Ar-Rahman
Allah is Ar-Rahmaan, The One who blesses all his creation with prosperity and devoid from disparity. He is most merciful, kind and loving towards all creation. He is all inclusive and embraces all.
From the root r-h-m which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to have tenderness, gentleness, kindness to love to have mercy, to have pity to show favor and goodness to have all that is required for beneficence
Before starting any task, say “bismillah hirrahman nirrahim” which means “In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.” If you start with this you are seeking help through the name of Allah. Without Him nothing can be accomplished.
“Say: ‘He is the All-merciful'” (Quran 67:29)
“Verily, Allah has one hundred portions of mercy. From one portion the creation has been given mercy by virtue of which there is mutual love between the people and ninety nine portions are reserved for the Day of Resurrection.” Source: Sahih Muslim 2753 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Muslim.
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Those who are merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you.”
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1924 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to At-Tirmidhi
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Name: |
Ar-Rahim |
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Ar-Rahman in Arabic |
الرحمان |
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Arabic root: |
(ر ح م) |
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Ar-Rahman meaning in English: |
The Merciful |
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Ar-Rahman meaning in Urdu |
رحم کرنے والا |
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Appearance in the Quran: |
57 times |
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Tasbeeh: |
Recite Ar-Rahman100 times after prayers, especially Fajr prayers, for protection from hardships and tribulation. |
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Asma ul Husna with similar meaning: |
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The name "Ar-Rahman" is one of the 99 Names or Attributes of Allah, often referred to as the Asma-ul-Husna (the Most Beautiful Names). The literal translation of "Ar-Rahman" from Arabic is "The Most Merciful" or "The Compassionate."
The quality that the name Ar-Rahman describes is primarily that of mercy. Allah's mercy, as conveyed by this name, is all-encompassing, boundless, and beyond human comprehension. It signifies a level of compassion and kindness that goes beyond the ordinary, reflecting a mercy that is inherent to Allah's nature and an essential part of His divine attributes.
In the Quran, Allah frequently introduces Himself as Ar-Rahman, emphasizing His unparalleled mercy and benevolence.
For instance, in Surah Al-Furqan (25:70) it is stated:
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنَـٰتٍۢ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا ٧٠
"Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful."
Another verse in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:163) declares:
وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ١٦٣
"And your God is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful."
The mercy of Ar-Rahman is not limited to a specific group of people but extends to all of creation. Allah's mercy encompasses believers and non-believers alike, and it is manifest in the sustenance, guidance, and opportunities He provides to His creation. Ar-Rahman also implies that Allah's mercy is not conditional but encompasses even those who may have committed sins.
In Surah Al-A'raf (7:56), it is mentioned: "And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good."
Surah Ar-Rahman, which is the 55th chapter of the Quran, stands as a luminous testament to the infinite compassion of Allah and is entirely named after the divine attribute "Ar-Rahman." This surah serves as a powerful invocation of the Most Compassionate. In its 78 verses, Surah Ar-Rahman resounds with a rhythmic and melodious cadence, inviting believers to reflect upon the countless blessings bestowed by the Most Compassionate.
The surah recurrently poses the rhetorical question, "So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?" reinforcing the notion that every facet of existence, from the celestial heavens to the bountiful earth, is a manifestation of Allah's boundless mercy. Surah Ar-Rahman resonates with vivid descriptions of Paradise, serving as a poignant reminder of the ultimate reward for those who acknowledge and appreciate the benevolence of the Most Compassionate.
The name "Ar-Rahman," meaning "The Most Merciful" or "The Compassionate," is a profound and central concept in Islam, revealing the immense mercy and kindness of Allah. This divine attribute encourages believers to reflect on the concept of mercy in their relationship with the Creator, fostering humility, gratitude, and a reliance on Allah's boundless compassion.
Ar-Rahman naturally finds its place in daily prayers, serving as a constant reminder of Allah's mercy and a plea for guidance and forgiveness. It is incorporated into supplications and daily remembrance, deepening the connection with Allah. While there isn't a set count for recitation, regular remembrance of Ar-Rahman establishes a spiritually enriching practice.
The significance of Ar-Rahman is not confined to personal rituals. Believers can infuse this name into daily conversations, promoting a positive and compassionate discourse. Acts of kindness and compassion align with the spirit of Ar-Rahman, reflecting the divine attribute in interpersonal interactions.
Naming a child Ar-Rahman, is not advised as Allah is Ar-Rahman. However, Muslims can use Ar-Rahman with a prefix to change the meaning slightly. For example, Abd Ar-Rahman means Rahman's servant or, Fazle Rahman means Gift of Rahman, and so on. Naming your child after Allah's attributes holds deep symbolism, emphasizing a desire for the child to embody mercy and compassion throughout their life. It is a prayerful choice to seek blessings for the child's well-being and spiritual growth. In essence, Ar-Rahman goes beyond linguistic significance, serving as a source of spiritual inspiration and guidance. It shapes the lives of believers, fostering a profound awareness of Allah's mercy in their hearts.
Ar-Rahman, meaning "The Most Merciful" or "The Compassionate," is a divine attribute of Allah that emphasizes boundless mercy. Related names of Allah conveying similar meanings include the following:
Ar-Raheem, meaning "The Merciful," highlights Allah's compassionate and forgiving nature.
Al-Kareem, meaning "The Most Generous" and "The Most Esteemed," emphasizes Allah's abundant generosity and the honor bestowed upon His creation.
An-Nafi' meaning "The Propitious" and "The Benefactor," reflects Allah's role as the source of all benefits, indicating His constant favor and kindness towards His creatures.
These names collectively illuminate the multifaceted nature of Allah's mercy, kindness, and generosity, enriching the understanding of believers and inspiring a deep connection with the compassionate attributes of the Divine.
In the Quran, the name Ar-Rahman is beautifully mentioned in various verses other than Surah Ar-Rahman, further elucidating the divine attribute of unparalleled mercy.
In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:163) Allah declares
وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ١٦٣
"And your God is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him the Most Gracious the Most Merciful."
This verse underscores the oneness of Allah and emphasizes His boundless mercy as an integral aspect of His divine nature. Another notable mention is in Surah Maryam (19:58):
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ ءَادَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍۢ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَٱجْتَبَيْنَآ ۚ إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًۭا وَبُكِيًّۭا ۩
"Those are the ones upon whom Allah bestows His grace: from the prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the righteous – and how excellent are these as companions. That is the bounty from Allah, and sufficient is Allah as Knower. Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) the Most Merciful."
Regarding the Hadith, there is a profound saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that highlights Allah's mercy. In a Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira, the Prophet mentioned, "When Allah created the creation He wrote in His Book—which is with Him over the Throne—'Indeed My mercy prevails over My wrath.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 7404).
These Quranic verses and Hadith highlight the inexhaustible mercy of Ar-Rahman that is prevalent as a major theme, called upon by believers to take shelter from Allah's unlimited gracefulness and forgetting.