al-Muqtadir

The Omnipotent Determiner

Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 54:42.

Heard together with: al-Qādir / al-Muqtadir

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

We measure and calibrate; precision has limits.

But: Every measurement has an uncertainty.

Episode 2

Honeybee comb: hexagonal cells built to tight tolerances.

Episode 3

JILA strontium clock, systematic uncertainty 8.1 × 10⁻¹⁹ (2024); the 2019 SI fixes constants exactly.

But: We fix numbers we did not choose; we cannot set the constants themselves.

Episode 4

Take away trial, tolerance, adjustment, error.

We measure to the eighteenth decimal place. (54:49).

From the tradition: Ghazālī: al-Muqtadir as the intensive of al-Qādir. Same root q-d-r as qadar (measure, decree).

On screen

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In scripture: Q 54:42, 49, 55; 18:45.
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: 'Pantokrator' (Christian 'Almighty'). Moderate.
In the universe: Fine-tuning of constants.
In nature: Bee comb.
In people: Metrology: Kibble balance redefining the kilogram (2019).
In science: Physical constants; precision measurement.

Living it

Measure fairly (weights and measures, 55:9).

Its kind

Capacity: a quality we know a little of: hearing, knowing, seeing.

In the Qur'an: 18:45; 54:42; 54:55

Films, documentaries and voices that reach towards this Name. Each links out to where you can watch it.

Sources for this page

bipm.org