Allahu ta'ala has many names. We do not know their number. He has communicated ninety-nine of His names to people in the Qur'an al-karim. Kadizada Ahmad Bey wrote in his explanation of Birghiwi Vasiyetnamesi: "The ninety- nine names of Allahu ta'ala are called Asma-i husna. The names of Allahu ta'ala are Tawqifi. That is, they are dependent upon the Shariat's prescription. He is called by the names which the Shariat has dictated and referred to. The Shariat has not permitted us to call Him or to refer to Him with any names other than these." It is written on the five hundred and forty-first page of Sharh-i Mawaqif: "Qadi Abu Bakr "rahmatullahi ta'ala 'alaih' said that a name with a meaning not unsuitable for Allahu ta'ala and which suits Him could be said. But the majority (of savants) said that none but only the ninety-nine names could be used." This means to say that it is not permissible to call Allahu ta'ala "God.' That is, it is a sin to call Him "God'. It is a grave and ugly crime not to be willing to use the name "Allah', and to use the name "God' or even one of the ninety-nine names instead of "Allah'.
