06-15-2007, 11:36 PM
36) al-'Alî
The Exalted, The Most High
The One Who is above and exceeds all others. The Most High, above whom there is nothing higher.
The One whose rank and station are the Most High.
The One who is above and surpasses all that has ever been, all that there now is, and all that shall ever be.
From the root 'a-l-w which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to be high, elevated, lofty
to be exalted, to rise up, to ascend
to be higher, to exceed, surpass
to overcome, overwhelm
to advance, promote, rise above
to mount, be overtop, eminent
This name is used in the Qur'ân. For example, see 2:255
That is because Allah is the (only) Reality, and because whatever else they invoke besides Him is Falsehood; and because Allah, HE IS THE MOST HIGH, Most Great. Seest thou not that the ships sail through the Ocean by the grace of Allah? That He may show you of His Signs? Verily in this are Signs for all who constantly persevere and give thanks. When a wave covers them like the canopy (of clouds), they call to Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, but when He has delivered them safely to land, there are among them those that halt between (right and wrong). But none reject Our Signs except only a perfidious ungrateful (wretch)!
(31:30-32)
37) al-Kabîr
The Most Great, The Greatest, The Perfection of Greatness
The One whose essence is the perfection of greatness. The One who is incomparably great.
The One whose greatness is beyond measure. The One whose nature is Greatness.
The One whose own essence is unimaginably great perfection.
From the root k-b-r which has the following classical Arabic connotations:
to be great in rank, dignity, nobility, majesty
to be great in size, vast, formidable
to be great in age, oldest
to be great in learning, most knowing
to have rights above all others
This name is used in the Qur'ân. For example, see 22:62
Kabîr is a less intensive form which honors the One as being the essence of greatness.
Related names:
Jalîl is considered to be greatness in attributes.
Kabîr denotes the One whose essence is greatness.
Azîm is greatness in both attributes and self.
Mutakabbir is an empathic form which denotes actively using rights, privileges, rank and attributes that are above and beyond the rights of everyone else.
The phrase Allâhu Akbar, uses this same k-b-r root and means Allâh is the greatest
Allah doth know what every female (womb) doth bear, by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or do exceed. Every single thing is before His sight, in (due) proportion. He knoweth the Unseen and that which is open: HE IS THE GREAT, the most High. It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or declare it openly; whether he lie hid by night or walk forth freely by day.
(13:8...10)