الْحَيُّ
62. Al-Hayy
The Ever Living One
Meaning of Al-Hayy
The One who is eternally alive, whose life has no beginning or end. His life is perfect, self-sustaining, and the source of all other life. He never dies, sleeps, or becomes weak.
Benefits of Reciting Al-Hayy
- Provides a profound sense of stability and reliance, as we depend on a Lord who is never absent and whose power never fades.
- Reciting 'Ya Hayy, Ya Qayyum' is a highly recommended form of dhikr, especially in times of distress, as it was used by the Prophet (ﷺ).
- Cures the fear of being abandoned, knowing that while all of creation is temporary, Al-Hayy is eternal and ever-present.
Al-Hayy in the Quran
Mentioned 5 times in the Quran, most famously in Ayat al-Kursi: 'Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep.' (2:255).
How to Make Dua with 'Ya Hayy'
When calling upon Al-Hayy, we are connecting with the eternal source of all life. It is often paired with Al-Qayyum (The Self-Existing) to form 'the Greatest Name of Allah' (Ism al-A'zam).
Frequently Asked Questions
It means His life is not dependent on anything. Humans and animals need food, water, and air to live. Allah, Al-Hayy, needs nothing. His life is a perfect, inherent attribute of His essence.
Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living) describes His own perfect life. Al-Qayyum (The Self-Existing One Who Sustains All) describes how He sustains the life of everything else. The pairing shows the complete picture: He is perfectly alive in Himself (Al-Hayy) and He is the one who upholds all other existence (Al-Qayyum).
It reminds us that while our loved one's worldly life has ended, we belong to the One who is Ever-Living and never dies. Our ultimate return is to Him. It provides a sense of eternal stability in the face of temporary loss.
Quick Quiz
Question 1: The name Al-Hayy means that Allah's life:
Question 2: In the famous dua for distress, 'Ya Hayyu...' is paired with which name?
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