Ar-Rashid
Allah is Ar-Rasheed, the one who guides to rectitude. Allah is the supreme director to the right path and belief. He does not compel people into religion, he has shown the right path through his messengers.
From the root r-sh-d which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be directed aright to be caused to follow the right course to be directed to take the right way to be caused to hold a right belief to adopt the right path.
Allah’s name Ar-Rasheed is not directly used in the Quran. There are verses related to the attributes of this name.
There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. (Quran 2:256)
Say, [O Muhammad], “It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, ‘Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur’an. It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will never associate with our Lord anyone. And [it teaches] that exalted is the nobleness of our Lord (Quran 72:1-3)
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Name: |
Ar-Rashid |
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Ar-Rashid in Arabic: |
الرشید |
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Arabic root: |
(ر ش د) |
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Ar-Rashid meaning in English: |
The Right in Guidance |
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Ar-Rashid meaning in Urdu: |
صحیح راہ پر چلانے والا |
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Appearance in the Quran: |
The exact name is not mentioned. |
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Tasbeeh: |
Frequently recite Ya-Rasheedu for spiritual guidance and clear direction in life. |
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Ar-Rashid with similar meaning: |
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The name Ar-Rashid comes from the Arabic root (ر ش د), which means guidance, wisdom, and right direction. It refers to the quality of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as the One who directs His creation towards what is best for them. He knows everything, has all the knowledge, and is even aware of our intentions. He knows what is right and wrong for His creations and always wants us to do the beneficial actions for us. His guidance is error-free, His wisdom is absolute, and He is the ultimate judge. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the only One who leads His servants towards success in the life of the world and hereafter.
Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah:
وَاللہُ يَہْدِيْ مَنْ يَّشَاۗءُ اِلٰى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَـقِيْمٍ
Translation: “For God shows whom He please the path that is straight” (Quran 2:213)
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) guides us so we follow the right path and is the only One who makes sure that we get the best results. He guides us so we are different from those who do not follow Allah’s path and will eventually lead to hell. His guidance is pure, and His love for us is unconditional.
The name Ar-Rashid describes the quality of Allah as the One with perfect wisdom and He is the One who guides His creation towards the right path. He provides us with the best direction, helps us to make the best decision, and the most beneficial path for His servants. He (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) not only guides us spiritually but also about every aspect of life, including personal, social, and professional.
Allah’s name, Ar-Rashid, tells us that He grants us clarity in mind and understanding of anything we might find difficult. Allah helps us to differentiate between right and wrong, and His wisdom is beyond human limited scope. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) never forces anything on us, and He only grants it to those who seek it with sincerity.
The best dua we can make to seek guidance is in the first Surah of the Quran, where Allah says:
اِھْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَـقِيْمَ
صِرَاطَ الَّذِيْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْہِمْ ۥۙ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَيْہِمْ وَلَاالضَّاۗلِّيْنَ
Translation: Guide us to the straight path - The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked (your) anger or of those who are astray. (Quran 1:6 and 1:7)
In another place, in Surah Al-Qahaf, Allah says,
قَالُوْا يٰقَوْمَنَاۗ اِنَّا سَمِعْنَا كِتٰبًا اُنْزِلَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مُوْسٰى مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْہِ يَہْدِيْۗ اِلَى الْحَـقِّ وَاِلٰى طَرِيْقٍ مُّسْـتَقِيْمٍ
Translation: “O our people:” they said: “We have listened to a Book which has come down on Moses, confirming what was (sent down) before it, showing the way to the truth and a path that is straight.” (Quran 46:30)
When you call upon Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as Ar-Rashid, which means the One who Guides, you put your trust in Allah that He will guide you and show you the right path. It teaches us that when we seek guidance, Allah is always there to help us and get us out of trouble. He (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) never abandons His servants, and He provides us with everything even when we find all doors closed.
The name Ar-Rashid signifies that accurate guidance comes from Allah, and we can only get it when we have pure intentions. Not everyone is granted wisdom, but only those who seek it. Ibn’Abbas (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Translation: “For whomever Allah want good, he gives him understanding in the religion.” (Jami at-Tirmidhi, Book 41, Hadith 01)
Ar-Rashid has a deep meaning as it highlights the fact that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the most powerful and He is the only One who can guide us to the right path. It increases our trust in Allah, and when we know that Allah guides only those who seek it, it encourages us to perform deeds that bring us closer to Allah and keep us on the right path.
Reciting Ar-Rashid frequently is the best way to seek guidance from Allah, and ask Him for advice for your decisions. So, when you face any difficulty or have to make a difficult choice, like the decision of a job or marriage, you can frequently do the zikr of Ya Rashidu and see the help coming from the Almighty. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) loves those who seek guidance, ask for help from Him alone, and work hard to keep themselves up on the straight path.
There is no preferable time to recite the name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), but morning and evening are considered the most suitable time. You can recite Ya-Rashid as often as you want to seek guidance and wisdom in all your affairs.
The best time to recite Ar-Rashid other than daily azkaar is when you face any difficulty in making a decision or you feel lost or confused and want direction. Calling Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) Ar-Rashid, in times of stress and while making a decision, can bring help and guidance from the Almighty. Remember, Allah gives guidance to only those who seek it.
As Muslims, we firmly believe Allah to be Ar-Rashid. We all know that only Allah guides us to the straight path and protects us from falling astray because He loves us and wants our eternal destination to be Jannah. By believing in the name of Ar-Rashid, we acknowledge that Allah’s guidance is the most perfect, and He will help us whenever we are distressed and severely want honest guidance.
You can call upon Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as Ya Rashidu whenever making an important decision and seeking guidance from the Almighty. Ask for His guidance by calling Him as Ya Rashidu in matters of life and religion. You can say this dua was taught by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It was narrated that Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me: ‘Say: O Allah, guide me and make me steadfast.” (Sunan an-Nasai, Book 48, Hadith 173)
Yes, Muslims do keep their son’s name as Rashid, as this name describes the quality of Allah, but for humans, it can mean the rightly guided one, wise, or mature. You can also name your son Abdur Rashid, Servant of The Righteous Teacher.