Chapter: Taking the title “Judge of judges” and the like

In the two Ṣaḥīḥ collections it is reported from Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The most contemptible name in Allah’s sight is that of a man who calls himself ‘King of kings’; there is no Owner but Allah.” Sufyān said, “Such as the Persian title Shāhanshāh.” In another wording: “The man who angers Allah the most on the Day of Resurrection and is the most wicked.” ⦗1⦘

His statement “akhnaʿ” means: the most debased.

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Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Tawḥīd: it clarifies that adopting a name which shares with Allah in His unique majesty is an act of associating partners with Him in Lordship.

Biographical note: Sufyān is Sufyān ibn ʿUyaynah ibn Maymūn al-Hilālī—an authoritative ḥadith scholar and jurist, born in Kufah in 107 AH, later residing in Makkah where he died in 198 AH (may Allah have mercy on him).

“...and the like” refers to titles similar to “Judge of judges,” such as “Ruler of rulers,” “Sultan of sultans,” and “Master of masters.”

“In the Ṣaḥīḥ” means in the two canonical Ṣaḥīḥ collections.

“Yusammā” is in the passive voice, i.e., he is so called and is pleased with it. Some narrations have “tasammā” with a prefixed tā, meaning he names himself with it.

“Al-amlāk” is the plural of malik (king) with a short vowel on the lām.