Several inhabitants of Makkah enquired from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) about the ancestry of Allah. This was not any strange question in view of the religious concepts of the world at the time the Holy Prophet began to preach the message of the Qur’an. The idolatrous polytheists were worshiping gods made of wood, stone, gold, silver and other substances. These gods had a form, shape and body. The gods and goddesses were descended from each other. No goddess was without a husband and no god without a wife. They stood in need of food and drink and their devotees arranged these for them. A large number of the polytheists believed that God assumed human form and there were some people who descended from Him. Although the Christians claimed to believe in One God, yet their God also had at least a son, and besides the Father and Son, the Holy Ghost also had the honour of being an associate in Godhead: so much so that God had a mother and a mother-in-law too. The Jews also claimed to believe in One God, but their God too was not without physical, material and other human qualities and characteristics. He went for a stroll, appeared in human form, wrestled with a servant of His, and was father of a son, Ezra. Besides these religious communities, the zoroastrians were fire worshipers, and the Sabeans star worshipers. Under such conditions when the people were invited to believe in Allah, the One; Who has no associate, it was inevitable that questions arose in the minds as to what kind of a God it was, Who was one and Only Lord and invitation to believe in Whom was being given at the expense of all other gods and deities. 

The Qur’an introduced Allah in two manners. One was about His Being and the other about His Traits (Names).One complete chapter (Number 112) comprising four short verses described the Persona of the Lord as under: 

“Say: He is Allah, the One and Unique; [112:1]

Allah, Who is in need of none and of Whom all are in need; [112:2]

He neither begot any nor was He begotten, [112:3]

And none is comparable to Him.” [112:4]

The Holy Qur’an has described in details, at various places, the Traits of Allah, which are basically His Names. Traditions (Sayings of the Prophet) say that there are ninety-nine such Names. All these are best names (Al Asma UI Husna), as The Holy Qur’an says in the following verses.

“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them..” (Qur’an 7:180)

“Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names.” (Qur’an 20:8)

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names.” (Qur’an 59:24)

These ninety-nine (99) Names of Allah with their Meanings and Explanations are presented in the following table.

1 الرَّحْمَنُ AR-RAHMAN The Most or Entirely Merciful He bestows His Mercy upon all creatures in the Universe

2 الرَّحِيمُ AR-RAHEEM The Bestower of Mercy The Owner of Mercy that encompasses His creation. 

3 الْمَلِكُ AL-MALIK The King and Owner of Dominion The One who possesses the attribute of Mulk (kingdom), dominion, power, authority. 

4 الْقُدُّوسُ AL-QUDDUS The Absolutely Pure The One who is Very Pure, Absolutely Pure. He is far and above any imperfection, error, fault and shortcoming. 

5 السَّلاَمُ AS-SALAM The Perfection and Giver of Peace The One who is Free from all imperfections and deficiencies because of the Perfection of His Being, of His Attributes and His Actions. 

6 الْمُؤْمِنُ AL-MU’MIN The One Who gives Emaan and Security The One who Affirms and Believes (Eeman) His Oneness and the One who gives Emaan. It is also The One who gives Security (Aman), Peace and removes the fear.

7 الْمُهَيْمِنُ AL-MUHAYMIN The Guardian, The Witness, The Overseer The One who observes His creation with regards to their actions and looks after them.

8 الْعَزِيزُ AL-AZEEZ The All Mighty The One who overpowers everything and Who cannot be overcome. Nothing can prevent Him from fulfilling what He wills.

9 الْجَبَّارُ AL-JABBAR The Compeller, The Restorer Whatever He will is what happens. He is the One who is Exalted, High above His creation and He is the One who Reforms, the One who fixes the situation for His creation.

10 الْمُتَكَبِّرُ AL-MUTAKABBIR The Supreme, The Majestic The Supreme who reveals His Greatness and Power at every moment and in every incident. His rights, privileges and attributes are above and beyond the rights of everyone else.

11 الْخَالِقُ AL-KHAALIQ The Creator, The Maker The One Who brings things into existence after their non-existence. Who invents and innovates without a prior model. And then bestows upon them their characteristics of movement and other qualities. 

12 الْبَارِئُ AL-BAARI’ The Originator The One who is the Originator of everything. He is the Creator and The One who gives distinguished characteristics to all of His Creation. 

13 الْمُصَوِّرُ AL-MUSAWWIR The Fashioner The One who is the Fashioner and Former of each and every thing in all of creation, providing special form, special manner and characteristic features in them.

14 الْغَفَّارُ AL-GHAFFAR The All- and Oft-Forgiving The One who is forgiving and looking over our faults over and over again. 

15 الْقَهَّارُ AL-QAHHAR The Subduer, The Ever-Dominating The One Who dominates everything in His kingdom. He is the One before whom the whole creation has humbled itself, and submitted.

16 الْوَهَّابُ AL-WAHHAAB The Giver of Gifts The One who continually bestows gifts, favours and blessings upon all of creation. 

17 الرَّزَّاقُ AR-RAZZAAQ The Provider The One who creates all means of nourishment and sustenance. He is The One who provides everything that is needed (rizq). 

18 الْفَتَّاحُ AL-FATTAAH The Opener, The Judge The One who opens all the doors of mercy, profit and sustenance to His slaves. He makes clear what is unclear. The One who judges between His slaves with perfect justice.

19 اَلْعَلِيْمُ AL-‘ALEEM The All-Knowing, The Omniscient The One whose knowledge (ilm) is neither acquired through learning nor preceded by ignorance, nor followed by forgetfulness. He is aware of all things - past, present and future.

20 الْقَابِضُ AL-QAABIDH The Withholder The One who withholds. He refuses / denies provisions (rizq), life and death, as He Wills.

21 الْبَاسِطُ AL-BAASIT The Extender The One who extends. He He gives /provides provisions (rizq), life and death, as He Wills.

22 الْخَافِضُ AL-KHAAFIDH The Reducer, The Abaser The One who lowers whoever He Wills. 

23 الرَّافِعُ AR-RAAFI’ The Exalter, The Elevator The One who raises whoever He Wills.

24 الْمُعِزُّ AL-MU’IZZ The Honourer, The Bestower The One who gives esteem to whoever He Wills. Hence there is no one to give Him esteem.

25 المُذِلُّ AL-MUZIL The Dishonourer, The Humiliator The One who disgraces whoever He Wills. Hence there is no one to disgrace and dishonor Him.

26 السَّمِيعُ AS-SAMEE’ The All-Hearing The One Who hears all sounds and voices. He is the All-Hearing, the the Ever-Listening.

27 الْبَصِيرُ AL-BASEER The All-Seeing The One Who sees all things clearly, even the smallest act and both the apparent and the hidden. He is the One who sees and understands all that has been, and all that will be.

28 الْحَكَمُ AL-HAKAM The Judge, The Giver of Justice The One and Only true and final Judge. He is the One whose judgments and decrees are never over-turned and He Who makes the final decision of the nature of all matters.

29 الْعَدْلُ AL-‘ADL The Utterly Just The One who is entitled to do what He does.

30 اللَّطِيفُ AL-LATEEF The Subtle One, The Most Gentle The One who is Most knowledgeable of the most subtle details. He bestows gifts that are finely suited to the needs of His creation. He is extraordinarily gracious and understanding.

31 الْخَبِيرُ AL-KHABEER The Acquainted, the All-Aware The One who is aware of everything. , inner and outer. He is the One who has perfect knowledge and understanding of everything.

32 الْحَلِيمُ AL-HALEEM The Most Forbearing The One Who keeps bestowing blessings on His creation, even though they disobey Him and make many mistakes. So He forgives and gives them opportunities to repent and turn to Him.

33 الْعَظِيمُ AL-‘ATHEEM The Magnificent, The Supreme The One Who is greatest, mightiest, and grandest. He is the Exalted and the Glorious.

34 الْغَفُورُ AL-GHAFOOR The Exceedingly Forgiving The One Who forgives beyond expectation, accepts repentance and pardons faults. 

35 الشَّكُورُ ASH-SHAKOOR The Most Appreciative The One Who gives abundantly in return for what was little. He is the One Who is the Most Appreciative of even the smallest of deeds. 

36 الْعَلِيُّ AL-‘ALEE The Most High, The Exalted The One Who is above and exceeds all others, there is nothing and no-one above Him. He is the Highest, surpassing all that has ever been, all that there now is, and all that shall ever be.

37 الْكَبِيرُ AL-KABEER The Greatest, The Most Grand The One Who is incomparably great. His Essence is unimaginably great Perfection, in might, power, wisdom and mercy in all His Attributes. No one can ever be like Him.

38 الْحَفِيظُ AL-HAFEEDH The Preserver, The All-Heedful and All-Protecting The One Whose power preserves the heavens and the earth. He is the Guardian and Preserver of all the worlds. 

39 المُقيِت AL-MUQEET The Sustainer One who overwhelms everything. He is the Powerful Maintainer and oversees all that exists, sending down provision to His creatures and taking care of all living beings.

40 الْحسِيبُ AL-HASEEB The Reckoner, The Sufficient One who brings to account all His slaves; everyone is accountable before Him. He keeps all records of their deeds. 

41 الْجَلِيلُ AL-JALEEL The Majestic The One who is attributed with Greatness of Power and Glory of Status.

42 الْكَرِيمُ AL-KAREEM The Most Generous, The Most Esteemed The One Who is the Most Generous, continually giving forth the most precious bounties to His creation. 

43 الرَّقِيبُ AR-RAQEEB The Watchful The One Who is closely watching over His creation, hearing, seeing and knowing everything. He is the Observer and Witness who is never absent from the scene. 

44 الْمُجِيبُ AL-MUJEEB The Responsive One The One Who answers prayers end responds to requests of those who ask and to the call of those who call upon Him.

45 الْوَاسِعُ AL-WAASI’ The All-Encompassing, the Boundless The One Whose expansive essence encompasses the whole creation. His capacities and the meanings of His Attributes are without limit and in abundance. 

46 الْحَكِيمُ AL-HAKEEM The All-Wise The One Whose wisdom is perfect, free from any error or misunderstanding. His divine will is executed with His divine wisdom.

47 الْوَدُودُ AL-WADOOD The Most Loving The One Who is the source of all love and affection. His Love is intense, constant and lasting. 

48 الْمَجِيدُ AL-MAJEED The Glorious, The Most Honorable The One Whose essence is the perfection of majesty and glory. He is dignified, glorious end exceedingly generous. 

49 الْبَاعِثُ AL-BA’ITH The Resurrector, The Raiser of the Dead The One who resurrects His slaves after death for reward and/or punishment.

50 الشَّهِيدُ ASH-SHAHEED The All- and Ever Witnessing The One Who is ever observing everything and everyone He created. He is the witness of everything – past, present and future.

51 الْحَقُّ AL-HAQQ The Absolute Truth The One Who is the truth. His essence is the only reality and He is the One through whom the truth, all righteousness and justice are revealed. His Word, Actions, Reward, Punishment and Promise are the truth.

52 الْوَكِيلُ AL-WAKEEL The Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs The One who can be entrusted with all affairs. He is the ultimate Trustee, guardian and administrator of all things.

53 الْقَوِيُّ AL-QAWIYY The All-Strong The One Who is beyond all weakness. His strength is supreme. 

54 الْمَتِينُ AL-MATEEN The Firm, The Steadfast The One with great firmness. He is the owner of all strength and His nature is the utmost firmness and steadfastness. 

55 الْوَلِيُّ AL-WALIYY The Protecting Associate The Protecting Friend, Patron, and Supporter.

56 الْحَمِيدُ AL-HAMEED The Praiseworthy The One who is praised and is praiseworthy. He is the only One who deserves each manner of praise and thanks.

57 الْمُحْصِي AL-MUHSEE The All-Enumerating, The Counter The One who the count of things are known to Him.

58 الْمُبْدِئُ AL-MUBDI The Originator, The Initiator The One who started the human being.

59 الْمُعِيدُ AL-MU’ID The Restorer, The Reinstater The One who brings back the creatures after death.

60 الْمُحْيِي AL-MUHYEE The Giver of Life The One who can bring something to life. He creates from nothing and will resurrect life on the Day of Judgment.

61 اَلْمُمِيتُ AL-MUMEET The Bringer of Death, the Destroyer The One who renders the living dead.

62 الْحَيُّ AL-HAYY The Ever-Living The One who has a continuous life with no beginning or end. 

63 الْقَيُّومُ AL-QAYYOOM The Sustainer, The Self-Subsisting The One who is established on His Own and by Whom all things subsist. He sustains, protects, provides, preserves, watches and manages all that exists. 

65 الْمَاجِدُ AL-MAAJID The Illustrious, the Magnificent The Glorious, He who is Most Glorious.

66 الْواحِدُ AL-WAAHID The One The One who is unique in His essence and He has no second, no partner, peer or rival. 

67 اَلاَحَدُ AL-AHAD The Unique, The Only One The One who is unique in both His essence and attributes. There is no one or nothing like Him.

68 الصَّمَدُ AS-SAMAD The Eternal, Satisfier of Needs The One who is eternal, unaffected and unchanged. He is the One upon who all of the creation depends.

69 الْقَادِرُ AL-QADEER The Capable, The Powerful The One who has perfect, complete Power and Ability. 

70 الْمُقْتَدِرُ AL-MUQTADIR The Omnipotent The One whose Might is Great and through His overwhelming Power controls all His creatures. He subdues everyone and everything in His domain. His decree prevails in every situation.

71 الْمُقَدِّمُ AL-MUQADDIM The Expediter, The Promoter The One who puts things in their right places. He makes ahead and brings forth and pushes back what He wills.

72 الْمُؤَخِّرُ AL-MU’AKHKHIR The Delayer, the Retarder The One who puts things in their right places. He delays what He wills.

73 الأوَّلُ AL-AWWAL The First The One who is the first and foremost. He was before all of the creation and the cause of everything in existence.

74 الآخِرُ AL-AAKHIR The Last The One who is the last and the ultimate. He is the One who remains after the creation perishes and the One beyond whom there is nothing.

75 الظَّاهِرُ AZ-DHAAHIR The Manifest The One that nothing is above Him and nothing is underneath Him. His Existence is obvious by proofs and He is clear from the delusions of attributes of bodies.

76 الْبَاطِنُ AL-BAATIN The Hidden One, Knower of the Hidden The One who is veiled from the creation’s perception. He is the One from whom nothing is hidden and who surrounds all things. He sees every one, while no one sees Him.

77 الْوَالِي AL-WAALI The Governor, The Patron The One who owns things and manages them.

78 الْمُتَعَالِي AL-MUTA’ALI The Self Exalted The One who is clear from the attributes of the creation.

79 الْبَرُّ AL-BARR The Source of Goodness, the Kind Benefactor The One whose kind and gracious goodness is bestowed on the creation. He is the doer of all good and all good deeds come from Him.

80 التَّوَابُ AT-TAWWAB The Ever-Pardoning, The Relenting The One who grants repentance to whoever He willed among His creatures and accepts their repentance.

81 الْمُنْتَقِمُ AL-MUNTAQIM The Avenger The One who victoriously prevails over His enemies and punishes them for their sins. 

82 العَفُوُّ AL-‘AFUWW The Pardoner The One who eliminates sins and faults. He is the One who not only forgives sins, but can completely blot out and make any mistake, error or sin disappear whenever He wishes.

83 الرَّؤُوفُ AR-RA’OOF The Most Kind The One who bestows utmost tender mercy on the creation. He is the One whose compassion, affection, kindness and tenderness are beyond human understanding and comprehension.

84 مَالِكُ الْمُلْكِ MAALIK-UL-MULK Master of the Kingdom, Owner of the Dominion The One who owns and rules all of the creation. He is the One who has the authority and power to rule, command and decide.

85 ذُوالْجَلاَلِ وَالإكْرَامِ DHUL-JALAALI WAL-IKRAAM Possessor of Glory and Honour, Lord of Majesty and Generosity The One who is the majestic Possessor and Lord of all generosity. He is the One who is the owner of every attribute of glory, honour and bounty.

86 الْمُقْسِطُ AL-MUQSIT The Equitable, the Requiter The One who is Just in His Judgment.

87 الْجَامِعُ AL-JAAMI’ The Gatherer, the Uniter The One who unites and gathers together. He is the One who assembles together as He Wills and will gather together mankind on the Day of Judgment.

88 الْغَنِيُّ AL-GHANIYY The Self-Sufficient, The Wealthy The One who is without need of anything. He is the One who is himself completely independent.

89 الْمُغْنِي AL-MUGHNI The Enricher The One who satisfies the necessities of the creatures.

90 اَلْمَانِعُ AL-MANI’ The Withholder The Shielder, the Defender.

91 الضَّارَّ AD-DHARR The Distresser The One who makes harm reach to whoever He wills.

92 النَّافِعُ AN-NAFI’ The Propitious, the Benefactor The One who benefits to whoever He wills.

93 النُّورُ AN-NUR The Light, The Illuminator The One who is Light and has created light. He illuminates the hearts with knowledge, faith and guidance.

94 الْهَادِي AL-HAADI The Guide The One who is the source of guidance. 

95 الْبَدِيعُ AL-BADEE’ The Incomparable Originator He is the One whose incomparable power originates, invents and brings into existence all of the unique creation without following any prior model.

96 اَلْبَاقِي AL-BAAQI The Ever-Surviving, The Everlasting The One that the state of non-existence is impossible for Him.

97 الْوَارِثُ AL-WAARITH The Inheritor, The Heir The One is the supreme Heir to whom all creatures return. All possessions return to Him when their possessor is gone.

98 الرَّشِيدُ AR-RASHEED The Guide, Infallible Teacher The Guide to the Right Path, The One who guides.

99 الصَّبُورُ AS-SABOOR The Forbearing, The Patient The One who does not quickly punish the sinners.