Al-Akhir
Allah is Al-Akhir, The One who’s existence will extend past the end of this universe. He will be the last just as he was the first.
From the root a-kh-r which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to put back, to put behind, to be latter to postpone, to put at the end to be last, final, ultimate.
He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing. (Quran 57:3)
Related Passage about the day of judgement from Quran:
But man, desires to continue in sin. He asks, “When is the Day of Resurrection?” So, when vision is dazzled And the moon darkens And the sun and the moon are joined, Man will say on that Day, “Where is the [place of] escape?” No! There is no refuge. To your Lord, that Day, is the [place of] permanence. Man will be informed that Day of what he sent ahead and kept back. Rather, man, against himself, will be a witness, Even if he presents his excuses. (Quran 75:5-16)
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Name: |
Al-Akhir |
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Al-Akhir in Arabic: |
ٱلْآخِرُ |
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Arabic root: |
(أ خ ر) |
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Al-Aakhir meaning in English: |
The Last, The End, The Endless |
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Al-Akhir meaning in Urdu: |
فنا نہ ہونے والی ذات ,سب کے بعد |
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Appearance in the Quran: |
Once |
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Tasbeeh: |
As per various traditions:
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Asma ul Husna with similar meaning: |
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Al-Akhir (ٱلْآخِرُ) is the 74th of the 99 names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. By dictionary, it means "The Last," "The End,” or “The Endless.” The root of the Arabic word, Al-Akhir, is (أ خ ر), which typically means “final,” “ultimate,” “to be the last,” or “to put back.” More commonly, it means “The Last”. So, the 74th name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ means that He is the One Who exists forever, even after everything created by Him will end. When read together with the previous name Al-Awaal, it signifies that Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is the One Who was there when nothing existed and He will be there when everything will end and that Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is the Creator of this entire Universe.
Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ was and is the First and the Foremost and He will remain forever even when everything which got its existence from Him will end. 3rd verse of Surah Al-Hadeed describes the concept of being First and the Last.
هُوَ ٱلْأَوَّلُ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرُ وَٱلظَّـٰهِرُ وَٱلْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
He is the First and the Last, the Most High and Most Near,1 and He has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things
This verse is also evidence of the concept of monotheism or the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, precisely known as Tauheed, which is the baseline of Islam. The name Al-Aakhir, recited together with Al-Awwal reminds us of this important and basic element of Islam. It also reminds us that only Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ deserves worship, as He is forever and He is the One Who Commanded this entire Universe, the earth and the heavens to come into existence. That’s why one must rely on Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ for the accomplishment of all his needs.
The majority of Islamic Scholars are of the view that both these names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, Al-Awwal and Al-Akhir are interrelated and should be recited together with each other. The Quranic verse narrated above also supports this viewpoint. When recited side by side, we actually accept that only Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is the First and the Last and everything came into existence by His Command and Will. But being the last does not mean that the existence of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ also has an end; it means that He is Ever-Existing and will be there even when the entire Universe comes to an end by His Will and Authority.
A renowned scholar Sheikh Tosun Bayrak narrates this concept in his book, “The Name and The Named: "It is proper to read, recite, and consider the attributes "The First" and "The Last" together because the meaning is like a circle where the first and the last are one."
The concept of being the First and the Last is also endorsed in the 156th verse of Surah Al-Baqrah:
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ
Translation - who say, when struck by a disaster, “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will ˹all˺ return.” (Quran 2: 156)
All the 99 names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ reflect one or more than one attributes of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Hence, each of these names highlights one or more of these attributes, such as the name Al-Akhir, reflecting the very unique and unparalleled attribute of immortality, being the Ever-Existing. It also reminds us of the very basic concept of Islam, the concept of Tauheed.
Al-Akhir is a unique attribute of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, which can only be used for Him, as only He is the First and the Last. That is, in fact, the base of the Islamic teachings that this Universe was created by the Command of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ and that He is Ever-Existing. Even after the end of this Universe, the Only One Who will be there is only and only Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. So, this name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is most important for the accomplishment of one’s Imaan (Faith).
Recitation of the 99 names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is a sort of Worship in itself. As such reading the name Al-Akhir also carries countless rewards and benefits. It recalls us the uniqueness of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ being the First and the Last. It has to be recited so often, to refresh and strengthen your faith. It is highly advisable to include a recitation of this name, along with Al-Awwal, in our routine supplications and worships.
Reciting any of the names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is also a Zikr and there is no restriction on doing so at a particular time of the day. Therefore, the name Al-Akhir can be recited anytime, whenever you like. However, it is strongly recommended to recite it together with Al-Awwal, as both these names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ collectively, form the base of our Imaan (faith).
There is no restriction on when or how many times to recite Al-Akhir. Per some traditions, frequently reciting Al-Akhir carries huge benefits, as it results in a decent life and death of its reciters. It is also believed that if it is recited 812 times after every prayer, it is much more beneficial for living a healthier life. However, irrespective of the traditions, one should recite the names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ as many times as possible.
Each of the names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ has an impact on our life. Every name bears different attributes of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, which causes an inspiration for strengthening our Imaan and following the righteous path. It also reminds us different norms and teachings of Islam. Collectively, all these names cover the entire life pattern of a person in this world as well as the life hereafter. Particularly reciting the name Al-Akhir has a deep impact on one’s Imaan (Faith). Hence regular recitation of this name will enhance the faith in the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ.
Naming Children after any of the beautiful names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is a very strong custom, across the Muslim world. While some of the names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ are more popular and widely used by the Muslims, some others, such as Al-Akhir, are relatively less common. But the most important thing is that one should maintain the sanctity of these names while using them as the name of the children.
The name Al-Akhir describes a unique attribute of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, being the Last, the Ever-Existing. The same attribute is also reflected in some other names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, such as Al-Akhir, Al-Baqi, Al-Muheet, Al-Qayyum, As-Samad, Al-Wahid, Al-Warith, and Al-Wasi.
The concept of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, being the First and the Last and ever-existing, is narrated in the 60th Verse of Surah Al-Waqiya as under:
نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ
Translation - We have ordained death for ˹all of˺ you, and We cannot be prevented. (Quran 56:60)
It reflects the Authority of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, being the Only One Who Commands the life cycle of everyone but He Himself is Ever-Existing.
Similarly, there are various Hadiths related to the concept of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ being the First and the Last and Ever-Existing. Hadith at serial 134a in Sahih Muslim narrates the Ever-Existence of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ as under:
لاَ يَزَالُ النَّاسُ يَتَسَاءَلُونَ حَتَّى يُقَالَ هَذَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الْخَلْقَ فَمَنْ خَلَقَ اللَّهَ فَمَنْ وَجَدَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْئًا فَلْيَقُلْ آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ
Translation - It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, Men will continue to question one another till this is propounded: Allah created all things but who created Allah? He who found himself confronted with such a situation should say: I affirm my faith in Allah.
A Hadith quoted in Sahih Al-Muslim at serial number 2713a more elaborately narrates this concept:
حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، قَالَ كَانَ أَبُو صَالِحٍ يَأْمُرُنَا إِذَا أَرَادَ أَحَدُنَا أَنْ يَنَامَ أَنْ يَضْطَجِعَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ " اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَرَبَّ الأَرْضِ وَرَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ رَبَّنَا وَرَبَّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَالِقَ الْحَبِّ وَالنَّوَى وَمُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنْجِيلِ وَالْفُرْقَانِ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهِ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَىْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الآخِرُ فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ شَىْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَىْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الْبَاطِنُ فَلَيْسَ دُونَكَ شَىْءٌ اقْضِ عَنَّا الدَّيْنَ وَأَغْنِنَا مِنَ الْفَقْرِ " . وَكَانَ يَرْوِي ذَلِكَ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
Translation - Suhail reported that Abu Salih used to command us (in these words): When any one of you intends to go to sleep, he should lie on the bed on his right side and then say:" O Allah. the Lord of the Heavens and the Lord of the Earth and Lord of the Magnificent Throne, our Lord, and the Lord of everything, the Splitter of the grain of corn and the datestone (or fruit kernal), the Revealer of Torah and Injil (Bible) and Criterion (the Holy Qur'an), I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of every- thing Thou art to sieze by the forelock (Thou hast perfect control over it). O Allah, Thou art the First, there is naught before Thee, and Thou art the Last and there is naught after Thee, and Thou art Evident and there is nothing above Thee, and Thou art Innermost and there is nothing beyond Thee. Remove the burden of debt from us and relieve us from want." Abu Salih used to narrate it from Abu Huraira who narrated it from Allah's Apostle (ﷺ).
So, the concept of the Ever-Existence of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, as well as being the First and the Last, is explicitly mentioned in Quran and Hadith. Keep reciting these names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ to get more and more benefits and rewards.