Al-Kabīr - The Truly Grand One

Al-Kabīr is the one who possesses grandeur. Grandeur is an expression for the perfection of the essence, (dhāt), by which I mean the perfection of existence and the perfection of existence is traceable to two things. One of them is its perpetuity, both past and future. All existence is terminated by non-existence sooner or later, and thus deficient.

If, then, the being whose period of existence is lengthy, even though its actual duration is limited, is (said to be) a kabīr (i.e. aged), then the one who always will be and always has been eternal, the one in relation to whom non-existence is inconceivable, is more worthy of being called a kabīr.

The second is that his existence is the existence from which the existence of all existing things emanates. If the one whose existence is complete in itself is perfect and grand, then the one from whom the existence of all existing things originated is more worthy of being called perfect and truly grand.

Al-Kabīr among men is the perfect one whose attributes of perfection are not restricted to himself. Rather do they extend to others besides himself. No one sits next to him without his pouring out upon the other (one) something of his own perfection. Man’s perfection lies in his reason, piety and knowledge. Al-Kabīr is the god-fearing wise one who leads people, the one who is fit to be a pattern (for others), the one from whose lights and knowledge others draw (learn). For this reason Jesus said – may peace be upon him – “The one who knows and acts (accordingly) is called mighty (ʿaẓīm) in the kingdom of the heavens”.