AL-‘ÂLAM – العالم

Derived from the same root as the word ‘alam (علم ) which means “a mark or sign by which a thing is known.” Beings other than Allah are called ‘âlam because they are a means of their Creator being known.

Literally: A world. A realm. A universe. A class of beings. A state or period of life. A condition or circumstance of life. The generality of mankind. The public.