Al-Muta'aali

Al-Muta’aali

Explanation

Meaning of Al-Muta‘aali (ٱلْمُتَعَالِي)

The name Al-Muta‘aali (ٱلْمُتَعَالِي) is one of the beautiful names (Asma’ul Husna) of ALLAH and carries profound significance in Islamic theology. Below is a detailed explanation of this name along with its Quranic context and its impact on a believer’s understanding of ALLAH’s greatness.

Linguistic and Theological Meaning

  • Etymology:
    The name Al-Muta‘aali comes from the Arabic root ع-ل-و (‘A-L-W), which means “to be high, exalted, or above.”
    The word “Muta‘aali” (مُتَعَالِي) is an intensified form of Al-‘Aliyy (العليّ), which also means The Most High.
    While Al-‘Aliyy signifies ALLAH’s absolute highness, Al-Muta‘aali emphasizes that HE is far above all things in status, power, and perfection.

  • Meaning in Islamic Theology:
    Al-Muta‘aali means The Self-Exalted One, The Supremely High, and The One Who is Above All Deficiencies and Imperfections.
    It highlights that ALLAH is not only high in rank and majesty, but also above any false attributions, limitations, or human comprehension.

Significance in Islamic Thought

(a) ALLAH’s Supreme Highness in Every Aspect

ALLAH is exalted in:

  1. His Essence (Dhaat) – His very being is beyond human comprehension.
  2. His Attributes (Sifaat) – His knowledge, wisdom, mercy, and power are supreme.
  3. His Actions (Af‘aal) – His rulings, decrees, and decisions are perfect and above any flaws.

(b) ALLAH is Above Any Deficiencies

ALLAH is Al-Muta‘aali because He is far above:

  • Any weakness or imperfection (unlike human kings and rulers).
  • Any need or dependence (as HE is Self-Sufficient).
  • Any injustice or oppression (because His rule is based on perfect justice).

(c) ALLAH’s Highness Does Not Mean Distance

While ALLAH is exalted above all creation, He is also close to His servants:

  • “And We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein.” (Surah Qaf 50:16)
  • This means that ALLAH, despite being infinitely high and above all creation, is still near to us in His knowledge, mercy, and response to prayers.

Impact of Believing in Al-Muta‘aali

(a) Strengthening of Tawheed (Monotheism)

  • Understanding that ALLAH is far above all creation reinforces pure Tawheed.
  • No human, angel, or prophet can be equal to ALLAH in any way.

(b) Developing Humility

  • Recognizing ALLAH as Al-Muta‘aali makes a believer more humble and submissive.
  • The Prophet ﷺ said:
    “Whoever humbles himself for ALLAH, ALLAH will elevate him.” (Hadith – Sahih Muslim)
    This teaches that true honor comes from recognizing ALLAH’s supreme status.

(c) Complete Trust in ALLAH’s Decisions

  • Since ALLAH is exalted in wisdom, whatever He decrees is always just and perfect.
  • Even in hardships, we trust that His plan is far superior to our understanding.

(d) Avoiding Arrogance

  • Believing in Al-Muta‘aali reminds us that only ALLAH has supreme greatness.
  • The Prophet ﷺ warned:
    “No one with an atom’s weight of arrogance will enter Paradise.” (Hadith – Sahih Muslim)
    This teaches us to avoid pride and always recognize ALLAH’s superiority.

Final Reflections

Al-Muta‘aali emphasizes ALLAH’s absolute highness, greatness, and perfection. He is exalted in every way—beyond human limitations, free from any defects, and supreme in wisdom and authority.
Believing in this name strengthens faith, humility, and trust in ALLAH’s wisdom while reminding us to always seek His nearness through sincerity and worship.

Quran References

The name Al-Muta‘aali is explicitly mentioned in the Quran

Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:9):

Arabic:
عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ الْكَبِيرُ الْمُتَعَالِ

Translation:
“Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Grand, the Most Exalted.”

Explanation of the Verse:

  1. Knower of the Unseen and the Witnessed: ALLAH has complete knowledge of everything, both hidden and apparent. Nothing is beyond His awareness.

  2. The Grand (Al-Kabir): ALLAH is the Greatest, whose greatness is beyond measure.

  3. The Most Exalted (Al-Muta‘aali): ALLAH is the Most High, transcending all creation in His essence, attributes, and dominion.

This verse beautifully encapsulates ALLAH’s supreme knowledge, greatness, and transcendence. It reminds us that ALLAH is far above any imperfection or limitation and is exalted in every sense.

Other Quranic References Related to ALLAH’s Exalted Nature:

While the name Al-Muta‘aali is explicitly mentioned only once in the Quran, there are numerous verses that describe ALLAH’s exalted nature and His transcendence above creation. These verses reinforce the meaning of Al-Muta‘aali and highlight His supreme greatness.

Surah Al-Hadid (57:3):

Arabic:
هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Translation:
“He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden, and He is, of all things, Knowing.”

Explanation:
This verse emphasizes ALLAH’s eternal nature and His transcendence over time and space. He is the First, before everything, and the Last, after everything perishes. He is the Manifest, whose signs are evident in creation, and the Hidden, whose essence is beyond human comprehension.

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255) – Ayat al-Kursi:

Arabic:
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Translation:
“ALLAH! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi (Throne) extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”

Explanation:
This verse highlights ALLAH’s supreme authority, knowledge, and power. He is the Most High (Al-Aliyy) and the Most Great (Al-Azeem), and His throne encompasses the heavens and the earth. His preservation of creation does not tire Him, and He is exalted above all imperfections.

Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:116):

Arabic:
فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ

Translation:
“So exalted is ALLAH, the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne.”

Explanation:
This verse emphasizes ALLAH’s exalted status as the True King and the Lord of the Noble Throne. He is the only one deserving of worship, and His sovereignty is absolute.

Surah Al-Isra (17:43):

Arabic:
سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا

Translation:
“Exalted is He and high above what they say by great sublimity.”

Explanation:
This verse affirms ALLAH’s absolute transcendence and His being far above any false claims or attributions made by disbelievers.