Sufi / Epithetic
Dhul-Nun
dhul-NOON (dhū al-Nūn)
Pronunciation: dhul-NOON (dhū al-Nūn)
ذو النون: لفظياً 'صاحب النون' أو 'ذو السمكة'؛ لقب تاريخي ظهر في تراجم الصوفية.
Boy Rare
Origin
Arabic (historical Egyptian Sufi tradition)
Meaning
An Arabic epithet ذو النون (dhū al-nūn) meaning 'Possessor of the Fish' or 'He of the Fish'; borne historically by the early Egyptian Sufi Dhu'l-Nun al-Misri and used as an honorific epithet in classical Arabic literature.
Thematic Cluster
Names Linked to Sufi Saints and Epithets
Islamic Status
Historic
Verification
Needs Review
Quality Score
Not scored
Religious Confidence
Not scored
Letters
8
Meaning Urdu
ذو النون: لفظی معنی 'ماہی کا مالک' یا 'ماہی والا'؛ مشہور حامل نام Dhu'l-Nun al-Misri، قدیم صوفی پیشوا کا لقب۔
Meaning Arabic
ذو النون: لفظياً 'صاحب النون' أو 'ذو السمكة'؛ لقب تاريخي ظهر في تراجم الصوفية.
Dhul-Nun (ذو النون) is an old Arabic epithet literally meaning 'he of the fish' or 'possessor of the fish'. Its most historically attested bearer in Islamic literature is Dhu'l-Nun al-Misri, an early Egyptian ascetic and Sufi whom medieval biographers record among pioneering figures in early Islamic mysticism. The epithet appears as a laqab rather than a typical personal name and is encountered chiefly in classical hagiographical and biographical works. In popular and vernacular traditions the phrase is sometimes linked by association to Prophet Yunus (Jonah) because of the fish motif, though the Quranic narrative names the prophet Yunus explicitly rather than using this epithet. Dhul-Nun as a name evokes Sufi devotion, ascetic reputation and a strong, specialized historic identity; related names and figures to explore in classical sources include [[Yunus]] and [[Dhul-Qarnayn]].
FAQs
Who was Dhu'l-Nun al-Misri?
Dhu'l-Nun al-Misri was an early Egyptian ascetic and Sufi figure known from classical biographical and hagiographical sources as an influential teacher in early Islamic mysticism.
Does Dhul-Nun appear in the Quran?
No. The Quran does not use the epithet 'Dhul-Nun'; the Quranic figure associated with a fish is Prophet Yunus (Jonah), whose name appears directly in the text.
Is Dhul-Nun used as a modern given name?
It is uncommon as a modern personal name and more typically encountered as a historical laqab or in literary and devotional contexts.
What does the epithet signify spiritually?
The fish motif and the laqab suggest themes of deliverance, trial and spiritual transformation in the hagiographical framing surrounding Dhu'l-Nun and related stories.
How is Dhul-Nun written in Arabic and Urdu?
In Arabic: ذو النون ; in Urdu: ذو النون or ذوالنون.
Names With Similar Meaning
Dženeta
Paradise, garden (Bosnian variant derived from Arabic 'jannah' meaning garden or paradise)
Dhakiyya
Intelligent, clever, perceptive — feminine form of the Arabic adjective meaning 'bright, sharp-witted'
Dževad
Generous, liberal (Bosnian form of the Arabic name Jawād)
Džana
Paradise; garden; heart (from Arabic jannah 'جنة')
Darwis
A humble seeker of spiritual truth; a Sufi ascetic.