Question:
Assalamualaikum, is it true that there is a hadith which states that whoever memorize the 99 names of Allah SWT will enter paradise?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam.
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
The hadith stated in the question is narrated by Abu Hurairah RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
إن للهِ تسعةً وتسعين اسمًا ، مائةً إلا واحدًا ، مَن أحصاها دخلَ الجنةَ
"Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise."
Sahih al-Bukhari (6410) in Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Supplications, under the Chapter Allah has 100 Names Except 1.
The Meaning of the Hadith
In this hadith, Allah SWT tells and teaches us His slaves of His honoured names. It is wajib for us as a Muslim believer to believe and has faith with the attributes of Allah SWT of His perfection without any defect. This is one of the basic requisites in aqidah and tawhid. The names or attributes stated by Allah SWT is stated through His words which is the Quran or conveyed and taught by the Prophet PBUH in his hadiths. The scholars agreed that the attributes of Allah SWT are not limited to the 99 names but it exceeds this number.
The Meaning of “من أحصاها” according to the commentary of scholars
In understanding this phrase, scholars have differing opinions in determining the meaning meant by this phrase. Among them is presented by al-Khattabi in a book ‘Umdah al-Qari:
- We should praise Allah SWT with all of His names or attributes without limiting the names and attributes
- Whoever is capable to uphold their rights and at the same time practise them. Which also means, taking lessons from the meanings of the names and attributes of Allah SWT and placing them in ourselves.
- Whoever who contemplates the meanings of the names and attributes of Allah SWT.
- Whoever memorize and contemplate their meanings and subsequently practise them.
- Ibn al-Jauzi holds the opinion that the phrase means anyone who recites the Quran until the end of it and understanding its contents where all of Allah SWT’s names and attributes are mentioned.
Disposition
According to the opinions of scholars in understanding this phrase, we are inclined to state that the phrase “من أحصاها” means contemplation and consideration of their meanings at the same time we memorize them.
Fiqh al-Hadith
Considering the text and meaning of the hadith, the following are some lessons we can take from it:
- Believing in the names and attributes of Allah SWT is one of the pillars and basis of aqidah or tawhid. Whoever disbelieves is considered as a person who renounces Islam.
- We should always recite the Quran in our daily lives. The reason is it contains the honoured names and attributes of Allah SWT.
- Appreciation and makrifah as well as firm belief of the names of Allah SWT who are perfect in any aspect is of utmost importance in our daily lives. Thus, this would benefit us by getting ourselves closer towards Allah SWT and believing in Him.
- Understanding and practising the names if Allah SWT and His attributes will lead us to paradise.
- We must always supplicate to Allah SWT by stating His names as commanded by Allah SWT to His slaves according to the statement of Allah SWT:
وَلِلَّـهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا ۖ
And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.
Surah al-A’raf (180)
Lastly, may Allah SWT protect our faith and make us from among the believers who will enter paradise in the hereafter. Amin.
Wallahua’lam.