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The '''99 Names of God''', also known as '''The 99 attributes of Allah''' ({{ArB|أسماء الله الحسنى}} {{ArTranslit|Asma’ Allah al-Ḥusná}}), are the ] revealed to man in The ]; even though His names (as adjectives, word constructs, or otherwise) exceed ninety-nine in The Qur'an. The '''99 Names of God''', also known as '''The 99 attributes of Allah''' ({{ArB|أسماء الله الحسنى}} {{ArTranslit|Asma’ Allah al-Ḥusná}}), are the ] revealed to man in The ]{{fact}}; even though His names (as adjectives, word constructs, or otherwise) exceed ninety-nine in The Qur'an.


==Origin== ==Origin==
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==List of Names== ==List of Names==
The 99 Names of God according to the tradition of ] are: The 99 Names of God according to the tradition of ] are:

{| class="wikitable"
# ''']''' (الله) God
|-
# Ar-] (الرحمن) The All Beneficent
! 1 || ] (الله)|| The God
# Ar-] (الرحيم) The Most Merciful
|-
# Al-] (الملك) The King, The Sovereign
| 2 || Ar-] (الرحمن)|| The All Beneficent
# Al-] (القدوس) The Most Holy
|-
# As-] (السلام) Peace and Blessing
| 3 || Ar-] (الرحيم)|| The Most Merciful
# Al-] (المؤمن) The Guarantor
|-
| 4 || Al-] (الملك)|| The King, The Sovereign # Al-] (المهيمن) The Guardian, the Preserver
# Al-] (العزيز) The Almighty, the Self Sufficient
|-
| 5 || Al-] (القدوس)|| The Most Holy # Al-] (الجبار) The Powerful, the Irresistible
# Al-] (المتكبر) The Tremendous
|-
| 6 || As-] (السلام)|| The Peace and Blessing # Al-] (الخالق) The Creator
# Al-]' (البارئ) The Maker
|-
| 7 || Al-] (المؤمن)|| The Guarantor # Al-] (المصور) The Fashioner of Forms
# Al-] (الغفار) The Ever Forgiving
|-
| 8 || Al-] (المهيمن) || The Guardian, the Preserver # Al-] (القهار) The All Compelling Subduer
# Al-] (الوهاب) The Bestower
|-
| 9 || Al-] (العزيز)|| The Almighty, the Self Sufficient # Ar-] (الرزاق) The Ever Providing
# Al-] (الفتاح) The Opener, the Victory Giver
|-
| 10 || Al-] (الجبار)|| The Powerful, the Irresistible # Al-] (العليم) The All Knowing, the Omniscient
# Al-] (القابض) The Restrainer, the Straightener
|-
| 11 || Al-] (المتكبر)|| The Tremendous # Al-] (الباسط) The Expander, the Munificent
# Al-] (الخافض) The Abaser
|-
| 12 || Al-] (الخالق)|| The Creator # Ar-] (الرافع) The Exalter
# Al-] (المعز) The Giver of Honor
|-
| 13 || Al-]' (البارئ)|| The Maker # Al-] (المذل) The Giver of Dishonor
# As-Sami (السميع) The All Hearing
|-
| 14 || Al-] (المصور)|| The Fashioner of Forms # Al-] (البصير) The All Seeing
# Al-] (الحكم) The Judge, the Arbitrator
|-
| 15 || Al-] (الغفار)|| The Ever Forgiving # Al-] (العدل) The Utterly Just
# Al-] (اللطيف) The Subtly Kind
|-
| 16 || Al-] (القهار)|| The All Compelling Subduer # Al-] (الخبير) The All Aware
# Al-] (الحليم) The Forbearing, the Indulgent
|-
| 17 || Al-] (الوهاب)|| The Bestower # Al-] (العظيم) The Magnificent, the Infinite
# Al-] (الغفور) The All Forgiving
|-
| 18 || Ar-] (الرزاق)|| The Ever Providing # Ash-] (الشكور) The Grateful
# Al-] (العلى) The Sublimely Exalted
|-
| 19 || Al-] (الفتاح)|| The Opener, the Victory Giver # Al-] (الكبير) The Great
# Al-] (الحفيظ) The Preserver
|-
| 20 || Al-] (العليم)|| The All Knowing, the Omniscient # Al-] (المقيت) The Nourisher
# Al-] (الحسيب) The Reckoner
|-
| 21 || Al-] (القابض)|| The Restrainer, the Straightener # Al-] (الجليل) The Majestic
# Al-] (الكريم) The Bountiful, the Generous
|-
| 22 || Al-] (الباسط)|| The Expander, the Munificent # Ar-] (الرقيب) The Watchful
# Al-] (المجيب) The Responsive, the Answerer
|-
| 23 || Al-] (الخافض)|| The Abaser # Al-] (الواسع) The Vast, the All Encompassing
# Al-] (الحكيم) The Wise
|-
| 24 || Ar-] (الرافع)|| The Exalter # Al-] (الودود) The Loving, the Kind One
# Al-] (المجيد) The All Glorious
|-
| 25 || Al-] (المعز)|| The Giver of Honour # Al-] (الباعث) The Raiser of the Dead
# Ash-] (الشهيد) The Witness
|-
| 26 || Al-] (المذل)|| The Giver of Dishonour # Al-] (الحق) The Truth, the Real
# Al-] (الوكيل) The Trustee, the Dependable
|-
# Al-] (القوى) The Strong
| 27 || As-Sami (السميع)|| The All Hearing
# Al-] (المتين) The Firm, the Steadfast
|-
| 28 || Al-] (البصير)|| The All Seeing # Al-] (الولى) The Protecting Friend, Patron, and Helper
# Al-] (الحميد) The All Praiseworthy
|-
| 29 || Al-] (الحكم)|| The Judge, the Arbitrator # Al-] (المحصى) The Accounter, the Numberer of All
# Al-Mubdi' (المبدئ) The Producer, Originator, and Initiator of all
|-
# Al-Mu'id (المعيد) The Reinstater Who Brings Back All
| 30 || Al-] (العدل)|| The Utterly Just
# Al-Muhyi (المحيى) The Giver of Life
|-
# Al-Mumit (المميت) The Bringer of Death, the Destroyer
| 31 || Al-] (اللطيف)|| The Subtly Kind
# Al-Hayy (الحي) The Ever Living
|-
# Al-Qayyum (القيوم) The Self Subsisting Sustainer of All
| 32 || Al-] (الخبير)|| The All Aware
# Al-Wajid (الواجد) The Perceiver, the Finder, the Unfailing
|-
| 33 || Al-] (الحليم)|| The Forbearing, the Indulgent # Al-Majid (الماجد) The Illustrious, the Magnificent
# Al-Wahid (الواحد) The One, the All Inclusive, the Indivisible
|-
# As-Samad (الصمد) The Self Sufficient, the Impregnable, the Eternally Besought of All, the Everlasting
| 34 || Al-] (العظيم)|| The Magnificent, the Infinite
# Al-Qadir (القادر) The All Able
|-
| 35 || Al-] (الغفور)|| The All Forgiving # Al-Muqtadir (المقتدر) The All Determiner, the Dominant
# Al-Muqaddim (المقدم) The Expediter, He who brings forward
|-
# Al-Mu'akhkhir (المؤخر) The Delayer, He who puts far away
| 36 || Ash-] (الشكور)|| The Grateful
# Al-Awwal (الأول) The First
|-
# Al-Akhir (الأخر) The Last
| 37 || Al-] (العلى)|| The Sublimely Exalted
# Az-Zahir (الظاهر) The Manifest; the All Victorious
|-
# Al-Batin (الباطن) The Hidden; the All Encompassing
| 38 || Al-] (الكبير)|| The Great
# Al-] (الوالي) The Patron
|-
| 39 || Al-] (الحفيظ)|| The Preserver # Al-Muta'ali (المتعالي) The Self Exalted
# Al-Barr (البر) The Most Kind and Righteous
|-
# At-Tawwab (التواب) The Ever Returning, Ever Relenting
| 40 || Al-] (المقيت)|| The Nourisher
# Al-Muntaqim (المنتقم) The Avenger
|-
# Al-'Afuww (العفو) The Pardoner, the Effacer of Sins
| 41 || Al-] (الحسيب)|| The Reckoner
# Ar-Ra'uf (الرؤوف) The Compassionate, the All Pitying
|-
# Malik al Mulk (مالك الملك) The Owner of All Sovereignty
| 42 || Al-] (الجليل)|| The Majestic
# Dhu al Jalal wa al Ikram (ذو الجلال و الإكرام) The Lord of Majesty and Generosity
|-
| 43 || Al-] (الكريم)|| The Bountiful, the Generous # Al-Muqsit (المقسط) The Equitable, the Requiter
# Al-Jami' (الجامع) The Gatherer, the Unifier
|-
# Al-Ghani (الغنى) The All Rich, the Independent
| 44 || Ar-] (الرقيب)|| The Watchful
# Al-Mughni (المغنى) The Enricher, the Emancipator
|-
| 45 || Al-] (المجيب)|| The Responsive, the Answerer # Al-Mani'(المانع) The Withholder, the Shielder, the Defender
# Ad-Darr (الضار) The Distressor, the Harmer (This attribute can only be found in ])
|-
| 46 || Al-] (الواسع)|| The Vast, the All Encompassing # An-Nafi' (النافع) The Propitious, the Benefactor
# An-Nur (النور) The Light
|-
| 47 || Al-] (الحكيم)|| The Wise # Al-Hadi (الهادي) The Guide
# Al-Badi (البديع) Incomparable, the Originator
|-
| 48 || Al-] (الودود)|| The Loving, the Kind One # Al-Baqi (الباقي) The Ever Enduring and Immutable
# Al-Warith (الوارث) The Heir, the Inheritor of All
|-
# Ar-Rashid (الرشيد) The Guide, Infallible Teacher, and Knower
| 49 || Al-] (المجيد)|| The All Glorious
# As-Sabur (الصبور) The Patient, the Timeless
|-
| 50 || Al-] (الباعث)|| The Raiser of the Dead
|-
| 51 || Ash-] (الشهيد)|| The Witness
|-
| 52 || Al-] (الحق)|| The Truth, the Real
|-
| 53 || Al-] (الوكيل)|| The Trustee, the Dependable
|-
| 54 || Al-] (القوى)|| The Strong
|-
| 55 || Al-] (المتين)|| The Firm, the Steadfast
|-
| 56 || Al-] (الولى)|| The Protecting Friend, Patron, and Helper
|-
| 57 || Al-] (الحميد)|| The All Praiseworthy
|-
| 58 || Al-] (المحصى)|| The Accounter, the Numberer of All
|-
| 59 || Al-Mubdi' (المبدئ)|| The Producer, Originator, and Initiator of all
|-
| 60 || Al-Mu'id (المعيد)|| The Reinstater Who Brings Back All
|-
| 61 || Al-Muhyi (المحيى)|| The Giver of Life
|-
| 62 || Al-Mumit (المميت)|| The Bringer of Death, the Destroyer
|-
| 63 || Al-Hayy (الحي)|| The Ever Living
|-
| 64 || Al-Qayyum (القيوم)|| The Self Subsisting Sustainer of All
|-
| 65 || Al-Wajid (الواجد)|| The Perceiver, the Finder, the Unfailing
|-
| 66 || Al-Majid (الماجد)|| The Illustrious, the Magnificent
|-
| 67 || Al-Wahid (الواحد)|| The One, the All Inclusive, the Indivisible
|-
| 68 || As-Samad (الصمد)|| The Self Sufficient, the Impregnable, the Eternally Besought of All, the Everlasting
|-
| 69 || Al-Qadir (القادر)|| The All Able
|-
| 70 || Al-Muqtadir (المقتدر)|| The All Determiner, the Dominant
|-
| 71 || Al-Muqaddim (المقدم)|| The Expediter, He Who Brings Forward
|-
| 72 || Al-Mu'akhkhir (المؤخر)|| The Delayer, He who puts far away
|-
| 73 || Al-Awwal (الأول)|| The First
|-
| 74 || Al-Akhir (الأخر)|| The Last
|-
| 75 || Az-Zahir (الظاهر)|| The Manifest; the All Victorious
|-
| 76 || Al-Batin (الباطن)|| The Hidden; the All Encompassing
|-
| 77 || Al-] (الوالي)|| The Patron
|-
| 78 || Al-Muta'ali (المتعالي)|| The Self Exalted
|-
| 79 || Al-Barr (البر)|| The Most Kind and Righteous
|-
| 80 || At-Tawwab (التواب)|| The Ever Returning, Ever Relenting
|-
| 81 || Al-Muntaqim (المنتقم)|| The Avenger
|-
| 82 || Al-'Afuww (العفو)|| The Pardoner, the Effacer of Sins
|-
| 83 || Ar-Ra'uf (الرؤوف)|| The Compassionate, the All Pitying
|-
| 84 || Malik-al-Mulk (مالك الملك)|| The Owner of All Sovereignty
|-
| 85 || Dhu-al-Jalal wa-al-Ikram (ذو الجلال و الإكرام)|| The Lord of Majesty and Generosity
|-
| 86 || Al-Muqsit (المقسط)|| The Equitable, the Requiter
|-
| 87 || Al-Jami' (الجامع)|| The Gatherer, the Unifier
|-
| 88 || Al-Ghani (الغنى)|| The All Rich, the Independent
|-
| 89 || Al-Mughni (المغنى)|| The Enricher, the Emancipator
|-
| 90 || Al-Mani'(المانع)|| The Withholder, the Shielder, the Defender
|-
| 91 || Ad-Darr (الضار)|| The Distressor, the Harmer (This attribute can only be found in ])
|-
| 92 || An-Nafi' (النافع)|| The Propitious, the Benefactor
|-
| 93 || An-Nur (النور)|| The Light
|-
| 94 || Al-Hadi (الهادي)|| The Guide
|-
| 95 || Al-Badi (البديع)|| Incomparable, the Originator
|-
| 96 || Al-Baqi (الباقي)|| The Ever Enduring and Immutable
|-
| 97 || Al-Warith (الوارث)|| The Heir, the Inheritor of All
|-
| 98 || Ar-Rashid (الرشيد)|| The Guide, Infallible Teacher, and Knower
|-
| 99 || As-Sabur (الصبور)|| The Patient, the Timeless
|}
* Dhul Fazl al Azim (ذو الفضل العظيم) The Lord of Infinite Grace (Q 2.105, 3.74, 8.29, 57.21, 57.29, 62.4) Note: This name, although found in the Qur'an, is not and never was part of the traditional list of the 99 names of Allah. * Dhul Fazl al Azim (ذو الفضل العظيم) The Lord of Infinite Grace (Q 2.105, 3.74, 8.29, 57.21, 57.29, 62.4) Note: This name, although found in the Qur'an, is not and never was part of the traditional list of the 99 names of Allah.


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*] *]
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==References== ==References==

Revision as of 05:52, 14 October 2006

The 99 Names of God, also known as The 99 attributes of Allah (Template:ArB Template:ArTranslit), are the names of God revealed to man in The Qur'an; even though His names (as adjectives, word constructs, or otherwise) exceed ninety-nine in The Qur'an.

Origin

In one Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad used to call God by all his names:

"Allahumma inni ad`uka bi asma'ika al-husna kulliha"
"اللهم اني ادعوك باسمائك الحسنى كلها"
"O God, I invoke you with all of your beautiful names."
(Narrated by Ibn Maja, book of Du`a; and by Imam Malik in his Muwatta', Kitab al-Shi`r)

The Prophet is also reported to have said in a famous Hadith:

"Verily, there are ninety-nine names of God, one hundred minus one. He who enumerates them would get into Paradise."
(Sahih Muslim, Vol. 4, p. 1410)

This caused people to search them out in the Qur'an, and a list was compiled. Over time it became custom to recite the list in its entirety. While most muslims believe that this list is mentioned by the prophet himself, the specialist muslim scholars argue that the list was just compiled by a muslim scholar, (Al Waaleed ibn Muslim). If it was only an attempt of a scholar, they are not necessarily the names proper, and other attempts may still be made. A recent scholar, Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Razek, made an attempt of this kind and explained in detail why he differs in opinion with Al Waleed about enlisting some of the names. However, reciting the traditional names has developed into a ritual by some muslims (a bit like a Catholic litany of Saints) as an attempt to enumerate them, while some other muslims believe that the "enumeation" is not just the act of recitation, but applying the attributes that the names suggest.

As one Muslim puts it:

"...by reciting and contemplating the names, and by embodying them as far as possible in his actions, the devout Muslim strives to remember God and draws near to Him, and with God's grace makes them part of his own being."

Palm of the Hand

What could be interpreted as the number 99 written in Arabic is imprinted on human hands. If one looks at his or her palms, thumbs facing upward, the lines in the hands appear as "١٨ ٨١", which are the arabic numerals of 81 and 18, which sum to 99.

For Muslims this is a reference to the names of God. It should be noted that this has no Islamic or Qu'ranic basis supporting it, and is more likely a novelty that has developed in Muslim culture.

List of Names

The 99 Names of God according to the tradition of Islam are:

  1. Allah (الله) God
  2. Ar-Rahman (الرحمن) The All Beneficent
  3. Ar-Rahim (الرحيم) The Most Merciful
  4. Al-Malik (الملك) The King, The Sovereign
  5. Al-Quddus (القدوس) The Most Holy
  6. As-Salam (السلام) Peace and Blessing
  7. Al-Mu'min (المؤمن) The Guarantor
  8. Al-Muhaymin (المهيمن) The Guardian, the Preserver
  9. Al-Aziz (العزيز) The Almighty, the Self Sufficient
  10. Al-Jabbar (الجبار) The Powerful, the Irresistible
  11. Al-Mutakabbir (المتكبر) The Tremendous
  12. Al-Khaliq (الخالق) The Creator
  13. Al-Bari' (البارئ) The Maker
  14. Al-Musawwir (المصور) The Fashioner of Forms
  15. Al-Ghaffar (الغفار) The Ever Forgiving
  16. Al-Qahhar (القهار) The All Compelling Subduer
  17. Al-Wahhab (الوهاب) The Bestower
  18. Ar-Razzaq (الرزاق) The Ever Providing
  19. Al-Fattah (الفتاح) The Opener, the Victory Giver
  20. Al-Alim (العليم) The All Knowing, the Omniscient
  21. Al-Qabid (القابض) The Restrainer, the Straightener
  22. Al-Basit (الباسط) The Expander, the Munificent
  23. Al-Khafid (الخافض) The Abaser
  24. Ar-Rafi (الرافع) The Exalter
  25. Al-Mu'izz (المعز) The Giver of Honor
  26. Al-Mudhill (المذل) The Giver of Dishonor
  27. As-Sami (السميع) The All Hearing
  28. Al-Basir (البصير) The All Seeing
  29. Al-Hakam (الحكم) The Judge, the Arbitrator
  30. Al-Adl (العدل) The Utterly Just
  31. Al-Latif (اللطيف) The Subtly Kind
  32. Al-Khabir (الخبير) The All Aware
  33. Al-Halim (الحليم) The Forbearing, the Indulgent
  34. Al-Azim (العظيم) The Magnificent, the Infinite
  35. Al-Ghafur (الغفور) The All Forgiving
  36. Ash-Shakur (الشكور) The Grateful
  37. Al-Ali (العلى) The Sublimely Exalted
  38. Al-Kabir (الكبير) The Great
  39. Al-Hafiz (الحفيظ) The Preserver
  40. Al-Muqit (المقيت) The Nourisher
  41. Al-Hasib (الحسيب) The Reckoner
  42. Al-Jalil (الجليل) The Majestic
  43. Al-Karim (الكريم) The Bountiful, the Generous
  44. Ar-Raqib (الرقيب) The Watchful
  45. Al-Mujib (المجيب) The Responsive, the Answerer
  46. Al-Wasi (الواسع) The Vast, the All Encompassing
  47. Al-Hakim (الحكيم) The Wise
  48. Al-Wadud (الودود) The Loving, the Kind One
  49. Al-Majid (المجيد) The All Glorious
  50. Al-Ba'ith (الباعث) The Raiser of the Dead
  51. Ash-Shahid (الشهيد) The Witness
  52. Al-Haqq (الحق) The Truth, the Real
  53. Al-Wakil (الوكيل) The Trustee, the Dependable
  54. Al-Qawiyy (القوى) The Strong
  55. Al-Matin (المتين) The Firm, the Steadfast
  56. Al-Waliyy (الولى) The Protecting Friend, Patron, and Helper
  57. Al-Hamid (الحميد) The All Praiseworthy
  58. Al-Muhsi (المحصى) The Accounter, the Numberer of All
  59. Al-Mubdi' (المبدئ) The Producer, Originator, and Initiator of all
  60. Al-Mu'id (المعيد) The Reinstater Who Brings Back All
  61. Al-Muhyi (المحيى) The Giver of Life
  62. Al-Mumit (المميت) The Bringer of Death, the Destroyer
  63. Al-Hayy (الحي) The Ever Living
  64. Al-Qayyum (القيوم) The Self Subsisting Sustainer of All
  65. Al-Wajid (الواجد) The Perceiver, the Finder, the Unfailing
  66. Al-Majid (الماجد) The Illustrious, the Magnificent
  67. Al-Wahid (الواحد) The One, the All Inclusive, the Indivisible
  68. As-Samad (الصمد) The Self Sufficient, the Impregnable, the Eternally Besought of All, the Everlasting
  69. Al-Qadir (القادر) The All Able
  70. Al-Muqtadir (المقتدر) The All Determiner, the Dominant
  71. Al-Muqaddim (المقدم) The Expediter, He who brings forward
  72. Al-Mu'akhkhir (المؤخر) The Delayer, He who puts far away
  73. Al-Awwal (الأول) The First
  74. Al-Akhir (الأخر) The Last
  75. Az-Zahir (الظاهر) The Manifest; the All Victorious
  76. Al-Batin (الباطن) The Hidden; the All Encompassing
  77. Al-Wali (الوالي) The Patron
  78. Al-Muta'ali (المتعالي) The Self Exalted
  79. Al-Barr (البر) The Most Kind and Righteous
  80. At-Tawwab (التواب) The Ever Returning, Ever Relenting
  81. Al-Muntaqim (المنتقم) The Avenger
  82. Al-'Afuww (العفو) The Pardoner, the Effacer of Sins
  83. Ar-Ra'uf (الرؤوف) The Compassionate, the All Pitying
  84. Malik al Mulk (مالك الملك) The Owner of All Sovereignty
  85. Dhu al Jalal wa al Ikram (ذو الجلال و الإكرام) The Lord of Majesty and Generosity
  86. Al-Muqsit (المقسط) The Equitable, the Requiter
  87. Al-Jami' (الجامع) The Gatherer, the Unifier
  88. Al-Ghani (الغنى) The All Rich, the Independent
  89. Al-Mughni (المغنى) The Enricher, the Emancipator
  90. Al-Mani'(المانع) The Withholder, the Shielder, the Defender
  91. Ad-Darr (الضار) The Distressor, the Harmer (This attribute can only be found in hadith)
  92. An-Nafi' (النافع) The Propitious, the Benefactor
  93. An-Nur (النور) The Light
  94. Al-Hadi (الهادي) The Guide
  95. Al-Badi (البديع) Incomparable, the Originator
  96. Al-Baqi (الباقي) The Ever Enduring and Immutable
  97. Al-Warith (الوارث) The Heir, the Inheritor of All
  98. Ar-Rashid (الرشيد) The Guide, Infallible Teacher, and Knower
  99. As-Sabur (الصبور) The Patient, the Timeless
  • Dhul Fazl al Azim (ذو الفضل العظيم) The Lord of Infinite Grace (Q 2.105, 3.74, 8.29, 57.21, 57.29, 62.4) Note: This name, although found in the Qur'an, is not and never was part of the traditional list of the 99 names of Allah.

The English translation of names may have a slightly different meaning than the original Arabic word due to the words available in each language.

100th Name of God

Muslims teach that there are 99 names for God and that the 100th name is hidden. The idea has become a kind of mystery with little references to what it means. (Mellis)

Once again, the Hadith about the names of God says:

"Verily, there are ninety-nine names of God, one hundred minus one. He who enumerates them would get into Paradise."
(Sahih Muslim, Vol. 4, p. 1410)

Sufism

In Sufism, the idea of the 100th name is most prominent. It has become the elusive object of mystic devotion, the symbol of God's transcendent being.

Sufis often describe their discipline as the quest to know the one-hundredth name of God and thus to merge their consciousness with the divine reality.

Mahdi

Other such Hadiths, which vary according to different Shi'a sects of Islam, suggest that the 100th Name will be revealed by the Mahdi on the day of resurrection, known as the day of Qiyamah.

Bahá'í

The Bahá'í Faith has claimed to fulfill the prophecy of the Mahdi, and the 100th name was revealed as "Bahá’" (an Arabic word بهاء meaning "glory, splendor" etc.), which is the root word for Bahá'í and Bahá'u'lláh. The Báb wrote a famous pentagram tablet with 360 derivatives of the word "Bahá'" used in it. While the Bahá'í Faith has roots in Islam, it is an independent religion, and its followers are not considered Muslims.

Other Traditions

Arab folklore says that the camel knows the 100th name of God but will tell no one. That is why he solemnly holds his head high and plods defiantly across the desert, holding the secret to himself.

Some people claim that the 99 names are adjectives of God and do not tell us the true entity of God. The 100th name may be the one that really is the name of God.

Personal Names

According to Islamic tradition, a Muslim may not be given any of the 99 names of God in the exact same form- for example, nobody may be named Al Malik (The King), but may be named Malik 'King'. An exception may be made in some cases — for example, the son of Khattab ibn Nufayl is named "Umar ibn Khattab", but since his father was famous, he is called Umar ibn al-Khattab. This implies "Umar, the son of the Khattab" and not "Umar, the son of the Khattab". In the same manner, there are people named "x ibn al-y".

However the names/attributes of God can be combined with the word "‘Abd -" which means servant (i.e. - of God) and are commonly used as personal names among Muslims. For example ‘Abd ar-Rahman ("servant of the Most Compassionate God").

Some notable people having names resembling those 99 (but without the article "The" which is only used to denote God) are:

  • Muhammad (Blessed) resembles al-Hamid (The Blesser).
  • Ali (High) resembles al-Ali (The High).
  • Khadija as-Salami resembles as-Salam (The God of Peace and blessing).

See also

References

  • Mellis, J.K., Abu Sharif: Mystery of the 100th Name

External links

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