Q: I am pleased to direct this humble letter to Your Eminence, as I am addressing one of the most prominent personalities in the Islamic world. I hope that you will be patient enough to read my letter. May Allah grant you the best of rewards.Dhul-Jalali wal-Ikram (The Possessor of Majesty and Honor) is one of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah, which denotes honoring and glorifying Him above all things. I read a letter sent from Your Eminence to the Saudi King, wherein you began by saying, "Your Majesty The King". Do you not agree with me that Majesty is particular to Allah Alone, and that "Al-Malik" (The King) is one of His Most Beautiful Names which is impermissible to name anyone else after, regardless of who that person is?" Please clarify this issue, so that Muslims do not commit a sin by glorifying people using the attributes which Allah has reserved for Himself alone. The only exceptions are "Ra'ouf" (Compassionate) and "Rahim" (Merciful), the two attributes of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).Coincidentally, while I was reading "The Arabic Magazine", issue no. 89, I came across a letter of gratitude sent by Mr. Muhammad Al-Nuaysir, the Office Manager of the Saudi King's bureau. It was addressed to those in charge of (Part No. 3; Page No. 163) the magazine. He started his letter with, "His Majesty, the King, may Allah protect him, received your letter which included issues of the magazine...)" Do you agree with me regarding the ruling on saying: His Majesty the King?

A: Many names are shared between Allah and His creatures in structure and connotation. They are accorded to Allah in a meaning particular to Him which befits His Majesty; and attributed to creatures in a manner befitting them. For instance, it is said that Allah is Most-Forbearing; and Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was forbearing as well, but not in the same way as Allah. Allah is Compassionate and Merciful; and Muhammad (peace be upon him) was compassionate and merciful also, but not in the same way as Allah. Allah is Majestic, Generous, and the Possessor of Majesty and Honor; and all prophets were majestic and generous, but not in the same manner as each other or as Allah. Allah is Alive, and many of His creatures are alive, but not in the same way. Allah, Jibril, and the righteous believers are the Supporters of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him); however, Jibril and the righteous believers do not possess the same power as Allah in protecting and supporting the Messenger (peace be upon him). There are numerous examples mentioned in the Qur'an and authentically reported in the Sunnah. This does not entail likening a creature to the Creator in name, attributes, or manner of being addressed. (Part No. 3; Page No. 164) The evidence related to this indicates the difference between the perfection of Allah in His Names and Attributes and that of creatures which is limited in a manner befitting them.You can refer to the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). If you ponder over this issue for a while, the matter will become clear to you, by the Power of Allah. You can refer also to what was mentioned by the Shaykh of Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be merciful to him) in the beginning of the thesis entitled Al-Tadmuriyyah, as he has spoken in detail about this issue.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.