515

J:AF

nabi See prophets and prophethood.

nafs See soul and spirit.

namaz See prayer.

names of God (Arabic: al asma al-husna,

the most beautiful names)

Muslims believe in one God, but know him by

99 “most beautiful” names that attest to differ-

ent divine qualities. The qUran states, “The most

beautiful names belong to God (allah) so call on

him by them; but shun such men as use profan-

ity in his names: for what they do, they will soon

be requited” (Q 7:180). Moreover, a hadith from

Abu Hurayra (d. 678), the close companion of the

Prophet, asserts, “God has 99 names, one hundred

minus 1, and whoever memorizes them will enter

paradise.” The first verse of the Quran, known

as the basmala, states three of these names: “In

the name of God (Allah), the most compassion-

ate (al-Rahman), the most merciful (al-Rahim).”

This verse begins all but one of the Quran’s chap-

ters. Other names attest to the divine qualities of

omnipotence (al-Qadir), omniscience (al-Alim),

gentleness (al-Latif), righteousness (al-Barr),

and kindness (al-Rauf). Muslims have speculated

about God’s hundredth name, which some believe

is hidden and that only God knows it.

The 99 names come from three sources: (1)

directly from the Quran (as in the basmala and Q

59:22–24); (2) names derived indirectly from the

Quran (for example, al-Basit Expander [of hearts],

Q 2:245); and (3) traditional names of God that

are not found in the Quran in any form (for

example, al-Adl The Just). Muslim theologians

have divided the 99 names into two groupings.

One involves differentiating between the Names

of the Essence (such as God’s own name, Allah,

which is the supreme name, and al-Rahman) from

the Names of the Qualities (such as al-Barr).

All of God’s names are incorporated into the

lives of Muslims in a wide variety of ways. They

appear as first and/or last names of persons pre-

ceded by the word Abd (Servant of.. .), such

as Abd Allah (Servant of God), Abd al-Salam

(Servant of Peace), or Abd al-Jabbar (Servant of

the Powerful). God’s names are recited in the

required daily prayers, during meditations involv-

ing prayer beads, and Sufi dhikr rituals. They are

printed on posters for display in mosques, homes,

and businesses. One of the most popular religious

songs in modern times is “Asma Allah al-husna”

N