Asma-ul-Husna (Part Two)

The Virtue of Allah’s 99 Names, Their Meanings, and the Correct Method of Dhikr

In [Part One – link], we covered the introduction to Asma-ul-Husna, the Qur’anic command, the hadith of the 99 Names, the three levels of “ihsa’” (enumeration), the Greatest Name (Ism-e-A’zam), and the etiquette of dhikr. We also covered the Names from Ar-Rahman up to Al-Ba’ith, along with their accepted practices (ma’mulat).

In this part we will discuss three questions that are asked most often: how supplications are accepted through the Names, how love of Allah is created in the heart through them, and how beneficial knowledge is connected to them. At the end are the remaining Names from Ash-Shahid to As-Sabur, with their accepted practices.

Before beginning, remember one thing: without sincerity, durood (salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ), and humility, reciting a Name is merely repeating words. We have already explained this in detail in “Etiquette of Du’a.”

Jalali and Jamali Names: Two Groups of Allah’s Names

Scholars have described two broad groups to help us understand Allah’s Names.

• Jamali Names: those containing mercy, love, and tenderness, such as Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim, Al-Wadud, Ar-Ra’uf, Al-Barr, Al-‘Afuww.
• Jalali Names: those in which majesty, power, and dominance are evident, such as Al-Qahhar, Al-Jabbar, Al-Mutakabbir, Al-Muntaqim, Al-Qawiyy.

This division teaches us that both groups are attributes of Allah’s perfection. One who remembers Allah’s mercy should not forget His majesty, and one who remembers His majesty should not despair of His mercy. Correct faith lies between fear and hope. Therefore, even when supplicating with the Jalali Names, the intention should never be to harm anyone; rather, it should be to seek one’s own protection and to acknowledge Allah’s greatness.

The Acceptance of Du’as and Allah’s Names

The greatest source of comfort for one who makes du’a is this Qur’anic verse:

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ (Al-Baqarah: 186)

Translation: And when My servants ask you about Me, [tell them] I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls upon Me.

This verse tells us that no intermediary is needed to call upon Allah. Supplicating with the Names means that the servant, according to his need, calls upon a particular attribute of Allah, such as Ar-Razzaq in matters of sustenance and Al-Ghaffar in matters of forgiveness. This method is also part of the etiquette of du’a: first praise and glorification of Allah, then durood, then one’s need.

The Prophet’s ﷺ Du’a for Grief and Distress

It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: whoever is afflicted by grief or distress and makes this du’a, Allah removes his grief and replaces it with ease.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ، ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ، ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ، سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ، أَوِ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي، وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي (Musnad Ahmad)

Translation: O Allah! I am Your servant, the son of Your servant, the son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your hand. Your command concerning me is effective, and Your decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every name that is Yours, by which You have named Yourself, or taught to any of Your creation, or revealed in Your Book, or kept with Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen: make the Qur’an the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the removal of my grief, and the end of my distress.

The words “bi-kulli ismin” (by every name) in this du’a are also evidence for what we wrote in Part One: that Allah’s Names are not limited to 99.

Hold Fast to “Ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram”

The Prophet ﷺ said: hold fast to “Ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram” (Musnad Ahmad).

That is, keep calling out “Ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram” again and again. From this we learn that calling upon one Name repeatedly, pausing with it and with the heart fully engaged, is the sunnah (masnun) method of du’a.

What If the Du’a Does Not Appear to Be Accepted?

According to the Prophet’s ﷺ teaching (Musnad Ahmad): when a Muslim makes a du’a that contains no sin and no severing of family ties, Allah grants him one of three things: either what he asked for is given to him; or in its place some evil is turned away from him; or its reward is stored up for him in the Hereafter. Therefore, do not be hasty in reciting the Names as a wird.

If a need is fulfilled after the du’a, we have already mentioned in Part One that one should recite: “الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بِعِزَّتِهِ وَجَلَالِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ” (“All praise is for Allah, by whose honor and majesty good things are completed”). Among the du’as for protection, also recite Ayat al-Kursi, in which “Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyum” is mentioned.

Divine Love: Al-Wali, Al-Wadud, Ar-Ra’uf, Al-Barr

The second theme of the Names is the love of Allah. The Qur’an contains many Names that express Allah’s love and closeness:

وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الْوَدُودُ (Al-Buruj: 14) —

“And He is the Forgiving, the Loving.”

وَهُوَ الْوَلِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ (Ash-Shura: 28) —

“And He is the Protecting Friend, the Praiseworthy.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ (Al-Baqarah: 143) —

“Indeed, Allah is Kind and Merciful to people.”

“Al-Wali” means friend and helper. Allah says:

اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ (Al-Baqarah: 257)

That is, Allah is the Friend of the believers; He brings them out of the darknesses into the light.

Attaining the love of Allah does not come merely from taking His Names with the tongue; it comes from walking according to what they demand. One who recites “Ar-Ra’uf” should also learn tenderness toward his family and those under his care.

Beneficial Knowledge: Al-Hadi, An-Nur, Ar-Rashid

The third theme is knowledge and guidance. The Qur’an says:

وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ هَادِيًا وَنَصِيرًا (Al-Furqan: 31) —

“And your Lord suffices as a guide and helper.”

اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ (An-Nur: 35) —

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.”

“Al-Hadi” is the one who gives guidance, “An-Nur” is the light, and “Ar-Rashid” is the one who shows the right path. Therefore, when someone asks for knowledge, understanding, or comprehension, supplicating with these Names is very fitting. However, the real means of beneficial knowledge is reading, understanding, and acting. The wird of the Names is not a substitute for this; it is a helper. When one cannot find the way in an important decision, the sunnah is to make istikhara, the method of which we have explained in “How to Perform Istikhara.”

What the Names Demand in Everyday Life

The wird of a Name gives its full benefit when the corresponding attribute is also visible in one’s life. Below are some points for reflection. (These are not hadith; they are a suggested sequence for contemplation.)

Blessed Name	Point for Reflection	Practical Demand
Ash-Shahid	Allah is a witness in every situation	Avoid sin even in solitude; speak the truth
As-Sabur	He is very forbearing	Patience in hardship; avoid haste
Ar-Ra’uf	He is very kind	Gentleness in anger
At-Tawwab, Al-‘Afuww	He accepts repentance and pardons	Do not delay repentance; forgive others
Al-Ghani	He is free of all need	Contentment; reduce expectations from creation
Al-Baqi, Al-Warith	He is the One who remains	Do not become arrogant over worldly wealth
Al-Hadi, Ar-Rashid	He shows the way	Consultation, istikhara, seeking knowledge

Regarding the Names related to sustenance (rizq), we have previously explained them in “The Wazifa for Blessing in Sustenance” and “What Is the Reality of Tawakkul?” Read both together with these demands.

Etiquette of Paired Names

Some of the Names of Allah appear alongside a Name of opposite meaning:

• Al-Qabid and Al-Basit (the Withholder and the Expander)
• Al-Khafid and Ar-Rafi’ (the Lowerer and the Raiser)
• Al-Mu’izz and Al-Mudhill (the Giver of honor and the Giver of humiliation)
• Al-Muqaddim and Al-Mu’akhkhir (the One who brings forward and the One who puts back)
• Ad-Darr and An-Nafi’ (the Inflicter of harm and the Giver of benefit)
• Al-Mubdi’ and Al-Mu’id (the Originator and the Restorer)

Many scholars hold that such a Name should not be recited alone but together with its counterpart, because the perfection lies in the two combined. So if you wish to recite “Ad-Darr,” say “Ad-Darr, An-Nafi’,” and pair “Al-Mudhill” with “Al-Mu’izz.” Keep this in mind in this part and in the accepted practices listed in the tables.

From Ash-Shahid to As-Sabur: Benefits of the Asma-ul-Husna

The practices following this are mentioned in the book [Bahari Saifia] (Part Three). Like those in Part One, these are also the experiences of our elders. They are not commands of the Qur’an or hadith, so they should not be considered religiously obligatory. Reciting durood sharif at the beginning and end of every practice is also part of its etiquette, and it is better to begin any practice under the guidance of a scholar.

Blessed Name	Meaning	Objective	Accepted Practice
Al-Wakil	Disposer of affairs (Trustee)	Help in every need	Abundant dhikr
Al-Qawiyy	Possessor of great strength	Removal of faint-heartedness; creation of courage	Abundant dhikr
Al-Wali	Friend and Helper	Allah’s friendship; ease in difficulty	Abundant dhikr; 1,000 times on Shab-e-Jumu’ah in times of difficulty
Al-Hamid	Worthy of praise	Good character and good speech	Abundant dhikr
Al-Mu’id	The One who restores	To recall something forgotten	Repeatedly if something is forgotten (together with Al-Mubdi’)
Al-Muhyi	Giver of life	For fear of separation or imprisonment	Abundant dhikr
Al-Mumit	Giver of death	Reform of extravagance and of the rebelliousness of the self (nafs)	Abundant dhikr
Al-Qayyum	Sustainer of all	Steadfastness in worship	“Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum” from Fajr until sunrise
Al-Wajid	Finder of everything	Strengthening of the heart	Recite on each morsel before eating
Al-Majid	Possessor of glory	Constant light of the heart	Abundant dhikr, always
Al-Wahid	The One, Unique	To reduce the heart’s attachment to anything other than Allah	1,000 times
As-Samad	Free of all need	Signs of sincerity and devotion	125 times in the last part of the night
Al-Qadir	Possessor of power	Strength and resolve	100 times after two rak’ahs of prayer
Al-Muqtadir	Possessor of full authority	Ease in arranging one’s intended affairs	Abundantly, after rising from sleep
Al-Mu’akhkhir	The One who puts back	Repentance from evil deeds	Abundant dhikr
Al-Awwal	The First	A quick meeting with one’s family	For a traveler, 1,000 times every Friday
Al-Akhir	The Last	Purification of the heart from thoughts of anything other than Allah	1,000 times daily
Az-Zahir	The Manifest	Light and illumination in the heart	Abundantly, at the time of Ishraq
Al-Batin	The Hidden	The state of the hidden breath	Three times daily, up to one hour
Al-Muta’ali	Exalted and Most High	Elevation and correctness	Abundant dhikr
Al-Barr	The Doer of good	Good fortune of a child	Recite seven times and blow on the child
At-Tawwab	Acceptor of repentance	Being granted the ability to repent	360 times after Chasht prayer
Al-‘Afuww	The Pardoner	Forgiveness of sins; Allah’s pleasure	Abundant dhikr
Ar-Ra’uf	Extremely Compassionate	Calm at the time of anger	10 times at the time of anger, and 10 times durood
Malik-ul-Mulk	Owner of sovereignty	Removal of severe poverty/hardship	1,100 times daily
Dhul-Jalali wal-Ikram	Possessor of Majesty and Honor	Honor and greatness	Abundant dhikr
Al-Muqsit	The Equitable	Protection from whisperings (waswasa) in worship	Continuously
Al-Jami’	The Gatherer	Focus (single-mindedness) on goals; recovering a lost item	Continuously
Al-Mughni	The Enricher	Prosperity	1,000 times
An-Nafi’, Ad-Darr	The Giver of benefit / the Inflicter of harm	Protection from harm; seeking benefit	100 times on Shab-e-Jumu’ah (both together)
An-Nur	The Light	Light of the heart	Abundant dhikr
Al-Hadi	The Guide	Correct insight and understanding	Abundant dhikr
Al-Badi’	The Incomparable Originator	Fulfillment of a need	1,000 times
Al-Baqi	The Everlasting	Deliverance from grief and harm	1,000 times
Al-Warith	The Inheritor of all	Removal of bewilderment	1,000 times between Maghrib and Isha
Ar-Rashid	The One who guides	Acceptance of deeds	100 times after Isha prayer
As-Sabur	Extremely Patient	Protection from heavy hardship	100 times before sunrise

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Besides the mistakes mentioned in Part One, remember two more things:

• Do not use the Jalali Names against others. Reciting Al-Qahhar, Al-Muntaqim, or Al-Jabbar with the intention of harming someone goes against the purpose of the Names. Keep the intention of seeking your own protection and relying on Allah.
• Do not take any single Name as the “solution to every problem.” The whole collection of the Names is a path of connection with Allah; no single Name is key of all problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it wrong to recite a Jalali Name (like Al-Qahhar or Al-Muntaqim)?
No. These are also among Allah’s beautiful Names, but one must keep the intention of respect and protection, and it is better to recite paired Names together.

Can one do dhikr of the Names without a shaykh’s permission?
General dhikr and du’a with Allah’s Names can be done by any Muslim. However, regarding practices with large counts that are mentioned in books, our spiritual elders (mashaikh) advise beginning them under the guidance of a scholar.

Can the Names be written down and kept, or recited over water and drunk?
This is a matter of disagreement among scholars. Some permit amulets (ta’widh) containing Allah’s Names and Qur’anic verses under certain conditions, and some forbid them. The fundamental condition is that any effect be understood as coming from Allah, and that neither the ta’widh nor the Name itself be considered effective on its own.

What if the need does not seem to be fulfilled despite the wird?
Du’a is accepted in several ways, as explained above. Keep up the wird, take worldly means as well, and trust Allah’s decision.

Is the wird of the Names enough in illness?
No. Along with the wird and du’a, proper medical treatment is necessary.

Conclusion

In Part One we learned the recognition of the Names and their etiquette, and Part Two takes us through them toward du’a, divine love, and beneficial knowledge. Accept both groups, Jalali and Jamali; observe the etiquette of paired Names; and try to bring every wird into your practice.

O Allah! Grant us the ability to ask You by Your Names, to know You, and to love You. Ameen.

For More Detail

The book [title unclear] (Part Three) contains further special properties of the Names, their accepted practices, and their order. It is a collection of tried practices and wazaif (litanies) of Hazrat Faiz-ur-Rahman Mubarak, compiled by Peer Muhammad Ramzan Rawzi Faizi. The book is not available in every shop; it is supplied through selected bookstores, and it can now also be ordered online.

→ Order the book online [link]

The Complete List of the 99 Names (Expandable Table)

This is the well-known list that is commonly circulated on the basis of Tirmidhi’s narration. As explained in Part One, there are slight differences among the various lists, and the number of Names is not limited to 99.

#	Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning
1	الرَّحْمَنُ	Ar-Rahman	Most Compassionate
2	الرَّحِيمُ	Ar-Rahim	Extremely Merciful
3	الْمَلِكُ	Al-Malik	The King
4	الْقُدُّوسُ	Al-Quddus	Utterly Pure
5	السَّلَامُ	As-Salam	Giver of peace
6	الْمُؤْمِنُ	Al-Mu’min	Giver of peace/security
7	الْمُهَيْمِنُ	Al-Muhaymin	Guardian
8	الْعَزِيزُ	Al-‘Aziz	The Mighty, Dominant
9	الْجَبَّارُ	Al-Jabbar	The Compeller, Overpowering
10	الْمُتَكَبِّرُ	Al-Mutakabbir	Possessor of Greatness
11	الْخَالِقُ	Al-Khaliq	Creator
12	الْبَارِئُ	Al-Bari’	Giver of existence
13	الْمُصَوِّرُ	Al-Musawwir	Fashioner of forms
14	الْغَفَّارُ	Al-Ghaffar	Great Forgiver
15	الْقَهَّارُ	Al-Qahhar	Dominant over all
16	الْوَهَّابُ	Al-Wahhab	Great Bestower
17	الرَّزَّاقُ	Ar-Razzaq	Provider of sustenance
18	الْفَتَّاحُ	Al-Fattah	Opener
19	الْعَلِيمُ	Al-‘Alim	Knower of everything
20	الْقَابِضُ	Al-Qabid	Withholder
21	الْبَاسِطُ	Al-Basit	Expander (Giver of ease)
22	الْخَافِضُ	Al-Khafid	Lowerer
23	الرَّافِعُ	Ar-Rafi’	Raiser
24	الْمُعِزُّ	Al-Mu’izz	Giver of honor
25	الْمُذِلُّ	Al-Mudhill	Giver of humiliation
26	السَّمِيعُ	As-Sami’	All-Hearing
27	الْبَصِيرُ	Al-Basir	All-Seeing
28	الْحَكَمُ	Al-Hakam	Judge
29	الْعَدْلُ	Al-‘Adl	The Just
30	اللَّطِيفُ	Al-Latif	Extremely Kind and Subtle
31	الْخَبِيرُ	Al-Khabir	All-Aware
32	الْحَلِيمُ	Al-Halim	Forbearing
33	الْعَظِيمُ	Al-‘Azim	Magnificent
34	الْغَفُورُ	Al-Ghafur	Great Forgiver
35	الشَّكُورُ	Ash-Shakur	Appreciative
36	الْعَلِيُّ	Al-‘Ali	Exalted and Most High
37	الْكَبِيرُ	Al-Kabir	Very Great
38	الْحَفِيظُ	Al-Hafiz	Protector
39	الْمُقِيتُ	Al-Muqit	Giver of sustenance and strength
40	الْحَسِيبُ	Al-Hasib	Reckoner
41	الْجَلِيلُ	Al-Jalil	Majestic and Glorious
42	الْكَرِيمُ	Al-Karim	Very Generous
43	الرَّقِيبُ	Ar-Raqib	Watchful Guardian
44	الْمُجِيبُ	Al-Mujib	Answerer of prayers
45	الْوَاسِعُ	Al-Wasi’	Vast
46	الْحَكِيمُ	Al-Hakim	Wise
47	الْوَدُودُ	Al-Wadud	Loving
48	الْمَجِيدُ	Al-Majid	Glorious
49	الْبَاعِثُ	Al-Ba’ith	Resurrector
50	الشَّهِيدُ	Ash-Shahid	Witness over everything
51	الْحَقُّ	Al-Haqq	The True and Real
52	الْوَكِيلُ	Al-Wakil	Disposer of affairs
53	الْقَوِيُّ	Al-Qawiyy	Possessor of great strength
54	الْمَتِينُ	Al-Matin	Extremely Firm
55	الْوَلِيُّ	Al-Waliyy	Friend and Helper
56	الْحَمِيدُ	Al-Hamid	Worthy of praise
57	الْمُحْصِي	Al-Muhsi	Counter of everything
58	الْمُبْدِئُ	Al-Mubdi’	Originator
59	الْمُعِيدُ	Al-Mu’id	The One who restores
60	الْمُحْيِي	Al-Muhyi	Giver of life
61	الْمُمِيتُ	Al-Mumit	Giver of death
62	الْحَيُّ	Al-Hayy	Ever-Living
63	الْقَيُّومُ	Al-Qayyum	Sustainer of all
64	الْوَاجِدُ	Al-Wajid	Finder of everything
65	الْمَاجِدُ	Al-Majid	Possessor of glory
66	الْوَاحِدُ	Al-Wahid	The One, Unique
67	الْأَحَدُ	Al-Ahad	The One
68	الصَّمَدُ	As-Samad	Free of all need
69	الْقَادِرُ	Al-Qadir	Possessor of power
70	الْمُقْتَدِرُ	Al-Muqtadir	Possessor of full authority
71	الْمُقَدِّمُ	Al-Muqaddim	The One who brings forward
72	الْمُؤَخِّرُ	Al-Mu’akhkhir	The One who puts back
73	الْأَوَّلُ	Al-Awwal	The First
74	الْآخِرُ	Al-Akhir	The Last
75	الظَّاهِرُ	Az-Zahir	The Manifest
76	الْبَاطِنُ	Al-Batin	The Hidden
77	الْوَالِي	Al-Wali	Master and Organizer of all
78	الْمُتَعَالِي	Al-Muta’ali	Highly Exalted
79	الْبَرُّ	Al-Barr	The Doer of good
80	التَّوَّابُ	At-Tawwab	Acceptor of repentance
81	الْمُنْتَقِمُ	Al-Muntaqim	The One who takes retribution
82	الْعَفُوُّ	Al-‘Afuww	The Pardoner
83	الرَّؤُوفُ	Ar-Ra’uf	Extremely Compassionate
84	مَالِكُ الْمُلْكِ	Malik-ul-Mulk	Owner of sovereignty
85	ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ	Dhul-Jalali wal-Ikram	Possessor of Majesty and Honor
86	الْمُقْسِطُ	Al-Muqsit	The Equitable
87	الْجَامِعُ	Al-Jami’	The Gatherer
88	الْغَنِيُّ	Al-Ghani	Free of all need
89	الْمُغْنِي	Al-Mughni	The Enricher
90	الْمَانِعُ	Al-Mani’	The One who prevents
91	الضَّارُّ	Ad-Darr	The One who inflicts harm
92	النَّافِعُ	An-Nafi’	The One who gives benefit
93	النُّورُ	An-Nur	The Light
94	الْهَادِي	Al-Hadi	The Guide
95	الْبَدِيعُ	Al-Badi’	Incomparable Originator
96	الْبَاقِي	Al-Baqi	Ever-Remaining
97	الْوَارِثُ	Al-Warith	Inheritor of all
98	الرَّشِيدُ	Ar-Rashid	The One who guides
99	الصَّبُورُ	As-Sabur	Extremely Patient

Sources and References

The Noble Qur’an (Al-Baqarah 186, 143, 257; Al-Buruj 14; Ash-Shura 28; Al-Furqan 31; An-Nur 35); Musnad Ahmad (the du’a of Ibn Mas’ud; the three forms of acceptance of du’a; “Alizzu bi Dhil-Jalali wal-Ikram”); Jami’ at-Tirmidhi (the list of Names); [Bahari Saifia] (Part Three).