al-Mājid

The Noble and Illustrious

Say it: al-Mājid. A recording by our own reciter is on its way.

Heard together with: al-Wājid / al-Mājid; al-Majīd

Start with what we know

Then take away everything it needs. What is left is not a bigger version of us. It is the Name.

Episode 1

Human glory: titles, honours, fame.

But: Given by others; fades.

Episode 2

Display: the peacock's train, birds-of-paradise.

Episode 3

Hubble/Webb images that made galaxies part of public culture.

But: Our glories are seen and then forgotten.

Episode 4

Take away an audience, a giver of honour, fading.

Our glory is given to us. His is not given; it gives.

Read: 85:15; al-Majīd (11:73); al-Mājid not verbatim.

From the tradition: Ghazālī: al-Mājid as al-Majīd, glory with lavish giving.

On screen

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In scripture: Q 11:73; 85:15; Ps 19:2.
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Kavod (glory), Ps 19:2 'The heavens declare the glory of God'. Weak-moderate.
In the universe: Webb deep field.
In nature: Birds-of-paradise (Our Planet 'Jungles').
In people: Anonymous donors.
In science: Optics: dispersion of light by a prism.

Living it

Generosity that seeks no honour.

Its kind

Beyond: majesty: what He is not, and how far beyond.

In the Qur'an: none (cf. al-Majīd)

Sources for this page

api.quran.com