Al-Asma al-Husna - The Most Beautiful Names of Allah
“Allah” is the proper noun of the creator and governor of the universe. This name cannot be given to anyone but Him. He is the only being worthy of worship and he is the only creator.
The scholars of Islam have located hundreds of names besides Allah in the Quranic verses and the Prophetic sayings. Of which the 99 names in the following hadith became the most famous. “Allah has ninety-nine Names. Whoever remembers them will enter Paradise;” (Tirmidhi, Da’awat, 82; Bukhari, Da’awat, 69)
(The names and their meanings are listed at the end of this book.)
This hadith gives glad tidings to the believers, but simply memorizing these names is not enough to gain its benefits. After memorizing these names, we should learn their meanings, take them into our hearts and live our lives in its light.
Pondering over these names and contemplating its relation with creation and life is the road to settle divine love in our hearts, taste the sweetness and beauty of worship and remembrance and become a better Muslim.
Some of the al-Asma al-Husna, the most beautiful 99 names, can be found in the last two verses recited after the Morning Prayer, Surah al-Hashr. Repeating them in both prayers and invocations is virtuous, because it gives a different and deeper meaning to rituals. Indeed Prophet Muhammad (saw) repeated these names in his supplications.
Our Lord informed us that we can call onto him with these names: “Say, “Call upon Allah (swt) or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever name you call - to Him belong the best names.”” (Isra, 17/110)
In another verse, it states that the Lord’s mercy encompasses everything. (A’raf, 7/156) When all other names are examined, we conclude the following: The majority of these names center around the compassion of Allah (swt); His mercy, love and forgiveness for His slaves.
Only a small part is about His wrath and anger, showing a basic principle in Islam: Islam is a religion of compassion, well-being, forgiveness and peace.
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