الكريم

AL-KARIM

The Generous, giving abundantly without expecting return

Meaning and Explanation

Al-Karim comes from the root for generosity/nobility and expresses that God gives abundantly without requiring a return or a condition of deservingness. In Surah An-Naml, Prophet Sulayman's (peace be upon him) response to the news brought by the hoopoe — "my Lord is Free of need, Generous" — pairs this name with self-sufficiency (freedom from need), emphasizing that generosity springs not from any lack, but from limitless abundance.

Traditional Note — Abjad Value

This name's abjad (letter numerical value) calculation is 270.

Letter-by-letter abjad calculation (root "كريم", excluding the definite article): ك (20) + ر (200) + ي (10) + م (40) = 270.

This number is not a religious prescription or a guarantee of any outcome.

This Name in the Quran

27:40

Prophet Sulayman's (peace be upon him) words: "This is from the favor of my Lord... indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous."

82:6

Surah Al-Infitar's question: "O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous?"

Dhikr Counter

Historical abjad note: this name's abjad value is 270; reciting a specific count carries no religious obligation.

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Dhikr Tradition

Some sources describe reciting Al-Karim with the intention of recalling God's generosity and building a sense of confidence before supplication, as a traditional practice; no specific count (including 270) 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

Generosity that should awaken responsibility

Al-Karim describes abundant generosity, honor, and nobility. Al-Infitar 82:6 asks what has deceived the human being concerning the generous Lord, then recalls creation and proportion. Divine generosity is not presented as permission for carelessness; it should make ingratitude and rebellion more surprising. A gift establishes gratitude and moral attention rather than a claim that consequences have disappeared.

Giving without humiliating the receiver

A human being reflects a limited form of generosity by giving good things in a dignified way, not by imitating a divine attribute in essence. Gifts should not purchase control, publicity, or emotional debt. Anonymous help may be appropriate, while institutional giving still needs transparent records. Generosity also includes time, knowledge, and gracious forgiveness where safety permits.

Other Names

Al-Wahhab Al-Latif

Frequently Asked Questions

Does invoking Al-Karim guarantee that a request will be granted exactly as asked?

No. The believer asks the Generous Lord with hope, but does not control the form, timing, or wisdom of the response.

Sources

Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Kur'an Yolu Tefsiri (Neml 27:40, İnfitâr 82:6)
TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, "Kerîm" 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: July 13, 2026