Allah is Al-Azeem, The Supreme Glory and The Greatest. His reality is too great to be fully understood under the capacity of the human mind.
He is infinitely greater than His creation. It is said, His throne (symbolic of His knowledge and authority) extends over the heavens and the earth, and their care burdens Him not. He is the One deserving the attributes of Exaltment, Glory, Extolement, and Purity from all imperfection.
This name is mentioned nine times in the Qur’an but is also used to describe things more generally as Azeem (tremendous). For example, His punishment in the hereafter is described as Azeem. The Qur’an (15:87), the throne (27:26, 27:23), His grace (33:35), the day of judgment (83:5), the trials and tribulations of the children of Israel (7:141), His rewards (64:15), the upright character of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) (68:4) are all referred to as Azeem.
فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
Fasabbih bismi rabbikal azeem
“So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great
From the root ayn-za-mim (ع ظ م), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be great, large, big, to be vast, huge, enormous, to be great in rank, importance or dignity, to be imposing, powerful, superior, to be magnificent, honored, revered, to be immense, stupendous, lofty, to be above imperfection and sublime.
“Al Azim” is a superlative and means greatness, magnanimity, dignity, honor, esteem, pride…
“Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self- subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, THE SUPREME (in glory).”
The Holy Quran (2:255)
Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet ﷺ used to invoke Allah at the time of distress, saying, [2]
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
La ilaha illal-lahu Al-`Azim, al- Halim, La ilaha illal-lahu Rabbu-s-samawati wal-ard wa Rabbu-l- arsh il-azim.
“There is no God but Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing. There is no God but Allah, Lord of the magnificent Throne. There is no God but Allah, Lord of the heavens and Earth, Lord of the generous Throne.”
The Absolute Azeem is the One whose greatness cannot be grasped by vision; it is beyond all limits, so much so that no human intellect can ever absorb it. Allah has said, “He is the Most High, the Great”
(Quran, 2:255).
While contemplating the greatness of Al Azim, one can conclude anyone else besides Him is insignificant. He is the only one, and the creator of everything. Every one and everything else is limited by virtue of this logic. Nothing can be compared to him.