Names of Allah
Name #58 of 99

ٱلْأَوَّلُ

Al-Awwal

“The First”

Quranic Reference: Surah Al-Hadid 57:3

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Before Time Began

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Scholarly Explanation

The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained these in a succinct and clear way while addressing his Lord, "You are the First, there was none before You. You are the Last, there will be none after You. You are the Manifest, there is nothing above You. You are the Inward, there is nothing closer than You."

“He is the First, the Last, the Manifest and the Inward. He is the All-Knower of everything.”

[al-Hadid (57): 3]

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

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“What existed before everything? Only Al-Awwal.”
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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.

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه·Sahih Muslim 2713
Sahih

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.

Ibn al-QayyimShifa' al-'Alil

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Before Time Began

Continue your journey with an immersive interactive narrative, complete with Quranic recitation, animations, and guided reflection.

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Living With Al-Awwal

  • 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.

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