Names of Allah
Name #50 of 99

ٱلْقَيُّومُ

Al-Qayyum

“The Sustainer”

Quranic Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255

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Everything Depends on Him

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Scholarly Explanation

The one who has perfect power, existing in and of Himself and not dependant upon anyone else. The sustainer of the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, the one who regulates their affairs and provisions. The name al-Hayy includes all of the Attributes of His Self and the name al-Qayyum includes all the Attributes of His Actions.

“Allah! There is no deity worthy of worship but Him, al-Hayy, al-Qayyum.”

[Ali 'Imran (3): 2]

“All faces shall be humbled before [Allah], al-Hayy, al-Qayyum. And the one who carried the burden of wrong-doing shall be in complete loss!”

[Ta Ha (20): 111]

From “Explanation to the Beautiful and Perfect Names of Allah” — Shaykh as-Sa’di (d.1376H)

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“How does your life change when you realize Allah sustains every moment?”
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Prophetic Traditions

اسْمُ اللَّهِ الأَعْظَمُ فِي هَاتَيْنِ الآيَتَيْنِ: وَإِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ وَفَاتِحَةِ سُورَةِ آلِ عِمْرَانَ: الم اللَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ

“The greatest name of Allah is in these two verses: 'Your God is One God, there is no god except He, the Most Merciful' and the opening of Al Imran: 'Alif Lam Meem, Allah, there is no god except He, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer.'”

This hadith indicates that Al-Hayy Al-Qayyum may be part of Allah's greatest name, showing the supreme importance of this attribute.

Asma bint Yazid رضي الله عنها·Sunan Abu Dawud 1496
Hasan (Al-Albani)

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا حَزَبَهُ أَمْرٌ قَالَ يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ

“When a matter would distress the Prophet ﷺ, he would say: 'O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help.'”

The Prophet ﷺ turned to Al-Qayyum specifically during distressing moments, showing this name's power in times of need.

Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه·Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3524
Hasan (Al-Albani)

Scholarly Insights

Al-Qayyum means the One who sustains Himself and sustains all of creation. All things depend on Him for their existence, sustenance, and preservation, while He depends on none.

Ibn al-QayyimMadarij as-Salikin

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Everything Depends on Him

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Supplication

يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ

Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyumu bi-rahmatika astaghith

“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer of all existence, I seek help through Your mercy.”

Sunan at-Tirmidhi 3524 — graded HasanAl-Qayyum holds all of creation — when you feel like you're falling, He holds you too.

Living With Al-Qayyum

  • 1

    Call upon Al-Qayyum during moments of distress, as the Prophet ﷺ did.

  • 2

    Recognize your complete dependence on Al-Qayyum for every breath and heartbeat.

  • 3

    When feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, remember that Al-Qayyum sustains all things effortlessly.

  • 4

    Recite Ayat al-Kursi regularly, which contains Al-Hayy Al-Qayyum.

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