(Bukhārī, Kitāb Al-Daʿawāt, 2, 949)
Abū Hurayrah quotes the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: “Allah 99 names. He who memorizes these is destined to enter Paradise”.
(Muslim, Kitāb Al-Dhikr wa Al-Duʿā’, 2, 342)
According to Tirmidhī, Abū Hurayrah reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah has 99 names. He who learns these by heart will enter Paradise”. Tirmidhī adds that this Ḥadīth does not specify those 99 names of Allah and that it is a ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ Ḥadīth.
(Tirmidhī, Abwāb Al-Daʿawāt, 2, 188–9)
In his gloss over Jāmi‘ Al-Tirmidhī, Qāḍī Abū Bakr ibn ‘Arabī maintains that there are 1,000 names of Allah and the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him) each.
(Maqrīzī, ImtāʿAl-Asmāʿ, 2, 138)
These divine names provide a graphic account of Allah’s attributes. While going through these, we realize how perfect and unique He is. His excellent names evoke our love, fear and admiration for Him. We should gain a clear understanding of His names, memorize these and act in accordance with the message imparted by these. As noted in Aḥādīth, this will inshā’ Allāh facilitate our entry into Paradise. If we assimilate their message, we will enjoy a peaceful, happy life in this world both as individuals and as a community.
The Qur’ān brands these as “excellent” names in view of these considerations: (i) Since Allah is Perfect, Unique and the Most Exalted, His names underscore the same. It is common knowledge that a being is known and characterized by the name. (ii) As we memorize and grasp the meaning of these names, we are in a better position to bring to our mind His greatness and glory when we invoke Him, especially for seeking His help and favours. In that state our whole being testifies to His numerous and perfect attributes. (iii) There is no one equal unto Allah in His glorious and excellent attributes. Since He has spelled out His names, our invocation to Him by these names may prompt His mercy and pleasure.
We are told in Ḥadīth reports that Allah’s love for His creatures exceeds far more than mother’s love for her child. As we address Him by His authentic names, we are more likely to get some response to our petitions to Him.
Invoking Allah with reference to these names and memorizing these amounts to this Qur’ānic mode of worship of glorifying and mentioning Allah:
Believers Remember Allah much and glorify Him morning and evening.
(al-Aḥzāb 33: 41–42)
It goes without saying that this exercise of mentioning Allah’s name inspirits us. The Qur’ān affirms the same:
Believers are those who believe (in Allah and the message of the Prophet) and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in Allah’s remembrance do hearts find rest.
(al-Raʿd 13: 28)
Moreover, the use of His names in our supplications enables us to focus on His perfect being and excellent attributes. This, in turn, renders our prayers more fervent and earnest. Studying and memorizing the excellent names of Allah is, thus, an act of devotional worship for which Allah has promised to reward us. Moreover, this study of Allah’s names and attributes provides us with an opportunity to gain or renew our acquaintance with the Islamic worldview as a whole.
Reading about his names presents before us a vivid, comprehensive picture of the articles of Islamic faith. More importantly, this study helps us draw upon Allah’s boundless mercy and affection. It inculcates into us love, respect and regard for Allah. On reading these names and attributes we are drawn closer to our Lord and Creator, Allah and appreciate better the meaning and message of the Prophet’s noble mission.
In view these considerations, the Qur’ān makes some pointed references to Allah’s names. The Companions regarded it as their great privilege to record, elucidate and transmit the Aḥādīth on the excellent names of Allah and attributes.
1
ALLAH/GOD
THIS name is unique to God in the Islamic parlance. The Qur’ānic Sūrah al–Ikhlāṣ provides this helpful account of Him: “He is Allah, the Eternal, Ever-Living. He neither begot any nor was He begotten. And none is comparable to Him.” (al-Ikhlāṣ 112: 1-4) He is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe.
From Sūrah al-Fātiḥah 1: 1
2
THE MOST MERCIFUL
IT is one of the recurrent names of Allah in the Qur’ān. For mercy is a dominant attribute of Allah. We possess all that we have owing to His mercy. While keeping in mind this excellent name of Allah we should be kind and helpful to fellow human beings. Likewise, we should make it a point to follow the way prescribed by Him, Who is Most Merciful. It is in our own interest to do only that to which the Most Merciful One has guided us. The following Prophetic supplication brings out the centrality of this divine name:
O Lord! Reliever of worry, Remover of anxiety, Responder to the call of those under duress, the Merciful and the Mercy-Giver in this world and in the Hereafter. It is You Who will have mercy on me in a way that frees me from seeking mercy from anyone besides You.
(al-Ḥākim)
From Sūrah al-Fātiḥah 1: 1
3
THE MOST COMPASSIONATE
LIKE Al-Raḥmān, this divine name Al-Raḥīm often appears in the Qur’ān. Allah’s compassion towards us consists in:
• His overlooking our sins and accepting our repentance;
• His blessing us with numerous bounties;
• His affection for us in both this world and the next;
• His granting
