البصير
AL-BASIR
The All-Seeing, who sees everything
Meaning and Explanation
Al-Basir comes from the root for seeing in an intensive form; it expresses that God sees everything, seen or unseen, small or great, completely — not dependent on an eye or on light. It is almost always paired with As-Sami'; commentators read this pairing as a whole emphasizing that God both hears and sees, meaning nothing about His servant remains hidden (Al-Hajj 22:61, Ghafir 40:20).
Traditional Note — Abjad Value
This name's abjad (letter numerical value) calculation is 302.
Letter-by-letter abjad calculation (root "بصير", excluding the definite article): ب (2) + ص (90) + ي (10) + ر (200) = 302.
This number is not a religious prescription or a guarantee of any outcome.
This Name in the Quran
Dhikr Counter
Dhikr Counter
Historical abjad note: this name's abjad value is 302; reciting a specific count carries no religious obligation.
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Dhikr Tradition
Some sources describe reciting Al-Basir before starting a task, with the intention of renewing awareness that God sees every state, as a traditional practice; no specific count (including 302) carries a religious obligation.
Remembrance (dhikr) through the beautiful names is a foundational act of worship in Islam. However, reciting a name a specific number of times (based on its abjad value) or at a specific day/time carries no religious obligation, and scholars are not unanimous on this point — some accept it as a traditional practice, others hold it has no basis in the primary sources. The information on this page does not constitute religious ruling.
Understanding This Name
Seeing every outward and hidden detail
Al-Basir affirms perfect divine sight without a bodily organ, angle, light source, or blind spot. Al-Hajj 22:61 joins the name with As-Sami' after describing the alternation of night and day. Created sight is selective and easily deceived; divine seeing is complete. The name supports integrity when no human witness is present, while preventing anyone from claiming that their own observation is infallible.
Visibility, privacy, and justice
The belief that God sees does not remove another person's right to privacy. Human cameras and monitoring systems can misread context and must be governed by necessity, consent, and law. Al-Basir can comfort the person whose good or suffering has gone unnoticed, but spiritual comfort should lead toward concrete assistance where possible. It is not a reason to leave injustice unreported. A witness should describe what was actually observed, distinguish fact from inference, and avoid claiming certainty about a person's hidden intention. Accurate seeing is an ethical discipline for limited human observers.
Other Names
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Al-Basir describe God as having human eyesight?
No. The name affirms perfect divine seeing while Islamic transcendence rejects comparison with created bodies, organs, and limitations.
Sources
- Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Kur'an Yolu Tefsiri (Hac 22:61)
- TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, "Basîr" maddesi
- Kuşeyrî, et-Tahbîr fi't-Tezkîr
- English Translation — Noor International Center (v1.1.2)
- TDV Encyclopedia of Islam — Esmâ-i Hüsnâ — in Turkish
- Diyanet High Council of Religious Affairs — The 99 Names of God — in Turkish
Prepared by: Kadir Özbek · Updated: