What does “al-Ism al-A’zam” mean? The meaning of al-Ism al-A’zam..
Al-Ism al-A‘zam literally means “the greatest name”. Terminologically, it is used for some names that are among the most beautiful names of Allah. While some Islamic scholars accept that all names of Allah are equal in terms of virtue and superiority, some others, by taking into consideration the hadiths, claim that some names have greater importance and virtue than others.
Al-Ism al-A‘zam is mentioned in a number of hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (saw), and declared that when people invoke Allah using it, their invocation will certainly be accepted. (See Abu Dawud, Witr, 23; Tirmidhi, Da’awat, 64, 65, 100; Nasa’i, Sahw, 58; Ibn Majah, Du’a, 9, 10). Yet, it is not possible to know exactly which name of Allah is the greatest one. This is because in some of these hadiths the name “Allah” is identified as the greatest name while in some others, the names “al-Rahman, al-Rahim” (the Gracious, the Merciful), “al-Hayy, al-Qayyum” (the Alive and the Supporter of Everything), and “Dhu al-Jalal wa al-Ikram” (the Lord of Majesty and Bounty) are referred to be more superior.
A hadith regarding this subject is as follows: “Prophet Muhammad (saw) heard someone supplicating by saying ‘O Allah, indeed, I ask you by my testifying that You are Allah, there is none worthy of worship except You, the One, al-Samad (you need nothing, and everything needs you), the one who does not beget (you are not the father of anyone), nor was begotten (you are not child of anyone), and there is one who is like You.” Then Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, he has asked Allah by His Greatest Name, the one which if He is called upon by it, He responds, and when He is asked by it, He gives.” (Tirmidhi, Da’awat, 65) Another hadith is as follows, “I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and a man was offering prayer. He then made the following supplication: ‘O Allah, I ask You by virtue of the fact that praise is due to You, there is no deity but You, Who shows favor and beneficence, the Originator of the Heavens and the earth, O Lord of Majesty and Splendor, O Living One, O Eternal One.’” (Hearing this dua) the Messenger of Allah (saw) asked, “Do you know what this man conduce to his dua?” “Allah and His Messenger know better”, they replied. The Messenger of Allah (saw) continued, “By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, he has asked Allah by His Greatest Name, the one which if He is called upon by it, He responds, and when He is asked by it, He gives.” (Abu Dawud, Salat, 368)
Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS
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