Iqra

Learn the Qur’an, one ayah at a time.

19 of 99

اَلْعَلِيْمُ

Al 'Aleem

The Knower of all

Scroll on for a reflection, and where you’ll meet it

Reflection

ʿIlm is knowledge, and ʿalāma, from the same three letters, is a mark by which a thing is known — knowing, in Arabic, sits close to recognising. It is among the most frequent names in the Book, and of the 32 ayat carrying its written form very few leave it standing alone: as-Samīʿ comes immediately before it fifteen times, al-ʿAzīz six, and al-Ḥakīm follows it four.

Twice it comes straight after al-Khallāq, the maker — knowing described as part of making rather than as a separate faculty, as though a thing were known in the way a potter knows a pot. Nothing about your day needs explaining before it can be understood.

Where you’ll meet it

A few of the ayat where this name’s written form appears.