What does the name Al-Malik mean?

"Al-Malik" means the true Owner and absolute Sovereign of the entire universe. His sovereignty is eternal and depends on no one.

Does Al-Malik occur in the Quran?

Yes. This name occurs in Surah Al-Hashr, verse 23, and in other verses (for example, Surah Ta-Ha, 114).

Al-Asma al-Husna

The absolute Sovereign and Owner of the entire universe

Arabic

الْمَلِك

Transliteration: al-Malik
Meaning: "Al-Malik" means the true Owner and absolute Sovereign of all existence. His dominion depends on no one; His rule is eternal, without beginning or end. The authority given to people is temporary and limited, whereas true and lasting sovereignty belongs to Allah alone.

«He is Allah, other than whom there is no god, the Sovereign (Al-Malik), the Absolutely Pure (Al-Quddus).»

Explanation

Absolute sovereignty
A person can be a "king", but his dominion is a trust and passes from his hands at death. Allah's sovereignty, however, arises from His own essence and is eternal. The Quran asks, "To whom belongs the dominion this Day? To Allah, the One, the Overpowering" (Surah Ghafir, 16).
The true Owner of all dominion
Everything, the heavens, the earth, and all that is between them, is His dominion. Reflecting on this name makes a person humble, because everything we possess in fact belongs to Him and is only entrusted to us.

This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.

QuranSurah Al-Hashr, 23
Allah's name "Al-Malik" is listed in this verse together with several other names.
QuranSurah Ghafir, 16
This verse states that sovereignty belongs to Allah alone.
Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Esmâ-i hüsnâ"
Academic source for the explanation of the name Al-Malik.

Other Names with closely connected meanings.

Common questions about this Name.

What does the name Al-Malik mean?
"Al-Malik" means the true Owner and absolute Sovereign of the entire universe. His sovereignty is eternal and depends on no one.
Does Al-Malik occur in the Quran?
Yes. This name occurs in Surah Al-Hashr, verse 23, and in other verses (for example, Surah Ta-Ha, 114).