Names of Allah
Al-Mutakabbir
The Supreme, the Majestic — the One who is above any need or attribute of His creation.
What does Al-Mutakabbir mean?
Al-Mutakabbir is one of the 99 Names of Allah, mentioned in Surah al-Hashr (59:23). It means "The Supremely Great," "The Possessor of all Majesty". For Allah, this name affirms a greatness that is His by absolute right: He alone is truly great, exalted above every imperfection, and rightfully transcendent over all creation. What is blameworthy pride in a creature is perfect, deserved majesty in the Creator.
The Meaning in Depth
Greatness (kibriya) belongs to Allah by right, for He alone is infinitely perfect and the source of all that exists. When a created being claims greatness, it is arrogance, because the creature owns nothing and is in need; but when Allah is Al-Mutakabbir, it is truth, for all majesty is genuinely His. A sacred hadith conveys: "Greatness (kibriya) is My cloak and Majesty (azamah) is My garment" (Muslim 2620) — qualities that belong to God alone.
Al-Mutakabbir in the Quran
- "...the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Supremely Great (Al-Mutakabbir). Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him." (59:23)
Living by This Name
Knowing Allah as Al-Mutakabbir cures the believer of arrogance. Since true greatness belongs to God alone, pride in a human being is to wrongfully claim a quality that is not theirs. The Prophet ﷺ warned: "None shall enter Paradise who has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart" (Muslim 91). Recognising God's supreme majesty cultivates humility, awe in worship, and freedom from the disease of pride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is "mutakabbir" praiseworthy for Allah but blameworthy for people?
Because greatness genuinely belongs to Allah alone. For Him it is truth and perfection; for a creature, claiming greatness is a false claim — arrogance — since the creature owns nothing and depends entirely on God.
How does this name help against arrogance?
Realising that all greatness belongs to Al-Mutakabbir exposes human pride as a usurping of God's right. This humbles the heart, and humility is the path to nearness to God and entry to Paradise.
Etymology & origin
Al-Mutakabbir (المتكبر) is from the root K-B-R (ك-ب-ر), meaning "greatness, magnitude, majesty". The form mutakabbir, when used of created beings, means arrogant — but when used of Allah it means the One who is rightfully and supremely Great, possessing all majesty and grandeur, far above any flaw, partner, or rival.
References
- Quran:
- 59:23
- Hadith:
- Muslim 2620 (greatness is My cloak, majesty is My garment); Muslim 91 (none with an atom of pride enters Paradise); Bukhari 4634 (the dispute of Paradise and Hell, and the cloak of greatness); Abu Dawud 4090 (pride is rejecting truth and despising people)
Related terms
Al-Aziz
The Almighty, the Invincible — possessing absolute might and honor that nothing can overcome.
Al-Jabbar
The Compeller, the Restorer — the supreme power who reforms His creation and whose will cannot be opposed.
Al-Malik
The King, the Sovereign — the Absolute Ruler whose dominion encompasses everything in existence.
Al-Quddus
The Most Holy, the Pure — free from all defects, imperfections and anything unbefitting His majesty.
Shirk
Associating partners with Allah — the gravest sin in Islam, the opposite of Tawhid; it nullifies deeds and, if unrepented, bars entry to Paradise.