The 99 Names of Allah (Al-Asma al-Husna): Meanings and Virtue

What Is Al-Asma al-Husna?

Al-Asma al-Husna means "the most beautiful names," the collective term for the 99 names of Allah found in the Quran and hadiths. Each name expresses one of Allah's attributes, an aspect of His perfection and majesty. The Quran states:

"And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them." (Al-A'raf 180)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave this glad tiding as well:

"Allah has 99 names. Whoever encompasses them [in understanding and practice] will enter Paradise." (Bukhari, Tawhid 12; Muslim, Dhikr 5)

💡 Important: The word "encompass" (ihsa) in the hadith means more than memorisation alone — it means understanding the meanings of the names, believing in them, and shaping one's character around them. Al-Asma al-Husna are meant to be lived, not just recited.

How Do You Pray Using Al-Asma al-Husna?

1. Choose the name suited to your need (Ya Shafi for healing, Ya Razzaq for provision).
2. Call upon the name with "Ya": "Ya Rahman, ya Rahim..."
3. Repeat it a certain number of times (for example, 33 or 99), then make your dua.
4. Use a dhikr counter to keep an accurate count.

The 99 Names of Allah and Their Meanings (Full List)

#	Name	Meaning
1	Allah	The One whose existence is necessary, the only deity worthy of worship
2	Ar-Rahman	The Most Merciful, whose mercy encompasses all creation in this world
3	Ar-Rahim	The Especially Merciful, whose mercy is reserved for believers in the hereafter
4	Al-Malik	The King, the true Owner and Sovereign of all dominion
5	Al-Quddus	The Most Holy, utterly free of every imperfection
6	As-Salam	The Source of Peace, who grants safety to His servants
7	Al-Mu'min	The Grantor of Security, who instils faith in hearts
8	Al-Muhaymin	The Guardian, who watches over and protects
9	Al-'Aziz	The Almighty, absolutely mighty and unconquerable
10	Al-Jabbar	The Compeller, who mends what is broken and enforces His will
11	Al-Mutakabbir	The Supremely Great, possessor of greatness and majesty
12	Al-Khaliq	The Creator, who brings into being from nothing
13	Al-Bari'	The Evolver, who creates in perfect harmony and proportion
14	Al-Musawwir	The Fashioner, who gives form and shape to all things
15	Al-Ghaffar	The Ever-Forgiving, who forgives sins abundantly
16	Al-Qahhar	The Subduer, all-powerful and dominant over all things
17	Al-Wahhab	The Bestower, who gives abundantly without expecting return
18	Ar-Razzaq	The Provider, who grants all sustenance
19	Al-Fattah	The Opener, who opens closed doors and reveals paths of good
20	Al-'Alim	The All-Knowing, who knows all things fully
21	Al-Qabid	The Constrictor, who withholds and takes souls as He wills
22	Al-Basit	The Expander, who grants abundance and ease as He wills
23	Al-Khafid	The Abaser, who lowers whom He wills
24	Ar-Rafi'	The Exalter, who raises whom He wills
25	Al-Mu'izz	The Bestower of Honour, who grants dignity as He wills
26	Al-Mudhill	The Humiliator, who brings low whom He wills
27	As-Sami'	The All-Hearing, who hears all things
28	Al-Basir	The All-Seeing, who sees all things
29	Al-Hakam	The Judge, who delivers absolute judgement and establishes truth
30	Al-'Adl	The Utterly Just
31	Al-Latif	The Subtle One, abundant in kindness, aware of the finest details
32	Al-Khabir	The All-Aware, informed of all things
33	Al-Halim	The Forbearing, who does not hasten to punish
34	Al-'Azim	The Magnificent, supremely great
35	Al-Ghafur	The Much-Forgiving
36	Ash-Shakur	The Appreciative, who rewards small deeds greatly
37	Al-'Aliyy	The Most High
38	Al-Kabir	The Greatest
39	Al-Hafiz	The Preserver, who protects and watches over
40	Al-Muqit	The Sustainer, who provides nourishment to all living things
41	Al-Hasib	The Reckoner, sufficient for His servants, who takes account
42	Al-Jalil	Possessor of Majesty and Greatness
43	Al-Karim	The Most Generous, abundant in honour
44	Ar-Raqib	The Watchful, who observes and oversees all things
45	Al-Mujib	The Responder, who answers supplications
46	Al-Wasi'	The All-Encompassing, whose knowledge and mercy encompass all things
47	Al-Hakim	The Wise, whose every act carries wisdom
48	Al-Wadud	The Most Loving, who loves His servants and is beloved
49	Al-Majid	The Glorious, exalted in honour
50	Al-Ba'ith	The Resurrector, who raises the dead and sends prophets
51	Ash-Shahid	The Witness, who witnesses all things
52	Al-Haqq	The Truth, whose existence never changes
53	Al-Wakil	The Trustee, sufficient for those who rely on Him
54	Al-Qawiyy	The Most Strong
55	Al-Matin	The Firm, exceedingly steadfast
56	Al-Waliyy	The Protecting Friend of the believers
57	Al-Hamid	The Praiseworthy, most deserving of praise
58	Al-Muhsi	The Reckoner, who counts and knows all things individually
59	Al-Mubdi'	The Originator, who initiates creation
60	Al-Mu'id	The Restorer, who creates anew, who resurrects
61	Al-Muhyi	The Giver of Life
62	Al-Mumit	The Bringer of Death
63	Al-Hayy	The Ever-Living, without beginning or end
64	Al-Qayyum	The Sustainer, who upholds all things
65	Al-Wajid	The Perceiver, who finds what He wills whenever He wills, in need of nothing
66	Al-Majid	The Glorious, exalted in honour, abundant in grace
67	Al-Wahid	The One, without partner or equal
68	As-Samad	The Eternal Refuge, to whom all things are in need, while He needs nothing
69	Al-Qadir	The All-Powerful
70	Al-Muqtadir	The All-Determiner, who does all things in perfect measure
71	Al-Muqaddim	The Expediter, who brings forward whom He wills
72	Al-Mu'akhkhir	The Delayer, who holds back whom He wills
73	Al-Awwal	The First, without beginning
74	Al-Akhir	The Last, without end
75	Az-Zahir	The Manifest, whose existence is utterly clear
76	Al-Batin	The Hidden, beyond the grasp of minds
77	Al-Wali	The Governor, who administers all creation
78	Al-Muta'ali	The Most Exalted
79	Al-Barr	The Source of All Goodness, abundant in kindness
80	At-Tawwab	The Ever-Accepting of Repentance
81	Al-Muntaqim	The Avenger, who punishes wrongdoers with justice
82	Al-'Afuww	The Pardoner, who erases sins
83	Ar-Ra'uf	The Most Kind
84	Malik al-Mulk	The Eternal Owner of Sovereignty
85	Dhu'l-Jalali wa'l-Ikram	Possessor of Majesty and Honour
86	Al-Muqsit	The Equitable, who judges with justice
87	Al-Jami'	The Gatherer, who assembles what He wills whenever He wills
88	Al-Ghani	The Self-Sufficient, in need of nothing
89	Al-Mughni	The Enricher, who grants wealth to whom He wills
90	Al-Mani'	The Preventer, who wards off harm
91	Ad-Darr	The One who, with wisdom, may allow harm
92	An-Nafi'	The Source of Benefit
93	An-Nur	The Light, who illuminates the worlds and grants guidance
94	Al-Hadi	The Guide, who leads to the right path
95	Al-Badi'	The Incomparable Originator, who creates without precedent
96	Al-Baqi	The Everlasting
97	Al-Warith	The True Inheritor of all things
98	Ar-Rashid	The Guide to the Right Way, whose every affair is perfectly ordered
99	As-Sabur	The Most Patient, who does not hasten to punish

Which Name Is Recited for Which Need?

• For healing: Ya Shafi, Ya Salam → Duas for the Sick
• For provision and abundance: Ya Razzaq, Ya Fattah, Ya Ghani → Duas for Provision and Work
• For forgiveness: Ya Ghaffar, Ya Tawwab, Ya 'Afuww → The Dua of Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness
• For relief from hardship: Ya Mujib, Ya Latif → Dua for Distress and Stress
• For protection: Ya Hafiz, Ya Mani' → Duas for Protection from the Evil Eye

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary to memorise Al-Asma al-Husna?

It is not necessary, but it carries great virtue. What matters most is understanding the meaning of the names and adopting the character they describe. Memorisation makes this path much easier.

When are Al-Asma al-Husna recited?

They may be recited at any time; it is especially recommended to recite them morning and evening, after prayers, and during the pre-dawn hours. See our Morning Duas page for a daily dhikr routine.

How many times should I recite a name?

There is no obligatory number. Some recite it 33 or 99 times, or according to its numerical (abjad) value — but these are customs, not fixed rules. What matters is consistency and presence of heart.

Al-Asma al-Husna in the Nurlu App

To learn and recite the 99 names:

• Al-Asma al-Husna, with Arabic text, transliteration, meaning and audio recitation, all in one place
• a dhikr counter to recite any chosen name to your target count
• a daily name card to learn the meaning of one name each day

Download Nurlu for free → Get it on the App Store

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🔗 See also: The Dua of the Greatest Name · The Dua of Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness · All Duas