Al-Awwal
The First
Prophetic Traditions
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَيْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الآخِرُ فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ شَيْءٌ
“O Allah, You are the First so there is nothing before You, and You are the Last so there is nothing after You.”
The Prophet ﷺ explained Al-Awwal with the clearest definition: nothing existed before Him.
Scholarly Insights
Knowing Al-Awwal means knowing that everything originates from Him. Every blessing, every breath, every moment of existence began because He willed it. He is the uncaused Cause of all that exists.
Supplications
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَيْءٌ
Allahumma anta al-Awwal fa-laysa qablaka shay'
“O Allah, You are the First and there is nothing before You.”
Living With This Name
- 1
Before starting any task, remember Al-Awwal—begin with 'Bismillah' to acknowledge His primacy.
- 2
Reflect on the origins of creation to strengthen your faith in the One who existed before all things.
- 3
Put Allah first in your priorities—He was first in existence, so He deserves to be first in your life.
- 4
When anxious about beginnings (new job, new chapter), trust Al-Awwal who initiated all of existence.