The 99 Names of Allah (Asma ul Husna)

A Guide to Understanding and Invoking Divine Attributes

The 99 Names of Allah (Asma ul Husna) are the beautiful and perfect names by which Allah (God) reveals Himself in the Quran and Islamic tradition. These names encompass the entirety of Allah’s essence, encompassing His power, mercy, forgiveness, and all other divine attributes. Understanding and invoking these names is considered a fundamental aspect of Islamic faith and practice.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of these names in a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah:

• “There are ninety-nine names of Allah; he who commits them to memory would get into Paradise. Verily, Allah is Odd (He is one, and it is an odd number) and He loves odd numbers.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

List of the 99 Names of Allah With Meaning:

#	Name	Transliteration	Meaning
1	الرَّحْمَنُ	AR-RAHMAAN	The Beneficent
2	الرَّحِيمُ	AR-RAHEEM	The Merciful
3	الْمَلِكُ	AL-MALIK	The King
4	الْقُدُّوسُ	AL-QUDDUS	The Most Sacred
5	السَّلاَمُ	AS-SALAM	The Source of Peace, The Flawless
6	الْمُؤْمِنُ	AL-MU’MIN	The Infuser of Faith
7	الْمُهَيْمِنُ	AL-MUHAYMIN	The Preserver of Safety
8	الْعَزِيزُ	AL-AZIZ	All Mighty
9	الْجَبَّارُ	AL-JABBAR	The Compeller, The Restorer
10	ُالْمُتَكَبِّر	AL-MUTAKABBIR	The Supreme, The Majestic
11	الْخَالِقُ	AL-KHAALIQ	The Creator, The Maker
12	الْبَارِئُ	AL-BAARI	The Evolver
13	الْمُصَوِّرُ	AL-MUSAWWIR	The Fashioner
14	الْغَفَّارُ	AL-GHAFFAR	The Constant Forgiver
15	الْقَهَّارُ	AL-QAHHAR	The All-Prevailing One
16	الْوَهَّابُ	AL-WAHHAAB	The Supreme Bestower
17	الرَّزَّاقُ	AR-RAZZAAQ	The Provider
18	الْفَتَّاحُ	AL-FATTAAH	The Supreme Solver
19	اَلْعَلِيْمُ	AL-‘ALEEM	The All-Knowing
20	الْقَابِضُ	AL-QAABID	The Withholder
21	الْبَاسِطُ	AL-BAASIT	The Extender
22	الْخَافِضُ	AL-KHAAFIDH	The Reducer
23	الرَّافِعُ	AR-RAAFI’	The Exalter, The Elevator
24	الْمُعِزُّ	AL-MU’IZZ	The Honourer, The Bestower
25	ٱلْمُذِلُّ	AL-MUZIL	The Dishonourer
26	السَّمِيعُ	AS-SAMEE’	The All-Hearing
27	الْبَصِيرُ	AL-BASEER	The All-Seeing
28	الْحَكَمُ	AL-HAKAM	The Impartial Judge
29	الْعَدْلُ	AL-‘ADL	The Utterly Just
30	اللَّطِيفُ	AL-LATEEF	The Subtle One, The Most Gentle
31	الْخَبِيرُ	AL-KHABEER	The All-Aware
32	الْحَلِيمُ	AL-HALEEM	The Most Forbearing
33	الْعَظِيمُ	AL-‘AZEEM	The Magnificent, The Supreme
34	الْغَفُور	AL-GHAFOOR	The Great Forgiver
35	الشَّكُورُ	ASH-SHAKOOR	The Most Appreciative
36	الْعَلِيُّ	AL-‘ALEE	The Most High, The Exalted
37	الْكَبِيرُ	AL-KABEER	The Most Great
38	الْحَفِيظُ	AL-HAFEEDH	The Preserver
39	المُقيِت	AL-MUQEET	The Sustainer
40	اﻟْﺣَسِيبُ	AL-HASEEB	The Reckoner
41	الْجَلِيلُ	AL-JALEEL	The Majestic
42	الْكَرِيمُ	AL-KAREEM	The Most Generous, The Most Esteemed
43	الرَّقِيبُ	AR-RAQEEB	The Watchful
44	ٱلْمُجِيبُ	AL-MUJEEB	The Responsive One
45	الْوَاسِعُ	AL-WAASI’	The All-Encompassing, the Boundless
46	الْحَكِيمُ	AL-HAKEEM	The All-Wise
47	الْوَدُودُ	AL-WADUD	The Most Loving
48	الْمَجِيدُ	AL-MAJEED	The Glorious, The Most Honorable
49	الْبَاعِثُ	AL-BA’ITH	The Infuser of New Life
50	الشَّهِيدُ	ASH-SHAHEED	The All Observing Witnessing
51	الْحَقُ	AL-HAQQ	The Absolute Truth
52	الْوَكِيلُ	AL-WAKEEL	The Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs
53	الْقَوِيُ	AL-QAWIYY	The All-Strong
54	الْمَتِينُ	AL-MATEEN	The Firm, The Steadfast
55	الْوَلِيُّ	AL-WALIYY	The Protecting Associate
56	الْحَمِيدُ	AL-HAMEED	The Praiseworthy
57	الْمُحْصِي	AL-MUHSEE	The All-Enumerating, The Counter
58	الْمُبْدِئُ	AL-MUBDI	The Originator, The Initiator
59	ٱلْمُعِيدُ	AL-MUEED	The Restorer, The Reinstater
60	الْمُحْيِي	AL-MUHYI	The Giver of Life
61	اَلْمُمِيتُ	AL-MUMEET	The Creator of Death
62	الْحَيُّ	AL-HAYY	The Ever-Living
63	الْقَيُّومُ	AL-QAYYOOM	The Sustainer, The Self-Subsisting
64	الْوَاجِدُ	AL-WAAJID	The Perceiver
65	الْمَاجِدُ	AL-MAAJID	The Illustrious, the Magnificent
66	الْواحِدُ	AL-WAAHID	The One
67	اَلاَحَدُ	AL-AHAD	The Unique, The Only One
68	الصَّمَدُ	AS-SAMAD	The Eternal, Satisfier of Needs
69	الْقَادِرُ	AL-QADEER	The Omnipotent One
70	الْمُقْتَدِرُ	AL-MUQTADIR	The Powerful
71	الْمُقَدِّمُ	AL-MUQADDIM	The Expediter, The Promoter
72	الْمُؤَخِّرُ	AL-MU’AKHKHIR	The Delayer
73	الأوَّلُ	AL-AWWAL	The First
74	الآخِرُ	AL-AAKHIR	The Last
75	الظَّاهِرُ	AZ-ZAAHIR	The Manifest
76	الْبَاطِنُ	AL-BAATIN	The Hidden One, Knower of the Hidden
77	الْوَالِي	AL-WAALI	The Sole Governor
78	الْمُتَعَالِي	AL-MUTA’ALI	The Self Exalted
79	الْبَرُّ	AL-BARR	The Source of All Goodness
80	التَّوَابُ	AT-TAWWAB	The Ever-Pardoning
81	الْمُنْتَقِمُ	AL-MUNTAQIM	The Avenger
82	العَفُوُ	AL-‘AFUWW	The Pardoner
83	الرَّؤُوفُ	AR-RA’OOF	The Most Kind
84	َمَالِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ	MAALIK-UL-MULK	Master of the Kingdom, Owner of the Dominion
85	ذُوالْجَلاَلِ وَالإكْرَامِ	DHUL-JALAALI WAL-IKRAAM	Lord of Glory and Honour, Lord of Majesty and Generosity
86	الْمُقْسِطُ	AL-MUQSIT	The Just One
87	الْجَامِعُ	AL-JAAMI’	The Gatherer, the Uniter
88	ٱلْغَنيُّ	AL-GHANIYY	The Self-Sufficient, The Wealthy
89	ٱلْمُغْنِيُّ	AL-MUGHNI	The Enricher
90	اَلْمَانِعُ	AL-MANI’	The Withholder
91	الضَّارَ	AD-DHARR	The Distresser
92	النَّافِعُ	AN-NAFI’	The Propitious, the Benefactor
93	النُّورُ	AN-NUR	The Light, The Illuminator
94	الْهَادِي	AL-HAADI	The Guide
95	الْبَدِيعُ	AL-BADEE’	The Incomparable Originator
96	اَلْبَاقِي	AL-BAAQI	The Everlasting
97	الْوَارِثُ	AL-WAARITH	The Inheritor, The Heir
98	الرَّشِيدُ	AR-RASHEED	The Guide, Infallible Teacher
99	الصَّبُورُ	AS-SABOOR	The Forbearing, The Patient

Meanings and Attributes (اَلاسْمَاءُ الْحُسناى):

Each name of Allah reveals a specific aspect of His divine nature. The Quran and Hadith provide numerous references that illustrate these attributes.

For example, the name Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) is mentioned in the opening verse of many Quranic chapters, highlighting Allah’s universal mercy that encompasses all beings.

Stories from Islamic tradition further illustrate these names. Prophet Jonah’s (peace be upon him) experience in the belly of the whale exemplifies Al-Ghaffar (The Forgiver), demonstrating Allah’s limitless capacity to forgive those who repent sincerely.

"Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names." (Qur'an 20:8)

Benefits of Knowing and Invoking the 99 Names Of Allah:

Knowing and invoking the Names of Allah offers a multitude of benefits:

• Deepens one’s relationship with Allah: By understanding His attributes, believers can cultivate love, reverence, and trust in Him.
• Enhances spiritual growth: Contemplating the Names encourages introspection and helps believers live according to Allah’s will.
• Promises rewards and blessings: Hadith mentions Paradise for those who memorize the Names, and numerous Quranic verses highlight the rewards of calling upon Allah by His beautiful names.

Methods of Invocation and Dhikr:

Incorporating the Names into daily life is a form of dhikr (remembrance). Here are some methods:

• Supplications: Use specific Names for various needs, such as “Ya Rahman” (Oh Most Merciful) for seeking forgiveness or “Ya Razzaq” (Oh Provider) for sustenance.
• After Prayers: Regularly recite specific sets of Names after obligatory prayers.
• During Difficulties: Invoke Names like Al-Hafiz (The Preserver) during times of distress for comfort and protection.

Reflection and Contemplation:

• Journaling prompts: Reflect on the meaning of each Name and how it relates to your life. For example, for Al-Adl (The Just), consider how you can embody justice in your daily interactions.
• Further study: Explore resources like books and online courses to delve deeper into the 99 Names of Allah PDF and their significance.

Beyond Food: A Holistic Approach

The 99 Names encompass not just physical well-being but also mental and spiritual health. Studies acknowledge the positive impact of faith on mental health. MFBCS recognizes this connection by incorporating emotional support, counseling, and capacity building into its programs. By strengthening mental and spiritual well-being alongside food security, MFBCS fosters a holistic approach to community development.

Connecting with the Divine Through Action

Contemplating the Names of Allah is not a passive exercise. It’s a call to action, a reminder of our responsibility towards our fellow human beings. By supporting MFBCS, you are not just helping those in need; you are actively embodying the beautiful attributes of Allah. You are extending a hand of mercy (Ar-Rahman), ensuring provision (Al-Razzaq), promoting justice (Al-Adl), and empowering individuals (Al-Qawi) – all while fostering a community that reflects the compassion and love Allah SWT teaches us.

Join us in this journey of understanding and action. Explore the 99 Names with newfound purpose, and let them guide you towards supporting MFBCS’s vital work in creating a world free from hunger and social injustice.