What are the 99 Names and Attributes of Allah?

The 99 names of Allah: an introduction to the belief in the divine Names and Attributes

In Islam, the 99 names of Allah, also known as Asma Allah Al-Housna, are the list of the Names and various Attributes of Allah, to Him belong the Glory and the Majesty. These 99 Most Beautiful Names serve not only to know and better understand Allah, but also to strengthen the faith and religious practice of Muslims. In this article, we will explore the meaning of the 99 names of Allah as well as their importance in the belief in Tawhid.

Translation of the terms Asma Allah Al-Housna and Illah

To begin with, it is essential to clarify certain key terms used in the Muslim religion. The word "asma" in Arabic is a common noun written in the plural which means "Names".

 "Al-housna", for its part, is also a common noun in the plural, which translates as "the most beautiful".

Thus, the expression Asma Allah Al-Housna refers to the "99 Most Beautiful Names of Allah".

As for the term "illah", it is an Arabic word that means "deity" or "god". The definition of Illah therefore encompasses the idea of a supreme divine entity, the Only One Worthy of worship and veneration.

It should be noted that the Name Allah encompasses all the other Names and Attributes within itself.

99 Names and Attributes of Allah: Introduction to Tawhid

Tawhid is a central pillar of the Islamic faith and represents the belief in the oneness of Allah. This concept is based on the idea that Allah Alone is Worthy of worship and that He does not share His divinity with any other beings or entities. Tawhid manifests itself in different ways in the religious practice of Muslims, notably through the declaration of faith (shahada), the prayer (salat) and the other pillars of Islam.

Regarding the 99 Names of Allah, belief in His Names and Attributes means having the certainty that His Names and Attributes belong to Allah Alone, without any resemblance to any being, entity or creature. To believe with certainty that Allah has attributed to Himself His Names and that His Attributes are in no way conditioned by any cause, limitation, increase or decrease whatsoever in time or in space.  

The 99 names and attributes of Allah and Tawhid

Within the framework of Tawhid, the 99 names of Allah are considered a manifestation of His Oneness and His Greatness. Each Name reveals a different aspect of the divine character, allowing believers to better know and understand their Creator. It is this belief in the Names and Attributes of Allah that was lacking in the Quraysh, who violently fought the prophet of Islam Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. It was unacceptable for them to admit that a Single Supreme Being reigned over the Universe, for this would have led to their disavowal of the idols made by their own hands, which they venerated and which formed the foundation of their trade in the Arabian Peninsula.

To admit that Allah is The One God, the Sole Creator of all creatures and the Universe, the Only One Worthy of worship, necessarily sweeps away every form of polytheism in itself. Faith can be summed up in six pillars, which are the pure belief in:

• Allah (His Names and His Attributes),
• His Books,
• His Angels,
• His Prophets and Messengers,
• The Last Day,
• and Destiny, be it good or bad.

99 Names and Attributes of Allah: brief meanings

Here is a list of the 99 Names and Attributes of Allah, also called Asma Allahol Housna:

1. Allah
2. Ar-Rahmân (The Most Gracious)
3. Ar-Rahîm (The Most Merciful)
4. Al-'Afuww (The Ever-Pardoning)
5. Al-Ghafûr (The Forgiving)
6. Al-Ghaffâr (The Ever-Forgiving)
7. Ar-Ra'ûf (The Clement)
8. Al-Halîm (The Forbearing)
9. At-Tawwâb (The Acceptor of repentance)
10. As-Sitîr (The One who conceals)
11. Al-Ghanîy (The Rich, the Self-Sufficient)
12. Al-Karîm (The Generous)
13. Al-Akram (The Most Generous)
14. Al-Wahhâb (The One who gives without measure)
15. Al-Jawâd (The Great Benefactor)
16. Al-Wadûd (The Loving)
17. Al-Mu'tîyy (The Great Bestower)
18. Al-Wâsi' (The Holder of abundant bounty)
19. Al-Muhsin (The Benefactor)
20. Ar-Râziq (The Provider)
21. Ar-Razzâq (The Great Provider)
22. Al-Latîf (The Subtle)
23. Al-Khabîr (The All-Aware)
24. Al-Fattâh (The Opener, the Bestower)
25. Al-'Alîm (The One who knows all)
26. Al-Barr (The Charitable, the Good)
27. Al-Hakîm (The Most Wise)
28. Al-Hakam (The Judge)
29. Ach-Châkir (The Appreciative)
30. Ach-Chakûr (The Most Appreciative)
31. Al-Jamîl (The Beautiful)
32. Al-Majîd (The Majestic)
33. Al-Walîy (The Master or the Ally)
34. Al-Hamîd (The Praiseworthy)
35. Al-Mawlâ (The Master)
36. An-Nasîr (The Great Defender)
37. As-Samî' (The One who hears all)
38. Al-Basîr (The One who sees all)
39. Ach-Chahîd (The Witness of all things)
40. Ar-Raqîb (The Supreme Watcher)
41. Ar-Rafîq (The Kind)
42. Al-Qarîb (The Near)
43. Al-Mujîb (The One who answers invocations)
44. Al-Muqît (The Ultimate Nourisher)
45. Al-Hassîb (The One who takes account)
46. Al-Mu'min (The Giver of security)
47. Al-Mannân (The Excellent Bestower)
48. At-Tayyib (The Good)
49. Ach-Châfiy (The One who heals)
50. Al-Hafîzh (The Guardian)
51. Al-Wakîl (The Ultimate Trustee)
52. Al-Khallâq (The Great Creator)
53. Al-Khâliq (The Creator)
54. Al-Bâri' (The Originator)
55. Al-Musawwir (The One who gives form)
56. Ar-Rabb (The Lord)
57. Al-'Azhîm (The Immense)
58. Al-Qâhir (The Subduer)
59. Al-Qahhâr (The Supreme Subduer)
60. Al-Muhaymin (The Protector, the Ever-Watchful)
61. Al-'Azîz (The Almighty)
62. Al-Jabbâr (The Compeller)
63. Al-Mutakabbir (The Supreme in Greatness)
64. Al-Kabîr (The Great)
65. Al-Hayyiy (The Modest)
66. Hayy (The Ever-Living)
67. Al-Qayyûm (The One who subsists by Himself)
68. Al-Wârith (The One to whom everything returns)
69. Ad-Dayyân (The Sovereign Judge)
70. Al-Malik (The Sovereign)
71. Al-Mâlik (The Supreme Master)
72. Al-Malîk (The Omnipotent Sovereign)
73. As-Subbûh (The One Worthy of glorification)
74. Al-Quddûs (The Sanctified)
75. As-Salâm (The One free of every defect)
76. Al-Haqq (The Truth)
77. Al-Mubîn (The Manifest)
78. Al-Qawiyy (The Strong)
79. Al-Matîn (The Firm, the Unshakeable)
80. Al-Qâdir (The Able to do all things)
81. Al-Qadîr (The One who is Capable of everything)
82. Al-Muqtadir (The One who determines the measure of all things)
83. Al-'Aliyy – Al-A'lâ (The Most High)
84. Al-Muta'âl (The Transcendent)
85. Al-Muqaddim (The One who brings forward)
86. Al-Mu'akh-khir (The One who delays)
87. Al-Musa“ir (The One who sets the values)
88. Al-Qâbidh (The One who withholds [His favours])
89. Al-Bâsit (The One who extends [His favours])
90. Al-Awwal (The First)
91. Al-Âkhir (The Last)
92. Azh-Zhâhir (The Apparent)
93. Al-Bâtin (The Hidden)
94. Al-Witr (The Odd, the One)
95. As-Sayyid (The Supreme Master)
96. As-Samad (The Only One to be implored for our needs)
97. Al-Wâhid (The Unique)
98. Al-Ahad (The One)
99. Al-Ilâh (The One who is worshipped [The Deity])

These names and attributes allow Muslims to better grasp the nature of Allah and to strengthen their faith in Him. They are also used in various religious practices, notably during prayer and invocation.

Consequences of the belief in the names and attributes of Allah

The belief in the 99 names of Allah and Attributes has several implications for Muslims:

1. Strengthening of faith: Knowing the Names and Attributes of Allah allows believers to strengthen their faith in Him and to better understand His Greatness and His Oneness.
2. Spiritual guidance: The Names of Allah serve as a spiritual guide for Muslims, helping them to draw closer to Allah and to live in accordance with His teachings by drawing inspiration from His Attributes.
3. Prayer and invocation: Using the names of Allah in prayer and invocation is a way to connect with the divine and to obtain His Blessings, His Forgiveness and His Guidance.
4. Application of the divine qualities: Muslims are encouraged to strive to embody the divine Qualities and Attributes in their daily life, by being inclined to show mercy to those around them, to show justice, gentleness, compassion, to remain dignified since all Dignity belongs to Allah Alone, to be generous to those around them as He is with us, and so on.

In short, the belief in the 99 names of Allah and Attributes is an essential aspect of the Islamic faith. It allows not only the strengthening of beneficial knowledge (3ilm Nafi3), which is the religious knowledge so indispensable to our development on both the spiritual and human levels. This increases our love for Allah and our connection to Him through the invocation of His Most Beautiful Names and Attributes in our supplications.

In other words, knowing the 99 Most Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allah can only guide believers in their spiritual quest and their religious practice on a daily basis.