AR-RAHMAN, AR-RAHIM

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warhamatullah wabarakatu

Allah the Almighty, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim.

We have the Book, the Religion and Who is behind all this? Obviously not a human being, it has to be some being more powerful than we can imagine or have knowledge of. To have and gift us with this perfect deen (Islam); the solution to mankind, no human being could have the knowledge of making it up, not even a page. He is the one we worship and worthy of praise, Allah.

Allah is an Arabic term meaning, “The One” and in addition, “The Only” therefore it will be accurate to say, there is only one God, not the God of Muslims or an Arabian tribal God, No! “The One and Only God.” His not different from the God all the Prophets worshipped, the God of Adam, Nuh, Ibraheem, Musa, Daud, Issa (Jesus) peace be upon them all, they all  proclaimed monotheism.

Considering the word “Allah”, it just doesn’t mean ‘God’ but serves as a reference and a personal name, God’s personal name not to be used by any of his creation because nothing is equivalent to. In English we can use God or Lord but when we use Allah we are invoking the name, the personal name, of God. It establishes a personal touch or a pull between the human being (creation) and the Creator. In addition, the term is not a subject to plurality or gender as in English were you can have gods or god and a goddess. In Arabic this simply doesn’t exist.

Allah is He, Whom there is no other god and associate no partner; To Him belongs the Beautiful names, (the ninety nine names) all of which are Holy and speak of different attributes of the same Creator, the Almighty Allah. Allah says in Surah Al-‘Araf (Q7:180), “The most beautiful names belong to God: so call on Him by them…” Allah has described Himself in the Qur’an through His names and attributes and Muslims are asked to Call upon Allah during supplication by the Most appropriate names that relate to whT they ask for. For instance, ‘Ar-Rahman’ for ‘Ya-Rahman’, ‘The Most Compassionate’ or ‘The Most Gracious’ for when ask an invoking a favor from Allah. Actually the two commonly used attributes are ‘Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim’ in almost all supplications Muslims make and they occur together in the Qur’an. They are both derived from Rahma meaning Mercy, an element of sympathy, kindness, gentleness, compassion and love intertwined in it. Allah Subhanahu wa’taala manifests these qualities to the most perfect level with His creation.

When we talk of Allah’s Mercy, it’s not what you and I share as Muslims with akhlaq and all. Salman al-Farisi reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “Verily Allah has hundred portions of Mercy. From one portion of which has been sent down between the jinn, mankind, the animals and the insects (creation of Allah) by means of which they are compassionate and merciful to one another, and by means of which wild animals are kind to their offspring. And ninety nine portions are reserved for the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim). In Surah Al-‘Araf (Q7:156) Allah says, “…My Mercy extends to all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right and practice regular charity, and those who believe in Our Signs.” Allah is the Most Merciful of those who show Mercy and His Mercy encompasses all things.

The fact Allah says his Merciful is not only as a Name but it falls on His slaves. One aspect is that he sent down the Messengers and revealed the Books and laws to organize our lives according to ways of wisdom, far removed from hardship and difficulty. And In Surah An-Nibiyya (Q21:107) Allah says, “We sent you (O Muhammad) not, but as a Mercy for the ‘alameen [all creatures (mankind, jinn and all that exists)].” The Mercy of Allah is what will admit His believing slaves to Paradise on the Day of Resurrection. No one will ever enter Paradise because of his deeds alone, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “No one’s deeds will ever admit him to Paradise.” They said, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “No not even me, unless Allah showers me with His Mercy. So try to be near to perfection. And no one should wish for death; he is either doing good so he will do more of that, or he is doing wrong so he may repent.” (Bukhari and Muslim). So a believer must remain in a state of between hoping for the Mercy of Allah and fearing His punishment. For Allah says in Surah Al-Hijr (Q15:49-50), “Tell My servants that I am indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And that my penalty will be indeed the most grievous penalty.” In a Sahih recording by At-Tirmidhi, Abdur-Rahman bin Awf said he had the Messenger of Allah say, “Allah the Exalted One said, ‘I am Ar-Rahman. I created the Raham (womb i.e. family relations) and derived a name for it from My Name. hence, whoever keeps it I will keep ties with him, and whoever severs it, I will sever ties with him.’” He then said, “This is the text that indicates the derivation.” He then said, “The Arabs denied the name Ar-Rahman, because of their ignorance about Allah and His attributes.”

Al-Qurtubi said, “It was said that both Ar-rahman and Ar-rahim have the same meaning, such as the words Nadman and Nadim, as Abu Ubayd stated.” Ibn Abbas said, about Ar-rahman and Ar-rahim, “They are two soft names, one of them is softer than the other (it carries more implication of Mercy).” In addition, the root appears 339 times in the Qur’an in 9 derived forms. Example, ‘Turhamun’ (receive Mercy), ‘Ruhman’ (in affection) and Ar-rahimeen (of those who show Mercy).

Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim.

And Allah knows best.