Collected by Muhammad Sajad Ali - webmaster – www.deen<strong>islam</strong>.co.uk - 10 th December 2009 <strong>Allah</strong>'s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "<strong>Allah</strong> Most High has ninety-nine names. He who retains <strong>the</strong>m in his memory will enter Paradise. He is <strong>Allah</strong>, o<strong>the</strong>r than whom <strong>the</strong>re is no god, <strong>the</strong> Compassionate, <strong>the</strong> Merciful, <strong>the</strong> King, <strong>the</strong> Holy, <strong>the</strong> Source <strong>of</strong> Peace, <strong>the</strong> Preserver <strong>of</strong> Security, <strong>the</strong> Protec<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> Mighty, <strong>the</strong> Overpowering, <strong>the</strong> Great in Majesty, <strong>the</strong> Crea<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> Maker, <strong>the</strong> Fashioner, <strong>the</strong> Forgiver, <strong>the</strong> Dominant, <strong>the</strong> Bes<strong>to</strong>wer, <strong>the</strong> Provider, <strong>the</strong> Decider, <strong>the</strong> Knower, <strong>the</strong> Withholder, <strong>the</strong> Plentiful Giver, <strong>the</strong> Abaser, <strong>the</strong> Exalter, <strong>the</strong> Honorer, <strong>the</strong> Humilia<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> Hearer, <strong>the</strong> Seer, <strong>the</strong> Judge, <strong>the</strong> Just, <strong>the</strong> Gracious, <strong>the</strong> Informed, <strong>the</strong> Clement, <strong>the</strong> Incomparably Great, <strong>the</strong> Forgiving, <strong>the</strong> Rewarder, <strong>the</strong> Most High, <strong>the</strong> Most Great, <strong>the</strong> Preserver, <strong>the</strong> Sustainer, <strong>the</strong> Reckoner, <strong>the</strong> Majestic, <strong>the</strong> Generous, <strong>the</strong> Watcher, <strong>the</strong> Answerer, <strong>the</strong> Liberal, <strong>the</strong> Wise, <strong>the</strong> Loving, <strong>the</strong> Glorious, <strong>the</strong> Raiser, <strong>the</strong> Witness, <strong>the</strong> Real, <strong>the</strong> Trustee, <strong>the</strong> Strong, <strong>the</strong> Firm, <strong>the</strong> Patron, <strong>the</strong> Praiseworthy, <strong>the</strong> All-Knowing, <strong>the</strong> Origina<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> Res<strong>to</strong>rer <strong>to</strong> Life, <strong>the</strong> Giver <strong>of</strong> Life, <strong>the</strong> Giver <strong>of</strong> Death, <strong>the</strong> Living, <strong>the</strong> Eternal, <strong>the</strong> Self-sufficient, <strong>the</strong> Gr<strong>and</strong>, <strong>the</strong> One, <strong>the</strong> Single, He <strong>to</strong> Whom men repair, <strong>the</strong> Powerful, <strong>the</strong> Prevailing, <strong>the</strong> Advancer, <strong>the</strong> Delayer, <strong>the</strong> First, <strong>the</strong> Last, <strong>the</strong> Outward, <strong>the</strong> Inward, <strong>the</strong> Governor, <strong>the</strong> Sublime, <strong>the</strong> Amply Beneficent, <strong>the</strong> Accepter <strong>of</strong> Repentance, <strong>the</strong> Avenger, <strong>the</strong> Pardoner, <strong>the</strong> Kindly, <strong>the</strong> Ruler <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kingdom, <strong>the</strong> Lord <strong>of</strong> Majesty <strong>and</strong> Splendor, <strong>the</strong> Equitable, <strong>the</strong> Ga<strong>the</strong>rer, <strong>the</strong> Independent, <strong>the</strong> Enricher, <strong>the</strong> Depriver, <strong>the</strong> Harmer, <strong>the</strong> Benefac<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> Light, <strong>the</strong> Guide, <strong>the</strong> First Cause, <strong>the</strong> Enduring, <strong>the</strong> Inheri<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> Direc<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> Patient." Here is an excerpt from An <strong>Introduction</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Science <strong>of</strong> Hadeeth by Dr Suhaib Hasan that explains some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> his<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>of</strong> this tradition in more detail: The following is <strong>the</strong> sahih [au<strong>the</strong>ntic, reliable] hadith <strong>of</strong> al- Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah <strong>and</strong> Ibn 'Asakir: "Verily, <strong>Allah</strong> has Ninety-Nine <strong>Names</strong> which if a person safeguards <strong>the</strong>m, he will enter <strong>the</strong> Garden." In some narrations <strong>of</strong> this hadith found in al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs, <strong>the</strong> names are listed at <strong>the</strong> end; however, at least three different listings are given, e.g. one list being, "He is <strong>Allah</strong>, besides whom <strong>the</strong>re is no o<strong>the</strong>r deity, <strong>the</strong> Merciful, <strong>the</strong> Compassionate, ..., <strong>the</strong> Forbearing" while ano<strong>the</strong>r is "<strong>Allah</strong>, <strong>the</strong> Unique, <strong>the</strong> Absolute, ..., <strong>the</strong> One who has nothing like un<strong>to</strong> Him." It is agreed that <strong>the</strong>se latter narrations are da'if [weak, unreliable], <strong>and</strong> this is why al-Bukhari <strong>and</strong> Muslim did not include <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong>ir Sahihs. Al-Tirmidhi says in his Sunan, "This (version <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>) hadith is gharib [unusual, scarce]; it has been narrated from various routes on <strong>the</strong> authority <strong>of</strong> Abu Hurairah, but we do not know <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mention <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Names</strong> in <strong>the</strong> numerous narrations, except this one." Ibn Taimiyyah says, "Al-Walid (one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> narra<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hadith) related <strong>the</strong> <strong>Names</strong> from (<strong>the</strong> saying <strong>of</strong>) one <strong>of</strong> his Syrian teachers ... specific mention <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Names</strong> is not from <strong>the</strong> words <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prophet (may <strong>Allah</strong> bless him <strong>and</strong> grant him peace), by <strong>the</strong> agreement <strong>of</strong> those familiar with Hadith." Ibn Kathir says in his Tafsir, under verse 180 <strong>of</strong> Surah al- A'raf, that <strong>the</strong>se narrations are mudraj [interpolated]. Ibn Hajar takes a similar view in his commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari. Various scholars have given different lists <strong>of</strong> <strong>99</strong> <strong>Names</strong> from <strong>the</strong>ir study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Qur'an <strong>and</strong> Sunnah, including Ja'far al- Sadiq, Sufyan b. 'Uyainah, Ibn Hazm, al-Qurtubi, Ibn Hajar <strong>and</strong> Salih b. 'Uthaimin. The exalted Crea<strong>to</strong>r is said <strong>to</strong> have three thous<strong>and</strong> names. (3,000) 1,000 are known only <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Angels. 1,000 only <strong>the</strong> Prophets know. 300 in <strong>the</strong> Torah, 300 hundred in <strong>the</strong> Psalms, 8
Collected by Muhammad Sajad Ali - webmaster – www.deen<strong>islam</strong>.co.uk - 10 th December 2009 300 hundred in <strong>the</strong> Gospel, <strong>99</strong> in <strong>the</strong> Holy Qur'an. One name is kept secret by <strong>the</strong> Almighty Lord. This is called <strong>the</strong> Supreme Name, <strong>to</strong> signify that one Name is unique <strong>to</strong> Him, <strong>and</strong> remains hidden within His Essence. Our beloved Prophet has also <strong>to</strong>ld us about <strong>the</strong> Supreme Name in his noble sayings, <strong>the</strong> Hadith. According <strong>to</strong> Asma', <strong>the</strong> blessed Prophet said: "The Supreme Name <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> is in <strong>the</strong>se two Verses <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Qur'an: Your God is One God [Wahld]. There is no god but He [Hit], All-Merciful [Rahmdn] <strong>and</strong> Compassionate [Rabim]. [2:163]. Alif Lam Mim. <strong>Allah</strong>, <strong>the</strong>re is no god but He [Hu], <strong>the</strong> Living [Hayy], <strong>the</strong> Self-Subsisting [Qayyiim]. [3:1-2]. "And in: Faces shall be humbled <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Living [Hayy], <strong>the</strong> Self-Subsisting [Qayyiim.]. He who bears evil will have failed. [20:111]." It is also reported, on <strong>the</strong> authority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> venerable °A'isha, that <strong>the</strong> Supreme Name is Yd Rabb, Yd Rabb (Lord, Lord!). Out <strong>of</strong> compassion, <strong>Allah</strong> keeps certain things concealed. He conceals His intimate friends, <strong>the</strong> saints, so that we may all respect one ano<strong>the</strong>r. He has concealed <strong>the</strong> Night <strong>of</strong> Power in <strong>the</strong> month <strong>of</strong> Ramadan, so that people will avoid wickedness <strong>and</strong> devote <strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>to</strong> worship on every night <strong>of</strong> this sacred month. He does not reveal which act <strong>of</strong> worship He most favours, so that all His sacred laws shall be observed. He has hidden His Supreme Name in <strong>the</strong> Glorious Qur'an, so that His servants should read it all. Anyone who reads <strong>the</strong> Qur'an from beginning <strong>to</strong> end will come across this Supreme Name, but without realizing he has done so. The great Saint °Abdu'l-Ahad al-Nuri sings in a hymn <strong>of</strong> praise: <strong>Sufi</strong>, rest not at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Names</strong>; Come learn Whose <strong>Names</strong> <strong>the</strong>y are. To know <strong>the</strong> Named One, that's <strong>the</strong> aim, The only aim in studying <strong>the</strong> <strong>Names</strong>. <strong>Allah</strong> <strong>the</strong> All-Glorious says: "If you call upon Me with <strong>the</strong>se <strong>Names</strong>, I shall answer your call." If we use <strong>the</strong> Most Beautiful <strong>Names</strong> in our prayers <strong>of</strong> supplication, our pleas are sure <strong>of</strong> divine acceptance, for <strong>Allah</strong> — Glorious is His Majesty — says: "Call upon Me by <strong>the</strong>se <strong>Names</strong> <strong>of</strong> Mine.'' None can prevail against <strong>Allah</strong>. He prevails over all things, <strong>and</strong> is Sufficient un<strong>to</strong> Himself. He answers <strong>the</strong> prayers <strong>of</strong> those who call on Him, <strong>and</strong> He is Aware <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong>ir inner thoughts. Keep your words private or speak openly, He knows what your breasts contain. [67:13]. 1. <strong>Allah</strong>: The name <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> The Mystery Of The Supreme Being <strong>Allah</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> is Al-Ismul-' A'zam, <strong>the</strong> greatest name which contains all <strong>the</strong> divine attributes <strong>and</strong> is <strong>the</strong> sign <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> essence <strong>and</strong> cause <strong>of</strong> all existence. <strong>Allah</strong> does not resemble in any way any <strong>of</strong> His creation. The word <strong>Allah</strong> refers <strong>to</strong> <strong>Allah</strong>'s name only, nothing else can assume this name or share it. The Divine Attributes And Qualities <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> The name <strong>Allah</strong> contains meanings that indicate <strong>the</strong> non-resemblance <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> <strong>to</strong> anything else. They are: 9