Al-Mutakabbir
The Supreme in Greatness
Root ك ب ر (k-b-r). Lane gives kabura as ‘he, or it, was, or became, great’ in size, age, or estimation. Said of creatures, the pattern means arrogance, as in Qur'an 40:35; said of Allah, rightful supremacy. The word kabīr means great, and akbar is greater or greatest. Kibriyāʾ is grandeur or supremacy, as seen in Qur'an 45:37. Istakbara means he was arrogant, found in Qur'an 2:34. 59:23 names Him ‘the Superior’.
The root
ك ب رk-b-r
Greatness. Lane gives kabura as 'he, or it, was, or became, great' in size, age, or estimation.
- كَبِيرkabīrgreat
- أَكْبَرakbargreater, greatest
- كِبْرِيَاءkibriyāʾgrandeur, supremacy (45:37)
- اسْتَكْبَرَistakbarahe was arrogant (2:34)
Pronunciation
الْمُتَكَبِّرُ
al-mu-ta-KAB-bir
In the Qur'an
هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.
59:23 · Sahih International