Allah’s beautiful names
Practical examples of affirming the names and attributes of Allah according to the Quran and Sunnah
Alhamdulillah, praise to Allah.
Allah, the Exalted, says: “ And to Allah belong the best names, So call upon Him by them. ” (Al-A’raf 7:180)
Meaning: To Allah belong the most beautiful names that indicate His perfect attributes, so invoke Allah (Suplicate to Him) alone by those mighty names.1
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, said: "Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine names—one hundred minus one—whoever learns them by heart will enter Paradise.." (Al-Bukhari (2736) and Muslim (2677))Al-Qurtubi said: “Allah, may He be glorified, named His attributes as (Al-husna) the most beautiful because they are pleasing to the ears and hearts, for they indicate His oneness, generosity, benevolence, mercy, and grace.”2
Al-Shanqiti said: “So invoke Him by them—call upon Him with those names, such as by saying: ‘Ya Rahman, irhamna (O Most Merciful, have mercy upon us), Ya Raheem, irhamni (O Most Compassionate, have mercy upon me).’ Some scholars stated that one should say: ‘Ya Raheem, irhamni (O Compassionate, have mercy upon me); Ya Razzaq, urzuqni (O Provider, provide for me); Ya Hakeem, uhkum li (O All-Wise, decree for me).’ However, one should not say: ‘Ya Hakeem, ighfir li (O All-Wise, forgive me),’ or ‘Ya Razzaq, irhamni (O Provider, have mercy upon me).’ The correct view is that all of this is permissible, because Allah’s names are interconnected, and every attribute in one of them necessitates all other attributes due to the greatness of His qualities, the Exalted, the Most High, and because each one entails the utmost perfection and majesty.”3
- At-Tafsir Al-Muharrar (Arabic)↩
- Tafsir Al-Qurtubi (7/326), as quoted in At-Tafsir Al-Muharrar↩
- Al-Adhb Al-Namir (4/352), as quoted in At-Tafsir Al-Muharrar↩
