Most Muslims are familiar with the list of the “99 names of God.” The Quran actually specifies more names than this, but for the sake of this article, I want to look at where these names can be found with respect to the Quran and highlight some issues with this list of names. Below is the list of 99 names.
Next to each name, in the leftmost column, it references a verse that utilizes the name specified. The verses with an ( *) next to them are ones where the exact form of the name is not found in the Quran, but either another form of that name is found, or a reference to God possessing that quality appears. In total, 36 names fall under this category.
Nine of the words do not have any reference to God in the Quran, in which a (?) is placed for the verse number. These nine names are the following:
#22, AL-KHAAFIDH ( ٱلْخَافِضُ) = The Reducer, The Lowerer
#29, Al-‘ADL ( ٱلْعَدْلُ) = The Fair, The Equitable
#71, AL-MUQADDIM ( ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ) = The Expediter, The Promoter
#86, AL-MUQSIT ( ٱلْمُقْسِطُ) = The Equitable, The Just
#90, AL-MANI’ ( ٱلْمَانِعُ) = The Withholder, Preventer
#91, AD-DHARR ( ٱلْضَّارُ) = The Distresser (Hardship)
#92, AN-NAFI’ ( ٱلْنَّافِعُ) = The Benefactor
#93, AN-NUR* ( ٱلْنُّورُ) = The Light, The Illuminator
#99, AS-SABOOR ( ٱلْصَّبُورُ) = The Steadfast, The Patient
More details regarding the names that fall under these two categories ( * and?) are discussed below.
Names (*)
#12 Al-Barri’ ( ٱلْبَارِئُ) = The Creator / Initiator
This form of the name of God does not occur in the Quran, but we do see the term “your Creator” (barri’kum / بَارِئِكُمْ) referecned twice in the following verse when Moses addressed the Children of Israel:
2:54 Recall that Moses said to his people, “O my people, you have wronged your souls by worshiping the calf. You must repent to your Creator. You shall kill your egos. This is better for you in the sight of your Creator.” He did redeem you. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
This form of the name of God does not occur in the Quran, but we see that God is the One who withholds in the following verse through the term (yaqbiḍu/ يَقْبِضُ):
2:245 Who would lend GOD a loan of righteousness, to have it repaid to them multiplied manifold? GOD is the One who provides and withholds, and to Him you will be returned.
39:52 Do they not realize that GOD is the One who increases the provision for whomever He chooses, and withholds? These are lessons for people who believe.
#23 AR-RAAFI’ ( ٱلْرَّافِعُ) = The Exalter / The Elevator
This form of the name of God does not occur in the Quran, but we see that God is the One who raises and exalts in the following verses: 2:253, 4:158, 6:165, 13:2, 35:10, 40:15 (ranks), 55:7, 58:11, 79:28.
58:11 O you who believe, if you are told, “Please make room,” you shall make room for each other to sit. GOD will then make room for you. If you are asked to get up and move, get up and move. GOD raises those among you who believe, and those who acquire knowledge to higher ranks. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
This form of the name of God does not occur in the Quran, but we see that God is the One who Honors who He wills:
3:26 Say, “Our god: possessor of all sovereignty. You grant sovereignty to whomever You choose, You remove sovereignty from whomever You choose. You grant dignity to whomever You choose, and commit to humiliation whomever You choose. In Your hand are all provisions. You are Omnipotent.
#25 AL-MUZIL ( ٱلْمُذِلُّ) = The Dishonourer, The Humiliator
This form of the name of God does not occur in the Quran, but we see that God humiliates or dishonors whom He wills in the following verse.
3:26 Say, “Our god: possessor of all sovereignty. You grant sovereignty to whomever You choose, You remove sovereignty from whomever You choose. You grant dignity to whomever You choose, and commit to humiliation whomever You choose. In Your hand are all provisions. You are Omnipotent.
This form of the name of God does not occur in the Quran, but we see that God is the One who judges in the following verse:
16:124 The Sabbath was decreed only for those who ended up disputing it (Jews & Christians). Your Lord is the One who will judge them on the Day of Resurrection regarding their disputes.
The name AL-HALEEM ( ٱلْحَلِيمُ) is never used in the Quran towards God with the definitive article. But the attribute is used toward God twelve times without the definitive article.
The only time we see this word used with the definitive article in the Quran is by the disbelieving people of Shu’aib towards him.
11:87 They said, “O Shu’aib, does your religion dictate upon you that we must abandon our parents’ religion, or running our businesses in any manner we choose? Surely, you are known for being clement, wise.”
The name ASH-SHAKOOR ( ٱلْشَّكُورُ) is never used in the Quran towards God with the definitive article. But the attribute is used toward God seven times without the definitive article.
The only time we see this word used with the definitive article is towards God’s servants.
34:13 They made for him anything he wanted—niches, statues, deep pools, and heavy cooking pots. O family of David, work (righteousness) to show your appreciation. Only a few of My servants are appreciative.
#38 AL-HAFEEDH ( ٱلْحَفِيظُ) = The Protector, Guardian
The name AL-HAFEEDH ( ٱلْحَفِيظُ) is never used in the Quran towards God with the definitive article. But the attribute is used toward God twelve twice without the definitive article in 11:57, 12:64, 42:6, 34:21 and also as an action God provides in 4:34.
34:21 He never had any power over them. But we thus distinguish those who believe in the Hereafter from those who are doubtful about it. Your Lord is a Guardian of all things.
#39 AL-MUQEET ( ٱلْمُقِيتُ) = The Controller of Distributions
The name AL-MUQEET ( ٱلْمُقِيتُ) is never used in the Quran towards God with the definitive article. The attribute without the definitive article is only used once in the Quran towards God in the following verse.
4:85 Whoever mediates a good deed receives a share of the credit thereof, and whoever mediates an evil work, incurs a share thereof. GOD controls all things.
#40 AL-HASEEB ( ٱلْحَسِيبُ) = The Reckoner, The Sufficient
The name AL-HASEEB ( ٱلْحَسِيبُ) is never used in the Quran towards God with the definitive article. The attribute without the definitive article is only used once in the Quran towards God in the following verse.
#41 AL-JALEEL ( ٱلْجَلِيلُ) = The Majestic
The name AL-JALEEL ( ٱلْجَلِيلُ) is never used in the Quran towards God. Instead, the following verses state that God is the Possessor of Majesty.
55:27 Only the presence of your Lord lasts. Possessor of Majesty and Honor.
This form of the name of God does not occur in the Quran, but we see that God is the One who responds to our calls and prayers.
2:186 When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.
The name Al-WAASi’ ( ٱلْوَاسِعُ) is never used in the Quran towards God, but the form is used eight times in the Quran towards God without the definitive article.
#48 Al-Majeed ( ٱلْمَجِيدُ) = The Glorious
The name Al-Majeed ( ٱلْمَجِيدُ) is never used in the Quran towards God, but we find the form ( مَّجِيدٌ) towards God in the following verse.
11:73 They said, “Do you find it strange for GOD? GOD has bestowed His mercy and blessings upon you, O inhabitants of the shrine. He is Praiseworthy, Glorious.”
It is worth mentioning that this root is only used four times in the Quran. Two of these other occurrences use the definitive article ( ٱلْمَجِيدِ) and are used to describe the Quran (50:1, 85:15), while the third occurrence is used to describe God’s throne (85:21).
#49 Al-Ba’ith ( ٱلْبَاعِثُ) = The Ressurector
The name Al-Majeed ( ٱلْمَجِيدُ) is never used in the Quran towards God, but we see that God is the One who resurrects the dead.
6:36 The only ones to respond are those who listen. GOD resurrects the dead; they ultimately return to Him.
The name ASH-SHAHEED ( ٱلْشَّهِيدُ) is never used in the Quran towards God, but we see the following form ( شَهِيدٌ) used in 5:117.
5:117 “I told them only what You commanded me to say, that: ‘You shall worship GOD, my Lord and your Lord.’ I was a witness among them for as long as I lived with them. When You terminated my life on earth, You became the Watcher over them. You witness all things.
#57 AL-MUHSEE ( ٱلْمُحْصِيُ) = The All-Enumerating, The Counter
The name AL-MUHSEE ( ٱلْمُحْصِيُ) is never used in the Quran towards God, but we see the following form ( أَحْصَىٰهُمْ and أَحْصَىٰهُ and وَأَحْصَىٰ) used in 19:94, 58:6, 72:28.
72:28 This is to ascertain that they have delivered their Lord’s messages. He is fully aware of what they have. He has counted the numbers of all things.
The name AL-MUBDI ( ٱلْمُبْدِئُ) is not used in the Quran as a name of God, but we see that God initiates in the following verses: 29:20, 7:29, 32:7, 10:34, 30:27
29:19 Have they not seen how GOD initiates the creation, then repeats it? This is easy for GOD to do.
#59 AL-MU’ID ( ٱلْمُعِيدُ) = The Restorer, The Reinstater
This form of the name of God does not occur in the Quran, but we see that God is the One who repeats the creation:
10:4 To Him is your ultimate return, all of you. This is GOD’s truthful promise. He initiates the creation, then He repeats it, in order to reward those who believe and lead a righteous life, equitably. As for those who disbelieve, they incur hellish drinks, and a painful retribution for their disbelieving.