Al-Quddus - The Most Holy
Understanding Allah's absolute purity and transcendence beyond any imperfection.
Al-Quddus (القدوس) indicates Allah's absolute purity from any deficiency, flaw, or comparison. He is beyond what human minds can conceive and free from all that does not befit His majesty. This attribute calls believers to purify themselves and approach worship with awe. The angels constantly glorify Allah with 'Quddus' (Holy, Holy). Understanding Al-Quddus inspires pursuit of purity in thought, word, and deed, while recognizing the infinite gap between Creator and creation. It is the foundation of proper adab (etiquette) with Allah.
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth is exalting Allah, the Sovereign, the Pure.
Ibn Arabi explained that Al-Quddus represents the divine essence in its absolute unknowability—we can know His attributes but not His essence.
Quran