“Our paradise is in Our God. Our highest delight is in our God for we have seen Him and have found every beauty in Him. This wealth is worth procuring though one may have to lay down one’s life to procure it. This ruby is worth purchasing though one may have to lose one’s self to acquire it. O ye who are bereft, run to this fountain and it will save you. What may I do, and how may I instil this Good News in the hearts, and by what drum shall I make the announcement that this is your God, so that people might hear? What remedy may I apply to their ears so that they should listen”. “If you belong to Allah, rest assured that Allah will indeed belong to you”.
Taken from the book Our Teachings (Kishti Nuh)
“He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.”
Holy Qur’an Chapter 59, verse 25
Attributes of Allah
In addition to the proper name ‘Allah‘, Allah has many beautiful names called al-Asmaa’ul Husnaa (Holy Qur’an Chapter 59, verse 25), signifying His various attributes.
The opening Chapter of the Holy Qur’an (Surah al-Fatihah) explains that those Divine attributes that relate to human beings in any manner, branch out from His four principle attributes as follows:
Rabbil-‘Aalameen (Lord of all the Worlds). This means that Allah creates everything and then fosters everything gradually towards perfection;
Ar-Rahman (the Gracious). This means that without any effort on the part of his creatures, Allah provides everything that is necessary for their development and progress;
Ar-Raheem (The Merciful). This means that Allah is the Giver of the best and highest reward for those who do good voluntarily, and that reward continues indefinitely; and
Maliki-yaumiddeen (Master of the Day of Judgement). This means that the ultimate judgement concerning everything rests with Allah alone.
The Holy Qur’an & Ahadith refer to over one hundred attributes of Allah. Islam stresses the need to have firm belief in them and follow them.
The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, advises in one of his Ahadith: “Follow the attributes of Allah.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Three Categories of Allah’s Attributes
All these attributes may be divided into three categories as follows:
Attributes exclusive to Allah: These attributes are specific to Allah alone and not attainable in any way by His creatures. For example: Al-Hayy (The Living); Al-Qadir (The Possessor of Power and authority); Al-Majid (The Glorious).
Attributes concerning the creation of the Universe: These attributes are related to the creation of the Universe and indicates the relationship between Allah and His creation and His attitude towards them. For example: Al-Khaliq (The Creator) and Al-Malik (The Sovereign).
Attributes concerning the actions of His creatures: These attributes come into operation as a result of the good or bad actions of those of Allah’s creatures who are endowed with a will of their own. For example: Ar-Raheem(Merciful); Al-Afuww (The Pardoner) and Ar-Ra’oof (The Compassionate)
The Need to know the Attributes of Allah
“And to Allah alone belong all perfect attributes.So call on Him by these attributes”
(Holy Qur’an Chapter 7, verse 181)
According to the Holy Qur’an (Chapter 51, verse 57), the main objective of our creation is to worship Allah, our Creator. The philosophy of Islamic worship is to establish a loving relationship between Allah and His creatures, which is not possible unless we know and understand the attributes of Allah. Thus, by knowing the attributes of Allah, we will be able to derive abundant spiritual pleasure from our worship of Allah, the Exalted. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an; “And to Allah alone belong all perfect attributes. So call on Him by these attributes.” (7:181). There exists a wonderful relationship between the attributes of Allah and the acceptance of our prayers. So it is necessary that while praying to Allah, we should invoke the appropriate attribute of Allah. For example, to seek forgiveness from Allah, we should invoke His attribute, Al-Ghaffar, and to seek the protection of Allah we should invoke His attribute, Al-Hafeez, etc. In this way, Allah, the Exalted, would accept our prayers abundantly. The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said, “follow the attributes of Allah.” There are some attributes of Allah (Like Al-Rahman, Al-Malik, Al-Afuww etc.) which can be adopted by us in a limited fashion. By following these attributes in our daily lives, they will become operative in our favour. Below we have listed more than one hundred attributes of Allah, obtained from the Holy Qur’an and Ahadith, along with their transliteration and translation for your ready reference. As a note of caution, however, the complete meaning of these attributes cannot be presented in a single-phrase translation.
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Transliteration
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Translation
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Ar-Rabb
|
The Lord
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Ar-Rahman
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The Gracious
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Ar-Raheem
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The Merciful
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Maliki Yaumid Din
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Master of the Day of Judgement
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Al-Malik
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The Sovereign
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Al-Quddus
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The Holy One
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As-Salaam
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The Source of Peace
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Al-Mu’min
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The Bestower of security
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Al-Muhaymin
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The Protector
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Al-Azeez
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The Mighty
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Al-Jabbar
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The Compeller
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Al-Mutakabbir
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The Majestic
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Al-Khaliq
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The Creator
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Al-Bari
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The Maker
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Al-Musawwir
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The Fashioner
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Al-Ghaffar
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The Forgiver
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Al Mujeeb
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The Answerer (of prayers)
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Al-Majeed
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The Glorious
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Al-Baa’ith
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The Raiser (of the dead)
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Ash-Shaheed
|
The Witness The
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Al-Wakeel
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Keeper of All
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Al-Qawiyy
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The Powerful
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Al-Mateen
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The Strong
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Al-Waliyyi
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The Friend
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Al-Hameed
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The Praiseworthy
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Al-Muhsee
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He who keeps count
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Al-Mubdee
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The Originator
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Al-Mu’eed
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The Repeater (of life)
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Al-Muhyee
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The Giver of Life
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Al-Mumeet
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The controller of the cause of death
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Al-Hayy
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The Living
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Al-Qayyoom
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The Self-Subsisting
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Al-Warith
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The Ultimate Inheritor
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Dhul-Arsh
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The Lord of the Throne
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Ash-Shaafee
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The Healer
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Al-Ahad
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The Unique
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Al-Qahhar
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The subduer
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Al-Wahhab
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The Bestower
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Ar-Razzaq
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The Provider
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Al-Fattah
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The Opener (of the doors of success)
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Al-Aleem
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The All-Knowing
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Al-Qabid
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The Seizer
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Al-Basit
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The Expander (of means)
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Al-Khafid
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The Depresser (of the proud)
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Ar-Rafi
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The Exalter
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Al-Mu’iz
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The Bestower of Honour
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Al-Mudhil
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The Abaser
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As-Sami
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The All-Hearing
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Al-Baseer
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The All-seeing
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Al-Hakam
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The Wise Judge
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Al-’Adl
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The Just
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Al-Latif
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The Subtle One
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As-Samad
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The Independant, and Besought of all
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Al-Wajjid
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The Finder
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Al-Qadir
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The Possessor of Power & Authority
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Al-Maajid
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The Glorious
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Al-Wahid
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The One
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Al-Muqtadir
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The Omnipotent
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Al-Mu’akhir
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The postponer
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Al-Awwal
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The First
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Al-Akhir
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The Last
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Al-Batin
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The Hidden: Revealer of hidden realities
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Az-Zahir
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The Manifest
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Al-Waali
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The Ruler
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Al-Muta’li
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The Most High
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Al-Muqaddim
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The Provider of the means of Advancement
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Al-Barr
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The Beneficent
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At-Tawaab
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Oft-Returning with Compassion
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Ar-Rasheed
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The Director to the Right Path
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Dhul-Waqaar
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The Possessor of Staidness and Gravity
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Al-Kafi
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The Sufficient
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Al-Kabir
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The All-Aware
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Al-Haleem
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The Forbearing
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Al-Azeem
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The Great
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Al-Muqeet
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The Preserver (of His creation)
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Al-Ghafoor
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The Most Forgiving
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Al-Aliyy
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The High
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Ash-Shakoor
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The Most Appreciating
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Al-Kabeer
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The Incomparable Great
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Al-Hafeez
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The Guardian
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Al-Jaleel
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The Lord of Majesty
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Al-Karem
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The Noble
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Al-Haseebi
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The Reckoner
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Ar-Raqeeb
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The Watchful
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Al-Wadood
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The Loving
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Al-Wasi
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The Bountiful
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Al-Hakeem
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The Wise
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Al-Mun’im
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The Bestower of Favours
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Al-Muntaqim
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The Awarder of Punishment
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Al-Afuww
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The Pardoner
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Ar-Ra’oof
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The Compassionate
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Malik-ul-Mulk
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The Lord of Sovereignty
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Al-Muqsit
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The Equitable
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Al-Jaami’
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The Gatherer
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Al-Ghani
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The Self-Sufficient
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Al-Mughnee
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The Enricher
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Al-Darr
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The Inflictor of Punishment
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Al-Manni’
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The Prohibitor
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An-Naqafi’
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The Benefactor
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An-Noor
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The Light
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Al-Baqi
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The Ultimate Survivor
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Al-Bari
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The Originator
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Al-Hadi
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The Guide
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As-Saboor
|
The Patient
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Dhul-Jalaali-wal-Ikraam
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The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
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Al-Mutakallim
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The Speaker
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Islam Messages 