Al-Mutakabbir (The Proud & Imperious)

Al-Ghazali:

The Imperious Hu is Al-Ladhi (That Which) sees all things as belittled additions to Hu’s Dhāt (Divine Essence), and sees no grandness or greatness except for Hu, and beholds Hu’s slaves like a king looking down upon his subjects.

The Zahid (Ascetic) ‘Ārif (Divine Cognoscente) is Al-Mutakabbir (The Proud & Imperious)! Because he cleanses all things in the universe away from his Sirr (Observatory for Divine Secrets) and is proud and arrogant over all creation save Allah, sees all things in this world and the world after as little and is only cognizant of his profession i.e. busied by and only for Allah. The Zahid (Ascetic) who is not ‘Ārif (Divine Cognoscente) is a trader, gives up the pleasures of this life for the rewards of the Hereafter! (So what happened to Allah?)

Qurtubi:

Tā (the T sound in Arabic) in Al-Mutakabbir (The Proud & Imperious) is due to specialization as in singling out as the infinite Al-Mutakabbir (The Proud & Imperious).



© 2006-2002,  Dara O. Shayda, Hind Rifai M.D.