أَسْمَاءُ الْقُوَّةِ وَالْجَلَالِ

The Verse of the Throne The Prophet ﷺ asked Ubayy ibn Ka'b which is the greatest verse in the Book of Allah; he answered: "Allah, there is no god but Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting (Al-Ḥayy Al-Qayyuum)", and the Prophet ﷺ congratulated him (Muslim 810). This verse (2:255, text below) is a summary of the names of majesty: perfect life, self-subsistence, no sleep, dominion over all that is in the heavens and the earth, knowledge, highness and immensity.

Al-Malik and Al-Qudduus: the King, the Most Holy • Al-Malik (the King) and Maalik al-Mulk (Owner of all dominion, 3:26): everything truly belongs to Him, and He disposes of it as He wills. The kingship of human beings is borrowed and passing. "Allah will grasp the earth on the Day of Resurrection and fold the heaven in His hand, then He will say: I am the King; where are the kings of the earth?" (Bukhari 4812, Muslim 2787) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros et formulation]. • Al-Qudduus (the Most Holy): the One who is pure of every flaw and every lack. As-Salaam (Peace): the One who is free of all evil and who gives peace. These three names follow one another in 59:23 (lesson 12).

Al-'Aziiz, Al-Jabbaar, Al-Mutakabbir • Al-'Aziiz (the Mighty, the Invincible): the One whom nothing can overcome or reach. The word 'izza combines strength, invincibility and rarity. This name occurs very often in the Qur'an, often with Al-Ḥakiim (the Wise): a power always guided by wisdom. • Al-Jabbaar: scholars give it two meanings, which they often combine [À VÉRIFIER : présentation]: the Compeller, whose will prevails over all things; and the One who mends (jabara: to set a broken bone), who consoles the broken heart, enriches the poor and raises the weak. Between the two prostrations, the Prophet ﷺ would say among other things "wajburnii" ("mend me") (At-Tirmidhi 284, Abu Daawuud 850) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros et formulation]. • Al-Mutakabbir: the One to whom all greatness belongs. In Allah, it is a perfection; in man, pride is a grave sin (Muslim 2620, lesson 3).

Al-Qawiyy, Al-Matiin, Al-Qadiir • Al-Qawiyy (the Strong) and Al-Matiin (the Firm): a strength without weakness or fatigue. "It is Allah who is the Provider, the Possessor of strength, the Firm" (meaning of 51:58). • Al-Qadiir (the All-Powerful): "Allah has power over all things" occurs many times in the Qur'an. Nothing is difficult for Him: "When He wills a thing, He only says to it: Be! and it is" (meaning of 36:82). • The formula "Laa ḥawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah" (there is no might nor power except through Allah) is "a treasure among the treasures of Paradise" (Bukhari 6384, Muslim 2704).

Al-'Aliyy, Al-'Aẓiim, Al-Kabiir • Al-'Aliyy (the Most High) and Al-A'laa: exalted above all things, in His rank, His power and, according to the texts, above His creation; one says "Subḥaana rabbiya l-a'laa" when prostrating (Muslim 772) [À VÉRIFIER : numéro]. • Al-'Aẓiim (the Immense): one says "Subḥaana rabbiya l-'aẓiim" when bowing. • Al-Kabiir (the Great): "Allaahu akbar", Allah is greater than everything, opens the prayer and marks each of its movements. "The Great, the Most Exalted" (meaning of 13:9).

What these names change • Humility: before Al-Malik and Al-Kabiir, no wealth and no position justifies arrogance. • Courage: whoever knows that Allah is Al-'Aziiz fears no creature to the point of disobeying Allah. • Recourse: in hardship, Al-Qadiir can change everything; Al-Jabbaar mends what is broken. • Justice towards the weak: Abu Mas'uud was beating his slave; he heard behind him: "Know, Abu Mas'uud, that Allah has more power over you than you have over him." It was the Prophet ﷺ. Abu Mas'uud freed him on the spot (Muslim 1659). Whoever has power (a parent, an employer, someone in charge) remembers the One who has more power over him.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation The names of majesty put everything back in its place. Kings pass, empires fall, fortunes change hands; Allah alone is Al-Malik, and on the Last Day He will ask: "Where are the kings of the earth?" These names are not meant to crush the believer, but to free him. Whoever knows that Allah is Al-'Aziiz and Al-Qadiir no longer has to tremble before an unjust employer, a rumour or a threat: real power lies elsewhere. The double meaning of Al-Jabbaar is a fine example of the balance of the names: the same power that prevails over all things is the one that mends broken hearts. Finally, these names have a direct moral consequence: the more power one has over others, the more one must remember that Allah has more power over oneself. The hadith of Abu Mas'uud is its living lesson.

Lessons to draw from it • Read the Verse of the Throne (2:255) understanding each name it contains. • Say "Allaahu akbar" in prayer thinking of its meaning. • Repeat "Laa ḥawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah" before a difficult task. • In hardship, ask Al-Jabbaar to mend what is broken. • Treat with justice those over whom you have authority: children, employees, students.

Key points to remember • The greatest verse: the Verse of the Throne, 2:255 (Muslim 810). • Al-Malik, Al-Qudduus, As-Salaam: the King, the Most Holy, Peace (59:23). • Al-Jabbaar: the Compeller and the One who mends. • "Laa ḥawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah": a treasure of Paradise (Bukhari 6384, Muslim 2704). • "Allah has more power over you than you have over him" (Muslim 1659).

The main message All power and all greatness belong to Allah: before Him, be humble; before creatures, be courageous; towards the weak, be just.

The text: Surah Al-Baqara (2), verse 255 (the Verse of the Throne) [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 2:255]

Meaning: "Allah: there is no god but Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on the earth. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and preserving them does not tire Him. And He is the Most High, the Immense." The meaning of the word al-Kursi (the Throne, or the Footstool) is discussed by the commentators [À VÉRIFIER].

Arabic text: deliberately not typed, to avoid any error; it is to be copied from the centre's mushaf (or a verified source) at the place indicated.