Al-Hayy
The Ever-Living
Prophetic Traditions
إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ يَسْتَحْيِي إِذَا رَفَعَ الرَّجُلُ إِلَيْهِ يَدَيْهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُمَا صِفْرًا خَائِبَتَيْنِ
“Indeed, Allah is Generous and Kind. He is too generous to let His servant raise his hands to Him and return them empty and disappointed.”
Al-Hayy is ever-living and ever-present to respond to His servants' supplications—He never sleeps, never dies, and never neglects.
Scholarly Insights
Al-Hayy is the foundation of all the names of Allah. All His attributes stem from His perfect, eternal life. His hearing, seeing, knowledge, power, and mercy all flow from being Al-Hayy.
Al-Hayy and Al-Qayyum are the two greatest names of Allah. Some scholars consider them to be Ism Allah al-A'dham (the Greatest Name). All other names revolve around them.
Supplications
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ أَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ وَلَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ
Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum, bi-rahmatika astaghith, aslih li sha'ni kullahu wa la takilni ila nafsi tarfata 'ayn
“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help. Rectify all my affairs and do not leave me to myself for even the blink of an eye.”
Living With This Name
- 1
When all doors close, call upon Al-Hayy—He is always alive, always listening, always able to respond.
- 2
Place your ultimate reliance on the Ever-Living, not on mortal beings who will pass away.
- 3
Revive your heart through connection with Al-Hayy—spiritual life comes from nearness to Him.
- 4
Recite 'Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, bi-rahmatika astaghith' when in distress.