السميع
AS-SAMI'
The All-Hearing, who hears everything
Meaning and Explanation
As-Sami' comes from the root for hearing in an intensive form; it expresses that God hears everything completely, hidden or open, spoken or silent — not bound by an organ or a distance limit as human hearing is. In the Quran it is most often paired with Al-Alim or Al-Basir; in Surah Al-Hajj (22:61) it appears together with Al-Basir in a single verse, and it is one of the names that appears most often in the context of supplication (Al-Baqarah 2:127, Ibrahim's prayer).
Traditional Note — Abjad Value
This name's abjad (letter numerical value) calculation is 180.
Letter-by-letter abjad calculation (root "سميع", excluding the definite article): س (60) + م (40) + ي (10) + ع (70) = 180.
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 180; reciting a specific count carries no religious obligation.
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Dhikr Tradition
Some sources describe reciting As-Sami' while supplicating, with the intention of reinforcing trust that God hears the prayer, as a traditional practice; no specific count (including 180) 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
Hearing without distance or limitation
As-Sami' affirms that no sound, prayer, or conversation escapes divine hearing. In Al-Baqarah 2:127, Abraham and Ishmael pray for acceptance while raising the foundations of the House and name God as All-Hearing and All-Knowing. Even visible service does not make them self-assured; they ask humbly. Divine hearing is not dependent on volume, language, device, or physical organs.
Listening as an ethical response
Human beings cannot imitate divine hearing, but they can become more attentive. That includes allowing a vulnerable person to finish, checking understanding, and protecting confidential speech. Listening does not mean accepting every allegation without investigation; it means giving the claim a fair process. A whispered prayer may be meaningful, yet urgent danger still needs to be reported to people who can help.
Other Names
Frequently Asked Questions
Must prayer be spoken aloud for As-Sami' to hear it?
No. Divine hearing is not limited by volume. Spoken prayer may help the worshipper, but silence does not place a need beyond God's knowledge.
Sources
- Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Kur'an Yolu Tefsiri (Hac 22:61, Bakara 2:127)
- TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, "Semî'" maddesi
- Gazzâlî, el-Maksadü'l-Esnâ fî Şerhi Esmâillâhi'l-Hüsnâ
- 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: