The Ninety Nine Names of God

The Ninety Nine Names of God (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 1, p. 36). But the truth is that God has innumerable names. In the tradition, the number of God’s attributes (asmae-husna) is put at ninety nine. By studying the Quran, the scholars have discovered these, name by name. But these names do not denote the countless attributes of God. All these names, in fact, relate to human beings. The truth is that when the feeling of servitude awakens within man and God’s consciousness becomes a reality then, naturally, different kinds of spiritual feelings arise within him. Naming the divine attributes, in fact, is an appropriate way of expressing these divine feelings. For instance, a person reflects on his own existence, which is indeed an example of the best of moulds (95:4). He reflects on nature, in which everything is astonishingly a model of perfection. He reflects on the earth and the sky, and finds no defect in them. (67:3). This thinking and observation create experiences for a person. He spontaneously feels that he should have the words which are appropriate to express these sublime feelings. At that time, the Quran, in exact accordance with his desire, gives him these words: “Glory be to God, the Best of Creators.” (23:14)