The 99 Names of Allah

What are the Asma ul-Husna?

The Asma ul-Husna (أَسْمَاءُ اللَّهِ الْحُسْنَى, literally “the most beautiful names of Allah”) are the 99 names by which the Qur'an and the Sunnah refer to Allah. Each name unveils a divine attribute — mercy, wisdom, justice, peace — and is a privileged doorway to knowing God.

Allah says in the Qur'an: “To Allah belong the most beautiful names, so call upon Him by them.” (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:180). The scholars explain that these names are not arbitrary: they are the surest way to direct your du'a, purify your heart, and reflect the divine qualities in daily life.

What does it mean to “retain” (ihsa) the 99 names?

The Arabic word “ahsa” (أحصى) used in the hadith is not limited to memorisation. The classical scholars — including Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in his commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari — identify four levels of ihsa:

• ✓ Memorise the 99 names in their order and Arabic pronunciation.
• ✓ Understand their deeper meaning (linguistic and theological).
• ✓ Call upon Allah by the name fitting the need (Ar-Razzaq for provision, Ash-Shafi for healing, and so on).
• ✓ Embody the matching values: be generous (Al-Karim), forbearing (Al-Halim), just (Al-Adl).

The three categories of names

How to call upon Allah by His names

The classical way is to pick a name matching the need, then to call upon it with the prefix “Ya” (O). A few examples:

• • For provision: “Ya Razzaq” (O Provider)
• • For healing: “Ya Shafi” (O Healer)
• • For forgiveness: “Ya Ghaffar, Ya Tawwab”
• • For guidance: “Ya Hadi, Ya Nur”
• • For inner peace: “Ya Salam”
• • Against injustice: “Ya Muqsit, Ya Adl”