literal abilities of their owns. Examples of the attributes are the name of "ar-Rahman" contains the attributes "mercifulness in general",<ref name="names and attributes difference; Risala" /> or "fundamental mercy".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> According to Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, God has 100 kinds of rahmah (grace/godsend), whereas only one of them already revealed to this world, while the other 99 still withheld for the afterlife. One of the rahmah which was sent to the world are sufficient to fulfil the needs of all creatures until the Judgement Day; including humans, Jinns, and even non-sentients such as animals, so the parents of animals would not trample their babies under their foots or wasting.<ref>Template:Cite web excerpt from Template:Cite book Reference Hadiths:

This ruling is because the naming of God are limited by the evidences from Qur'an and Hadith in Sunni Islam.<ref name="names and attributes difference; al-Hanan" /> Thus, postulating the tenet in Islam's creed that essentially, the name-bearing of God are different from attributes of God.<ref name="Onomastics between Sacred and Profane">Template:Cite book</ref> Nevertheless, Salafi scholar al-Uthaymin stated the principal ruling of giving attributes to God is similar with the verdict about giving name to God; that is forbidden to gave attributes without evidence from Qur'an and Sunnah.<ref>Template:Cite web References from:

  • Al-Minhaj Syarh Sahih Muslim. First printing, 1433 H. Yahya bin Syarf An-Nawawi. Publisher Dar Ibn Hazm.
  • Syarh Asma' Allah Al-Husna fi Dhaui Al-Kitab wa As-Sunnah. 12th printing, 1431 H. Syaikh Sa'id bin Wahf Al-Qahthani.
  • Syarh As-Sunnah. Second printing, 1432 H. Imam Al-Muzani. Ta'liq: Dr. Jamal 'Azzun. Maktabah Dar Al-Minhaj Publishers.
  • Syarh Al-Qawa'id Al-Mutsla. Syaikh Muhammad bin Shalih Al-'Utsaimin. Ta'liq: Abu Ya'qub Nasy-at bin Kamal Al-Mashri. Maktabah Al-Muslim Publishers.</ref> One of the disputed name of God among the Islamic academic is "al-Hannan",<ref name="names and attributes difference; al-Hanan" /> Since it is considered as one of the attribute of "ar-Rahman" name in Maryam Template:Qref, not because al-Hannan is a name itself.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Both Ibn Taymiyya in his work, The Treaty of Tadmur, and Ibn al-Qayyim have published their statements claiming to be refuting Jahmiyya,<ref name="names and attributes difference; al-Hanan" /> and al-Juwayni respectively; as Jahmiyya scholars and al-Juwayni rejected the existence of the attributes of God and consider that the names of God are just semantics without any substances in them.<ref name="names and attributes difference; Risala">Template:Cite web References from:

</ref> The statements of both Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim became the ruling which was established by Saudi Council of Senior Scholars, as they stated that each of God's name contains multiple attributes.<ref name="names and attributes difference; Risala" /> Salafi scholars such as Ibn Baz did not consent to the interpretation of the attributes of God.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> Moreover, Walid Muhammad Abdullah Muhammad al-'Ali, an exegesis professor of Islamic University of Madinah, has quoted Ibn al-Qayyim's concern regarding the importance of names and attributes of God as part of the Tawhid (oneness of God) which is the first article of the The Six Articles of Faith.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Sufi and Shia mysticism

[edit]

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 (Template:Lang).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This "Greatest Name of God" is said to be "the one which if He is called (prayed to) by it, He will answer."<ref>Template:Cite book The endnote states: "Ibn Májah, Sunan, 34. (Kitáb ad-Du'á), ch. 9, no. 3856, vol. 2, p. 1267. See also: Ad-Dárimí, Sunan, 23 (Fada'il al-Qur'án), ch. 15, no. 3296, vol. 2, pp. 324–325. Similar statements in Shi'i tradition include: Majlisí, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 26. p. 7.</ref> More than 1000 names of God are listed in the Jawshan Kabir (Template:Lang—literally "the Great Cuirass") invocations.Template:Citation needed Sufi mystic Ibn Arabi surmised that the 99 names are "outward signs of the universe's inner mysteries".<ref name="morg10">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>Bruce Lawrence The Qur'an: A Biography Atlantic Books Ltd, 02.10.2014 Template:ISBN chapter 8</ref> 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. Shaitan (shayatin) on the other hand are a manifestation of God's Names of majesty, such as "The Haughty".<ref>Ayman Shihadeh Sufism and Theology Edinburgh University Press, 21.11.2007 Template:ISBN pp. 54–56</ref>

Theophoric given names

[edit]

Template:More citations needed section

Template:See also

File:Khalili Collection Hajj and Arts of Pilgrimage Talismanic shirt.jpg
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;

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.

File:Allah names 1.svg
Names of Allah in Arabic calligraphy.

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"):

Template:Blockquote

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:

  • Raḥmān, such as Abdul-Raḥman Al-Sudais (عَبْدُ ٱلْرَّحْمَان ٱلْسُّدَيْس): Imam of the Grand Mosque of Makkah, KSA
  • Salām, such as Salam Fayyaḍ (سَلَام فَيَّاض): Palestinian politician
  • Jabbār, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (كَرِيم عَبْدُ ٱلْجَبَّار): American basketball player
  • Ḥakīm, such as Sherman "Abdul Ḥakim" 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 Muḥammad Abdul Muqtedar Khan (مُحَمَّد عَبْدُ ٱلمُقْتَدِر خَان): Indian-American academic

Use in Baháʼí sources

[edit]

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

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.<ref name="lambden">Template:Cite journal</ref> In the first verse of the duʿāʾu l-Bahāʾ, the name "Bahāʾ" appears four times.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

See also

[edit]

Template:Portal

Appendix

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]

Template:Notelist

References

[edit]

Template:Reflist

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]

Template:Commons category

Template:Characters and names in the Quran Template:Names of God Template:Theology Template:Authority control