causes him such harm and detriment that he is moved to prevent anyone seeking to share it with him. Majesty and greatness, however, befit none but Allah, Lord of the worlds—the Lord, the Creator, the Originator, the Self-Sufficient, the One upon whom all depend, the Self-Subsisting Sustainer—not the created servant, who is poor and needy. Majesty is above greatness, just as He made the former a cloak and the latter a waist-wrapper.

Thus, the prescribed formula in acts of worship is “Allāhu akbar” (Allah is greater), not “Allāhu a‘zam” (Allah is more magnificent). This applies in prayer, the call to prayer, the festivals, the pilgrimage rites, and on high ground. Indeed, if the caller to prayer were to say “Allāhu a‘zam,” “Allāhu al-kabīr” (Allah is the Great), or “Allāhu al-akbar” (Allah is the Greatest), all Muslims would regard him as having altered the law of Islam, and they would all condemn it. Likewise, if the prayer leader began saying “Allāhu a‘zam” instead of “Allāhu akbar,” or said “Allāhu al-kabīr” or “Allāhu al-akbar,” the Muslims would hasten to condemn it. Any jurist who permits this is merely expressing an opinion; if that were to pass into