Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and Allah is witr (one) and loves 'the witr' (i.e., odd numbers).
The Excellence of Allah's Names
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (6410) establishes the profound spiritual significance of Allah's Beautiful Names. The specification of ninety-nine Names indicates both the comprehensiveness of divine attributes and the limitation of human comprehension. The phrase "one hundred minus one" demonstrates the Islamic emphasis on divine transcendence - even in enumeration, we acknowledge that Allah's perfection cannot be fully captured by numbers.
Conditions for Paradise
The requirement "whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly" contains two essential conditions: correct belief (iman) in what these Names signify of Allah's perfect attributes, and practical implementation (amal) through worship, character, and conduct. True belief necessitates that one's heart acknowledges these attributes without distortion, negation, or anthropomorphism.
Acting accordingly means: worshipping Allah according to what each Name requires, such as hoping in His Mercy, fearing His Punishment, seeking refuge in His Protection, and embodying the moral qualities these Names inspire in creation.
The Wisdom in Odd Numbers
Allah being "Witr" (Odd) affirms His absolute Oneness and uniqueness. The divine preference for odd numbers reflects the perfection of unity - everything returns to the One. This principle manifests throughout Islamic worship: the odd-numbered rak'ahs of Witr prayer, the circling of Ka'bah seven times, and the glorifications in odd numbers. The odd number represents that which stands alone in perfection, undivided and unmatched - qualities that ultimately belong to Allah alone.
Practical Implementation
Scholars emphasize that knowing Allah's Names is not merely academic but transformative. When one knows Allah as Al-Ghafur (The All-Forgiving), they should frequently seek forgiveness. Knowing Him as Ar-Razzaq (The Provider) cultivates trust in sustenance. Knowing Him as Al-Hakim (The All-Wise) brings contentment with divine decree. This knowledge, when properly internalized, becomes the key to Paradise - for Paradise is ultimately the manifestation of Allah's Names and Attributes.