The two word form is a more precise transcription of the Arabic spelling; `Abdul is more common in English, perhaps because it represents the pronunciation in some contexts more clearly for the English reader. However, it is mis-leading in other contexts. The pronunciation of the Arabic article al varies depending on the sound that follows it. For example, in `abd al-Malik, the article is pronounced \ahl\; but in `abd al-Rahman, it becomes \ahr\. Some modern transliteration systems reflect this change in pronunciation and represent the latter name as `abd ar-Rahman. In compiling this article, I chose to follow the example of Shaykh al-Haveti, translator of the Futuwwah, and use the spelling `Abdul; but the reader should be aware that this choice does not represent the pronunciation as accurately as possible in all cases.
It is worth noting that Abdul, on its own, was not a name in medieval Arabic. It has been misinterpreted as a separate name in modern non-Arabic usage, especially in the United States. For more information, see Concerning the Name Abdul.
The first table below presents names with this construction found in Sir
Richard Burton's translation of The Arabian Nights and Shaykh
al-Haveti's translation of the Futuwwah.
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Each of these names derives from one of the names of God.
What follows is a list of the One Hundred Most Beautiful Names of God, and their English translations. It is my opinion that the SCA College of Arms should allow them in properly constructed Arabic names. However, it should be noted that not all of these names have been documented in use in Arabic before 1600.
The list is sorted alphabetically according to the Arabic alphabet. Where possible, the translation is followed by the three letter Arabic root word. This material is taken from Know Your Islam by Yousef N. Lalljee (Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an Inc., NY 1986). In the transliteration system I have chosen, several Arabic letters are indicated in Roman text by a letter with a dot under it. For typographical reasons, those letters are indicated in this article by underlined letters.
| Ya Muhyee | O Quickener, Bringer to Life |
| Ya `Aahad | O One and Only |
| Ya `Aakhir | O Last |
| Ya Mu`akhherr | O Fulfiller (`A-KH-R End, Ender) |
| Ya Mu`idd | O Restorer (`A-D-Y deliver, payment) |
| Ya `Aazalee | O Eternal (in the past) |
| Ya Mughnee | O Sufficer (`A-GH-N Free from Want) |
| Ya `Aallah | O God |
| Ya Mumeed | O Slayer (`A-M-D Limit, end) |
| Ya Mumeen | O Faithful (`A-M-N) |
| Ya `Aawwal | O First |
| Ya Mubdee | O Beginner |
| Ya Barr | O Good |
| Ya Baari | O Skilled Worker |
| Ya Ba`eeth | O Raiser from the Dead (referring to the final judgement) |
| Ya Mujeeb | O Hearer of Prayer, Glorification |
| Ya Basir | O Seeing |
| Ya Baseet | O Uncloser |
| Ya Batin | O Hidden |
| Ya Baaqiy | O Eternal (in the future) |
| Ya Rahmaan | O Merciful |
| Ya Razzaaq | O Provider |
| Ya Rasheed | O Unerring (Following the Right Way) |
| Ya Raffee | O Exalter |
| Ya Raqeeb | O Watchful, Guardian |
| Ya Ra`oof | O Provider (K-W-F) |
| Ya Salaam | O Peace |
| Ya Samee’ | O One who hears (S-M-`A) |
| Ya Shaakir | O Thankful |
| Ya Shakoor | O Appreciator |
| Ya Shahid | O Witness, Martyr |
| Ya Saboor | O Patient |
| Ya Sammad | O Eternal, Solidity |
| Ya Musawwir | O Sculptor (S-WW-R) |
| Ya `Aadil | O Equitable |
| Ya `Azeez | O Strong |
| Ya `Azeem | O The Most High |
| Ya `Alim | O Knower |
| Ya `Ali | O Exalted |
| Ya Ghaffaar | O Pardoner |
| Ya Ghafoor | O Forgiver |
| Ya Ghanee | O Sufficient |
| Ya Fatih | O Opener, Conqueror |
| Ya Qadeer | O Providence, Fate, Omnipotent |
| Ya Muqtadir | O Powerful (Q-D-R) |
| Ya Muta'alee | O One above reproach (T-'A-L (`A-H-`A) Highest) |
| Ya Tawwab | O Relenting (acceptance, repentance) |
| Ya Jaami | O Gatherer |
| Ya Jabbar | O Compelling |
| Ya Jaleel | O Glorious |
| Ya Jameel | O Beneficent |
| Ya Hatim | O Mighty |
| Ya Hafiz | O Preserver |
| Ya Haqq | O Truth |
| Ya Hakim | O Wise |
| Ya Hakim-al-Mutlaq | O Judge of Judges |
| Ya Halim | O Clement |
| Ya Hameed | O Praiseworthy |
| Ya Ha`iy | O Life (H-Y-Y) |
| Ya Khabeer | O He Who Knows |
| Ya Mukhbeer | One Who Informs |
| Ya Khafeez | O Abaser |
| Ya Khalaaq | O Creator |
| Ya Rabb | O Lord |
| Ya Raheem | O Beneficent (Pity) |
| Ya Kareem | O Generous |
| Ya Lateef | O Gracious |
| Ya Mateen | O Firm, Robust |
| Ya Hasib | O Reckoner (Noble) |
| Ya Majeed | O Glorious |
| Ya Mukeed | O Maintainer, Assurer |
| Ya Malik | O King |
| Ya Malik-al-Mulk | O King of the Kingdom |
| Ya Mumeen | O Faithful |
| Ya Mannaan | O Giver of Good |
| Ya Manee' | O Withholder (M-N-`A, Impregnable) |
| Ya Nafi' | O Favorably Inclined (N-F-'A to be useful, profitable) |
| Ya Muntaqim | O Avenger (N-Q-M, Vengeance) |
| Ya Noor | O Light |
| Ya Hadi | O Guide |
| Ya Muhaymin | O Helper in Peril, Protector (H-Y-M Passionate Love) |
| Ya Wajeed | O Perceiving (Existence) (wajdaan means "Inner consciousness") |
| Ya Waahid | O One |
| Ya Wadood | O Loving |
| Ya Waarith | O Inheritor |
| Ya Quddos | O Holy One |
| Ya Muqaddeem | O Forewarner (Q-D-M) |
| Ya Muqsit | O Equitable (Q-S-T) |
| Ya Quahhar | O Conqueror, Violence, Force |
| Ya Qawee | O Mighty, Strong of Mind |
| Ya Qayyoom | O Self Sustaining, Straight |
| Ya Kabeer | O Very Great |
| Ya Mutakabbeer | O Majestic |
| Ya Wasi' | O Abundant (W-S-'A Vast) |
| Ya Wakeel | O Guardian, Trusted One |
| Ya Walee | O Nearest Friend (W-L-Y) |
| Ya Walee al-Ahsan | O Friend of the Believers |
| Ya Waliy | O Governor |
| Ya Wahhab | O Bestower, Giver |
Layout, editting, and publishing by Avelina of the Bridge & Arval Benicoeur.