The Worst Person on the Day of Resurrection
📖Sahih Muslim 2143 b
Abu Huraira reported from Allah’s Messenger ﷺ many ahadith, and one of them was: “The most wretched person in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection and the worst person and target of His wrath would be the one who is called ‘Malik al-Amlak’ (King of Kings), for there is no king but Allah.”
Explanation:
This hadith strongly reinforces Tawheed, the absolute Oneness and Sovereignty of Allah. It declares that no human, no matter how powerful, has the right to assume the title “King of Kings”, because Allah alone holds ultimate dominion over all creation. Claiming this title is seen as arrogance and rivalry with divine authority, and thus incurs Allah’s wrath.
Does this apply to Jesus being called “King of Kings”?
Yes, the hadith does not reject someone being called a “king” in a limited or prophetic sense. Jesus was the Messiah (Al-Masih), a noble title that implies leadership and honor, But “King of Kings” is a divine title, and according to both Islamic teachings and the Bible, Jesus himself never claimed to be God or the ultimate King over all kings. Even in the Bible:
📖1 Timothy 6:15-16 (New Testament)
“…God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light…”
Here, God, not Jesus — is called “King of Kings”, and is described as immortal and unseen, which does not describe Jesus, who was seen, suffered, and died (as per Christian belief). Therefore, the title “King of Kings” belongs to Allah alone, and even Christian scripture affirms that Jesus had a God above him.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 20:114
“Exalted is Allah, the True King! Do not hasten with the Qur’an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’”
📖Quran 23:116
“So exalted is Allah, the True King; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne.”
📖Quran 5:72
“They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary’ while the Messiah has said, ‘O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ Indeed, whoever associates others with Allah—Allah has forbidden Paradise to him, and his refuge is the Fire.”
These verses show:
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Allah alone is Malik (the true King)
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Associating others with His title or role is shirk (polytheism)
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Jesus himself rejected being seen as divine or ultimate king
Conclusion:
Jesus can be called a king in the sense of being a messenger and leader for his people, but not “King of Kings”, because he had a God above him, and that title is exclusive to Allah, as confirmed by both Hadith, Qur’an, and even the Bible.