Al-Asma al-Husna
Al-Awwal: meaning, transliteration and explanation
The one who exists before all things, without beginning
- Appears in the Quran
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- #the meaning of the name Al-Awwal
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Arabic
الْأَوَّل
- Transliteration
- al-Awwal
- Meaning
- Al-Awwal means the one whose existence has no beginning, who existed before all things. He existed while nothing else did; He is eternal without beginning. All creation came into existence afterward, through His creating. This name, together with Al-Akhir (the one who remains after all things), states that Allah is eternal without beginning and everlasting without end.
In the Quran
«He is the First (before all things), the Last (after all things), the Manifest (apparent), and the Hidden (concealed). He has knowledge of all things.»
Surah Al-Hadid, 3Explanation
Without beginning
Everything created has a beginning; Allah does not. He is the creator of time and place, while He Himself is beyond time and beginning. The Quran describes Him as "the First and the Last" (Al-Hadid, 3).
The wisdom of the four names
In verse 3 of Surah Al-Hadid, Allah is described together with four names (Al-Awwal, Al-Akhir, Az-Zahir, Al-Batin). This shows that He encompasses time and place, that He is before and after all things, and that He is both manifest and hidden.
Sources
This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.
- QuranSurah Al-Hadid, 3
Allah's being "the First, the Last, the Manifest, the Hidden" occurs in this verse.
- Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Esmâ-i hüsnâ"
Academic source for the explanation of the name Al-Awwal.
Related Names
Other Names with closely connected meanings.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Name.
What does the name Al-Awwal mean?
Al-Awwal means Allah whose existence has no beginning, who existed before all things and is eternal.Which name does this come together with?
Together with Al-Akhir (the one who remains after all things): in verse 3 of Surah Al-Hadid, the names Al-Awwal, Al-Akhir, Az-Zahir, and Al-Batin occur together.