In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
“The most beautiful names belong to Allah (God): so call on Him by them;…” (The Noble Quran 7:180)
“Remember the One until you forget ‘two’. After following ’Namer’ and ’Name’,
lose your way in the Named.”
~ Jellalaludin Mevlana Rumi[1] [2]
In Islam the main characteristic of a Muslims life is too draw closer to the Creator for His love and thus work towards a reliance of Him that will lead to growth, health, transformation and transcendence of the self.
There are many conceptions of the Creator and human beings are not able to fully understand or comprehend the Creator directly by His Essence – “Dhat”. The Glorious Qur’an explains Allah’s Essence as the Ultimate Source of all created things. He is the Creator and Owner of the Heavens and the Earth and no words are appropriate to describe Him fully or precisely. He is Unique and inherently One and not dependent on any other entity or creation in any way. [3]
However, the Noble Qur’an guides us and teaches us that Allah can be recognised and appreciated by His Attributes – His Most Beautiful Names. These Attributes of Allah are not separate from each other and are a part of the whole which is His Essence. We therefore approach Allah from His Attributes and we contemplate upon His book of guidance, the Noble Quran and the life and character of the Rasul’s (s) for advice, thoughts and reflections on this subject. As a result we can obtain the necessary wisdom for our understanding and practice and to achieve a benefit in our lives that will bring us closer to the Creator.
Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri’s [4] view on Allah’s Attributes is beautifully and succinctly expressed as follows: “The enlightened believer aspires to a point of knowledge where he sees Allah’s Attributes in everything and every situation, realising that he is truly witnessing his Creator as evident in everything that exists by His grace. Everything in the cosmos descends as a wave of mercy in tiny portions and each portion contains the meaning of that Oneness. Thus, one drop of the ocean contains the secret of the entire ocean.”
Mohammed Haj Yousef [5] in his explanation of Ibn Al Arabi’s book [6]– Time and Cosmology states that the Shaykh al Akbar describes how he sees the Essence of the Creator from one of his prayers: “It is enough for me that You know my ignorance. You are as I know. And beyond what I know to a degree that I do not know.”
Allah and His Most Beautiful Names
Allah tells us of His Most Beautiful Names in Surah 20 Taha Verse 8 from the Noble Qur’an that, “Allah – There is no God but Him. His are the Most Beautiful Names.”He describes His Essence and His Lordship – Rubbubiyya and acknowledges His Most Beautiful Names. This verse of the Glorious Qur’an defines and verifies the status of Allah’s Oneness -Tauheed and confirms His existence. A pronouncement is made by the Creator for His Most Beautiful Names to be appreciated and accepted by all creation. The ownership of these Names is verified and declared by Allah and as the Most Beautiful. They are expressed as the essence of His Majesty, Beauty, of correctness and perfection.
This verse further confirms the name “Allah” as the Creators Supreme and Unique name. Within this name, Allah, are all His Most Beautiful Names. These Most Beautiful Names indicate the Quintessence of His Lordship – Rubbubiyya, for all creation.
According to several Arabic lexicons the word Allah means “the Being Who comprises all the attributes of perfection”, i.e. the Being Who is perfect and unique in every way – in His knowledge, power, will, etc, and possesses the best and the noblest qualities imaginable in the highest degree.
The Ownership and invoking of His Most Beautiful Names
Surah 7 Al Ar’af Verse 180 tells us how we can call on His Most Beautiful Names and how to approach them. “The Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah. So call on Him by them; but shun such men who use profanity in His names: for what they do, they will soon be requited.” In this verse Allah verifies that the Most Beautiful Names belong to Him. He emphasises that this ownership belongs to Him alone and in particular to His unique name Allah. Here a method is shown as to how His creation can call on Him.
The above verse elaborates, that these Most Beautiful Names are a means to invoke, call, appeal, supplicate and pray to Him. “These Most Beautiful Names manifest to a greater degree according to the preparedness and orientation of the individual”[7]. There is a descriptive warning to shun people who use His names improperly. One must be cautious and careful not to invoke His Name with an evil or abusive action or idea as this will produce an unfavourable or opposite result. On the other hand to invoke anyone else other then the Creator will similarly produce a negative and retributive effect. Careful consideration must be shown in the calling of these Most Beautiful Names as this action will benefit the person invoking the Names profoundly.
The invocation and the calling of these Most Beautiful Names must be done with the utmost respect and cleanliness of the body, mind and soul. [8] The positive aspect of calling on Allah’s Attributes or Most Beautiful Names will realize the innate nature of the Names invoked. From the intrinsic nature of these Most Beautiful Names there will be a healing and characterise the person that is invoking by the characteristics of the particular Name that is being called upon. In this way and by experiencing and resonating with these Most Beautiful Names an unveiling – kashf can take place, which enables one to understand His Essence. This occurs by His will and responding to our need on calling upon Him.
Some of His Most Beautiful Names become clear
How these Beautiful Names of Allah become clear to us, is when we reflect and call on them as in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah 59 Al-Hashr – The Gathering (of forces) Verse 21-24.
21. “Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.
22.He is Allah than Whom there is La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.
23. He is Allah than Whom there is La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.
24. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names . All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”
The explanation of these four verses opens a door to Allah as He knows all that is in the unseen, secret and otherwise. Allah gives us similitude’s and examples which guide humankind and lovingly implores them to reflect and think carefully about their purpose and role in life. The Qur’an was not sent down on a mountain as it would not be able to withstand its Power and Message. In this way He shows us the strength of the human heart that can embrace His message and guidance of the Noble Quran. His Mercy is Manifest and He comforts creation by reminding us that He is in control even in the most guarded and unknown places. Allah mentions some of His Most Beautiful Names in these verses of the Noble Qur’an and declares His ownership of them and the Heavens and the Earth.
These Attributes are expressed by Allah and provide us with an elucidate meaning and description of them and Him. Allah always emphasises the principal and unique Name Allah and the Unity of His Oneness – Tauheed. To call upon each Name for one’s need is the basis of faith – Iman and is a healing for the believer. Allah mentions some of these Most Beautiful Names in these verses and they are tabulated below to give a better understanding and appreciation of them.
His names are categorise as either from His Essence or Majestic – Jamal or Beauty – Jalal. The Name that categorise His Essence is – Allah.
Al Quddus- The Most Pure, Al Aziz – The Almighty, A; Adhim- The Magnificent, Al Kabir- The Incomparably Great, Al Jalil – The Majestic, Al Hay- The Ever Living are Majestic – Jalali.
Those that are of Beauty – Jamali are, Al Jabbar –The Compellor, Al Qabid – The Restrictor, Al Raqib – The all Vigilent, Al Matin – the Firm, etc and some of Allah’s Jamali Names are as, Ar Rahim – The all Compassionate, Ar Razaak – The Ever Providing, Al Kareem – The Most Generous, Al Afuw – The Pardoner, Al Jamil – The Beautiful, etc [9].
Within these Most Beautiful Names, Allah has hidden His Greatest Name so that we are vigilant and reverential of each and every one of them and our desire to invoke and in remembrance of them will receive the secrets and healing that we seek.
Scott Kugle’s translation of the Arabic work of Shaykh Ibn Ata’alla Iskandari [10], The Book of Illumination, wherein it is expressed that at times Allah seats us in the expanse of poverty and we call out to Him, “Ya Ghani! O self- sufficient One!” At time He seats us on the expanse of humility and we call out to Him, “Ya Aziz! O mighty One!” and at times we are seated on the expanse of weakness and we call out to Him, “Ya Qawi! O powerful One!” The Shaykh tells us that there are other patterns on this widespread carpet, each corresponding to one of the Divine Names. The healing and comfort that each Name (Asma) brings for our nature – changes and assists us to develop and are essential tools for our states, perfection, transformation and transcendence. The total reliance on Allah, the appeal and petitioning improves our inner state and He will honour us with generous gifts for our upliftment. They are antidotes and answers and will produce a result for various matters and issues in our lives.
Some of Allah’s Most Beautiful Names as mentioned in Surah 59 Al-Hashr – The Gathering (of forces) Verse 21-24:
Allah His Most unique Name
Ar-Rahman The Most Gracious
Ar- Rahim The Most Merciful
Al-Malik The King
Al-Quddus The Most Pure
As-Asalam The Bestower of Peace
Al-Mu’min The Guardian of Faith
Al Muhaymin The Safe guarder
Al-Aziz The Exalted in Might
Al-Jabbar The Compeller
Al-Mutakabbir The Supremely Great
Al Khaaliq The Creator
Al-Bari The Maker
Al-Musawwiru The Fashioner
Al- Hakim The Most wise
Selections from Imam Al Ghazzali’s work, “The Noblest Aims in the explanation of Allah’s Fairest Names”[11] it is explained how the Most Beautiful Names of Allah are precise and not synonyms as when we see the meaning of three of the Most Beautiful Names that seem similar as Al Ghafir, Al Ghafur, and Al Ghaffar. Yet on careful examination of them they must be considered as three separate names. The first, Al Ghafir, indicates only “pardoning’; the second Al Ghafur, indicates multiplicity of pardoning in relationship to multiplicity of sins; the third, Al Ghaffar, indicates multiplicity by way of repeated pardoning. In general there is no synonymity in the names included in the ninety-names, because the latter are intended, not for their letters or pronunciation, but for their semantic contents and meanings. From this example we can see how precise and well-defining each of these Most Beautiful Names can be relied upon and petitioned to during our need and supplication or prayer
The Verse of the Footstool – Ayat al Kursi
A closer look and study of the famous Verse from the Noble Quran known as Ayat ul Kursi – The Verse of the Foot stool: Surah 2 The Heifer or Hidayah, Verse 255:
255. “Allah — there is no god but He, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist. Slumber overtakes Him not, nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them. And they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases. His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Great.”
There is a beautiful story to this great verse Ayat al Kursi as the best protector for the believer from Evil and Shaytan and it is mentioned In the Shahih al Bukhari and narrated by Abu Hurayrah as follows:
“Allah’s Messenger assigned me to keep watch over the Sadaqah (charity) of Ramadan. A person snuck in and started taking handfuls of foodstuff. I caught him and said, `By Allah, I will take you to Allah’s Messenger.’ He said, `Release me, for I am meek and have many dependents and am in great need.’ I released him, and in the morning Allah’s Messenger asked me, `What did your prisoner do yesterday, O Abu Hurayrah’ I said, `O Allah’s Messenger! He complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so I pitied him and let him go.’ Allah’s Messenger said, `Indeed, he told you a lie and will be coming again.’ I believed that he would show up again, for Allah’s Messenger had told me that he would return.
So, I watched for him. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, `I will definitely take you to Allah’s Messenger.’ He said, `Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again.’ I pitied him and let him go. In the morning Allah’s Messenger asked me, `What did your prisoner do last night, O Abu Hurayrah!’ I replied, `O Allah’s Messenger! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free.’ Allah’s Messenger said, `Verily, he told you a lie; he will return.
‘I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, `I will surely take you to Allah’s Messenger as it is the third time you promised not to return, yet you returned.’ He said, `Let me teach you some words which Allah will give you benefit from.’ I asked, `What are they’ He replied, `Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat Al-Kursi- Allahu la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum, till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Shaytan will come near you until morning.’ So, I released him.
In the morning, Allah’s Messenger asked, `What did your prisoner do yesterday’ I replied, `O Allah’s Messenger! He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will grant me some benefit, so I let him go.’ Allah’s Messenger asked, `What are they’ I replied, `He said to me: Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat Al-Kursi from the beginning to the end, Allahu la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum. He further said to me: (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Shaytan will come near you until morning.’ (One of the narrators) then commented that they (the Companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet said, `He spoke the truth, although he is a liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Hurayrah’. Abu Hurayrah said, `No.’ He said, `It was Shaytan.”’ An-Nasa’i also recorded this Hadith in Al-Yawm wa Al-Laylah.
When one looks carefully at the meaning of one of the Most Beautiful Names in this verse as Al Kayyum and its root comes from the Arabic word qa’eem. This word means to protect and refers to a human being who does so. However when Allah protects, the word is one of His most beautiful Names – Al Kayyum.
A consistent trend that is confirmed by the Noble Qur’an, that He – Allah is the Creator and that he is Ever Living and Self Subsisting and does not sleep. As everything in the Cosmos is subservient and belongs to Him, therefore it is essential that you rely absolutely on Him and He will answer your call and your plea.
The common denominator in the above Qur’anic verses quoted, emphasises the Oneness of the Creator – Tauheed and the Supreme Name Allah. These factors contribute to the first foundational verbal testament for all believers which have two parts, i.e. To Testify that there is no ilah (God) accept Allah and to testify that Muhammad (S) is the Messenger (Rasul) of Allah.
Significantly, Allah consistently begins the Surah’s (Chapters) in the Noble Qur’an with His most supreme Name – Allah and special Attributes as the Most Gracious (Ar Rahman) and the Most Merciful (Ar Rahim), الرَّحِيمِ الرَّحْمنِ اللهِ بِسْمِ. His generosity expands and manifests His Mercy for mankind collectively (Ar Rahman) and individually (Ar Raheem). The calling on these two Most Beautiful Names can be general and specific. The General aspect of His Mercy is always all-encompassing for anyone and specifically when the believer, believes in His Oneness and especially requires His assistance.
Many verses in the Noble are ended with two variations of His Most Beautiful Names and as shown in the following verse 122 in Surah 26 as Shu’ara – The Poets.
“ Truly your Lord is the Al-Aziz – The Almighty, The Ar Raheem – The Most Merciful.”
Calling upon the Supreme Name – Allah
Imam Al-Ghazali [12] said about the Name Allah:
“You should know that this name is the greatest of the 99 names of Allah – Great
and Glorious – because it refers to the essence which unites all the attributes of
divinity, so that none of them is left out, whereas each of the remaining names
only refers to a specific attribute. It is also the most specific ….since no one
uses it for anything other than Him”.[13] [14]
It is clearly understood from the various verses in the Noble Qur’an on the importance and the nature of the Supreme Name of the Creator, which is Allah. This name has the sum total of the description of all His Most Beautiful Names. The total power and focus on this Name is the source of all knowledge and certainty. It is the basis of all that is in the Heavens and Earth and therefore a foundation for all created things. This Name Allah contains whatever is known and unknown and the concentration and calling on the Supreme Name is the essence of the journey of life for all creation. The source of all healing, protection, sustaining, invoking and power is within the Name – Allah. The attainment of the ultimate station of certainty and bondmanship for the believer is the submission, recognition and acknowledgement of the one Creator – Allah. When we call on this Most Beautiful Name, to add the prefix of Ya-(Oh). So the word Allah becomes, Ya-Allah and we enter the sacred realm of reliance and await a healing from Him.
In Surah An-Nur 24 Verse 35 shows Allah as a light – Nur of the Heavens and Earth and can be described as a metaphor that expresses a deeper understanding about the Supreme nature of Allah – the Creator, on reflection and contemplation.
35. “Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. A likeness of His light is as a pillar on which is a lamp — the lamp is in a glass, the glass is as it were a brightly shining star — lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof gives light, though fire touch it not — light upon light. Allah guides to His light Whom He pleases. And Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Knower of all things” —
Great things have been explained about this verse and many details have been expressed about their inner and outer meanings. Five things are specific in the verse as the light, the lamp, the glass, olive-tree and the oil. Each explained differently according to one’s own understanding of the Majesty and Beauty of the Creator. His resemblance is a light that is solid pillar that rest a lamp that is covered by a glass. This Light is a guiding light and yet it is still and continuous and does not flicker and clear for everyone to see, which emanates with purity and goodness that is unequalled, unique and reaches everything. He is the Light upon light and will shine forever and forever and will benefit, whoever wishes to be guided by Him. He will show Himself through the Cosmos by allegory, a parable or metaphor and to people who reflect, contemplate or think, as He is the owner of all Knowledge. The Noble Quran tells us In Surah Qaf, Verse 16 that “He is closer to us then our jugular vein” and He will guide us according to our thirst, submission, knowledge and sincerity.
Other descriptions are explained or shown as, He is the Light upon Light and His message emanates from Him and shines brightly and clearly by the Noble Qur’an and revealed to the Final Messenger, The Prophet of Islam – Habibullah – Muhammed the son of Abdullah is for humanity. The Olive-trees branches extends to humanity and the oil is the Noble Qur’an that was made known to the Prophet, which gives guidance to Humankind and it is bright with purity and goodness and cannot be spoiled by “fire” or anything else.
A third perspective to this verse is to know that Allah is the Light of the Heavens and Earth. He is the Creator and has placed the perfected soul within us and covered it with the glass over the lamp that is our heart and if there is less soot on this glass then the clarity of knowing ourselves will know the Creator. Our character is relative to the knowledge and consciousness of this light that is within us and will guide us to Him by using the correct prescription of the Noble Quran and the Prophetic way.
The Prophet (S) is a Mercy for the entire world. The olive-tree is such a tree that can survive for up to five thousand years. This tree is shown as a simile as the centre of the Cosmos and its oil give of its lights to generation of civilisations and it is repeated continuously as a Mercy and guidance for all humanity and all the Worlds. This Olive-tree is the message of Islam and its principal significance is for creation to submit to the Love of the Creator and to be in Peace with one self, with the Creator and with all creation.
Truly, Allah is the Light of the Heavens and Earth and He gives it life, guidance, sustenance and death. The strength of the Creator and His subtleties of His qualities are expressed for our guidance and assistance. The Noble Qur’an not only illustrates a vivid description of the Creator from His Most Beautiful Names but also beautifies and personifies by illustrating many axioms, metaphors, similes and stories in thoughtful language and from the Unique Qualities of the Creator.
The Courtyard and 99 Names of Allah
Allah’s Essence can be described and appreciated within the graphic illustration of His Most Beautiful Names. An analogy can be shown from an example of a courtyard. Allah is this courtyard and there are 99 doors to it. To realize the light of the Creator when we open one door as Ar Rahman then we are given a full blown view of this Attribute and of His Beauty.
Similarly this practice continues with all His Most Beautiful Names until we realize the one Creator who is He – Allah. In reality we call His Name when are in need and supplicate and implore Him for our redemption, recovery and our return to Him. This analogy beautifully explains the transformative and healing nature of His most Beautiful Names when we call or invoke them.
Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri in his book Calling Allah tells us that, “All of the Divine Attributes or Names are like heavenly rivers or shafts of light, connecting the physical and material realities with the unseen. Therefore, when the believer addresses any of the Attributes with complete dedication and sincerity, it is like opening the doors of connecting our world to the Originator of patterns in the realm of the unseen. Then these energy patterns of Attributes reverberate in the self and enhance that desirable state within the heart, and manifest the outcome”.
Traditions of the Rasul (S)
Let us now consider a tradition of our beloved Rasul (S) who said that Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and Allah is Witr – One and loves ‘the Witr’ (i.e., odd numbers).[15] This Hadith is authentic and recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
However the chronological and the popular format and order that we are familiar with of the ninety nines Names of Allah was reported by a well known Hadith and mentioned in Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and reported in the Miskat as: The Messenger of Allah, said, “Allah has ninety-nine Names. He, who enumerates them, believes in them, ponders their meanings, worships Allah by them and supplicates with them, and acts by them according to one’s belief in them will enter Paradise. He is God, other than whom there is no god, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the King, the Holy, the Source of Peace, and the Preserver of Security…” The Hadith continues to list ninety nine Names of Allah. However, many of the scholars of Hadith – muhadithun confirm that this Hadith is weak.
Most of these scholars consider the actual listing of Names to be of a later addition by one of the narrators of the Hadith and some narrators erroneously included it as part of the Hadith. Among those scholars who are critical of this Hadith as weak are at-Tirmidhi, al-Baihaki, ibn Hazm, al-Dawud, ibn Taymiyya, ibn Katheer, ibn Hajr, al-Juwaini, ibn Baz, al-Albani, ibn Uthaimin and Abdul Qadir al-Arnaut. [16] Although this Hadith is weak it shows the relevance when we consider the science of Hadith and to differentiate from a weak to an authentic one as well as relating to us a particular listing of some of His Most beautiful Names.
Furthermore, many scholars have concluded that Allah has an infinite number of names. This opinion is based on the following Hadith. The Prophet (S) made the following supplication, “O Allah, I ask You of You by every Name that You have named Yourself or that You have revealed in Your book or that You have taught any of Your creation or that You have kept hidden, in the unseen knowledge, with Yourself.” (Recorded by Ahmad, According to Shaykh al-Albani, it is Sahih.)[17]
Imam Al Ghazzali further explains that the Names of Allah are more than Ninety-nine by positive tradition (tawqifan); the permission to describe Allah by whatever He is known by or can be described by, even though there has come no positive tradition regarding it, providing it is not [explicitly] prohibited.[18]
It should be noted that the original authentic Hadith, states that Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred less one, is not meant to be all inclusive. That is, it does not mean that Allah has ninety-nine and only ninety-nine Names. Indeed, in going through the Noble Quran and the authentic Hadith of the Prophet (S) many scholars have been able to discover more than ninety-nine names of Allah.
Names as Al Faatir – The Spliter, Al Kafi – The All Sufficient, Al Nasir – The Giver of victory and many others that are not shown in the popular or usual listing are a part of the whole as pointed out.
Shaykh Fadhlallah Haeri an Alim and a renowned teacher of the “self” and the founding member of the Academy of the Self [19], advices that when invoking or calling on His Most Beautiful Names is to synchronise and resonate with them, so that you are in unison with that specific Name that one is invoking or calling upon – becomes a reality for change and movement for that person. This synchronicity is like going into the tent of the Creator and being in Awe of His magnificence, His presence and your obedience, humbleness, sincerity, submission and absence can make the difference and perhaps an unveiling is probable.
Each of these Most Beautiful Names of Allah is required to be emulated so that these Attributes are imbibed in one’s character. As Allah is our Creator and calling on His Most Beautiful Names, demonstrate His affection on all creation. By our reliance and calling on these Most Beautiful Names we can become cautiously aware of Him and be close to Him, which can assist in our healing and to realize our full potential. The realizations of these potentials are assistance, support and a guidance of the self, which will hopefully draw us closer to the Creator and ensure success in this world and the Hereafter.
It is in “the remembrance of Allah that the heart finds tranquillity”. Thus memorising or calling on His Most Beautiful Name or Attributes of Allah will result in remembering Him and will produce an enlightened and illumined heart. To live the value of these Most Beautiful Names will result in the total obedience, submission and reliance to the Creator, which will assist us to perfect our character to know ourselves by knowing the Creator, which is the journey back to Him. Thus to remember Allah, to live by and call on these Most Beautiful Names is the ultimate experience of wanting to be close to Allah, which are measurements of the righteous deeds or actions and the branches of the Original, Living Islam.
The Asma-al-Husna – the Most Beautiful Names of Allah makes us wholesome, righteous, humble and sincere. Calling upon them assist us to practise our faith – Iman and perfect our worship – Ibadah and our reliance –Tawakkul, to gain contentment and satisfaction – Rida with the Creator. He is the owner of all creation and as mentioned in a Hadith a Qudsi, “That I (Allah) was hidden treasure and Loved to be known, so I created”.
Truly, Allah is Most Merciful and Generous with us, for each of His Most Beautiful Names we can add the word kareem to all of them as Kareem Jabbar or Kareem Rahman or Basith kareem and so on. The Qur’an is also honoured in the same way and referred to as the Qur’an Al Kareem – The Noble Quran. Our Prophet (S) is also respectfully referred to as the Nabi e kareem.
May these Most Beautiful Names of Allah, on our calling on them, fill our hearts with a peace of mind and the acceptance of our prayer as He is the Owner of knowledge and all that is in the Cosmos. May he endow us with knowledge that will teach us to be people of honour and virtue by practising, knowing and living these Most Beautiful Names so that we attain this closeness of the Creator that we seek, which will release us from our worries, concerns and become aware of His Majesty – Jalal and Beauty – Jameel.
May He guide us on the straight path of the Original, Living, Enlightened, Islam. That is our Celebration and May He accept it from us and is pleased with us and we with Him. Amen.
ABUBAKR KAROLIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Allah’s Most Beautiful Names and Attributes [20]
ALLAH
Al Rahman – The All-Merciful.
Al-Rahim – The All-Compassionate.
Al-Malik – The King.
Al-Quddus – The Most Pure.
Al Salaam – The Bestower of Peace.
Al-Mu’min – The Trustworthy.
Al-Muhaymin – The Protector, The Safeguarder.
Al-Aziz – The All-Mighty.
Al-Jabbar – The Compeller.
Al-Mutakabbir – The Supremely Great.
Al-Khaliq – The Creator.
Al-Bari’ – The Maker.
Al Mussawir – The Fashioner.
Al-Ghaffar – The Coverer of all Faults.
Al-Qahhar – The Subduer.
Al-Wahhab – The Bestower.
Al-Razzaq – The Ever Providing.
Al-Fattah – The Opener.
Al-Alim – The All-Knowing.
Al-Qabid – The Restrictor.
Al-Basit – The Expander.
Al-Khafid – The Debaser, The One Who Lowers.
Al-Rafi’ – The Exalter.
Al-Mu’izz – The Honourer.
Al-Mudhill – The Abaser.
Al-Sami’ – The All-Hearing.
Al-Basir – The All-Seeing.
Al-Hakam – The Judge.
Al-‘Adl – The All-Just.
Al-Latif – The Subtle.
Al-Khabir – The All-Cognisant.
Al-Halim – The Clement.
Al-Adhim – The Magnificent.
Al-Ghafir – The All-Forgiving.
Al-Shakur – The Grateful.
Al-Ali – The Most High.
Al-Kabir – The Incomprehensibly Great.
Al Hafidh – The Preserver.
Al-Muqit – The Sustainer.
Al-Hasib – The Reckoner, The One Who Satisfies Needs.
Al-Jalil – The Majestic.
Al-Karim – The Most Generous.
Al-Raqib – The All-Vigilant.
Al-Mujib – The Responder.
Al-Wasi – The vast, The All-Encompassing.
Al-Hakim – The Most Wise.
Al-Wadud – The All-Loving.
Al-Majid – The Most Glorious.
Al-Ba’ith – The Resurrector.
Al-Shahid – The All Witnessing
Al-Haqq – The Absolute Truth.
Al-Wakil – The Guardian Trustee.
Al-Qawi – The Most Strong.
Al-Matin – The Most Firm.
Al-Wali – The Patron.
Al-Hamid – The Praiseworthy.
Al-Muhsi – The Appraiser.
Al-Mubdi – The Originator.
Al-Mu’id – The Returner.
Al-Muhyi – The Life Giver.
Al Mumit – The Death Giver.
Al Hayy – The Ever-Living.
Al-Qayyum – The All-Sustaining.
Al-Wajid – The Manifestor,
Al-Majid – The Most Splendid.
Al-Ahad – The Absolute One.
Al-Samad – The Self-Sufficient.
Al-Qadir – The Most Able.
Al-Muqtadir – The All-Powerful.
Al-Muqaddim – The Expediter.
Al-Mu’akhir – The Postponer.
Al-Awwal – The First.
Al-Akhir – The Last.
Al-Dhahir – The Manifest.
Al-Batin – The Concealed.
Al Wali – The Govenor
Al Muta’ali – The Most Exalted
Al-Barr – The Benefactor.
Al-Tawwab – The Most Accepting of Repentance.
Al-Muntaqim – He who brings about Trial and Affliction, The Avenger.
Al-Afu – The Pardoner.
Al-Ra’uf – The Most Affectionate.
Malik al-Mulk – The Master of the Kingdom.
Dhul-Jalali wa al-Ikram – The Master of Majesty and Nobility.
Al-Muqsit – The All-Equitable.
Al-Jami – The Gatherer.
Al-Ghani – The Rich Beyond Need.
Al-Mughni – The Enricher.
Al-Mani – The Preventer.
Al-Darr – The Bestower of Affliction.
Al-Nafi – The Bestower of Benefit, The Beneficial.
Al-Nur – The Light.
Al-Hadi – The Guide.
Al-Badi – The Innovator, The Originator.
Al-Baqi – The Everlasting.
Al-Warith – The Inheritor.
Al-Rashid – The Most Discerning.
Al-Sabur – The Patient. Al-Wahid – The One.
Al RABB – The Lord.
[1] http://99namesofallah.info/
[2] Born 1207-1273 – A Jurist, Theologian, A sufi and an Arif
[3] See Surah The Noble Quran, Al Ikhlas -112
[4] Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri is an Alim-scholar and spiritual teacher and the founder of the Academy of Self Knowledge (ASK)-http://www.askonline.co.za. He is the author of numerous books.
[5] Mohamed Haj Yousef is a lecturer in the Department of Physics, United Arab Emirates University.
[6] Ibn ‘Arabī (Arabic: ابن عربي) (July 28, 1165 – November 10, 1240) was a Sufi and philosopher and an Arif. His full name was Abū ‘Abdullāh Muḥammad ibn ‘Alī ibn Muḥammad ibn al-`Arabī al-Hāṭimī al-Ṭā’ī.
[7] Calling Allah by His Most Beautiful Names – By Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri. published 2002
[8] Calling Allah by His Most Beautiful Names – By Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri. published 2002
[9] See Calling Allah for further detail – Shaykh Fadhlalla -2002 page 36-37
[10] The third in line of the Shadiliyya Path and died in 1309 C.E.
[11] Imam Ghazzali’s Deliverance from Error, Translated and Annotated by R J McCarthy- the above work, Appendix 1V- page 289.
[12] 1058-1111 C.E – Imam Ghazali was born in 1058 in Tus, a city in Khorasan province of Persia. – Islamic theologian, jurist, philosopher, cosmologist, psychologist and an Arif.
[13] (Al-Ghazali – The Ninety-nine Beautiful Names of God. Trans. Burrel/Daher: ITS: 1992.)
[14] http://www.zahuri.org/99Names/99Allah.html
[15] Hadith – Sahih Bukhari 8:419, Narrated Abu Huraira
[16] http://www.hknet.org.nz/names-of-Allah-page.htm
[17] http://www.hknet.org.nz/names-of-Allah-page.htm
[18] Imam Ghazzali’s Deliverance from Error, Translated and Annotated by R J McCarthy- the above work, Appendix 1V-pages 285-286
[19] http://www.askonline.co.za
[20] As they appear in Calling Allah – By His Most Beautiful Names – Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri – 2002