The Meaning of Al-`Alamin
Al-`Alamin is plural for `Alam, which encompasses everything in existence
except Allah. The word `Alam is itself a plural word, having no singular form.
The `Alamin are different creations that exist in the heavens and the earth, on
land and at sea. Every generation of creation is called an `Alam. Al-Farra` and
Abu `Ubayd said, "`Alam includes all that has a mind, the Jinns, mankind, the
angels and the devils, but not the animals.'' Also, Zayd bin Aslam and Abu
Muhaysin said, `Alam includes all that Allah has created with a soul.'' Further,
Qatadah said about,
[رَبِّ
الْعَـلَمِينَ]
(The Lord of the `Alamin), "Every type of creation is an `Alam.'' Az-Zajjaj
also said, "Alam encompasses everything that Allah created, in this life and in
the Hereafter.'' Al-Qurtubi commented, "This is the correct meaning, that the
`Alam encompasses everything that Allah created in both worlds. Similarly, Allah
said,
[قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ
وَمَا رَبُّ الْعَـلَمِينَ - قَالَ رَبُّ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَمَا
بَيْنَهُمَآ إِن كُنتُمْ مُّوقِنِينَ ]
(Fir`awn (Pharaoh) said: "And what is the Lord of the `Alamin'' Musa (Moses)
said: "The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, if
you seek to be convinced with certainty'') (26:23-24).
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