knowledge of the names and attributes, the benefits they encompass, and the realities they signify. Whoever does not know this neither understands the meanings of the names nor benefits, by mentioning them, from the meanings they signify.”1

He thus drew attention—may Allah have mercy on him—to the fact that complete knowledge of the Most Beautiful Names, through which one who calls upon Allah by them attains the tremendous reward mentioned in the hadith, is achieved only by knowing the names and attributes, the benefits they encompass, and the realities they signify—not merely by counting them without understanding them or knowing what they signify.

The eminent scholar Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—stated that enumerating Allah’s Most Beautiful Names has three levels. By completing and realizing them, the servant attains the tremendous reward from Allah mentioned in the preceding hadith of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him:

The first level: enumerating them in wording and number.

The second level: understanding their meanings and implications.

The third level: calling upon Allah by them. This includes both the supplication of worship and the supplication of request2.

By fulfilling these three tremendous levels, this number of Allah’s Most Beautiful Names is properly enumerated.

It should also be known that Allah’s Most Beautiful Names are not confined to the specific number mentioned in the words of the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him: “Allah has ninety-nine names—whoever enumerates them will enter Paradise.” The wording of this hadith forms a single sentence. Thus, his words: