38/4. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2143b — The Worst Title: King of Kings
The Prohibition Of The Names Malik Al-Amlak Or Malik Al-Muluk "King Of Kings"
King of Kings Hadith: Why Malik al-Amlak Is Condemned
Sahih Muslim : 2143b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2143b
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ هَمَّامِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ، قَالَ هَذَا مَا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ أَحَادِيثَ مِنْهَا وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَغْيَظُ رَجُلٍ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَأَخْبَثُهُ وَأَغْيَظُهُ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ كَانَ يُسَمَّى مَلِكَ الأَمْلاَكِ لاَ مَلِكَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira reported from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) so many ahadith and one of them was this that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: The most wretched person in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection and the worst person and target of His wrath would of the person who is called Malik al-Amlak (the King of Kings) for there is no king but Allah.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2143bIn-book reference : Book 38, Hadith 26USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 25, Hadith 5339
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2143b
This King of Kings hadith states that a person called Malik al-Amlak is the most wretched person in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection, the worst person, and a target of His wrath. The hadith itself gives the reason: there is no king but Allah. This wording is stronger than a general advice about names. It warns against a title that places a human in a position of supreme kingship. The report keeps the focus on Allah's unique authority. A Muslim reading this hadith should understand that names and titles are not just labels. Some titles can carry meanings that are not fit for created people.
What we learn from this hadith
- The title Malik al-Amlak is severely warned against.
- The reason given is that there is no king but Allah.
- Names and titles should respect Allah's unique greatness.
- A person's title should not suggest supreme rule over all.
