Ism-e-Azam and its benefits
Meaning of Ism-e-Azam:
The literal meaning of Ism-e-Azam is "The Greatest Name."
In Islamic terminology, Ism-e-Azam refers to certain names among the
beautiful names (Asma-ul-Husna) of Allah which hold a special status.
When a supplication (du‘a) is made using these names, there is a greater hope
of its acceptance. These names have been referred to as Ism-e-Azam in
various hadiths, but they have not been explicitly and definitively specified.
Instead, they have been somewhat kept hidden.
Ism-e-Azam and its benefits
A study of
the hadiths also reveals that there is not just one specific name of Allah
which is Ism-e-Azam. Rather, there are multiple names from which Allah’s
perfect attributes can be understood. These are the names with which Allah is
addressed by the angels of the highest ranks (Mala’ al-A‘la)(those who are closest to God or the divine) and by
devout believers in every era. These blessed names are collectively referred to
as Ism-e-Azam.
(Source: Darul Ifta, Jamia Uloom Islamia, Binori Town, Karachi)
Hadith
Regarding Ism-e-Azam:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) once heard a man supplicating to
Allah using the following words:
"اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْئَلُكَ بِأَنِّي
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ
الَّذِي لَمْ یَلِدْ وَلَمْ یُوْلَدْ وَلَمْ یَكُنْ لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ"
Translation:
“O Allah! I ask You through my testimony that indeed You are Allah; there is no
deity worthy of worship except You. You are the One, the Self-Sufficient. You
neither beget nor were You begotten, and none is comparable to You.”
Upon hearing
this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“By Allah, you have asked Allah by His Ism-e-Azam — the Greatest Name —
which, when He is called upon by it, He answers, and when asked by it, He
grants.”
This hadith
is considered authentic and one of the most reliable narrations regarding Ism-e-Azam.
According to it, the names of Allah mentioned in this du‘a are considered among
His Greatest Names.
In another
hadith, a specific
verse from the Qur'an is also regarded as Ism-e-Azam, as mentioned in
the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
Hazrat Sa’d
ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace
be upon him) said:
“Shall I not tell you the name of Allah with which, if He is called upon, He
responds, and if He is asked by it, He gives? It is the supplication that Yunus
(peace be upon him) made in the depths of darkness:
لا إِلٰهَ
إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Translation:
“There is no
deity except You; glory be to You! Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers.”
Someone
asked, “O Messenger of Allah, was this du‘a specific to Yunus (peace be upon
him), or is it for all of us as well?”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
“Allah said:
فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَ
نَجَّيْنٰهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ وَكَذَلِكَ نُنْجِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Translation:
‘So We
responded to him and saved him from distress. And thus do We save the
believers.’”
(Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:88)
(Source: Faiz al-Qur’an with Husain Khwab Nama by Abu al-Faiz Muhammad Sharif al-Qadiri, p. 95)
Note:
The study of hadiths suggests that Ism-e-Azam is not limited to a
single, specific name of Allah. Various hadiths mention different names.
Therefore, it is advisable to include these names and phrases in your
supplications. After all, all beautiful names belong to Allah. You may call
upon Him with any of His good names.
As Allah’s personal name is “Allah,” He Himself has said in the Qur’an.
(Surah Al-Isra,
17:110):
قُلِ ادْعُوا
اللّٰهَ اَوِ ادْعُوا الرَّحْمٰنَؕ-اَیًّامَّا تَدْعُوْا فَلَهُ الْاَسْمَآءُ
الْحُسْنٰىۚ
Translation:
“Say, ‘Call
upon Allah or call upon the Rahman. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong
the best names’.”
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