It’s important to state that the names of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ are not just limited to these ninety names. It is understood that the hadith, “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one.”[2] highlight or emphasize these names in particular for the special purpose in that “whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise” [2] Similarly, if someone was to say they have ninety dollars it does not imply that’s all they have. To support to the view of having more than ninety names this hadith is often referenced, bn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said,
“If any Muslim is afflicted with distress and makes this supplication, then his supplication will be answered: O Allah, I am your servant, the son of your servant, the son of your maidservant. My forelock is in your hand, your command concerning me prevails, and your decision concerning me is just. I call upon you by every one of the beautiful names with which you have described yourself, or which you have revealed in your Book, or you have taught to any of your creatures, or which you have chosen to keep in the knowledge of the unseen with you, to make the Quran the delight of my soul, the light of my heart, and to remove my sadness and dispel my anxiety.” The Prophet said, “If he says this, Allah will remove his affliction and replace it with joy and happiness.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, should we not learn it?” The Prophet said, “Yes, whoever hears it should know it.” [6]
The phrase, “or which you have chosen to keep in the knowledge of the unseen with you” teaches us that there are names kept unknown. There are works dedicated by other scholars that exceed ninety names.
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