The 99 Names
of Allah

No single verse lists all 99 in one place. The hadith in Sahih Bukhari 2736 and Sahih Muslim 2677 establishes that Allah has 99 names, and the names themselves are drawn from across the Quran and authentic Hadith. The commonly circulated list of exactly 99 names comes from a narration in Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3507 — scholars have discussed the chain of that specific narration, though the individual names it lists are independently established elsewhere.

Scholars explain "preserves" (in Arabic, ahsaha) as more than memorising the words — it means understanding their meanings, believing in them, and living in a way shaped by that understanding. Simply reciting the list without reflection is seen as only the first step.

The Ism al-Azam is described in hadith as a name of Allah which, if He is called upon by it, He responds. Scholars differ on which exact name or combination it refers to — some point to Al-Hayyu Al-Qayyum (the Ever-Living, the Sustainer), based on the two duas quoted in the Duas section above.

Yes — reciting the names, individually or as a full list, is a widely practised form of dhikr (remembrance of Allah). Many people recite a name repeatedly that reflects what they are asking for or reflecting on — for example Ar-Razzaq (the Provider) when seeking sustenance.

Many of these names are used as the second half of common Muslim names, always preceded by "Abd" (servant of) — for example Abdul Rahman ("servant of the Most Gracious") or Abdul Kareem ("servant of the Most Generous"). Using a name of Allah on its own, without "Abd," for a person is generally avoided.

A small number of names share a very similar English transliteration but come from different Arabic roots with slightly different shades of meaning — for example Al-Majid (#49, from "Majeed") and Al-Majid (#66, from "Maajid") both relate to nobility and glory but are distinct words in Arabic, as shown in the Arabic script for each.