Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Mu’izz

 Al-Mu’izz and Al-Mudhill) are closely related to the  Al-Rafi and Al-Khafid

The Honourer. The Bestower. This name reflects a belief in the divine attribute of al-Mu’izz, which means “The Giver of Honor” or “The Giver of Dignity” in Islamic theology. It highlights the idea that ultimate honor and dignity come from Allah, and He bestows them upon whomsoever He chooses. Conversely, He can also degrade or lower whomever He wills. This concept underscores the importance of humility and submission to the will of Allah, recognizing that all power and honor ultimately come from Him. It also emphasizes the belief in divine justice, as Allah rewards those who are obedient and faithful to Him.

The name Al-Mu’izz does not appear in the Qur’an, but many verses allude to this attribute as the one who gives izzah meaning strength, power, or dignity. This has been mentioned in the name of Allah SWT Al-Aziz which shares the same root.

قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَـٰلِكَ ٱلْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِى ٱلْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ

(Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “O Allah! Lord over all authorities! You give authority to whoever You please and remove it from who You please; You honour whoever You please and disgrace who You please—all good is in Your Hands. Surely You ˹alone˺ are Most Capable of everything.) Al-Imran 3:26

This is not one of the Names which the Prophet pbuh has counted in his Hadith.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى تِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ اسْمًا مَنْ أَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَه هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ الْغَفَّارُ الْقَهَّارُ الْوَهَّابُ الرَّزَّاقُ الْفَتَّاحُ الْعَلِيمُ الْقَابِضُ الْبَاسِطُ الْخَافِضُ الرَّافِعُ الْمُعِزُّ الْمُذِلُّ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ الْحَكَمُ الْعَدْلُ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ الْحَلِيمُ الْعَظِيمُ الْغَفُورُ الشَّكورُ العَلِيُّ الكَبِيرُ الحَفيظُ المُقِيتُ الْحَسِيبُ الْجَلِيلُ الْكَرِيمُ الرَّقِيبُ الْمُجِيبُ الْوَاسِعُ الْحَكِيمُ الْوَدُودُ الْمَجِيدُ الْبَاعِثُ الشَّهِيدُ الْحَقُّ الْوَكِيلُ الْقَوِيُّ الْمَتِينُ الْوَلِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ الْمُحْصِي الْمُبْدِئُ الْمُعِيدُ الْمُحْيِي المُميتُ الحَيُّ القَيُّومُ الواجِدُ الماجِدُ الواحِدُ الأحَدُ الصَّمَدُ الْقَادِرُ الْمُقْتَدِرُ الْمُقَدِّمُ الْمُؤَخِّرُ الْأَوَّلُ الْآخِرُ الظَّاهِرُ الْبَاطِنُ الْوَالِي الْمُتَعَالِي الْبَرُّ التَّوَّابُ الْمُنْتَقِمُ العَفُوُّ الرَّؤوفُ مَالِكُ الْمُلْكِ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ الْمُقْسِطُ الْجَامِعُ الْغَنِيُّ الْمُغْنِي الْمَانِعُ الضَّارُّ النَّافِعُ النُّورُ الْهَادِي الْبَدِيعُ الْبَاقِي الْوَارِثُ الرَّشِيدُ الصَّبُورُ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ والبيهقيُّ فِي الدَّعواتِ الْكَبِير. وَقَالَ التِّرْمِذِيّ: هَذَا حَدِيث غَرِيب

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “God Most High has ninety-nine names. He who retains them in his memory will enter paradise. He is God than whom there is no god, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the King, the Holy, the Source of Peace, the Preserver of security, the Protector, the Mighty, the Overpowering, the Great in Majesty, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner, the Forgiver, the Dominant, the Bestower, the Provider, the Decider, the Knower, the Withholder, the Plentiful Giver, the Abaser, the Exalter, the Honourer, the Humiliator, the Hearer, the Seer, the Judge, the Just, the Gracious, the Informed, the Clement, the Incomparably Great, the Forgiving, the Rewarder, the Most High, the Most Great, the Preserver, the Sustainer, the Reckoner, the Majestic, the Generous, the Watcher, the Answerer, the Liberal, the Wise, the Loving, the Glorious, the Raiser, the Witness, the Real, the Trustee, the Strong, the Firm, the Patron, the Praiseworthy, the All-Knowing, the Originator, the Restorer to life, the Giver of life, the Giver of death, the Living, the Eternal, the Self-sufficient, the Grand, the One, the Single, He to whom men repair, the Powerful, the Prevailing, the Advancer, the Delayer, the First, the Last, the Outward, the Inward, the Governor, the Sublime, the Amply Beneficent, the Accepter of Repentance, the Avenger, the Pardoner, the Kindly, the Ruler of the Kingdom, the Lord of Majesty and Splendour, the Equitable, the Gatherer, the Independent, the Enricher, the Depriver, the Harmer, the Benefiter, the Light, the Guide, the First Cause*, the Enduring, the Inheritor, the Director, the Patient.” *Or, ‘the Incomparable’ (al-badi’). Tirmidhi and Baihaqi, in [Kitab] ad-Da’awat al-kabir, transmitted it,

It is mentioned 0 times in the Holy Quran but it is mentioned in this Hadith

Al-Mu’izz: Promoting Equity in Opportunities

Al-Mu’izz (المعز), “The Honourer,” underscores the principle of elevating individuals based on divine justice rather than societal biases. This attribute of Allah reminds us that true honor comes from God and should inspire systems of fairness and equity within our communities. In the Quran, Allah reminds us of His ultimate authority over honor and degradation:

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ المُلْكِ تُؤْتِي المُلْكَ مَن تَشَاءُ وَتَنزِعُ المُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَاءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
(Say, “O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and humiliate whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”) (Al-Imran 3:26)

This verse can be a guiding principle for ensuring that opportunities for advancement in workplaces and society are based on merit and righteousness rather than factors such as race, class, or background. It challenges us to build societies where fairness prevails and where every individual has the chance to rise based on their efforts and moral integrity.

Al-Mu’izz and Personal Self-Worth

The concept of Al-Mu’izz also deeply influences personal development by reinforcing the idea that self-worth and honor should be rooted in one’s spiritual and ethical values rather than external validations. In a world where people often chase after material symbols of success to feel esteemed, remembering that Allah is Al-Mu’izz can help reorient personal goals towards more meaningful pursuits. This recognition encourages individuals to seek honor through actions pleasing to Allah, such as charity, humility, and piety. This shift in perspective can significantly impact mental health and societal values, promoting a culture where dignity is measured by one’s virtue rather than wealth or status.

Al-Mu’izz in Community Engagement

Reflecting on Al-Mu’izz in the context of community engagement emphasizes the role of Muslims in uplifting and honoring those around them. This attribute of Allah inspires believers to advocate for the marginalized and oppressed, understanding that elevating others is a form of worship and a means of attaining divine favor. It also serves as a reminder that in the eyes of Allah, the most honored are those who benefit their communities. Thus, community service, social activism, and supporting just causes are not just civic responsibilities but are deeply spiritual acts that align with the divine attribute of Al-Mu’izz. The teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) about being merciful to others and Allah’s mercy being for the merciful further reinforce this practice:

الرَّاحِمُونَ يَرْحَمُهُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ ارْحَمُوا مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يَرْحَمْكُمْ مَن فِي السَّمَاءِ
“The merciful are shown mercy by the Merciful. Be merciful on the earth, and you will be shown mercy from above.” (Hadith)

These discussions highlight how Al-Mu’izz can serve as a guiding principle in various aspects of life, encouraging Muslims to embody the values of fairness, personal integrity, and community support in their daily lives.