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Fatwa CenterMeaning of Al-‘Atheem
Question
Alsalamu Alaykom, All God's attributes are perfection. One of his attributes is The great or "Al 'Azim". Does this attribute imply that God is greater than the universe and his self is infinite? Thank you
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
One of the Names of Allaah is Al-'Atheem (The Incomparably Great One). This Name is mentioned in the Quran 6 times. Allaah Says (what means): {And He is the Most High, the Most Great.}[Quran 255] Allaah also Says (what means): {So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.}[Quran 56:96]
This Name includes many meanings, all of which are confirmed for Allaah, and a group of interpreters of the Quran mentioned them.
Among the meanings of this Name are:
1- Allaah is glorified and feared by His Slaves.
2- Allaah is the owner of Majesty and Greatness in His Kingdom.
3- Allaah has the attribute of Greatness and Omnipotence.
4- Allaah is beyond imagination in regard to His Entity and Greatness.
As regards the meaning which you mentioned that He is Infinite, then one should not mention this meaning as the Islamic Sharee’ah did not address it, neither by confirming it nor denying it. Therefore, one should refrain from addressing it. The entire creation can not and do not encompass His Knowledge [the knowledge which He Knows]. Allaah Says (what means): {…they do not encompass it [i.e. what He knows] in knowledge.}[Quran 20:110]
Ibn Jareer 
said: 'This verse means that He Knows everything about His Slaves, but His Slaves do not encompass what He Knows.'
For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 88618.
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