What does "Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum" mean?
"Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum" means "O Ever-Living, O Self-Sustaining Sustainer of all." It calls on Allah by two of His names: al-Hayy (the Ever-Living, who never dies) and al-Qayyum (the One who exists by Himself and keeps everything else in existence). The Prophet ﷺ used it when he was distressed.
The meaning of the two names
- Al-Hayy (the Ever-Living): Allah's life has no beginning and no end, and it's perfect: no tiredness, no sleep, no weakness. Every other living thing depends on Him for its life.
- Al-Qayyum (the Sustainer): He needs nothing and no one, while every atom, every heartbeat and every galaxy is held up by Him moment by moment.
- "Ya" simply means "O," the way you call someone directly.
Together they say: "You are alive when everything else fails, and You hold everything together, including me."
Where it comes from in the Quran
The two names appear together three times in the Quran (2:255, 3:2 and 20:111). The best-known is the opening of Ayat al-Kursi:
See What is Ayat al-Kursi and when do I recite it?
The Prophet's dua with these names
Anas ibn Malik said that when something distressed the Prophet ﷺ, he would say: "Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum, bi rahmatika astaghith", "O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3524, graded hasan).
A longer version he taught his daughter Fatimah to say morning and evening adds: "aslih li sha'ni kullahu, wa la takilni ila nafsi tarfata 'ayn", "set right all my affairs, and don't leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye." It's a perfect dua for anxiety, decisions and overwhelming days. See What dua can I say when I feel anxious?
Is it Allah's greatest name?
Some hadiths say that Allah's "greatest name" (al-ism al-a'zam), by which duas are answered, is found in a dua that includes "al-Hayy al-Qayyum." For example, the Prophet ﷺ heard a man call on Allah with words ending in "Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum" and said he had called on Allah by His greatest name (Sunan Abi Dawud 1495). Scholars differ on exactly which name is the greatest. Many point to "Allah," others to "al-Hayy al-Qayyum." Either way, using these names in your dua is clearly recommended.
- "Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum" = "O Ever-Living, O Sustainer of all."
- The names appear together in Quran 2:255, 3:2 and 20:111.
- The Prophet ﷺ said "Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum, bi rahmatika astaghith" in distress.
- Some scholars link these names to Allah's greatest name.
People also ask
Should I keep a written dua list?
Yes, keeping a written dua list is allowed and helpful. See why it helps, how to organise it, and how to keep your heart present while reading.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say when I see the Kaaba?
There's no fixed authentic dua for first seeing the Kaaba. Praise Allah and ask in your own words; plus the sunnah tawaf dua from Quran 2:201.
Read the full answer →What dua can I make for my spouse?
The best-known dua for your spouse is Quran 25:74, "Rabbana hab lana min azwajina..." Plus the Prophet's dua for couples and your own words.
Read the full answer →Can I make up missed morning and evening adhkar?
Yes, you can make up missed morning and evening adhkar later; they're voluntary, so missing them isn't a sin. Times, evidence and tips.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say when I see something I dislike?
When you see something you dislike, say "Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal", as the Prophet did. Learn its meaning and other words for hard moments.
Read the full answer →