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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discursive Theology Volume 1 Lesson 15: Life, Pre-existence and Eternity Divine Life One of the Attributes of Perfection of God is that of Life ( ḥayāh ), as the name Al-ḥayy (the Ever-living) is one of the Most Beautiful Names of God. The name Al-ḥayy has been applied to God in verses of the Holy Qur’an, and in most cases, it is accompanied by the name or attribute Al-qayyūm (the Self-existing).

For example, it is thus said: ﴿ اللّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ﴾ “Allah—there is no god except Him—is the Living One, the All-sustainer.” [^1] In one verse, God has been described as the Living One who does not die: ﴿ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ ﴾ “Put your trust in the Living One who does not die.” [^2] In a verse quoted earlier, the expression of praise ( kalimah al-tahlīl ) – Lā ilāha illallāh (There is no god but Allah) – comes before the Name Al-ḥayy , but in other verses, the said Divine Name comes before the expression of praise: ﴿ هُوَ الْحَيُّ لا إِلَهَ إِلا هُوَ فَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ ﴾ “He is the Living One, there is no god except Him.

So supplicate Him, putting exclusive faith in Him.” [^3] This verse points to Eternal Life as exclusive for God, showing that except Him, no one is ever-living, just as Godhood ( ulūhiyyah ) is exclusive to God. What is meant, therefore, by Al-ḥayy in the verse “He is the Living One” and the like is “the Living One by essence” ( al-ḥayy bi ’dh-dhāt ). It means that there is no Living One by essence except God and other beings receive the bounty of life from Him.

As such, God is the Living One by essence and the Origin of the lives of other beings, and this is the meaning of His Self-existence ( qayyūmiyyah ). Al-qayyūm (the Self-existing) means that God is the Ever-standing and the Subsistence-bestower to the creatures, and since His Life is essential and necessary, He knows no death and annihilation. The Essence and Classifications of Life Ḥayāh (life) has various functions: It means existence and being.

It is in view of this meaning of life that the absolute existence is called ‘ever-flowing life’ ( ḥayāt al-sāriyah ).[^4] In the Holy Qur’an, aḥyā’ (to give life) is applied to creation and origination. For instance, it is thus stated: ﴿ وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ إِنَّ الإنْسَانَ لَكَفُورٌ ﴾ “It is He who gave life then He makes you die, then He brings you to life.

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