Meaning & Explanation
Al-Awwal is the One who existed before everything else. There was nothing before Him. He has no beginning, and He is the origin of all existence. Before time, space, or creation - only He existed.
Quran References
1 versesContext: Four comprehensive names of Allah
هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
“He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden, and He is, of all things, Knowing”
Exemplifying Story
hadithThe Prophet's Night Dua
Reference: Sahih Muslim
The Prophet ﷺ used to say in his night prayers: "O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Magnificent Throne, our Lord and Lord of everything, Splitter of the grain and the date-stone, Revealer of the Torah and the Gospel and the Quran, I seek refuge in You from the evil of everything whose forelock You hold. O Allah, You are Al-Awwal (the First) - there is nothing before You. You are Al-Akhir (the Last) - there is nothing after You. You are Az-Zahir (the Manifest) - there is nothing above You. You are Al-Batin (the Hidden) - there is nothing beyond You." This comprehensive dua acknowledges Allah's eternal and all-encompassing nature.
Al-Awwal existed before everything. When we acknowledge this, we understand that nothing precedes Him in authority or existence. Put Him first, for He truly is first.