Explanation

 

The word Al-Maalik comes from the root letters meem-laam-kaf which means “mulk”. The name is mentioned 5 times in the Qur’an. Mulk means “to possess, to own exclusively, to exercise authority to command, to have power over, command, reign, to have dominion over, to have ruling power, and to have kingship” in Arabic.

Al-Maalik is the name of ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ which means The Sovereign, The King, The Owner, or The Possessor. It represents the attribute of Allah that He has over all of His creation—divine ownership, control, and sovereignty.

ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is the supreme owner and ruler of the universe, and He has total control and authority over everything in it. This name serves as a reminder to Muslims that ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ alone possesses all power and authority and that everything in the universe is subject to His will and command.

The concept of divine unity (Tawhid) and sovereignty are intertwined. Believers are reminded that everything in the universe ultimately belongs to ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ and that His sovereignty is unassailable and unquestionable.

In the Quran, there are many verses that emphasize ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ attribute of sovereignty, such as:

“Say, ‘O ALLAH, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are overall things competent.’” (Quran 3:26)

“To ALLAH belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what He wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He gives to whom He wills males.” (Quran 42:49)

The name “Al-Maalik” reflects one of ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ most important attributes: divine sovereignty and ownership over all of His creation. This name reminds Muslims that ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is the ultimate ruler and owner of the universe and that everything in it is subject to His will and command.

ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ says, “I am the King of kings, and the Owner of kings. The hearts of kings are in My Hand: if My slaves obey Me, I turn the hearts of their kings to them with tenderness and mercy; but if My slaves disobey Me, I turn the hearts of their kings to them with wrath and avenge. Therefore, do not occupy yourselves by abusing kings but (rather) pray (to ALLAH) for their reform, for their reform comes from your own reform.”

(Quds Hadith No. 446)

Quran References

So high [above all] is Allāh, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muḥammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur’ān before its revelation is completed to you, and say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Quran 20:114)

So exalted is Allāh, the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne. (Quran 23:116)

He is Allāh, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Grantor of Security, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allāh above whatever they associate with Him. (Quran 59:23)

All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth extols the glory of Allah, the Sovereign, the Holy, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (Quran 62:1)