Allah’s Greatest Name

Anas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) was sitting with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when they heard a man making du’aa.

After hearing his du’aa, the Prophet (peace be upon him said) said, “He has made du’aa to Allah using His Greatest Name, and when He is called by this name, He answers, and when He is asked by this name, He gives.”

What was the Greatest Name of Allah which this man used in his du’aa?

It is:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِأَنَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ الْمَنَّانُ بَدِيعُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ يَا حَىُّ يَا قَيُّومُ

“O Allah, indeed I ask You since all praise is due to You, there is none worthy of worship but You, the Bestower, the Creator of the heavens and earth, O Possessor of majesty and honor, O Ever-living, O Sustainer (of all creation).”

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Sahih)

Ibnul Qayyim (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“(Allah’s) names ‘Al-Hayy/the Everliving’ and ‘Al-Qayyum/the Sustainer (of all creation)’ have a special effect in having one’s du’aas answered and difficulties removed.

That is why when the Prophet, peace be upon him, would strive in making du’aa he would say, ‘Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum/O the Everliving, O the Sustainer!’”

(Zaad ul Ma’ad)