الودود
AL-WADUD
The Most Loving, the Most Beloved
Meaning and Explanation
Al-Wadud comes from the root for love/affection in an intensive form and is read in two directions: that God loves His sincere servants and their good deeds, and that He is most deserving of love from hearts that truly come to know Him. This name reminds us that the Islamic conception of God rests not only on awe and fear but also on love and closeness — this dimension is especially prominent in the context of repentance (Hud 11:90).
Traditional Note — Abjad Value
This name's abjad (letter numerical value) calculation is 20.
Letter-by-letter abjad calculation (root "ودود"): و (6) + د (4) + و (6) + د (4) = 20. Some low-quality web sources mistakenly list this as "400" — a concrete example of poor source discipline; we use the letter-by-letter verified value here.
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 20; reciting a specific count carries no religious obligation.
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Dhikr Tradition
Some sources describe reciting Al-Wadud while seeking closeness and affection with God as a traditional practice; no specific count (including 20) carries a religious obligation in this context.
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
Love joined with forgiveness and mercy
Al-Wadud occurs in Hud 11:90 after a call to seek forgiveness and repent, where God is described as merciful and loving. In Al-Buruj 85:14 the name stands beside forgiveness again. The pairing prevents divine love from becoming sentimental approval of every act. It opens a relationship of return in which wrongdoing is named, mercy is sought, and the person changes course. Love and accountability are not rivals in these passages.
A model that does not excuse possession
Human response to Al-Wadud includes care that seeks another person's good rather than control. Jealous surveillance, coercion, and refusal to respect boundaries are not signs of sacred love. A person can express affection, keep commitments, and repair harm while accepting that another human being is not property. The name should never be sold as a method that forces a particular person to return or fall in love.
Other Names
Frequently Asked Questions
Will reciting Al-Wadud make a specific person love me?
No such result can be guaranteed. Dhikr is worship; another person's consent and freedom cannot be replaced by a devotional formula.
Sources
- Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Kur'an Yolu Tefsiri (Hûd 11:90, Burûc 85:14)
- TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, "Vedûd" maddesi
- Gazzâlî, el-Maksadü'l-Esnâ fî Şerhi Esmâillâhi'l-Hüsnâ, El-Vedûd bahsi
- 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: