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الْقُدُّوسُ

Al-Quddus (القدوس): Meaning of Allah’s Name

Name 5 of 992 verses of the Quran

Al-Quddus: The Pure and Perfect

Recitation: Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary · 24 voices to choose from

Explanation of the name Al-Quddus

The One Who is far greater and far removed from any imperfection, or that He resemble any of His creation. Hence he is far removed from any defect just as He is far removed from anything resembling Him or coming close to resembling Him in any of His Attributes of Perfection.

"There is nothing like Him." (42:11)

"There is no one equal to or comparable to Him." (112:3)

"Do you know of any who is similar to Him?" (19:65)

"Then do not set up rivals to Allaah." (2:22)

Al-Quddoos is similar in meaning to as-Salaam in that they both negate any form of imperfection, while at the same time include unlimited perfection in every way. This is due to the fact that when deficiency has been removed, then all that remains is perfection.

"Whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allaah - the King, the Holy, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (62:1)

— ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sa‘di · Explanation shared with: As-Salam

The Exalted, said: “the King, the Holy, the One free from all defects.” (Al-Hashr: 23).

The Linguistic Meaning:

Al-Quddoos: Has two meanings:

1- Purity and chastity and that is why Paradise was called the Barn of Al-Quds because of its cleanliness and purity away from all blights of this life, as it is said in Hadeeth Al-Qudsi, that God, All-Mighty said: “ Whoever gave up booze while was able to drink it, I would give him a drink of the Barn of Al-Quds.”

2- Blessing, and from it the name the Holy land, meaning the blessed land.

This Sublime Name is one of the descriptions of greatness, and it also means being free from all defects and shortages which are opposite to His Complete Perfection. He is free from all evil, shortage and shame by His Essence, Attributes and Actions, the Extreme in purity. He is the Praiseworthy because He is full of virtues and graces, Who owns the highest and most perfect attributes. He is the Blessed in His Name, Actions, Essence and His High Descriptions. He is Infallible and Impeccable, for He has no equal, no parallel and no similar to Him, the All-Mighty. He is Pure and Far above children, spouse and peer, for He is Self-Sufficient and in no need of any of them. He is Pure and Free from all bad statements that disbelievers accuse Him of, He, the Praiseworthy, said: “ Glorified and Exalted be He! High above (the great falsehood) that they say! (i.e. forged statements that there are other gods along with Allah, but He is Allah, the One, the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need. He begets not nor was He begotten, and there is none comparable or coequal unto Him) ”. (Al-Isra: 43). He has no partner (with Him) in His Divinity, and no assistant or helper in His Godhood. He is the Purifier, purifying whoever He wills, according to His Wisdom, purifying the angels, the prophets, and whoever He chooses among His slaves, such as family members of prophet Mohammad peace be upon him.

[…]

— Maher bin Moqaddam

The name in the Quran

This name occurs in 2 verses of 2 surahs.

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَٰمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْجَبَّارُ ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ۝٢٣

He is Allāh, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Grantor of Security, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allāh above whatever they associate with Him.

Explanation: Al-Mukhtasar

22-23. He is Allāh, the one whom there is no true deity except Him; He is the Knower of the absent and the present: nothing is hidden from Him; the Benevolent of the world and the afterlife and their Merciful: His mercy encompasses the worlds; the Master; the Pure and Sacred from every deficiency; the Faultless from every defect; The Corroborator of His messengers with manifest signs; the Observer of the actions of His servants; the Almighty whom no one can overpower; the Omnipotent who controls everything through His power, the Imperious. Pure and glorified is He from the idols and other things the idolaters ascribe to Him.

Surah Al-Hashr, Verse 23

يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْمَلِكِ ٱلْقُدُّوسِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ ۝١

Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth is exalting Allāh, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

Explanation: Al-Mukhtasar

All created things in the heavens and all created things on earth declare Allah’s transcendence and purity from every attribute of deficiency that is not appropriate for Him. He is the Sovereign, Who is alone in His sovereignty, free from every deficiency, the Mighty Whom none can overpower, the Wise in His creating, decree and laws.

Surah Al-Jumu’ah, Verse 1

The name in the hadiths

Authentic Sahih Muslim 487a

You are the Most Glorious, the Most Holy, and the Lord of the angels and of the Spirit

‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite in his bowing and prostration: "You are the Most Glorious, the Most Holy, and the lord of the angels and of the Spirit."

سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 16 other versions Explained

Supplications with this name

Sunday, October 18, 2026 7 جمادى الأولى 1448 هـ