Meaning & Explanation
Al-Hayy is the One whose life is perfect and eternal. He has no beginning and no end. All life comes from Him and returns to Him, while His life is self-sustaining and dependent on nothing. He is the Living who never dies.
Quran References
2 versesContext: Ayatul Kursi - the greatest verse
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ
“Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence”
Context: Command to trust the Ever-Living
وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ
“And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die”
Exemplifying Story
hadithThe Prophet's Greatest Dua
Reference: Sunan at-Tirmidhi
The Prophet ﷺ taught: "The greatest name of Allah (Ism al-A'zam) is found in these two verses: 'And your God is one God, there is no deity except Him, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful' and the opening of Aal-Imran: 'Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence.'" When Fatimah came to her father complaining of hardship, he taught her: "Ya Hayy Ya Qayyum, bi rahmatika astaghith" (O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help). These two names together represent the essence of Allah's perfect existence.
Al-Hayy is the Ever-Living upon whom all life depends. When we call upon Him, we connect to the source of all existence. Trust in the One who never dies.