99 Names - Al-Malik

Al-Malik

الله Allah
Who is Allah? (Part 3)

And so the journey begins to understanding the One by looking at each of the 99 names in detail with reference to the Quran and life the Prophet (pbuh)

The first name I wish to examine is Al-Malik

Al-Malik

The Sovereign Lord, He who is the absolute king of the entire universe. 

Other translations include:

The Owner
The Ruler
The King
The Sovereign

 What one can gather from this name is that the One possess an extremely high status and is a Ruler, a King of all of his creations. Couple this with the beautiful meanings of Ir-Rahman and Ir-Rahim and we find that this King, and Ruler, is a Kind and Merciful one, who owns all and never ceases to shower his creation with his overflowing abundance of kindness and mercy.

Al-Malik appears in the Quran three times. Let us examine each area of occurrence and look at the context in which this name appears for us. The first occurrence is in Surah Al-Hashr, 59:23

Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.

As you can see from this verse the name is also coupled with a few others which will we talk about later but the main thing is that it is not just a King or a Sovereign that is being mentioned, it is one who is a Source of Peace and a Guardian above all. 

The next occurrence of Al-Malik is in Surah Ta-ha, 20:114

 

High above all is Allah, the King, the Truth! Be not in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to thee is completed, but say, "O my Lord! advance me in knowledge."

Here the name Al-Malik is coupled with an interesting concept. The truth. A King, or Owner of Truth. The remainder of the verse/sign (Ayat) states that this Owner of Truth must also be an Owner of Knowledge, as one must ask for knowledge in order to receive it. This is an interesting concept as it links not only Sovereignty of the entire universe as well as being the most Merciful but it also connects Truth and Knowledge with Ownership and Rule. 

The last and final occurrence of Al-Malik in the Quran is in Surah Al-Mu'minun, 23:116. 

Therefore exalted be Allah, the King, the Reality: there is no god but He, the Lord of the Throne of Honour!

This last reference almost completes our image of a King, one who is seated on a Throne of Honour.
The Owner of Truth, Provider of Knowledge, whose Mercy is boundless and who is enshrouded in Honour.
One more very interesting concept is that the name Al-Malik here is also accompanied by the phrase "the Reality", meaning that this wonderful being is not a fairy tale King, but a real one. 

InshAllah this journey will continue examining the other names while looking at the Quran and making comments. However I must add that my comments and opinions here are only my own and the word of God prevails above all. I hope InshAllah that I am able to convey a vivid and poetic image for you through my study to bring you closer to the One that you seek.

Peace and blessings to all x