Al-Muqtadir
Allah is Al-Muqtadir, the all powerful who deliver suitable measure of all things. He has absolute strength, power, and mastery. Nothing is beyond his power.
From the root q-d-r which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to measure something, know the measure of something to distribute, allot or apportion the suitable measure to decree, to ordain, to decide a matter (as though measuring it to fit) to exercise thought in preparing something, to make use of reason to intend or determine something to have the power to accomplish, to be rendered able to be able to prevail, to be empowered.
They denied Our signs, all of them, so We seized them with a seizure of one Exalted in Might and Perfect in Ability. (Quran 54:42)
In a seat of honor near a Sovereign, Perfect in Ability. (Quran 54:55)
And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability. (Quran 18:45)
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Name: |
Al-Muqtadir |
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Al-Muqtadir in Arabic |
ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ |
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Arabic root |
(ق د ر) |
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Al-Muqtadir meaning in English |
The Powerful, The Dominant, The Enforcer |
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Al-Muqtadir meaning in Urdu |
ہر چِيز پر قُدرَت رکھنے والا |
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Appearance in the Quran |
4 |
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Tasbeeh |
Recitation of this name helps to know the truth |
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Asma ul Husna with similar meaning: |
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The name Al-Muqtadir means omnipotent and powerful. The name Al-Muqtadir stems from the same root as Al-Qadir and can be considered as a superlative extension of the characteristic of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) being the All-capable. His decree encompasses all, and it is prevalent all over the world.
Al-Muqtadir has multiple meanings which can be inferred from it. The first meaning is the most powerful, One with endless capabilities. The second meaning that can be inferred from Al-Muqtadir is to distribute and the third is to ordain and decree. The name Al-Muqtadir means Omnipotent and can be distinguished from Al-Qadir that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), Who is All-Powerful, needs no aid to bring something in this world and can also cause nothing to exist according to His will.
Al-Muqtadir’s meaning can be understood through Allah’s control of everything in this world and how every being in this universe has a destiny. Al-Muqtadir resonates with the characteristic of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as the Supreme and Empowered to do whatever He deems right as He is the sole possessor of wisdom and power of decree over everything and it is His judgment that prevails.
Al-Muqtadir reflects all four meanings that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the one who knows the proportion of what is necessary in what order and what he has said will happen. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) calls Himself as Al-Muqtadir 4 times in the Quran. It is considered to be a superlative of the name Al-Qadir, as the prefix 'mu' in Arabic translates to the actualization of a characteristic or an action being done. This translates as the do-er. So, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is All-Capable, and the way the universe works is evidence of His Power and Omnipotence.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) mentions in the Quran in the verse “They denied Our signs, all of them, so We seized them with a seizure of one Exalted in Might and Perfect in Ability” (Quran 54:42). This verse shows that everything is a sign of Allah’s power and there is no one who can stand parallel to or interfere with Allah’s ultimate control on this universe.
The significance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) being Al-Muqtadir can be understood from the fact that it’s not just that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has the power over everything, but He has the perfect wisdom of exercising it. An example that Al-Ghazali gave was that the day of judgment is determined and if Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) wishes, He could bring that day at any moment, but He doesn’t and that shows that Allah's wisdom and timing are Perfect and it is Only Him who possess the knowledge to decree everything in our life and there is nothing in the world that can contest or come in between what He plans. It is Al-Muqtadir who makes everything happen in our life. Even the smallest things, such as a leaf falling off from a tree, aren't unknown to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) indeed is Al-Muqtadir, but it is on us to try for what we wish. It is for us to strive in the efforts of what we are praying to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as it is Him who will give us the strength to do what we want and if it is what He allows, will happen for us. The concept of decree is that we will have what is good for us and that if things don't happen the way we had planned or hoped for them to be, even when we have made an effort for them, there is Allah’s wisdom behind it and we have to rely on Him with this faith that whatever unfolds in the bigger picture, it is the best according to His decree. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) emphasizes this in the Quran in the following verse:
"For We do determine (according to need); for We are the best to determine (things)." (Quran 77:23)
Allah’s Might encompass everything in this world, as mentioned in the following verse of the Quran:
“Allah has power over all things” (Quran 2:20). Everything submits itself to His Supreme dominion, and it’s the decree of Allah that is prevalent without interference of anyone. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in the Quran that “Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and rivers, in a seat of honour in the presence of a Sovereign who is Perfect in Ability.” (Quran 54: 54-55).
In Surah Al-Anbiya, the 21st chapter of the holy Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) mentions the stories of different Prophets and among them He mentions the story of Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the verses: “And when the Man of the Whale stormed off in a rage, thinking We would not restrain him. Then, in the darkness, he cried out, "There is no god except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong. So, We answered his prayer and rescued him from anguish. And so do We save the believers.” (Quran 21:87-88). This story speaks volumes of how Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), as Al-Muqtadir, knows how the events of our life unfold and only He has the power and wisdom to take us out from the deepest pit of despair.
Each name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) holds its significance and is specific in its meaning. However, the names build on the meaning and can be understood in a similar context. The names that have similar meanings to Al-Muqtadir are Al-Qawiyy, which means strong; Al-Qadir, which means All-Capable; and Al-Maalik, which means the King, The sovereign.
Allah’s Might and Ability has no end, and the attribute of being the Omnipotent and Powerful is mentioned in the Quran in the following verse:
“And give them a parable of this worldly life. It is like the plants of the earth, thriving when sustained by the rain. We send down from the sky. Then they quickly turn into chaff scattered by the wind. And Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is fully capable of ˹doing˺ all things” (Quran 18:45).
Another verse that shows that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is Al-Muqtadir is:
“Have you not seen that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has subjected for you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and has lavished His favours upon you, both seen and unseen? there are some who dispute about Allah without knowledge, or guidance, or an enlightening scripture” (Quran 31:20)