The Beauty of the 99 Names of Allah (swt)

The 99 names of Allah (swt) or, in Arabic, Asma ul-Husna, are the epithets of Allah’s attributes that are mentioned throughout the Quran and Hadiths. The phrase “Asma ul-Husna” contains the whole of His names in a general meaning. However, each of the names contains its own beautiful manifestation. The power and wisdom of God is what sustains the whole world and what is in it and our only way of understanding His magnificence is through learning the 99 attributes and reflecting on their meaning and articulacy. Allah (swt) says in the Quran, “...and certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest, and Allah knows what you do" (29:45).

                Everything we see in this world is a veil that reflects the power of God and therefore every moment in everything that we do is a perfect time for servitude. But before we are able to reflect on His power we must be close to Him. Having knowledge of God is different than having wisdom for knowledge is that which is known and wisdom is the application of knowledge. This wisdom comes through putting things in perspective and rarely thinking of the benefits of this world. For example simply knowing the 99 names would not be as beneficial as learning the wisdom behind them. This type of wisdom is the accumulation of knowledge through the most sublime nodes, for God is most sublime. Once wisdom is attained, spiritual excellence becomes a more realistic goal.

                So how does this relate to the 99 names of Allah (swt)? Well, once we begin to feel Allah in our hearts through the light of his attributes, we can achieve wisdom. This wisdom that becomes engraved in the heart can then spread outward and affect the body, the tongue, and every aspect of our lives. Allah is the only one that can provide this wisdom that can reach the heart for, "Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction." (13:28)

                Thus, memorizing the Excellent names of Allah (swt) will result in remembering Him, remembering Him will result in illumination and goodness in the heart, and goodness in the heart will result in good deeds and Inshallah good deeds will result in Paradise. When remembrance of God is abundant, there is no room for bad thoughts to enter, and it is easier to avoid sins.

                So this winter break, let’s make it a goal to learn the 99 names of Allah (swt). Not simply learn them though, but implement them in our lives. Each name has its own beautiful attributes and it will take time before we can say we have them all understood. For example, if you say "Ya Baseer" 100 times after the Jumma prayer constantly, Allah will grant strength to your eye-sight and Noor (light) to your heart. And that is only one of the names. To attain the benefit of learning these names, all our acts of worship must be planted in the soils of a humble heart. Make the intention to learn one a day or one a week and implement it throughout your day. Slowly, Inshallah, you will find more blessings in your days.

**Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "There are 99 names of Allah; he who commits them to memory (in the narration of Ibn `Umar this part of sentence is: "he who enumerates them") would get into Paradise. InshAllah.