In Islam, Al Aziz is one of the attributes of God. Al Aziz is associated with the view of God as a supreme power; an entity that is above and beyond his creation. Muslims believe that Goddoes not resemble human being or anything in creation.
The root of Al Aziz is "azza," which means "to strengthen, exalt, prevail, be mighty, powerful ...” (Omar, pg 371). The implications are clear; for Muslims, God as an all powerful consciousness who is beyond resembling, or appearing, as anything or anyone in His creation.
God as Al Aziz
For God to appear as anything, whether person or thing, immediately implies limitations. As an example, human beings have two legs and feet designed for upright walking, shades of skin color designed for protection of the sun, and gender in order to procreate. These attributes represent the limitations of human beings. If humans don’t have legs they can’t walk. If they don’t have melanin in their skin, they will develop skin cancer if exposed to the sun. If two genders did not exist, procreation would be impossible.
Muslims believe that God is beyond such needs and exists as one upon which all of creation needs. He has no need of legs, arms, gender, or skin color. Such attributes have led to centuries of racism, and gender biases. He is the only one who can possess the name Al Aziz (the All Powerful).
However, as the Quran explains, others have attempted to apply His name to lesser beings.
The Grand Vizier in Egypt
The Quran states that the man who purchased Joseph, and brought him to Egypt was given the title Al Aziz by the Egyptian people. Some have asked the question if this is truly the attribute of God then why does the Quran state that a human in Egypt possess that title?
“Ladies said in the City: ‘The wife of the (great) Aziz is seeking to seduce her slave from his (true) self: Truly hath he inspired her with violent love: we see she is evidently going astray.’" (Quran 12:30)
A quick perusal of that particular verse yields two interesting facts;
- The Egyptian people were deifying people of renown, giving people of popularity the highest honors of godhood. This is much like the modern concept of sainthood.
- The ones who uttered the name "Al Aziz" in the Quran is not God giving the Grand Vizier this title in the Quran but is actually God quoting the ladies of Egypt.
Thus, the title, Al Aziz, was given to the Grand vizier in Egypt but according to Islam. However, Muslim belief holds that the Egyptian people had no authority from God to bestow this honor.
Uzza in the Quran
Another variation of the root word "azza" is "uzza." Uzza was worshiped as a goddess by the Arabs during the time of Muhammad (PBUH). She was known as one of the three daughters of Allah (God). As such, she was given the same title, by the Arab people prior to the advent of Islam, that Muslims reserve for God.
“Have ye thought upon Al-Lat and Al-’Uzza and Manat…? … They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which Allah hath revealed no warrant.” (Quran 53: 19-23)
This concept is similar to the delineation of the powers of God to lesser gods, or angels, done in some modern religions. In India, Shiva, Indra, and Kali are worshiped as supreme in their own powers but fail to possess all the powers of the supreme godhead. Also, in western society the delineated powers are called angels. However, Islam strictly forbids image making, and worship of such beings as God.
It can be seen from above that azza has many forms, but only Al Aziz can be properly applied to God in his supremacy over all.
Muslims are not free to pray to saints, nor are they free to pray to angels; such beings are not God. They are only created to serve God, and are not to be worshipped. However, Muslims are free to call upon God as Al Aziz, for He is the supreme in might, and ever able to respond to the needs of His servants in Islam.
Sources:
- Abdullah Yusef Ali, The Holy Quran; With Arabic Text.
- Abdul Mannan Omar, Dictionary of The Holy Quran.
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