Alawwal

Alawwal, written in Arabic as al-Awwal, is a term that means “the first.” It derives from the Arabic root ا-و-ل (A-W-L), forming an adjective used to indicate primacy or sequence. In everyday language, al-awwal appears in phrases to denote ordinal position, such as “the first” of a set or time period.

In Islamic theology, Al-Awwal is one of the 99 Names of Allah. As a divine attribute, it conveys the idea of primacy and preexistence, reflecting that God is without origin and unbounded by temporal beginning. The name is used in devotional contexts and theological discussions to express God’s eternal nature and primacy in creation and existence.

The term also appears in place names, organizations, and branding in the Arabic-speaking world where it is used to evoke notions of primacy, leadership, or historical significance. In general usage, it functions as the standard Arabic word for “the first” in ordinal references, dates, lists, and comparisons, and it is commonly encountered in literature, journalism, and education.

Transliteration varies, with common forms including Al-Awwal, al-Awwal, and al-awwal, reflecting differences in dialects and transcription systems. While the core meaning remains constant, the choice of transliteration can affect pronunciation and interpretation in multilingual contexts.