alZahir

Al-Zahir, meaning "the evident" or "the manifest" in Arabic, is a term used in religious and linguistic contexts. In Islamic theology it is one of the 99 Names of Allah, reflecting the attribute of being clear, present, and perceptible. In this framework, al-Zahir is often paired with al-Batin, meaning "the hidden," to describe complementary dimensions of God’s knowledge and presence. The two names appear in devotional language and scholarly discourse, contributing to discussions about how divine reality is disclosed to creation.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from zahir, meaning visible or evident, with the definite article al- forming al-Zahir. Variants include az-Zahir and, in transliteration, Zahir or Zaher. Beyond doctrinal use, al-Zahir is also employed as a personal name in Arabic-speaking regions, where it may be rendered as a given name or surname.

In culture and scholarship: In Islamic philosophy and Sufi thought, al-Zahir is used to describe outward or apparent aspects of reality, in contrast with al-Batin, the inward or hidden. Some exegetical and metaphysical traditions explore how divine truths become manifest to people or how revelation discloses the zahir of existence. The concept also informs discussions of manifest authority, visible signs, and the process of disclosure in religious experience.

See also: Al-Batin, the 99 Names of Allah, Zahiri (Zahirite).