Al-Qayyum
Al-Qayyum nature is to exist, completely free from dependence on anything or anyone. Al-Qayyum is the one through whom all things arise. He is Ever-Living and Self-Sustaining. Everything else in existence depends on Al-Qayyum.
From the root q-w-m which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to stand up, to rise up, to ascend, become high to begin, to start, to come to pass to arise, to set out to be on-going, to exist to be founded, to be built on to undertake, to carry out, to manage to make aright, straighten out, accurate, exact to make righteous, upright
Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. (Quran 3:2)
And [all] faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. And he will have failed who carries injustice. (Quran 20:111)
Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (Quran 2:255)
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Name: |
Al-Qayyum |
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Al-Qayyum in Arabic: |
ٱلْقَيُّومُ |
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Arabic root: |
(ق و م) |
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Al-Qayyum meaning in English: |
The Self-Subsisting, The Self-Existing, The Sustainer |
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Al-Qayyum meaning in Urdu: |
سب کو قائم رکھنے اور سنبھالنے والا ۔ سب کا مالک ۔ ہر چيز پر قادر ۔ سب کا محافظ |
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Appearance in the Quran: |
3 times |
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Tasbeeh: |
- |
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Asma-ul-Husna with similar meaning: |
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Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is called Al-Qayyum. This name signifies that He is truly free from dependence on anyone or anything and all things depend on Him. This attribute highlights that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the only one through whom everything exists; He is Self-Sustaining and Ever-Living. He was, is, and will always be, and to Him to turn for mercy and guidance.
It is said in the Holy Quran:
وَعَنَتِ ٱلۡوُجُوهُ لِلۡحَيِّ ٱلۡقَيُّومِۖ وَقَدۡ خَابَ مَنۡ حَمَلَ ظُلۡمٗا
And [all] faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. And he will have failed who carries injustice. (Quran 20:111)
Al-Qayyum is derived from the Arabic root qaaf-waow-meem ,which has the following connotations: to rise or stand up, to ascend and become high, to begin, to pass, to come, to set out, to exist, to be ongoing, to be founded, to undertake, to be built on, to carry out, to manage, to straighten out, to make righteous, exact, accurate, exact.
Anas bin Malik (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported:
“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).’” And with this chain, that he said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Be constant with: “O Possessor of Majesty and Honor (Yā Dhal-Jalāli wal-Ikrām).’” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3524)
Al-Qayyum occurs in the Holy Quran three times and it is always paired with the name Al-Hayy (The Living). This pair signifies that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is Sovereign and Independent. His essence is Ever-Living because He is Self-Sustaining and Self-Subsisting. Everything in the Heavens and on Earth is dependent on something to live, such as adequate living conditions, specific temperature and atmospheric pressure, and dependence on certain elements in nature to survive. However, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the only entity capable of existing without having to rely on anyone or anything.
This attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is beautifully detailed in the Ayat-ul-Kursi:
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَيُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُۚ لَا تَأۡخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٞ وَلَا نَوۡمٞۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِي يَشۡفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦۚ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيۡءٖ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَۚ وَسِعَ كُرۡسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفۡظُهُمَاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيُّ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ
Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." (Quran 2:255)
Another understood meaning of Al-Qayyum is He who causes to stand up or holds upright. This signifies that He is not only self-sustaining but is also the sustainer. The Arabic word qaimatun (قَائِمَةٌ) or qa'im (قايم) means rising, standing, or being upright; however, Al-Qayyum is the more emphatic derivative.
Believing that Allah is Al-Qayyum and Al-Hayy makes us acknowledge that relying upon anything or anyone other than Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is pointless. None is Self-Subsisting and Self-Sustaining except Him, which makes Him capable of providing us with everything we desire and require.
Moreover, while believing in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as Al-Qayyum strengthens our faith in Him, it also detaches us from everything that is not God and ensures that we always turn only to Him for sustenance and protection.
Anas bin Malik (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported:
"I was with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when a man made a supplication, saying, 'O Originator of the heavens! O Living, Self-Subsistent! I ask of You.' He said, 'Do you know by what he has made supplication? By the One in whose hand my soul is, he has asked Allah by the Name that He answers when He is asked by it." (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 705)
Reciting Al-Qayyum ensures the reciter doesn’t become negligent and careless in his personal and professional life. It also helps the reciter achieve purification of the heart and provides a sense of security if the reciter is fearful.
Moreover, engraving Al-Hayy-ul-Qayyum on the finger ring ensures good memory even if the believer becomes nameless or unknown.
Naming children after this attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will make them independent and capable of solving their problems adequately. They must be taught to always help others, especially those less privileged than them, monetarily, spiritually, and emotionally.
Names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that have a similar meaning or connection to Al-Qayyum are as follows:
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ
Allah! There is no god worthy of worship except Him—the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. (Quran 3:2)