If God is a perfect being, why does he desire to be glorified?
The concept of God's desire to be glorified can be understood through various verses in the Qur'an and the interpretations provided by scholars. The Qur'an emphasizes God's transcendence and perfection, stating, Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him)
37:180. This verse highlights God's exalted status above any false attributes ascribed to Him by creation.
Further, the verse Glorified is He, and High Exalted above what they say!
17:43 reinforces the idea that God is above human comprehension and any deficiencies. It illustrates that His glorification is a recognition of His inherent qualities and attributes, which are perfect and beyond comparison.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that glorification of God is not about fulfilling a need on His part but rather serves as a testament to His greatness and majesty. By glorifying God, believers acknowledge His unique position as the Creator, which fosters a relationship of reverence and gratitude between humanity and the Divine. This act of glorification is also essential for believers, as it aligns them with truth and reality, recognizing the order of existence where God is the ultimate authority.
Additionally, Majma al-Bayan notes that glorification of God serves to counter the erroneous beliefs held by some, such as the attribution of partners or sons to Him. It emphasizes His singularity and the absence of any deficiency or need in Him, thus reinforcing the understanding that God's glorification is a fundamental aspect of faith.
In essence, God's desire to be glorified is not due to any deficiency in Him but is an invitation for believers to recognize and affirm His perfection and majesty, fostering a deeper spiritual connection.
Sources
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37:180 · As-Saaffaat
37:180 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ ٱلْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him)
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17:43 · Al-Israa
17:43 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوًّۭا كَبِيرًۭا
Glorified is He, and High Exalted above what they say!
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 17:43
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 17:43
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad to say to the polytheists who claim that Allah has partners among His creation—beings worshiped alongside Him to bring them closer to Him: If your claim were true and He indeed had gods worshiped together with Him to approach Him and intercede, then those objects of worship themselves would worship Him, seek nearness to Him, and pursue means to approach Him. Therefore, worship Him alone as those whom you set up as equals in worship do; you have no need for any deity acting as an intermediary between you and Allah. Allah dislikes and rejects such intermediaries. Moreover, Allah has prohibited this practice in the messages of all His messengers and prophets. Then, Allah glorifies and sanctifies Himself, stating: "Glory be to Him, exalted above what they describe!" This rebukes the polytheists' false and unjust claim that there are other gods alongside Him. The phrase "great exaltation" signifies His supreme and lofty status. Indeed, He is Allah, the One, the Eternal Refuge, who neither begets nor is begotten, and there is none comparable to Him.
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