Al-Qayyum

The Self-Subsisting, who brings all creation into being and sustains its existence. Allah Almighty says: "Allah — there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence." (Al-Baqarah, 255) "And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die." (Al-Furqan, 58) Allah exists through His own essence and exaltedness; the existence of everything, its continuance and its standing depend on His existence. In the Noble Qur'an it is most often mentioned together with the name Al-Hayy. It has also been said that these names are the "Greatest Name." There are various definitions of this name. Qatadah's view: Al-Qayyum is the One who protects and governs His creatures and orders their affairs. Hasan al-Basri: Al-Qayyum is the One who stands over every living being and watches it in order to give the recompense of what it does, good or evil. He knows all things and nothing is hidden from Him. Al-Khattabi: Al-Qayyum is the One who has no end and whose existence is perpetual. Al-Qayyum shows that Allah possesses flawless power, strength and superiority. He subsists by Himself alone. He needs no one in any respect in order to stand. He is self-sufficient and in need of no other, while everything besides Him is in need of Him. He is the One who upholds and protects all things. Without His support nothing could stand or continue in existence. This shows His perfect power. He is such a Living and Self-Subsisting One that neither heedlessness nor sleep overtakes Him; He is always Knowing, always Aware of all things. Whatever is in the heavens and on the earth, above and below, is His; all existence, seen and unseen, is His dominion. He is the cause of all and the aim of all, the Owner of everything. Who among these creatures that are Allah's dominion would presume to intercede in His exalted presence without His permission? And what fool would beg intercession from one of them without Allah's command? For Allah knows what is before them and behind them, their past and their future, what they know and what they do not know; nothing is hidden from His knowledge. They, however, can know nothing of what He knows except as much as He wills.

The noble name Al-Qayyum is recited 156 times as "Ya Qayyum, jalla jalaluhu" for success in one's affairs, ample provision, victory over enemies, and divine help. Whoever recites the noble name Al-Qayyum 16 times every day in an empty place, saying "Ya Qayyum, jalla jalaluhu", is delivered from forgetfulness, his memory becomes strong and his heart is filled with light. If "Alif Lam Mim. Allahu la ilaha illa huwa'l-Hayyu'l-Qayyum" is recited over the head of one who sleeps excessively, he is delivered from sleeping too much. Whoever wishes his heart to remain alive, if he persists every day in the remembrance "Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum, la ilaha illa anta" forty times, his heart is revived and filled with light.