Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
In this hadith, the words "hifzaha" (to memorize them) and "ahsaaha" (to enumerate them) have appeared, and one hadith explains the other, according to the principle that ahsaaha also means to memorize. Although some have interpreted it as having faith in them, others have taken it to mean acting according to them, and some have intended by it to have knowledge of them.

In no authentic hadith has the specification of these ninety-nine names been mentioned. Under this hadith, Hafiz Ibn Hajar, in the light of Jami’ al-Tirmidhi and Qur’anic verses, has written ninety-nine names. Although, according to the majority of scholars, based on some ahadith, Allah’s names are not limited to these alone; there are many more names, the knowledge of which is with Allah alone. However, this virtue is specific to these names. And since Allah, the Exalted, is unique and singular, He likes that person who, being separate and detached from others, or having cut himself off from everyone, remembers Him; who does not give anyone else such a place in his heart that it makes him heedless of Allah. For this reason, Allah, the Exalted, has generally kept odd numbers in acts of worship as well: performing istinja (cleansing after relieving oneself) three times is obligatory, or at least Sunnah; washing the limbs of ablution (wudu) three times is preferable; there are five prayers; tawaf (circumambulation) and sa’i (ritual walking) are seven times; there are three jamarat (stone pillars in Hajj); they are to be pelted seven times; there are seven days, seven heavens, seven earths, seven seas, etc.

Mentioning the virtue of these ninety-nine names necessitates that if they are unspecified or ambiguous, then how is it possible to memorize them? Therefore, the ninety-nine names that Hafiz Ibn Hajar has written in the light of Jami’ al-Tirmidhi and Qur’anic verses should be relied upon, which are as follows:

He is Allah,
the One besides whom there is no deity,
the Most Merciful (ar-Rahman),
the Most Compassionate (ar-Rahim),
the Sovereign (al-Malik),
the Most Holy (al-Quddus),
the Source of Peace (as-Salam),
the Granter of Security (al-Mu’min),
the Protector (al-Muhaymin),
the Mighty (al-Aziz),
the Compeller (al-Jabbar),
the Supreme (al-Mutakabbir),
the Creator (al-Khaliq),
the Maker (al-Bari’),
the Fashioner (al-Musawwir),
the Most Forgiving (al-Ghaffar),
the All-Prevailing (al-Qahhar),
the Bestower (al-Wahhab),
the Provider (ar-Razzaq),
the Opener (al-Fattah),
the All-Knowing (al-‘Alim),
the Withholder (al-Qabid),
the Expander (al-Basit),
the Abaser (al-Khafid),
the Exalter (ar-Rafi’),
the Honourer (al-Mu’izz),
the Humiliator (al-Mudhill),
the All-Hearing (as-Sami’),
the All-Seeing (al-Basir),
the Judge (al-Hakam),
the Just (al-‘Adl),
the Subtle (al-Latif),
the All-Aware (al-Khabir),
the Forbearing (al-Halim),
the Magnificent (al-Azim),
the Most Forgiving (al-Ghafur),
the Appreciative (ash-Shakur),
the Most High (al-‘Ali),
the Most Great (al-Kabir),
the Preserver (al-Hafiz),
the Sustainer (al-Muqit),
the Reckoner (al-Hasib),
the Majestic (al-Jalil),
the Generous (al-Karim),
the Watchful (ar-Raqib),
the Responsive (al-Mujib),
the All-Encompassing (al-Wasi’),
the Wise (al-Hakim),
the Loving (al-Wadud),
the Most Glorious (al-Majid),
the Resurrector (al-Ba’ith),
the Witness (ash-Shahid),
the Truth (al-Haqq),
the Trustee (al-Wakil),
the Strong (al-Qawiyy),
the Protector (al-Waliyy),
the Praiseworthy (al-Hamid),
the Accounter (al-Muhsi),
the Originator (al-Mubdi’),
the Restorer (al-Mu’id),
the Giver of Life (al-Muhyi),
the Giver of Death (al-Mumit),
the Ever-Living (al-Hayy),
the Self-Subsisting (al-Qayyum),
the Finder (al-Wajid),
the Illustrious (al-Majid),
the One (al-Wahid),
the Satisfier of Needs (as-Samad),
the Able (al-Qadir),
the All-Powerful (al-Muqtadir),
the Expediter (al-Muqaddim),
the Delayer (al-Mu’akhkhir),
the First (al-Awwal),
the Last (al-Akhir),
the Manifest (az-Zahir),
the Hidden (al-Batin),
the Patron (al-Wali),
the Most Exalted (al-Muta’ali),
the Source of All Goodness (al-Barr),
the Acceptor of Repentance (at-Tawwab),
the Avenger (al-Muntaqim),
the Pardoner (al-‘Afuww),
the Most Kind (ar-Ra’uf),
the Owner of Sovereignty (Malik al-Mulk),
the Lord of Majesty and Bounty (Dhu’l-Jalali wa’l-Ikram),
the Equitable (al-Muqsit),
the Gatherer (al-Jami’),
the Self-Sufficient (al-Ghaniyy),
the Enricher (al-Mughni),
the Preventer (al-Mani’),
the Harmer (ad-Darr),
the Benefiter (an-Nafi’),
the Light (an-Nur),
the Guide (al-Hadi),
the Incomparable (al-Badi’),
the Everlasting (al-Baqi),
the Inheritor (al-Warith),
the Guide to the Right Path (ar-Rashid),
the Patient (as-Sabur).

There is some difference of opinion regarding these names of Allah, for details see Qadi Sulayman Mansur Puri rahimahullah’s Sharh Asma’ Allah al-Husna (Urdu), Fiqh al-Asma’ al-Husna (Arabic) by Dr. Abdul Razzaq bin Abdul Muhsin al-Badr hafizahullah.

According to Hafiz Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah, there are three levels of ahsa’ (enumeration):

(1) To memorize and count the names.
(2) To know their meanings and implications.
(3) And to supplicate (make du’a) by means of them.