Surah Al-Burooj 85:14
وَهُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلْوَدُودُ
Wa Huwal Ghafoorul Wadood
And He is the Forgiving, the Affectionate,
Quran 85:14. Arabic: Uthmani text (Tanzil). English: Sahih International.
Al-Wadud, the Most Loving.
Name 47 of the 99 Names of Allah. See its root and meaning, the verse where it appears, and how to use it in your dua.
Name 47 of 99
الْوَدُوْدُ
Al-Wadūd
The Most Loving
Root و د د w-d-d
A recording of this Name is coming: our reciter is recording the Names we do not have yet.
Meaning
Al-Wadud explained.
Al-Wadud (الْوَدُوْدُ) means The Most Loving. It is name 47 in the well-known list of the 99 Names of Allah. Al-Wadūd loves His servants who turn to Him, and is loved by them. Scholars explain it both ways: the One who loves, and the One who is loved.
The root and its meaning
Al-Wadud comes from the Arabic root و د د (w-d-d), which carries the sense of love that is shown (wudd).
Where it is in the Quran
The name comes twice: with Al-Ghafūr in 85:14 and with Ar-Raḥīm in 11:90.
Surah Hud 11:90
وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى رَحِيمٌۭ وَدُودٌۭ
Wastaghfiroo Rabbakum summa toobooo ilaih; inna Rabbee Raheemunw Wadood
And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate."
Quran 11:90. Arabic: Uthmani text (Tanzil). English: Sahih International.
Calling on Allah by this Name
Allah says: "And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them" (7:180). Begin your dua with يَا وَدُوْدُ (Yā Wadūd) and ask for what fits its meaning. For example: "Yā Wadūd, make me among those You love."
O Allah, I ask You for Your love, the love of those who love You, and the deeds that will bring me to Your love. (The dua of Dawud.)
Jami at-Tirmidhi, from Abu ad-Darda, graded hasan
- Quran 85:14, translation by Sahih International.
- Quran 11:90, translation by Sahih International.
- Jami at-Tirmidhi, from Abu ad-Darda, graded hasan.
Our teachers will check the Arabic, transliteration and meanings on this page before launch.
The rulings on this page are pending review by the scholars on our team.
Questions
Good to know.
What does Al-Wadud mean?
Al-Wadud (الْوَدُوْدُ) means The Most Loving. Al-Wadūd loves His servants who turn to Him, and is loved by them.
Is Al-Wadud in the Quran?
The name comes twice: with Al-Ghafūr in 85:14 and with Ar-Raḥīm in 11:90.
How do I use Al-Wadud in dua?
Say Yā Wadūd (يَا وَدُوْدُ) at the start of your dua, then ask for what suits the Name, for example: "Yā Wadūd, make me among those You love."
Can a child be named after Al-Wadud?
Yes, as Abdul-Wadud, "servant of Al-Wadud", which is a beautiful choice. Wadud on its own, without "al", is also used for people as a description, because people can have this quality in a small, limited way.