Allah calls Himself Al-Muta’aali— The Supremely Exalted, The Most High— on one occasion in the Quran. He’s the One who is exalted above the whole creation. Al-Muta’aali is beyond the highest, far beyond any thoughts, limits, and ideals of mankind, He is sublime and is above everything due to His might and perfection!

The Supreme One, The Highest of All

Muta’aali comes from the root ayn-laam-waaw, which points to four main meanings. The first is to be high, lofty, and exalted and to ascend. The second main meaning is to overcome and overwhelm and the third to advance and exceed. The fourth main meaning is to be eminent.

This root appears 70 times in the Quran in fourteen derived forms. Examples of these forms are ‘aaliyatin (elevated), al-‘ulyaa (the highest), fata’aalayna (“then come”) and la’aali (“a tyrant”).

Linguistically, uloow points to the attribute of loftiness and a person is ‘alee when he is prominent. The names Al’Muta’aali and Al-‘Alee— meaning “Allah is the highest, above any fault, above any imperfection”— are interrelated.
Al-Muta’aali is the One whose highness exceeds any limits. He is the most lofty and exalted and the One who advances, overcomes and exceeds all of creation in His being and all His attributes. He is proud and great and His glory is too high to be comprehended by us!

Himself said: [He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Grand, the Exalted [Quran, 13:9]

Supreme Oneness – Devoting All Deeds to Him

As Muslims we should believe that Allah is One with no partner or associate in His Lordship (ruboobiyyah), divinity (‘uloohiyyah) or names and attributes (al-asma’ wa’l-sifaat).

Tawheed al-‘Uloohiyyah means devoting all acts of worship, both inward and outward, in word and deed, to Allah (Al-Muta’aali) alone, and not worshiping anything or anyone other than Allah, no matter who he is: Worship Allaah and join none with Him (in worship). [Quran, 4:36]  It is called tawheed al-uloohiyyah because it is based on ta’alluh lillaah which is worship and devotion of Allah accompanied by love and veneration.

This is the purpose for which the universe was created and laws were prescribed. Concerning this disputes arose between the Prophets and their peoples, so the stubborn were doomed and the believers were saved! [al-Hujjah fi Bayaan al-Mahajjah, 1/305; Lawaami’ al-Anwaar al-Bahiyyah, 1/57] Our goals, our will, and our actions should all be defined to seek the face of Al-Muta’aali alone!

How Can You Live by This Name?

1. Prioritize.

Is Allah really muta’aali in your life? You can find out by looking at where the deeds He lovingly wants you to carry out– like salah– are on your list. Do you fit your prayers around your daily life activities, delaying them, or do you put your prayers first, above anything else?

Do you first finish watching your favourite TV shows and then see if you have time left for the Quran? Do you start your day by checking messages on your phone or by reciting from the book of Al-Muta’aali? Test your daily schedule; if your acts of worship don’t have priority, change it and you will see how blessed, productive, and peaceful you will feel. Start and end your day by reciting the words of Al-Muta’aali!

2. Don’t place yourself above others.

You cannot do anything except through the power of Al-Muta’aali and everything that you have comes from Him. Your position with Al-Muta’aali is determined by one crucial factor: the level of your taqwa and righteousness.  Mankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you might come to know each other. The noblest among you in Allah´s sight is the one with the most taqwa [Quran, 49:13] Never place yourself above others because of your wealth, intelligence, looks, or your lineage!

3. Call others to Al-Muta’aali.

You as a human being are the most honoured creation of Al-Muta’aali; live up to your purpose by not only worshiping Him yourself, but also show others who He is. Do da’wah to be successful! And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful [Quran, 3:104]

4. Know that He is high, yet close.

Sometimes you are so absorbed with stress or grief that you forget Al-Muta’aali, who is higher than and above everything, is closest to you.  And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein [Quran, 50:16] In times of hardship, know that He is the supreme above the throne, but also the only One who knows exactly what you are going through, so tell Him all you feel and ask Him to help you battle your trials!

5. Never despair.

You know you should not despair in the mercy of Al-Muta’aali, however Shaytan often tricks into another kind of despair: despair in yourself. Did you ever say: “I will never change” or “I will never be able to do this, so why start?” or about someone else:  “they will never change”? Indirectly you are despairing in the power of Al-Muta’aali!

When you say “Allah will never forgive me, I’m doing so many bad things”, you are actually lowering Him, exalted is He, to human standards of forgiveness! So next time you feel like you cannot change a certain habit, or you keep committing the same sin, call upon Al-Muta’aali and ask Him to assist you with unshakable belief in His Highness and abilities.

6. Ask Al-Muta’aali.

Paradise has seven levels; the highest one is Firdaws-al-‘aala, the highest level is right under the throne of Al-Muta’aali. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: When you ask of Allah, ask Him for al-Firdaws, for it is in the middle of Paradise and is the highest part of Paradise, and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise [Al-Bukhaari, Muslim]  Call upon Al-Muta’aali!

To read about the beautiful name Al-‘Alee, click here:

O Allah, Al-Muta’aali, we know that You are the Supreme. Give us knowledge of and lead us  to prioritize the deeds most pleasing to You and assist us in calling others to You. Adorn us with firm belief in your Highness and admit us to the Highest Paradise without Reckoning, ameen!

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

The Understand Quran Academy Team

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