Malik
Malik
Malika
Category="Military ranks"Category="Monarchy"Category="Noble titles"Malik (الملك) is a word that means "king" in Arabic, alos adopted in various other oriental languages, also in derived meanings. Historical
It has been used, also in other languages that have adopted Arabic loanwords (mainly, not exclusively, in muslim cultures) for various princely or lower ranks and functions. -
- In (orthodox) Georgia
- In (orthodox) Armenia
- In certain decimally organized muslim armies in India, a high rank under Khan (see that article for details and source) commanding 10.000 horseman
Supernatural
- It is also one of the "99 Names of Allah", and is then al-Malik or The King in the absolute sense (denoted by the definite article), meaning the King of Kings, above all earthly rulers.
- In Arabic mythology, Malik denotes a terrible angel who guards the muslim Hell, assisted by 19 sbires (zabaniya) or guardians. In the Qu'ran, sura 43, 77, Malik tells the wicked who appeal to him that they must remain in Hell forever because "they abhorred the truth when the truth was brought to them." The Hebrew sister-word melekh also denotes an angel-prince
Modern cultural references
- Malik is the name of a villain from the Japanese animated series Yu-Gi-Oh!. Malik is depicted as an Egyptian whose clan guards the tomb of the Pharoah from grave robbers. He seeks to obtain the power of the Pharoah.
- Malik is also the name of one of the Prophets in the game Wild Arms 3. He is shown as youthful and agile, and, during the course of the game, is searching for a way to resurrect his mother.
- House al-Malik is one of the five major houses in the Fading Suns Universe
Sources and References
- RoyalArk - see each abovementioned state if not 'under construction'
- Davidson, A Dictionary of Angels including the Fallen Ones
- Hughes, A Dictionary of Islam
- Jewish Encylcopedia, "Angelology"
- Hastings, Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics IV, 618.]
See also