Quranic Beautiful Names of God
Compiled by A. Mohamed
The Quran contains 87 names used specifically for God. They comprise what God calls His "Beautiful Names" (Al-Asmaa Al-Husna). The first of these names is the name 'Allah', plus 86 other names. The correct names of God are listed below. This is followed by the explanation as to why a number of names, found on the traditional '99 names' of God list, are to be discarded.
A (10)
Aala = The Most High (87:1)
Aalim Al-Ghayb wa Al-Shahada = The Knower of the unseen and the seen (13:9)
Afuww = The Pardoner (22:60)
Ahad = The One (112:1)
Akhir = The Last (57:3)
Aleem = The Knowledgeable (2:115)
Aleyy = The Most High (2:255)
Awwal = The First (57:3)
Azeem = The Great (2:255)
Aziz = The Dignified (2:209)
B (5)
Badi'e = The Originator (2:117)
Bari'e = The Maker (59:24)
Barr = The Beneficent (52:28)
Baseer = The Seer (17:1)
Batin = The Internal (57:3)
F (2)
Fatir = The Initiator (6:14)
Fattah = The Deliverer (34:26)
GH (3)
Ghaffar = The Forgiving (38:66)
Ghafoor = The Forgiver (2:173)
Ghaniyy = The Rich (2:263)
H (9)
Hadi = The Guider (4:175)
Hafeez = The Guardian (11:57)
Hakam = The Judge, Law Giver (6:114)
Hakeem = The Wise (59:24)
Haleem = The Forbearing (2:263)
Hameed = The Praiseworthy (2:267)
Haqq = The Truth (20:114)
Haseeb = The Reckoner (4:6)
Hayy = The Living (2:255)
J (2)
Jabbar = The Powerful (59:23)
Jami = The Gatherer (4:140)
K (4)
Kabeer = The Great (13:9)
Kareem = The Generous (27:40)
Khabeer = The All-Aware (6:18)
Khaliq = The Creator (59:24)
L (1)
Lateef = The Gentle One (6:103)
M (14)
Maalik Al-Mulk = Possessor of Sovereignty (3:26)
Majeed = The Glorious (11:73)
Malik = The King (59:23)
Mateen = The Robust (51:58)
Mawla = The Master (8:40)
Muhaymin = The All-Encompassing (59:23)
Muhyi = The Giver of life (41:39)
Mujeeb = The Responder (11:61)
Mu'min = The Believer (59:23)
Muqtadir = The Omnipotent (54:42)
Musawwir = The Designer (59:24)
Musta'aan = The One sought for help (21:112)
Muta'ali = The Exalted (13:9)
Mutakkabbir = The Proud (59:23)
N (2)
Naseer = The Supporter (8:40)
Noor al-samawaat wa al-ard = The Light of the heavens and the earth (24:35)
Q (6)
Qadeer = The Capable (16:70)
Qahhar = The All-Conquering (12:39)
Qareeb = The Near (11:61)
Qawiyy = The Powerful (11:66)
Qayyoom = The Eternal (2:255)
Quddoos = The Holy (59:23)
R (7)
Rab Al-Alameen = Lord of the Worlds (1:2)
Rafii Al-Daragat = Possessor of the Highest Ranks (40:15)
Ra'oof = The Compassionate (2:143)
Raheem = The Merciful (1:3)
Rahman = The Almighty (1:3)
Raqeeb = The Watchful One (4:1)
Razzaq = The Provider (51:58)
S (3)
Salaam = The Peace (59:23)
Samad = The Absolute (112:2)
Samee = The Hearer (2:127)
SH (2)
Shaheed = The Witness (3:98)
Shakoor = The Appreciative (35:30)
T (1)
Tawwab = The Redeemer (2:37)
W (7)
Wadood = The Loving (11:90)
Wahhab = The Grantor (3:8)
Wahed = The One (13:16)
Wakeel = The Trustee (28:28)
Waliyy = The Ally (42:9)
Warith = The Inheritor (15:23)
Wasi'e = The Immense (2:115)
Z (1)
Zahir = The External (57:3)
ZH (7)
Zhu Al-Fadl Al-Azeem = Possessor of Great Favour (2:105)
Zhu Al-Jalal wa Al-Ikram = Possessor of Majesty and Generosity (55:27)
Zhu Al-Quwwah = Possessor of Power (51:58)
Zhu Al-Rahma = Possessor of Mercy (6:133)
Zhu Al-Jalal wa Al-Ikram = Possessor of Majesty and Generosity (55:27)
Zhu Al-Quwwah = Possessor of Power (51:58)
Zhu Al-Rahma = Possessor of Mercy (6:133)
Zhy Al-Arsh = Possessor of the Throne (17:42)
Zhy Al-Maarij = Possessor of the Ascending Stairways (70:3)
Zhy Al-Tool = Possessor of Abundance (40:3)
Zhy Al-Maarij = Possessor of the Ascending Stairways (70:3)
Zhy Al-Tool = Possessor of Abundance (40:3)
Total = 86 + Allah = 87 Names
English letters used to compile the above list are the nearest approximations to how the original Arabic letters are pronounced.
Rules employed in compiling the list
RULE 1:
The first rule applied in the above selection is that names of God must be found in the Quran:
1- They must be mentioned in the Quran in the form of names.
2- These names must be speaking specifically about God.
Other words, that are used only in the form of verbs but not names, are not included. The reason for this rule is that this list addresses what God called His Beautiful Names. Therefore, it is the names that we need to identify and not the various verbs that speak about acts done by God. It makes sense to say that if God spoke to us about His Beautiful Names, that we would find all such names in His Holy Book. What is not found in the Quran in the form of a name was thus discarded.
Example 1
The verb 'basata', which means to extend, or to stretch, is used in the Quran as a verb, such as:
[13:26] God 'yabsit' (extends) the provision for whom He wills and restricts it.
However, the word 'Basit' which is the noun (one who stretches/extends), is not used in the Quran for God. This noun is used in the Quran three times, one of these three occurrences is in 18:18 and it actually speaks about the dog belonging to the sleepers of the cave as he extended (basit) his forepaws by the entrance.
[18:18] You would think them awake as they laid down. We turned them to the right side and the left side while their dog 'basit' (stretched out) his forepaws at the entrance.
As a result, the name 'Basit', which is included on the traditional lists of God's names, is not used on this list. How can a word mentioned in the Quran to describe a dog be called a name of God?
In contrast, we have the example of the verb 'shahida' (bears witness). This is a verb used as an act which is done by God, but is also used in the noun form "Shaheed" (Witness) as a name for God:
The verb
[3:18] 'Shahida Allah' (God bears witness) that there is no god except Him, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge, upholding justice. There is no god except Him, the Dignified, the Wise.
The noun/name
[3:98] Say, "O People of the Book, why do you disbelieve in God's revelations when God is 'Shaheed' (Witness) over what you do."
Other names which appear on traditional lists, but are not found in the Quran as names of God, include the following:
Al-Mu'izz (The Grantor of dignity), Al-Muzhil (The One who subjects to humiliation), Al-Mumeet (The One who puts to death), Al-Muhsi (The One who counted everything), Al-Muntaqim (The One who takes revenge), Al-Nafei (The One who is of benefit), Al-Noor (The light), Al- Rafei (The One who raises), Al-Khafid (The One who lowers), Al-Qabid (The One who seizes), Al-Ba'ith (The One who resurrects), plus others as well.
RULE 2:
Some names have not been included on the list because they are covered by a more comprehensive name. As an example, all the following Quranic phrases can be grouped under the name 'Rab Al-Alameen' (Lord of the Worlds):
Lord of the Throne (43:82), Lord of the Noble Throne (23:116), Lord of the Great Throne (23:86), Lord of the two easts and Lord of the two wests (55:17), Lord of the east and the west (73:9), Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth (45:36), Lord of all dignity (37:180), Lord of Sirius (53:49), Lord of the daybreak (113:1) and Lord of the people (114:1).
The name "Rab Al-Alameen" (Lord of the Worlds), which means Lord of all there is in existence, covers all the above phrases and so it is included, but not the sub-names.
RULE 3:
Other names that appear on traditional lists have been removed from the list above, not only because they are not used in the Quran for God, but also because they are insulting to God's Majesty. The following are examples of such names:
1- The name 'Saboor' (The Patient One) is not found in the Quran. In addition, it is not befitting to call God 'The Patient One'. The act of patience is always linked in the Quran with the state of being under hardship or suffering:
[22:34-35] Give good news to the humble, who, when God is mentioned, their hearts tremble, and those who are patient in the face of what has afflicted them.
[2:177] And the ones who are patient through misery, hardship and during battle.
In contrast, in a state of happiness and little to worry about, there would be no necessity nor meaning for the act of patience. On the contrary, time would fly too quick for anyone in a happy state. Patience in the face of adversity and suffering is an act advised for humans, but would not apply nor be fitting to ascribe such a name to God who does not experience suffering.
2- The name 'Rasheed' (The Guided One) once again is not befitting for God. The Quranic words tell us that it is God who grants guidance to the people, such as:
[21:51] And We granted Abraham 'rushdahu' (his sound judgement) previously.
It is not befitting to call God 'The Guided One' when it is He who guides.
3- The name 'Al-Daar' (The Inflictor of harm/pain) is not found in the Quran. This name, on its own, paints God as a vindictive and sadist god who takes pleasure in inflicting pain, suffering and harm upon the people.
It is in accordance with God's will that various trials and adversity befall people, but the Quran also assures us that all harm that we may encounter is a result of something wrong that we personally did:
[42:30] Whatever disaster strikes you is but a consequence of what your own hands have earned, but He pardons much.
It is for that reason that we never find God calling Himself the 'Inflictor of harm'. God does not put people through adversity for the sake of it; something which this name implies.