99 names of Allah are present in the noble Quran, and having a firm understanding of His beautiful name is wisdom. How can you Imagine that your worldly and afterlife affairs are just and their matters are rectified without knowing your creator, the Almighty ALLAH SWT?
“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.”
(Qur’an, 7:180)
In this materialistic world, it’s crucial for a person to know and serve His Lord alone. But, many people get caught up in their daily lives and forget the main reason why ALLAH SWT created them, which is to worship Him.
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
(Quran 51:56)
We are already living in the end times. If we do not see the reality today, then when? 95% of the signs of the re-appearance of Imam Mahdi are already completed.
99 names of ALLAH SWT.
When we learn about Allah’s Names, it’s important to understand that Allah (swt) isn’t just one attribute at a time. It’s similar to describing a delicious meal as both sweet and savory. It doesn’t mean it’s sweet sometimes and savory at other times. It’s both sweet and savory at the same time, and these flavors complement each other. So, rather than dividing Allah’s Names and attributes into separate categories, we should see Him as a complete and unified presence.
Download 99 Names of Allah PDF
DownloadDownloadSome of Allah’s Names show that He has different qualities. For instance, when we talk about Allah as al-Mujeeb (the One who responds), it means He’s also as-Samee` (the all-Hearing), al-Baseer (the all-Seeing), and al-Qawiyy (the Strong).
Some Names seem similar, but they have slight differences when you look at the context. Take al-Ghafur (the Forgiving) and at-Tawwab (the One who accepts repentance), for example. They’re both about asking for forgiveness.
Al-Ghafur means Allah forgives our sins and hides them, while at-Tawwab means even more. He welcomes us when we return to Him, listens to our explanations, and still forgives us.
We will discuss the names of Allah below in full detail, what they mean, and how to seek his blessings and forgiveness.
Allah the most beautiful name of Allah among all names.
ALLAH is the beautiful name among the names of Allah. When someone calls upon Him with this names he listens whatever he asked Allah gives them.
This name alone carries the meanings of all beautiful names of Allah. “Allah is the One who should be worshipped by everyone in the world.” This idea comes from Ibn Jarir’s Tafseer.
It means that Allah, with His greatness, perfection, and power, deserves to be worshiped. We should worship Him alone with respect, humbleness, and by surrendering ourselves to His will.
The 99 Names of Allah in English with beautiful explanation
Al-Wahhab: Always Giving Us Gifts (another name of Allah).
Do you remember the last time someone gave you a present? How did it make you feel? You probably felt happy and loved, making you feel unique to the person who gave you the gift. Sometimes, you might have even felt shy or unworthy of the present. That’s because a gift is something given out of kindness, not because you earned it.
One of Allah’s beautiful names is al-Wahhab. “Wahhab” comes from “hiba,” which means a gift. Since Allah (swt) is called al-Wahhab, it means He doesn’t just give gifts occasionally – He’s always giving us gifts. In the Quran, Allah (swt) tells us:
“Do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?” (Quran, 38:9)
So, Allah is like the constant giver of beautiful gifts, and we are truly blessed to have Him in our lives.
Ar-Razzaq (another name of Allah).
To understand Allah’s name “ar-Razzaq,” we must first grasp the meaning of “rizq.” Rizq is like the portion of good things that have been set aside for you, and it’s something that benefits you.
So, Allah (swt), who is also called “ar-Razzaq,” is the One who not only creates this good stuff for you but also takes on the responsibility of making sure you receive what has been designated for you.
It’s important to note that He is “ar-Razzaq” and not “ar-Raaziq,” which means He provides sustenance to everyone, regardless of whether they are Muslim or not, male or female, human, or even animals and plants. This includes everything on Earth.
In the Qur’an, Allah (swt) says, “And there is no living creature on Earth that doesn’t depend on Allah for its provisions (rizq). He knows where they live and where they store their food. Everything is meticulously recorded.” (Qur’an, 11:6)
How to Get More Rizq (Provision).
Taqwa (God-consciousness): If you’re mindful of Allah, He’ll find a way to help and provide for you, even when you least expect it. (Qur’an, 65:2-3)
Tawakul (reliance on God): When you put your trust in Allah, He will be all you need, and He’ll make sure His plans for you work out. Everything has a set time and measure. (Qur’an, 65:3)
Keeping good relations with family: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “If you want more provision and a longer life, be good to your family.” (Bukhari)
Thankfulness: Allah promises to give you even more when you’re grateful. But if you’re ungrateful, His punishment can be harsh. (Qur’an, 14:7)
Asking for forgiveness and repentance: Turn to Allah for forgiveness; He’s always ready to forgive. He’ll send blessings like rain, increase your wealth and children, and give you gardens and rivers. (Qur’an, 71:10-12)
Charity: If you lend something good to Allah, He’ll return it to you often. (Qur’an, 2:245)
Reciting the Qur’an: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “A home where the Qur’an is recited is filled with goodness, but a home without it lacks that goodness.” (Al-Bazaar)
Migrating for Allah’s sake: If you move for the sake of Allah, you’ll find plenty of opportunities and blessings on Earth. (Qur’an, 4:100)
Al-Haleem (another name of Allah).
How do you feel when you make a mistake, and the person who sees it happening doesn’t scold or embarrass you, but rather lets it pass? It’s a mix of feeling a little embarrassed, relieved, and thankful. If you care about and respect that person, you’d probably promise yourself never to repeat the same mistake and never take advantage of their kindness and patience.
Now, let’s think about our relationship with Allah (swt) every day. We often do things we know we shouldn’t, like looking at or listening to inappropriate things. But Allah knows our condition, and in most cases, He doesn’t immediately punish us. He is al-Haleem.
Al-Ghazali explains that Allah’s Name al-Haleem means He observes our disobedience and sees when we go against His commands. However, He doesn’t get angry or rush to take revenge, even though He has the power to do so. Allah is incredibly patient and forbearing.
As-Siteer (another name of Allah).
Let’s talk about the name “As-Siteer.”
This name is mentioned in a saying of the Prophet (ﷺ): “Verily, Allah the All-Mighty and Majestic is Forbearing, Modest, and Concealing (Sitteer); and He loves modesty and concealment. Therefore, when any of you bathe, let him hide himself (i.e., from the sight of people).”
In simple words, “As-Siteer” means someone who hides or conceals things. But it’s not just any concealment; it’s like the kind that can cover a million or even the most significant secrets. When a name is in this unique form, it means that it’s the best and most of that quality. It’s like Allah’s name, “Al-Ghaffar,” which means He forgives even the biggest sins and countless sins.
Al-Mujeeb (another name of Allah).
Let’s talk about “Al-Mujeeb,” the One who answers prayers. According to al-Ghazali, this name tells us that Allah responds to the requests of those who ask for help, answers the calls of those who call upon Him, and provides what the poor need.
When you ask Allah, it means you know Him. Knowing that He responds means understanding that He sees everything (As-Baseer), knows everything (Al-Aleem), hears everything (Al-Samee), loves us deeply (al-Wadud), and gives us even when we don’t deserve it (al-Wahhab).
He doesn’t need anything from us, but we need Him (al-Ghaniyy). If we don’t ask, it means we don’t know Him, and we’re missing out on a great way to worship Him.
There are two reasons why we might not ask. First, we might not believe that Allah can or will answer us. Second, we might think we can do things independently, which is a kind of pride.
Allah tells us in the Qur’an, “And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible” (Qur’an, 40:60). Allah compares those who don’t call on Him to people who disrespect His worship.
Now, let’s focus on the first reason. Allah tells us He is “Al-Mujeeb,” so we should have complete confidence that He will answer our prayers. Just look at what the Prophet (ﷺ) says: “Verily your Lord is Generous and Shy.
If His servant raises his hands to Him (in supplication), He becomes shy to send them back empty” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi). This means Allah is generous and wants to ensure your prayers are answered.
At-Tawwab (another name of Allah).
Let’s talk about the name “at-Tawwab.” The word “Taaba” in Arabic means to return, and “at-Tawwab” is the One who welcomes and accepts all those who return to Him.
Many of us need to return to Him because we make mistakes. But here’s the beautiful part: Allah, despite knowing all that we do, still accepts our return to Him. Even people, like our parents, can get tired of us if we ignore them or do things they don’t like. But Allah wants us to know that He is at Tawwab.
He reminds us in the Qur’an: “Do they not know that it is Allah who accepts repentance from His servants and receives charities and that it is Allah who is the Accepter of repentance, the Merciful?” (Qur’an, 9:104)
That’s why He calls Himself “at-Tawwab.” It means that no matter where we are or what we’ve done, He will accept us if we sincerely return to Him.
He wants us to succeed and calls upon all believers to turn to Him in repentance, saying, “And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” (Qur’an, 24:31) So, it’s like an open invitation to come back to Him and find success.
To repent from your sins, here are the steps:
- Feel sorry for what you did and recognize it’s wrong. It doesn’t mean you hate yourself, but you want to change.
- Stop the sin right away, even if you think you might slip back into it. Don’t be negative about it.
- Intend never to do the sin again, use positive language, and ask Allah for help. If you fall back into it, remember to hate the sin, not yourself.
- If your sin hurt someone else, try to make things right if you can. If you can’t, pray for them.
Al-Kareem (another name of Allah).
In his explanation of Allah’s Names, Imam al-Ghazali said that al-Kareem is someone who forgives when they can, keeps their promises, and gives more than you could expect without worrying about how much or to whom they give.
So, how is Allah al-Kareem? Allah is Kareem in His very nature because of His perfection, Oneness, and uniqueness. He’s also Kareem in His dealings with His creation, always going above and beyond what’s required.
Let’s look at prayers, for example. Prayer is compulsory, but Allah has made it special. When we pray, we connect with Allah, are forgiven for our sins, and are even rewarded. Allah’s generosity and kindness shine through in how He treats us, even in our bare acts of worship.
Al-Lateef (another name of Allah).
When we say Allah (swt) is “Lateef” with His servants, it means He’s always with us, aware of our thoughts and feelings, but His presence and protection are gentle and subtle. Sheik Ratib an-Nabulsi says, “His being with us is not heavy.”
Combine this idea of “Lateef” with being Gentle and Kind, and you have a Lord who knows what’s in your heart and provides what you need with great subtlety out of His Mercy and Kindness.
You might think it’s your friend comforting you, but Allah sent that friend your way. One word from them lifted your spirits, or a joke they shared brightened your day. Meeting someone unexpectedly who suggested a class brought you closer to Allah.
Al-Qaabid, Al-Baasit (another name of Allah).
We all have times when we feel tight and upset and don’t find joy in our worship. Other times, our hearts feel light, and we’re happy. These feelings come from Allah, al-Qaabid al-Baasit, who can make things tight or expand them. This happens in many ways, and we’ll talk about some before we focus on the heart’s condition.
One way this tightness and expansion happens is with our provisions, like the food and things we have. Allah is the one who gives and sometimes withholds.
Another way is how Allah has power over life and death. He takes our souls when we sleep, like a little death. He gives back some souls and keeps others.
This shows Allah’s great power and how He tests us to see who does good deeds. It’s all in the Qur’an: “Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent -[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.” (Qur’an, 67:1-2)
So, even when we sleep, it’s like a small death, and Allah decides what happens with our souls.
The Abaser, the Exalter (another name of Allah).
Life follows a particular path, like the sunnah. Sometimes, even those who seem powerful and tyrannical can fall from their high positions. It’s not just for oppressive rulers; it can happen to anyone.
For instance, when Iblees said he was better than Adam because he was made of fire, Allah expelled him from Paradise. When Pharaoh claimed to be the highest lord, he was drowned.
This should make us reflect. We might not have the same status as Pharaoh, but how many of us have a bit of Pharaoh or Iblees in us, being arrogant in our own ways? So, the lesson is to be humble before Allah humbles us. As the Prophet (ﷺ) taught, “Whoever humbles themselves before God, Allah will raise them” (Muslim).
This leads us to Allah ar-Raafi, the One who raises and elevates. Allah tells the Prophet (ﷺ) in the Qur’an: “And We raised high (rafana) for you your repute” (Qur’an, 94:4).
As-Salaam (Peace is another name of Allah).
“O Allah, You are the Source of Peace, and from You is peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of Glory and Honor.” [Muslim]
We all want peace in our lives. We work to have a secure future and seek calm in different ways.
But sometimes, we look for peace in the wrong places – like material things, people, or a particular lifestyle. The truth is peace comes from As-Salaam (Allah), not from this world. Some people with very little have deep contentment, while others who seem to have it all remain unsatisfied.
Peace is found when we turn to Allah, as He says: “And Allah invites to the Home of Peace and guides whom He wills to a straight path” (Qur’an, 10:25).
Al-`aleem (another name of Allah).
Sheikh Ratib an-Nabulsi teaches us that there’s a difference between Allah’s knowledge and our human knowledge. You see, we learn by observing and experiencing things around us. But Allah’s knowledge has no beginning or end, and it doesn’t come from trial and error.
Allah tells us in the Qur’an that He holds the keys to the unseen, and He knows everything on the land and in the sea. He even knows when a tiny leaf falls. He’s aware of our innermost thoughts, and He’s closer to us than anything. So He knows what you’re going through and how you feel.
Your Lord never forgets, so don’t think that anything you’ve done is in vain. He knows when you make a choice to avoid doing wrong for His sake, even if you don’t see immediate results.
Some things require patience, and Allah teaches us with time. As Allah tells us: “But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not” (Qur’an, 2:216).
Al-Hakeem (another name of Allah).
According to al-Ghazali, al-Hakeem is “the One who possesses wisdom, and wisdom consists of the knowledge of the most excellent things gathered through the instrumentality of the most excellent branch of knowledge.” In other words, to judge or make decisions, you need knowledge.
One part is knowing, and the other part is applying that knowledge. Allah (swt) is both the All-Knowing and the Most-Wise. He has all the knowledge, and as an-Nabulsi explains, He does the right thing in the right way, at the right place, and at the right time.
That’s why we also talk about Allah being al-Mujeeb (the One who responds), al-Wakeel (the Trustee), and al-Fattah (the Supreme Opener).
Sometimes we work hard and believe that Allah, who possesses these attributes, will help us. But when the outcome isn’t what we expected, some of us may lose faith, feel betrayed, or abandoned.
The thing is, we missed something crucial – Allah is the Most-Wise and the All-Knowing. He didn’t grant our wishes because He knows what’s best for us in this life and the hereafter.
Sometimes we think we know, but we don’t have all the knowledge. Trusting that He knows what the best outcome should be is true tawakul, complete trust in God.
Al-Nur in english we say the light (another name of Allah).
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a lamp in a ideal position, encased in glass, shining like a radiant star. This lamp is fueled by the blessed olive tree, neither from the east nor the west, its oil almost glows without fire. It’s light upon light. Allah guides whomever He wills. He gives examples for people, and He knows all things.” [Qur’an, 24:35]
“Al-Nur is the One who makes everything visible, both things that are inherently visible and things that are made visible by His light. It’s connected to Al-Dhaahir—the Manifest. In simple terms, it’s illumination, rays, or anything that emits light. Ibn al-Atheer explained Allah’s Name al-Nur as the One whose light helps the blind see and the lost find their way.
According to Abu al-Mansoor’s interpretation of the verse mentioned above, the Light of Allah’s guidance in a believer’s heart is like a lamp in a niche. Allah’s light brightens the heart of a believer.
We all know what light is – it’s something we see. But the meaning of Allah’s Name al-Nur becomes more apparent when we realize that light, as al-Ghazali pointed out, makes the invisible things visible.”
Al-Jaami or the Gatherer (another name of Allah).
How can we see that Allah is al-Jaami? Al-Ghazali explained that one of the meanings of al-Jaami is the One who combines similar things, dissimilar things, and opposites. In addition, Allah brings people together on the Day of Judgment and unites their hearts.
When we think about bringing things together, we can see, feel, or experience them in various ways. For instance, we see different trees, flowers, and plants, which affirms Allah’s attribute in a tangible sense. But we can’t see how Allah can bring everyone, from the beginning of time to the end of time, together in one place at one time.
This is one of the reasons why this name is so great and why His ‘bringing together’ is divine and different from any way we bring things together. Humans can claim to bring together other things, although Allah provides these things. However, no one can claim to bring together everyone as we will be brought together on the Day of Judgment.
Allah tells us in the Qur’an: “This is the Day of Judgment; We will have assembled you and the former peoples” [Qur’an, 77:38]. He also says: “Allah – there is no deity except Him. He will surely assemble you for an account on the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. And who is more truthful than Allah in the statement” [Qur’an, 4:87].
Ar-Raqeeb (The All Watchful) another name of Allah.
Al-Ghazali explains that the All-Observant is someone who knows and protects. It’s like caring for something so much that you never forget it and keeping a constant and persistent watch over it.
Allah is always watching over us, showing His care. This should deeply impact how we live our lives. Allah reminds us, “Does he not know that Allah sees?” [Qur’an, 96:14].
Knowing Allah is the All-Observant means you’re never truly alone. Whether you’re working late at night on an essay or getting ready for work in the early morning, Allah is always with you.
This Name should also inspire us to want to impress Allah. We try to do better when we know our parents or someone we love is watching us. We should have the same attitude when we know Allah, the All-Observant, is watching.
He sees both our good deeds and evil deeds. Let’s be more charitable and kind to others for His sake because we know He observes everything we do.
Ash-Shakoor (The Most Appreciative) another name of Allah.
Allah is ash-Shakoor, which we’ll call the Most Appreciative here. Al-Ghazali explains that ash-Shakoor is the One who generously rewards even a few pious deeds with immense happiness in the afterlife. When good deeds are multiplied many-fold, it’s considered a form of gratitude.
But only God, in His greatness, is truly appreciative because His rewards are limitless, and the joy in Paradise has no end.
As-Samad (The Eternal Refuge) another name of Allah.
We all have wishes like getting married, having enough money, good children, and peace of mind. We ask Allah for these things in both good and tough times. Don’t think that Allah, who is known as as-Samad, will ever let you down.
Even in hard times, like when the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) went to Ta’if and faced troubles, he turned to Allah as-Samad for help. He asked Allah for His support and said, “I don’t mind if You are not upset with me, as long as Your kindness comforts me.”
When the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions migrated to Medina, they faced difficult conditions they weren’t used to. Many companions got sick, and some even missed their hometown, Mecca. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked Allah for help, and eventually, Medina became as dear to them as Mecca, if not more.
“So stay firm, stay firm (samdan samdan) so that you may reach the pillars of truth.”
Al-Fattah (the Opener/the Judge) another name of Allah.
We should remember that when we know Allah as al-Fattah, it means we have to work hard to achieve what we want. Allah decides when to open doors and might delay solutions to test our sincerity and trust. So, we should never lose hope.
Think about the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) even after he was attacked with stones at Ta’if, he didn’t give up. No matter how many times you ask Allah for help, He will eventually provide a way, so don’t give up.
Umar bin Abdel Azeez knew that Allah is the ultimate opener. He said, “I have a soul that always wants something better. When I wanted to marry my cousin Fatima bint AbdelMalik, I did. When I wanted to be the Amir, I became one. Then I aspired to be a Caliph, and I got it. Now, my soul longs for the best thing – Paradise. I hope to be one of its inhabitants.”
This person knows that nothing is truly impossible because Allah is al-Fattah.
Al-Khaaliq, Al-Baari’, Al-Musawwir another name of Allah.
Allah is known as the Creator, the Producer, and the Fashioner. While these Names may seem similar, al-Ghazali helps us understand the differences:
- As the Creator (Khaliq), Allah is the Planner (Muqaddir).
- As the Producer (Bari’), Allah initiates existence.
- As the Fashioner (Musawwir), Allah arranges the forms of things in the finest way.
The most evident way to experience this is by reflecting on the gift of life itself. Take a moment to think about our existence and how Allah brought us into this world. Allah says:
“Has there [not] come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing [even] mentioned?” [Qur’an, 76:1]
At one point, there was nothing, and now there are incredible, complex beings. Allah informed the Angels:
“I am going to create a human being from clay.” [Qur’an, 38:71]
Then, we were produced from nothing, and we were fashioned. Each of us has unique physical features, fingerprints, characters, and personalities. But this phenomenon isn’t limited to humans. Think about all the animals, plants, and microcosms in existence.
As al-Ghazali points out, “He is the Creator by planning these things, the Fashioner by originating according to the planning, and the Producer by sheer origination and invention from nothing into existence.”
The verses in Surat al-Qiyaama are truly remarkable:
“I swear by the Day of Resurrection And I swear by the reproaching soul [to the certainty of resurrection]. Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips.” [Quran, 75:1-4]
What is Allah’s favourite name?
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said that the most beloved name to Allah are ‘Abd-Allah (Slave of Allah) and ‘Abd al-Rahman (Slave of the Most Merciful).
Names beginning with ‘Abd (meaning “slave of”) are highly regarded because they affirm the attributes specific to Allah, which do not apply to anyone else. These names are a reflection of servitude and unwavering submission to the Lord. The hadith can be found in Sahih Muslim (2132) and Sahih Abu Dawood (4950). Here’s the essence of the hadith:
How to Make dua with Allah’s name?
All the names of Allah SWT are great; one needs greater wisdom to understand the meaning behind the name of Allah SWT. I often take The name of Allah Al-Ghaffar, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem, Al-Azeez, As-Samad, and Al-Mutakkabir.
What is Allah in Aramaic?
Aramaic is an ancient language that people used to speak in the Near East. In Aramaic, they usually called God “Alaha” or “Eil.” Interestingly, some Christian groups who speak Aramaic still say “Alaha” for God. But in Islam, the word “Allah.”
