Al-Majid
Allah is Al-Maajid, the most noble, magnificent and generous. He is the one who consistently gives for His wealth is endless. Truly Allah is most high and shows mankind a perfect example of richness and generosity.
From the root m-j-d which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be glorious, dignified, noble and honorable to be lauded, exalted, sublime to be liberal, bountiful, exceedingly generous
Indeed, it is He who originates [creation] and repeats. And He is the Forgiving, the Affectionate, Glorious Owner of the Throne, Effecter of what He intends. (Quran 85:12-16)
They said, “Are you amazed at the decree of Allah? May the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable.” (Quran 11:73)
|
Name: |
Al-Majid |
|
Al-Majid in Arabic: |
ٱلْمَجِيدُ |
|
Arabic root: |
(م ج د) |
|
Al-Majid meaning in English: |
The All-Glorious, The Majestic |
|
Al-Majid meaning in Urdu: |
بڑی بزرگی والا |
|
Appearance in the Quran: |
1 |
|
Tasbeeh: |
- |
|
Asma ul Husna with similar meaning: |
Al-Aliy (The Highest) Al-Azeem (The All-Glorious) Al-Hameed (The Praiseworthy) Al-Jaleel (The Majestic) Al-Majeed (The Glorious) Al-Majid (The Noble) Al-Muta'ali (The All-Exalted) Al-Quddus (The Holy; The All-Pure) Zuljalal wal-Ikram (The Lord of Majesty and Generosity) |
The word Al-Majid comes from the root mim-jim-dal (م ج د), and has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be glorious, dignified, majestic, noble, honorable, to be lauded, exalted, sublime, to be liberal, bountiful, exceedingly generous. Al-Majid (The Glorious) pronunciation can be transliterated as al-maj-ee-d. (Not to be confused with Al-Majid, which is pronounced as al-mA-jid.)
Al-Majid, one of the divine names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), is directly translated to "The Glorious" or "The Majestic." It conveys the unparalleled splendor and greatness unique to Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) essence. The word al-Majid is rooted in the Arabic word "majd," meaning glory or magnificence, and is also used as a description of the Throne of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in the Quran. It is associated with qualities such as honor, dignity, nobility, and one who is to be lauded.
Al-Majid encapsulates the attributes of glory and magnificence, portraying Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as the One for whom these are inherent and eternal, transcending all creation. The descriptive Al-Majid, specifically for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), relays His possession of the glory that is beyond human comprehension, radiating magnificence and perfection in every aspect.
Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) excellence is unparalleled as it does not resemble anything else, such as His absolute and unmatched grandeur. He is unique and alone and reflects not only the external manifestation of splendor but also the inherent perfection and beauty that are the definition of Allah's divine essence. His being All-Glorious is not a standalone attribute; instead, it is His quality of perfection combined with several attributes.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has referred to His Self as al-Majeed just once in the Quran:
قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَعْجَبِينَ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ رَحْمَتُ ٱللَّهِ وَبَرَكَـٰتُهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ ٱلْبَيْتِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ حَمِيدٌۭ مَّجِيدٌۭ [11:73]
Translation: “They responded, “Are you astonished by Allah’s decree? May Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you, O people! of this house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy, All-Glorious.”
Imam Al-Ghazali writes, "Al-Majid the All-Glorious is the One who is noble in essence, beautiful in actions, and bountiful in gifts and in favors." Ahmad Zarruq writes in his book The Loftiest Goal in Elucidating Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) Most Beautiful Names, "Al-Majid comes from al-majd, namely, the furthermost limit of nobility which allows for no additional increase of such quality beyond it since it is complete in itself and outwardly manifest."
There are two ways in which Al-Majid (The Glorious) benefits the believer. The first is through worship, seeking His pleasure through sincere and honest devotion to Him. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) holds all honor and glory; our success is through Allah. When we recite Durood Sharif (Durood Ibrahim) (Sahih al-Bukhari 3370) in our salah, we call on the names Al-Hameed and Al-Majeed. He is the one worthy of praise because of the name Al-Majeed, i.e., the perfection that belongs only to Him with all His attributes.
The other way a believer benefits from learning the meaning of Al-Majeed in depth is through the understanding that we should work on perfecting our practices to raise and increase in essence in the Gaze of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). With an understanding of His Divine Essence, believers form a sincere connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), inspiring humility, gratitude, and reverence.
The attribute Al-Majid provides an earnest understanding of Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) majesty and glory, inviting believers to contemplate and emulate the boundless magnificence and perfection inherent in the Creator. To be a well-rounded, practicing Muslim, working on our piety and devotion to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) allows the development of studiousness, affection, kindness, generosity, etc., and to recoil from hypocrisy, falsehoods, and arrogance.
Al-Majid (The Glorious) holds spiritual significance in Islam for the believer, widening their window for Tazkiya (purification of the self). Its significance lies in its spiritual impact on believers, serving as a constant reminder of the majestic nature of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and encouraging a sense of humility, submission, and reliance in the face of His unparalleled glory.
Several other names share connotations similar to Al-Majid (The Glorious). Al-Hameed (The Praiseworthy) is beautifully paired with Al-Majid in the Quran itself and in Durood Sharif, and is taught by Prophet Muhammad. Both traits have similar meanings in the sense that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is truly the One who deserves to be praised.
Al-Azeem (The All-Glorious) and Al-Majid (The Noble) are also similar to Al-Majid (The Glorious), in the aspect of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) being the true owner of the magnificence and glory. Other names with such connotations are Al-Aliy (The Highest), Al-Jaleel (The Majestic), Al-Muta'ali (The All-Exalted), Al-Quddus (The Holy; The All-Pure), Zuljalal wal-Ikram (The Lord of Majesty and Generosity).
Allah, in His word, al-Quran, describes His throne as Al-Majid, The Glorious.
ذُو ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْمَجِيدُ [85:15]
Translation: “Lord of the Throne, the All-Glorious,”
Muslims have learned to call upon the trait Al-Majid (The Glorious), along with al-Hameed (The Praiseworthy), of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in Durood Sharif, which has been taught to us by the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad. The following authentic hadiths relate to the account narrated by Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila.
Narrated `Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Laila: Ka`b bin Ujrah met me and said, "Shall I not give you a present I got from the Prophet?" `Abdur-Rahman said, "Yes, give it to me." I said, "We asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! How should one (ask Allah to) send blessings on you, the members of the family, for Allah has taught us how to salute you (in the prayer)?' He said, 'Say: O Allah! Send Your Mercy on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Mercy on Abraham and the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious. O Allah! Send Your Blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Blessings on Abraham and the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious.' " (Sahih al-Bukhari 3370) Another authenticated version can be found in Sahih Muslim (Sahih Muslim 406a).