Asma ul Husna is a term that refers to the 99 beautiful names of Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. These names are not just arbitrary titles, but they reflect the attributes and qualities of Allah that He has revealed to His creation through His words and actions. By learning and understanding these names, we can get to know Allah better and worship Him in the best possible way.
The sources of Asma ul Husna are mainly the Quran and the Sunnah, the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah has mentioned some of His names in various verses of the Quran, such as:
- He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. (Quran 59:24)
- And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. (Quran 7:180)
- Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names. (Quran 20:8)
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also taught us many of Allah’s names through his sayings and supplications. For example, he said: Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise. (Sahih Bukhari)
- There are ninety-nine names of Allah; he who commits them to memory would get into Paradise. Verily, Allah is Odd (He is one, and it is an odd number) and He loves odd numbers. (Sahih Muslim)
- O Allah, I ask You by every name belonging to You which You named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught to any of Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the unseen with You. (Tirmidhi)
The scholars of Islam have derived the rest of Allah’s names from various sources, such as the names that Allah has called Himself by in the Quran, the names that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has used to describe Allah, and the names that are implied by Allah’s actions and attributes. Some examples of these names are:
- Al-Malik: The King and Owner of Dominion
- Al-Quddus: The Absolutely Pure
- Al-Salam: The Perfection and Giver of Peace
- Al-Mu’min: The One Who gives Emaan and Security
- Al-Muhaymin: The Guardian, The Witness, The Overseer
- Al-Aziz: The All Mighty
- Al-Jabbar: The Compeller, The Restorer
- Al-Mutakabbir: The Supreme, The Majestic
- Al-Khaliq: The Creator, The Maker
- Al-Bari: The Originator
- Al-Musawwir: The Fashioner
- Al-Ghaffar: The All- and Oft-Forgiving
- Al-Qahhar: The Subduer, The Ever-Dominating
- Al-Wahhab: The Giver of Gifts
- Al-Razzaq: The Provider
- Al-Fattah: The Opener, The Judge
- Al-Aleem: The All-Knowing, The Omniscient
- Al-Qabid: The Withholder
- Al-Basit: The Extender
- Al-Khafid: The Reducer, The Abaser
- Al-Rafi: The Exalter, The Elevator
- Al-Mu’izz: The Honorer, The Bestower
- Al-Muzil: The Dishonourer, The Humiliator
- Al-Samee: The All-Hearing
- Al-Basir: The All-Seeing
- Al-Hakam: The Judge, The Giver of Justice
- Al-‘Adl: The Utterly Just
- Al-Latif: The Subtle One, The Most Gentle
- Al-Khabir: The Acquainted, the All-Aware
- Al-Haleem: The Most Forbearing
These are just some examples of Asma ul Husna. There are many more names that describe Allah’s greatness and glory. By learning these names and their meanings, we can increase our love and awe for Allah, and we can invoke Him by them in our prayers and supplications. We can also try to emulate some of His attributes in our own lives, such as being merciful, forgiving, generous, just, etc. This way, we can get closer to Allah and attain His pleasure and Paradise.
I hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. May Allah bless you and guide you to the right path. Ameen.
