هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْجَبَّارُ ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ 23
Translations
He is Allāh, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Grantor of Security, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allāh above whatever they associate with Him.
Transliteration
Huwa-allahu alladhi la ilaha illa huwa al-maliku al-quddus al-salam al-mu'min al-muhayminu al-aziz al-jabbar al-mutakabbir. Subhana-allahi amma yushrikun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents nine of Allah's greatest names and attributes, declaring His absolute oneness and perfection. Ibn Kathir explains that these names collectively demonstrate Allah's sovereignty, holiness, peace-giving nature, faithfulness, guardianship, might, irresistibility, and greatness—each name reflecting an essential divine quality that sets Him apart from creation. The ayah concludes with a powerful declaration of Allah's transcendence above all forms of shirk (polytheism), emphasizing that recognizing these attributes naturally leads to rejecting any association of partners with God.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hashr (The Exile), a Medinan chapter revealed after the expulsion of Banu Nadir. It comes near the surah's conclusion, serving as a comprehensive statement of divine attributes that reinforces monotheism and Allah's supreme authority—themes central to the surah's message about Allah's power to humble those who oppose Him and His Messenger.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of Abu Hurairah (Sahih Bukhari 7392) mentions that "Allah has ninety-nine names; whoever memorizes them enters Paradise." Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used similar divine names in his supplications, as recorded in various collections, particularly when seeking Allah's attributes of Al-Aziz (The Mighty) and Al-Hakim (The Wise).
Themes
Key Lesson
Meditating on Allah's names and attributes deepens our faith and naturally purifies our hearts from shirk and false associations with the Divine. Understanding these qualities—that Allah alone is the King, the Holy One, the Source of Peace, and the Guardian—should inspire believers to place complete trust in Him and seek His aid through knowing Him by these magnificent names.