al-Mutaʿālī

The Supremely Exalted

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Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 13:9.

Heard together with: al-ʿAliyy / al-Kabīr / al-Mutaʿālī

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

In us

Everest summit 8,849 m.

But: Bottled oxygen, weather windows.

Episode 2

In nature

Rüppell's vulture struck an aircraft at 11,300 m over Abidjan, 29 Nov 1973 (Guinness).

Episode 3

At our best

Voyager 1, farthest human-made object.

But: Height is a number on our scale.

Episode 4

The Break

Take away altitude, distance, comparison.

Not the highest point, but above the scale where 'high' is measured; and with the lowly (Isa (peace be upon him) 57:15).

Read: 13:9.

From the tradition: Isaiah 57:15 'I dwell on high, in holiness; yet with the contrite and the lowly in spirit'. Schools differ on 'above' : stay neutral.

On screen

Journey's traveller reaches the mountain top. al-Mutaʿālī is not the summit; He is beyond the climb.

Where it shows up

In scripture: Q 13:9; Ps 97:9; Isa (peace be upon him) 57:15.
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Ps 97:9 'exalted high above all divine beings'; Isa (peace be upon him) 57:15. Moderate-strong.
In the universe: Voyager 1.
In nature: Vultures soaring thermals.
In people: Mountaineers' humility at summits.
In science: Atmosphere layers; Kármán line ~100 km.

Living it

Humility.

Its kind

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

In the Qur'an: 13:9

Sources for this page

guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/70927-highest-flying-birds