Al-Hayy

Al-Hayy (The Living): Details

Al-Hayy (The Living) Definition & Meaning

Al-Hayy (The Living) pronunciation is al-Ḥay-i and the word comes from the root ha-ya-ya (ح ي ي). It has the following classical Arabic connotations: to live, to be living, to become apparent, distinct, to animate, to revive, to vitalize, to call into being, to be whole, sound, to call, summon, invite, hasten.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has referred to Himself as Al-Ḥayy (in Arabic ٱلْحَىُّ) in the Quran. He is the One who is undying and will be forever, perfect, and not subject to death or sickness. He is eternally whole and absolute, from whom all life arises. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the One who has perfect and absolute power over all, existing in and of Himself, and is not dependent upon anyone else. 

The name al-Hayy includes all of the attributes of His Self. However, this name describes in particular the quality of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as being ever-living. His existence has no beginning and end. While harder to comprehend with our limited understanding of the universe, the fact is that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) just is. There are multiple layers to the name Al-Hayy through which we can enlighten ourselves with the depth of its meaning. The first is the essence of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) or His unique quality of being everlasting. The second layer is the perfection of His life and the third is Him being the ultimate source of life.

ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌۭ وَلَا نَوْمٌۭ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ٢٥٥  [2:255]

Translation: “Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who could possibly intercede with Him without His permission? He ˹ fully ˺ knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them, but no one can grasp any of His knowledge—except what He wills ˹ to reveal ˺. His Seat encompasses the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of both does not tire Him. For He is the Most High, the Greatest.”

Significance of Al-Hayy (The Living)

Al-Hayyi (The Living) is a particularly significant name among all the ninety-nine names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). While it is not worthwhile to indulge in ranking the names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), Al-Hayyi was particularly regarded as the most important by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself.

At the very end of our daily prayers, we have the perfect opportunity to use these noble names of Allah in our invocations. Many believers frequently invoke the name Al-Hayy in their prayers, as is recommended by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)[Sunan Abi Dawud 1495. Acknowledging Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) eternal life and seeking His guidance and mercy in their daily lives, enables the believer to seek what he seeks with utmost conviction. Including Al-Hayy in duas (supplications) is a way of recognizing His continuous and active involvement in every aspect of their existence. 

Dhikr (remembrance, specifically of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is a constant habit of a good practicing Muslim. Incorporating mindful repetition of Al-Hayyi (The Living) in Dhikr can help the believer internalize the concept of Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) ever-living nature in daily spiritual practices. There is no need to especially fix a certain time frame or limit for these moments of Dhikr. These moments can be in between certain activities or daily chores. Al-Hayyi (The Living) is specifically useful for certain occasions or needs. Invoking this name during times of seeking guidance, strength, or divine intervention, while recognizing that Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) eternal life encompasses all circumstances, strengthens the supplication by a believer.

Al-Hayyi, paired with Al-Qayyum, was particularly used in supplications by Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Anas bin Malik said: “Whenever a matter would distress him, the Prophet (ﷺ) would say: ‘O Living, O Self-Sustaining Sustainer! In Your Mercy do I seek relief (Yā Ḥayyu yā Qayyūm, bi-raḥmatika astaghīth).’” (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3524)

Repeatedly uttering the name Al-Hayy (The Living) benefits the believer by strengthening their spiritual vigor. Some scholars even suggest that it may affect health and fitness, and help a patient recover from fatal sickness/disease. Those seeking a long life can invoke this name in their supplications. 

Names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) with the Same Meaning as Al-Hayy (The Living)

There are several names with similar meanings among the Asma-ul-Husna, Ninety-nine names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). These names reflect the Greatness and the unrivaled, immense strength and power of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).

• Al-Muqtadir (The Prevailing)

• Al-Wasi (The All-Embracing; The Boundless)

• Al-Azeem (The All-Glorious)

• Al-Aziz (The All-Mighty)

• Al-Kabeer (The Great)

• Al-Mueed (The Restorer)

• Al-Muhiyy (The Giver of Life)

• Al-Mumeet (The Taker of Life)

• Al-Muqaddim (The Promoter)

• Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful)

• Al-Qawiy (The Strong)

Al-Hayy has frequently appeared in the Quran paired with Al-Qayyum (The Self-Subsisting). The descriptive Al-Qayyum emphasizes Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) self-sufficiency and sustenance of all existence. Together with AL-Hayy, this pair reflects the absolute greatness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), His Everlasting Existence with His unique ability to be self-sufficient. He is the one we rely on, yet He needs no one to rely on.

More Mentions from the Quran & Hadith about Al-Hayy (The Living)

There are several verses in the Quran that mention the noble name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), Al-Hayy (The Living). A few of them are listed down below.

ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ٢  [3:2]

Translation: “Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him—the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining.”

۞ وَعَنَتِ ٱلْوُجُوهُ لِلْحَىِّ ٱلْقَيُّومِ ۖ وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ حَمَلَ ظُلْمًۭا ١١١  [20:111]

Translation: “And all faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. And those burdened with wrongdoing will be in a loss.”

وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱلْحَىِّ ٱلَّذِى لَا يَمُوتُ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِهِۦ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِۦ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًا ٥٨  [25:58]

Translation: “Put your trust in the Ever-Living, Who never dies, and glorify His praises. Sufficient is He as All-Aware of the sins of His servants.”

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) has mentioned the particularly great name Al-Hayyi several times, with authenticated accounts narrated and preserved in tradition. The following are some of the hadiths mentioning the name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).

Narrated Anas ibn Malik:  I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and a man was offering prayer. He then made supplication: “O Allah, I ask Thee by virtue of the fact that praise is due to Thee, there is no deity but Thou, Who showest favor and beneficence, the Originator of the Heavens and the earth, O Lord of Majesty and Splendour, O Living One, O Eternal One.” The Prophet (ﷺ) then said: He has supplicated Allah using His Greatest Name, when supplicated by this name, He answers, and when asked by this name He gives. (Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 1495)

Narrated Zayd, the client of the Prophet: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If anyone says: "I ask pardon of Allah than Whom there is no deity, the Living, the eternal, and I turn to Him in repentance," he will be pardoned, even if he has fled in time of battle.” (Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 1517)