The 99 Names of Allah (Asma ul Husna): Full List, Meanings & How to Learn Them Properly

The 99 Names of Allah — known in Arabic as Asma ul Husna (الأسماء الحسنى), "the Most Beautiful Names" — are the names and attributes by which Allah describes Himself in the Quran and through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Muslims recite them, reflect on them, and call upon Allah by them in dua. This guide gives you the complete list in Arabic with transliteration and meaning, where the concept comes from in the Quran, the hadith on learning them, and — something most lists online skip — how to actually learn to pronounce and understand them correctly, not just read a list.

Where Does Asma ul Husna Come From?

The instruction to know and call upon Allah by His beautiful names comes directly from the Quran:

"And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them." (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:180)
"Say, ‘Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful (Ar-Rahman). Whichever you call — to Him belong the best names.’" (Surah Al-Isra, 17:110)
"Allah — there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names." (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:8)

The specific number — ninety-nine — comes from a well-known hadith, discussed below. The names themselves are gathered by scholars from across the Quran and authentic hadith, rather than appearing as a single numbered list in one place in the Quran itself.

The Hadith on the 99 Names

The most commonly cited hadith on this topic is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred minus one; whoever memorizes them will enter Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2736, Sahih Muslim 2677)

Scholars explain that "memorizing" (ahsaha) here means more than reciting the words — it means truly knowing their meanings, understanding what each name says about Allah, and living in a way shaped by that understanding. Simply being able to recite the list is the first step, not the end goal.

The Complete List of the 99 Names of Allah

Below is the full list in the order most commonly used by scholars, with the Arabic, the transliteration, and the meaning of each name.

Ar-Rahman (الرَّحْمَنُ) — The Most Compassionate, whose mercy encompasses all creation without exception.
Ar-Raheem (الرَّحِيمُ) — The Especially Merciful, whose mercy is reserved in a particular way for the believers.
Al-Malik (الْمَلِكُ) — The King and Sovereign, whose dominion has no partner or flaw.
Al-Quddus (الْقُدُّوسُ) — The Most Holy, utterly free of any imperfection or fault.
As-Salam (السَّلاَمُ) — The Source of Peace, free from every defect, who grants safety and peace.
Al-Mu’min (الْمُؤْمِنُ) — The Granter of Security, who gives faith and safety to His believers.
Al-Muhaymin (الْمُهَيْمِنُ) — The Guardian, who watches over and protects all that He has created.
Al-Aziz (الْعَزِيزُ) — The Almighty, whose strength and honor can never be overcome.
Al-Jabbar (الْجَبَّارُ) — The Compeller, who restores and sets right by His irresistible will.
Al-Mutakabbir (الْمُتَكَبِّرُ) — The Supreme in Greatness, far above any comparison to His creation.
Al-Khaliq (الْخَالِقُ) — The Creator, who brings everything into existence from nothing.
Al-Bari (الْبَارِئُ) — The Evolver, who shapes creation in perfect proportion.
Al-Musawwir (الْمُصَوِّرُ) — The Fashioner of Forms, who gives every creation its unique shape.
Al-Ghaffar (الْغَفَّارُ) — The Repeatedly Forgiving, who forgives sins again and again.
Al-Qahhar (الْقَهَّارُ) — The Subduer, whose will overcomes every obstacle.
Al-Wahhab (الْوَهَّابُ) — The Supreme Bestower, who gives generously without seeking return.
Ar-Razzaq (الرَّزَّاقُ) — The Provider, who sustains every living being.
Al-Fattah (الْفَتَّاحُ) — The Opener, who resolves difficulties and opens the way forward.
Al-Alim (الْعَلِيمُ) — The All-Knowing, from whom nothing — seen or hidden — is concealed.
Al-Qabid (الْقَابِضُ) — The Withholder, who restricts provision with wisdom.
Al-Basit (الْبَاسِطُ) — The Extender, who expands provision with generosity.
Al-Khafid (الْخَافِضُ) — The Abaser, who humbles whoever He wills.
Ar-Rafi (الرَّافِعُ) — The Exalter, who raises in rank whoever He wills.
Al-Mu’izz (الْمُعِزُّ) — The Bestower of Honor, who grants dignity to whoever He wills.
Al-Muzill (الْمُذِلُّ) — The Humiliator, who removes honor from whoever He wills.
As-Sami (السَّمِيعُ) — The All-Hearing, who hears every sound without exception.
Al-Baseer (الْبَصِيرُ) — The All-Seeing, who sees everything, seen and unseen.
Al-Hakam (الْحَكَمُ) — The Judge, whose ruling is final and perfectly just.
Al-Adl (الْعَدْلُ) — The Utterly Just, who never wrongs anyone in the slightest.
Al-Lateef (اللَّطِيفُ) — The Subtly Kind, aware of the finest details and gentle with His creation.
Al-Khabir (الْخَبِيرُ) — The All-Aware, fully informed of the reality of all things.
Al-Haleem (الْحَلِيمُ) — The Forbearing, who delays punishment and gives room to repent.
Al-Azeem (الْعَظِيمُ) — The Magnificent, whose greatness has no limit.
Al-Ghafoor (الْغَفُورُ) — The All-Forgiving, who forgives abundantly and completely.
Ash-Shakur (الشَّكُورُ) — The Most Appreciative, who rewards even small good deeds generously.
Al-Aliyy (الْعَلِيُّ) — The Most High, exalted above all creation.
Al-Kabeer (الْكَبِيرُ) — The Most Great, greater than anything that can be imagined.
Al-Hafeez (الْحَفِيظُ) — The Preserver, who protects His creation and their deeds.
Al-Muqeet (الْمُقِيتُ) — The Sustainer, who provides the means of nourishment for all.
Al-Haseeb (الْحَسِيبُ) — The Reckoner, who accounts for every deed with perfect precision.
Al-Jaleel (الْجَلِيلُ) — The Majestic, possessing greatness beyond description.
Al-Kareem (الْكَرِيمُ) — The Most Generous, who gives freely and honorably.
Ar-Raqeeb (الرَّقِيبُ) — The Watchful, who observes all things at every moment.
Al-Mujeeb (الْمُجِيبُ) — The Responsive, who answers the one who calls upon Him.
Al-Wasi (الْوَاسِعُ) — The All-Encompassing, whose knowledge and mercy have no boundary.
Al-Hakeem (الْحَكِيمُ) — The All-Wise, whose every decree carries perfect wisdom.
Al-Wadud (الْوَدُودُ) — The Most Loving, who loves His righteous servants and is loved by them.
Al-Majeed (الْمَجِيدُ) — The Glorious, possessing perfect honor and nobility.
Al-Ba’ith (الْبَاعِثُ) — The Resurrector, who will raise all creation on the Day of Judgment.
Ash-Shaheed (الشَّهِيدُ) — The All-Observing Witness, present over every word and deed.
Al-Haqq (الْحَقُّ) — The Absolute Truth, whose existence and promise are certain.
Al-Wakeel (الْوَكِيلُ) — The Trustee, who is sufficient for those who rely on Him.
Al-Qawiyy (الْقَوِيُّ) — The All-Strong, whose power is never weakened.
Al-Mateen (الْمَتِينُ) — The Firm, whose strength never tires or falters.
Al-Waliyy (الْوَلِيُّ) — The Protecting Friend, who supports and guides the believers.
Al-Hameed (الْحَمِيدُ) — The Praiseworthy, deserving of all praise in every circumstance.
Al-Muhsi (الْمُحْصِي) — The All-Enumerating, who keeps perfect count of everything.
Al-Mubdi (الْمُبْدِئُ) — The Originator, who began all creation without precedent.
Al-Mu’eed (الْمُعِيدُ) — The Restorer, who will bring creation back after death.
Al-Muhyi (الْمُحْيِي) — The Giver of Life, who brings the lifeless to life.
Al-Mumeet (الْمُمِيتُ) — The Bringer of Death, who ordains the end of every life.
Al-Hayy (الْحَيُّ) — The Ever-Living, whose life has no beginning and no end.
Al-Qayyum (الْقَيُّومُ) — The Self-Sustaining Sustainer, upon whom all creation depends.
Al-Wajid (الْوَاجِدُ) — The Finder, who lacks nothing and finds whatever He seeks.
Al-Majid (الْمَاجِدُ) — The All-Noble, possessing perfect glory and generosity.
Al-Wahid (الْوَاحِدُ) — The One, without partner or equal.
Al-Ahad (الْأَحَدُ) — The Unique One, singular in His essence and attributes.
As-Samad (الصَّمَدُ) — The Eternal Refuge, upon whom all creation depends while He depends on none.
Al-Qadir (الْقَادِرُ) — The All-Capable, able to do whatever He wills.
Al-Muqtadir (الْمُقْتَدِرُ) — The All-Powerful, whose power overcomes every limitation.
Al-Muqaddim (الْمُقَدِّمُ) — The Expediter, who brings forward whoever and whatever He wills.
Al-Mu’akhkhir (الْمُؤَخِّرُ) — The Delayer, who defers whoever and whatever He wills.
Al-Awwal (الْأَوَّلُ) — The First, existing before all else, without any beginning.
Al-Akhir (الْآخِرُ) — The Last, remaining after all else ends, without any end.
Az-Zahir (الظَّاهِرُ) — The Manifest, whose existence is evident through all of creation.
Al-Batin (الْبَاطِنُ) — The Hidden, whose true essence cannot be grasped by the senses.
Al-Wali (الْوَالِي) — The Governor, who owns and manages the affairs of all creation.
Al-Muta’ali (الْمُتَعَالِي) — The Self-Exalted, utterly transcendent above His creation.
Al-Barr (الْبَرُّ) — The Source of All Goodness, kind and generous beyond measure.
At-Tawwab (التَّوَّابُ) — The Ever-Accepting of Repentance, who welcomes back those who turn to Him.
Al-Muntaqim (الْمُنْتَقِمُ) — The Avenger, who brings just retribution against persistent wrongdoing.
Al-Afuww (الْعَفُوُّ) — The Pardoner, who erases sin entirely, not merely forgiving it.
Ar-Ra’uf (الرَّؤُوفُ) — The Most Kind, gentle and tender in His mercy.
Malik-ul-Mulk (مَالِكُ الْمُلْكِ) — The Owner of All Sovereignty, who grants and removes authority as He wills.
Dhul-Jalali-wal-Ikram (ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ) — The Lord of Majesty and Generosity.
Al-Muqsit (الْمُقْسِطُ) — The Equitable, who establishes justice between His creation.
Al-Jami (الْجَامِعُ) — The Gatherer, who will assemble all creation on the Day of Judgment.
Al-Ghani (الْغَنِيُّ) — The Self-Sufficient, in need of absolutely nothing from His creation.
Al-Mughni (الْمُغْنِي) — The Enricher, who grants sufficiency and wealth to whoever He wills.
Al-Mani (الْمَانِعُ) — The Preventer, who withholds harm from His creation with wisdom.
Ad-Darr (الضَّارُّ) — The One Who Permits Harm, only ever by His wisdom and never by injustice.
An-Nafi (النَّافِعُ) — The Bringer of Benefit, the source of all true good.
An-Nur (النُّورُ) — The Light, who guides hearts out of darkness.
Al-Hadi (الْهَادِي) — The Guide, who leads whoever He wills to the straight path.
Al-Badi (الْبَدِيعُ) — The Incomparable Originator, who creates without any prior example to follow.
Al-Baqi (الْبَاقِي) — The Everlasting, who remains after all creation ceases to exist.
Al-Warith (الْوَارِثُ) — The Inheritor, to whom all things return in the end.
Ar-Rasheed (الرَّشِيدُ) — The Guide to the Right Way, whose guidance never fails or misleads.
As-Saboor (الصَّبُورُ) — The Most Patient, who does not rush to punish the sinner.

How to Actually Learn the 99 Names Properly — Not Just Read Them

Reading through a list like the one above is a good first step, but there is a real risk most people never move past it: mispronouncing an Arabic name can genuinely change its meaning, and reciting a list you cannot read in Arabic, or do not understand, falls short of what the hadith describes as truly "memorizing" them.

This is exactly where a qualified teacher makes the difference that a list or an app cannot. At Alhamd Academy, our Al-Azhar-certified teachers don’t just teach Quran recitation and Tajweed — they correct a student’s Arabic pronunciation letter by letter in real time, which is exactly the skill needed to recite the 99 Names correctly rather than approximately. Many of our Islamic Studies students work through the meanings of Asma ul Husna as part of a structured course, alongside Tajweed and Quran memorization, with a teacher who can answer questions and correct mistakes on the spot — something no static list can do.

Teaching the 99 Names of Allah to Children

The 99 Names are also one of the most effective ways to build a young child’s love for Allah in simple, memorable language — "Ar-Rahman" (the Most Compassionate) and "Ar-Razzaq" (the Provider) are concepts a five-year-old can grasp and relate to daily life, long before more abstract theology makes sense to them. Our teachers who specialize in children often weave a handful of names into early Islamic studies lessons — a few at a time, with simple stories and examples — rather than expecting a child to memorize all 99 at once. If you’d like a structured, age-appropriate introduction to Asma ul Husna as part of your child’s wider Quran and Islamic studies learning, our Quran classes for kids build this in naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all 99 Names of Allah mentioned directly in the Quran?

Most of the 99 names appear explicitly in the Quran. A smaller number are drawn from authentic hadith rather than appearing word-for-word in the Quran text itself. Scholars have compiled slightly different orderings of the list over the centuries, though the version above, popularized by early scholars including At-Tirmidhi, is the one most commonly taught today.

What are the benefits of reciting the 99 Names of Allah?

Beyond the hadith’s promise connected to truly knowing and living by them, many scholars note that reflecting on Allah’s names deepens a person’s understanding of who they are calling upon in dua, strengthens sincerity in worship, and brings comfort — for example, remembering Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem in times of hardship, or Al-Ghaffar and At-Tawwab when seeking forgiveness.

Is it true that the names of Allah are not limited to only 99?

Yes. The hadith specifies ninety-nine as a number through which the stated reward is attained, but it does not claim this is an exhaustive list of every name or attribute of Allah. Scholars commonly point to the dua reported from the Prophet ﷺ that references names "You have named Yourself, or taught to any of Your creation, or kept hidden in the knowledge of the unseen with Yourself" (Musnad Ahmad), indicating there is knowledge of Allah’s names beyond this specific list of 99.

What is the best way to start memorizing them?

Most teachers recommend learning a small group at a time (five to ten names), reviewing them daily, and pairing each name with its meaning and a short reflection rather than memorizing the Arabic alone without understanding it — which is closer to what the hadith actually describes as "memorizing" them.

Want to learn to read, pronounce and understand the Quran — including the 99 Names of Allah — properly, with a certified Al-Azhar teacher correcting you in real time? Book a free trial class with Alhamd Academy and start with a lesson built around exactly where you are today.