Al-Quddūs (القُدُّوس), "The Holy One," "The Infinitely Pure," is one of the most beautiful Names of Allah. It proclaims that Allah is beyond all imperfection, all resemblance to creation, and everything that imaginations can conceive. It is the Name that the angels celebrate, and that the believer whispers in his bowings and his prostrations.
What does Al-Quddūs mean?
The name Al-Quddūs comes from the Arabic root qāf-dāl-sīn (ق د س), which expresses purity, holiness, and separation from all defilement. Applied to Allah, this Name designates:
- Absolute purity: Allah is free from all defects, all limitations, and all shortcomings — in His essence, His Names, His attributes, and His acts.
- Transcendence: He is above all resemblance to His creation; nothing is comparable to Him (42:11).
- He whom creation glorifies: the angels, the heavens, and the earth proclaim His holiness — the tasbīh of the entire universe responds to this Name.
Al-Quddūs in the Quran
This Name appears twice in the Quran, always associated with Al-Malik (The Sovereign). First in the famous passage from Surah Al-Hashr:
هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ
"It is He, Allah, there is no deity except Him; the Sovereign, the Holy (Al-Quddūs), the Peace, the Reassurer, the Overseer, the Almighty, the Irresistible, the Proud." (Surah Al-Hashr, 59:23)
Then at the opening of Surah Al-Jumu'a:
يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ
"Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Almighty, the All-Wise." (Surah Al-Jumu'a, 62:1)
The association Malik-Quddūs is rich with meaning: the kings of this world are tainted with injustice and weakness; Allah alone reigns with perfectly pure sovereignty.
The dhikr of the Prophet ﷺ: Subbūhun Quddūsun
In his bowings and prostrations, the Prophet ﷺ used to say: سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ
« Infinitely Glorified, Infinitely Holy, Lord of the angels and the Spirit. » (reported by Muslim)
At the moment when the body is at its lowest — forehead against the earth — the tongue proclaims the highest holiness. This is the very essence of this Name: the more the servant humbles himself before Allah, the more he is elevated.
Living with Al-Quddūs in Daily Life
1. Purify Your Conception of Allah
Believing in Al-Quddūs means refusing to attribute to Allah the defects of creation: injustice, forgetfulness, fatigue, neediness. Tawhīd begins with this purification of the heart and mind — knowing Allah as He has described Himself, without distortion or comparison.
2. Purify Your Heart and Deeds
He who glorifies the Holy One aspires to purity in his measure: a heart free from rancor and pride, wealth without unlawful gain, a tongue without lies. The purity of the servant is never perfect, but it is a path — that of constant repentance.
3. Glorify Allah Through Tasbīh
To say Subhān Allāh is to live this Name: to proclaim that Allah is beyond all defect. Joining one's voice to the tasbīh of the angels and all creation (62:1), especially in rukū' and sujūd, connects the believer to the vast chorus of the universe.
Invocation with the Name Al-Quddūs
The most beautiful invocation by this Name is that of the Prophet ﷺ himself: « Subbūhun Quddūsun, Rabbu-l-malā'ikati wa-r-rūh » — « Infinitely Glorified, Infinitely Holy, Lord of the angels and the Spirit » (Muslim), to be recited during bowing and prostration. One can also invoke, according to verse 7:180: « Yā Quddūs, purify my heart from hypocrisy, my deeds from ostentation and my tongue from falsehood. »
Frequently Asked Questions about Al-Quddūs
How many times does Al-Quddūs appear in the Qur'an?
Twice: in Surah Al-Hashr (59:23) and in Surah Al-Jumu'a (62:1) — each time alongside Al-Malik, the Sovereign.
What is the difference between Al-Quddūs and As-Salām?
Both Names express divine perfection: Al-Quddūs emphasizes purity and transcendence — Allah is beyond all defect and all resemblance; As-Salām adds that Allah is the source of peace and security for His creatures.
What does "Subbūhun Quddūsun" mean?
It is a double proclamation of divine holiness taught by the Prophet ﷺ: Allah is infinitely glorified (subbūh) and infinitely holy (quddūs), Lord of the angels and of the Spirit — that is, of Jibrīl. It is recited notably during rukū' and sujūd.
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