الْعَلِيُّ
The Highest
Al-'Aliyy
The Highest
The One who is exalted above all things in essence and attributes, occupying the highest station.
Bakara 2:255
Virtue
Al-'Aliyy declares that Allah's exaltedness, transcendence, and station stand above all things. In Ayat al-Kursi (Al-Baqarah 2:255) we read: 'He is the Most High, the Magnificent.' This exaltedness is not spatial; it is the expression of an unparalleled perfection in Allah's essence and attributes. The servant who reflects on this name says in sajdah 'Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la' (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High), placing the forehead on the earth—remembering that the body belongs to the ground while the sky lives in the heart's prostration. However lofty life's ambitions, all are small beside Al-'Aliyy's loftiness. The heart finds true exaltation in submitting to Him.
Related Hadith
Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: In ruku' the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to glorify 'Subhana Rabbiyal-'Azim,' and in sajdah 'Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la.'
[Müslim, Salât, no. 772]
