What does the name Al-Qayyum mean?

"Al-Qayyum" means Allah, who subsists by Himself, needing nothing, and who creates, sustains and governs all existence.

Where does this name occur in the Quran?

As "al-Hayyu-l-Qayyum" it occurs in Al-Baqarah 255 (Ayat al-Kursi), Ali 'Imran 2, and Ta-Ha 111.

Al-Asma al-Husna

Self-subsisting and the Sustainer of all existence

Arabic

الْقَيُّوم

Transliteration: al-Qayyūm
Meaning: "Al-Qayyum" means the One who subsists by Himself, needing nothing, while at the same time creating, sustaining and governing all existence. Every moment of the universe continues through His preservation and governance; without Him, everything would cease to exist.

«Allah, there is no god but Him, the Ever-Living (Hayy), the Sustainer and Maintainer of all (Qayyum).»

Explanation

Sustaining everything
"Qayyum" means both subsisting by oneself and sustaining others. The existence of the heavens, the earth and all living beings continues through His constant governance. The Quran states: "Allah preserves the heavens and the earth from ceasing to exist" (Fatir, 41).
The key of Ayat al-Kursi
Ayat al-Kursi, the greatest verse in Islam, begins with "al-Hayyu-l-Qayyum" (Al-Baqarah, 255). These two names together express Allah's eternal life and His governance of the universe.

This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.

QuranSurah Ali 'Imran, 2
This verse mentions Allah as Hayy and Qayyum.
QuranSurah Al-Baqarah, 255
Ayat al-Kursi begins with Allah being Hayy and Qayyum.
Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Esmâ-i hüsnâ"
Academic source for the explanation of the name Al-Qayyum.

Other Names with closely connected meanings.

Common questions about this Name.

What does the name Al-Qayyum mean?
"Al-Qayyum" means Allah, who subsists by Himself, needing nothing, and who creates, sustains and governs all existence.
Where does this name occur in the Quran?
As "al-Hayyu-l-Qayyum" it occurs in Al-Baqarah 255 (Ayat al-Kursi), Ali 'Imran 2, and Ta-Ha 111.