AL-MALIK

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabrakatu

Al-Malik. The King of all creation. The Ruler of this world. The One who has Supreme Authority.

“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.” [Al-A’raf 7:180] Allah is the One who is described with the attributes of sovereignty and dominion, which are the qualities of might and pride, subjugation and control. He is One who is in absolute control of creation, who issues commands and who rewards or punishes. The entire Universe high and low, belongs to Him. All of them are His servants and slaves, and are utterly dependent on Him.

The root is m-l-k which means to possess, to own exclusively, to exercise authority to command, to have power over, command, reign, to dominion over, to have ruling power etc. Milaak is used for marriage; where a person will have authority over the other. The husband does not own her but he has a degree above her. Maalik is used for an owner, when they possess something. Malik is used for a king, he possesses and has authority. These three names that show different levels of authority, power and ownership.

The name Malik signifies king, but for Allah it’s not just any king, it is something that is in some way greater than a king and is often translated as Master (Absolute Ruler). The One who executes His command in His possession. Every Malik is not able to execute their amr (will). Only Allah has the power to command and forbid, He has the action and the word kun fa yakoon- be and it is. According to ibn Qayyim, Malik is the One who gives the hukum (ruling). For example one can be a Maalik of their house but they cannot control how much the bills are or will be. Al-Malik is the One with Supreme Authority whose Command is executed.

Allah is Al-Malik, it means Allah is One of Incomparable Greatness. He is Al Malikul Haqq, the One who possesses the absolute disposal of affairs. He can command, make, and do whatever He wants. It also means that Allah gives Mulk to whoever He wants, because Mulk belongs to Him. Any ruler on earth has boundaries but Allah doesn’t. Allah’s kingdom is beyond our imagination and our imagination has limits and boundaries. Allah’s rule is limitless. A ruler in this world always has fear that something will take them over, and that is why rulers worry about it and try hard to protect their kingdom. But f or Allah He cannot be overtaken over because Allah is the One, only and greatest, there is none besides Allah.  

Al-Malik.