Islam > Asma > The All-Knowing
Updated on 13 August 2026 at 4:39 AM
📖 1 min readThe All-Knowing is one of the 99 beautiful names of Allah. Its meaning: The One whose knowledge encompasses all things without limit.
To pronounce the name The All-Knowing in Arabic, we say: Al-'Alim.
It is written in Arabic: العليم.
From the Arabic root ع-ل-م ('-l-m, knowledge), on the intensive adjective pattern فَعِيل (fa'il), it denotes complete and all-encompassing knowledge.
The Name “The All-Knowing” means: The One whose knowledge encompasses all things without limit. It affirms a perfection belonging to Allah without defect, limit, or resemblance to creation. In al-Ghazali’s perspective, the believer never claims to share the divine attribute in its reality; instead, the Name gives an orientation suited to the condition of a servant.
Meditating on this Name calls the believer to watch the heart, seek beneficial knowledge, and act with certainty that nothing escapes Allah. Knowledge of the Name thereby becomes worship, refinement of character, and trust in Allah alone.