Names of Allah
Al-Muzill
Al-Mudhill
The Disgracer — who brings low and humiliates those who turn away from Him in arrogance.
What does Al-Muzill mean?
Al-Muzill is one of the 99 Names of Allah, meaning "The Giver of Dishonour," "The Abaser". It affirms that Allah brings low whom He wills — humbling the arrogant, the tyrants, and those who reject the truth. It is always understood as the counterpart of Al-Muizz (the Bestower of Honour); together they declare that all elevation and abasement are in Allah's hand alone, and always according to perfect justice and wisdom.
The Meaning in Depth
The abasement of Al-Muzill is never arbitrary or cruel; it is the just consequence of arrogance, oppression, and turning away from God. Throughout history, mighty tyrants who exalted themselves were brought low — a sign of this name. It is a sober warning: whoever seeks honour through disobedience, oppression, or pride will ultimately be abased, for true honour is only with God. The name also reminds the believer never to humiliate others, but to leave all matters of raising and lowering to Allah.
Al-Muzill in the Quran (and its meaning)
- "...You give honour to whom You will and You abase (tudhillu) whom You will. In Your hand is all good." (3:26)
- "...And whoever Allah humiliates — for him there is no bestower of honour." (22:18)
Living by This Name
Al-Muzill instils humility and warns against arrogance: knowing that the Abaser brings low the proud, the believer guards against pride, oppression, and seeking status through wrongdoing. It also gives the oppressed comfort and patience, for the tyrant who exalts himself will not escape being humbled by Al-Muzill. The believer leaves judgement of who is raised and lowered to God, never taking pleasure in another's humiliation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Al-Muzill considered a beautiful name?
Because, like all of Allah's names, it reflects perfect justice and wisdom. The abasement of Al-Muzill falls upon arrogance and oppression, restoring balance and warning against pride. Mentioned alongside Al-Muizz, it completes the truth that all honour and abasement are by God's just decree.
Does Al-Muzill mean Allah humiliates people unjustly?
No. The abasement is always just — a consequence of arrogance, tyranny, or rejection of truth. Allah never wrongs anyone (4:40); the one abased has earned it, while honour remains open to all who turn to Al-Muizz in faith and humility.
Etymology & origin
Al-Muzill (المذل) is from the root DH-L-L (ذ-ل-ل), meaning "lowliness, abasement, humbling". In its causative form (adhalla), it means "to bring low, to humble, to abase". Al-Muzill is the One who abases whom He wills — withholding honour and bringing low the arrogant and those who turn away, by His perfect justice and wisdom.
References
- Quran:
- 3:26, 22:18, 58:20, 63:8
- Hadith:
- Muslim 2620 (greatness and might belong to Allah; whoever contends is humbled); Bukhari 4818 (the abasement of the arrogant on the Day of Judgement); Muslim 2865 (none humbles himself for Allah but Allah raises him); Tirmidhi 2029 (whoever is arrogant, Allah lowers him)
Related terms
Al-Adl
The Just — whose every decree and action is the embodiment of justice, free from any oppression.
Al-Aziz
The Almighty, the Invincible — possessing absolute might and honor that nothing can overcome.
Al-Mu'izz
The Honorer — who gives might, dignity and honor to whomever He wills.
Al-Qahhar
The Dominant, the Subduer — supreme over all creation, whose will overcomes everything.
Shirk
Associating partners with Allah — the gravest sin in Islam, the opposite of Tawhid; it nullifies deeds and, if unrepented, bars entry to Paradise.