Meaning & Explanation
Al-Qayyum is the One who is self-sustaining and upon whom all creation depends. He sustains and maintains all that exists. Nothing can exist without Him, while He is completely independent of all. He is the foundation upon which everything stands.
Quran References
2 versesContext: Ayatul Kursi describing Allah's self-sustaining nature
الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ
“The Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep”
Context: The opening of Aal-Imran
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ
“Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence”
Exemplifying Story
quranEverything Depends on Allah
Reference: Surah Fatir 35:41
Allah says: "Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, no one could hold them after Him." The entire universe - every planet, every star, every atom - is held in place by Al-Qayyum. If He were to withdraw His sustaining power for an instant, everything would collapse into chaos. The sunrise you see each day, the air you breathe, the beating of your heart - all are sustained by Al-Qayyum moment by moment. Not even the smallest particle continues to exist without His continuous sustaining.
Al-Qayyum sustains everything in existence every moment. Our very breath depends on Him. Recognizing this complete dependence leads to true humility and worship.