Reflections on the Name of Allah: Ar-Rahman
He who wills goodness and mercy for all His creatures
He is the One who blesses all His creation with prosperity and devoid from disparity. He is most merciful, kind, and loving towards all creation.
(قُلِ ادْعُوا اللَّهَ أَوِ ادْعُوا الرَّحْمَٰنَ ۖ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا فَلَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا ﴿
الإسراء 17: 110
(Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Compassionate—whichever you call, He has the Most Beautiful Names.” Do not recite your prayers too loudly or silently, but seek a way between. ) ( Al-Isra 17:110)
the name Ar-Rahman it is reserved for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ alone. It’s a quality that can’t be ascribed to anybody else. A person can be referred to as Raheem, meaning being merciful. But Ar-Rahman is understood to be all-encompassing mercy, so far-reaching that it touches everything and everyone. A kind of mercy that knows no bounds.
From the hadith, it comments on Allah’s Rahmat (mercy), “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.”
The belief in Allah’s mercy is beneficial to a believer because it causes an individual to reflect on their ability to be merciful themselves. Narrated Jarir bin `Abdullah: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.” [3] It also encourages a believer to do good, to act with virtue so that they can receive the mercy of their Lord, “As for those who believe and do good, the Most Compassionate will certainly bless them with genuine love”
The belief in Allah’s mercy is beneficial to a believer because it causes an individual to reflect on their ability to be merciful themselves. Narrated Jarir bin `Abdullah: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.” It also encourages a believer to do good, to act with virtue so that they can receive the mercy of their Lord, “As for those who believe and do good, the Most Compassionate will certainly bless them with genuine love” Maryam 19: 96
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.”
It is mentioned 57 times in the Holy Quran
Ar-Rahman: The Universal Scope of Divine Mercy
Allah’s mercy, embodied in the attribute Ar-Rahman, envelops every corner of the universe, extending beyond the bounds of time and space. This all-encompassing mercy ensures that every created being and every natural process is sustained by His compassionate regard.
“And My Mercy encompasses all things.” (Quran 7:156)
This verse reflects the profound truth that Allah’s mercy is proactive; it is not merely a response to requests but an intrinsic aspect of His divine action. It governs the ecological cycles that sustain life on Earth, the laws of physics that maintain cosmic order, and the spiritual laws that guide human behavior. Believers are encouraged to see every instance of harmony and sustenance in the universe as a sign of Allah’s merciful nature, prompting them to live responsibly and sustainably in recognition of His mercy that sustains all life.
Ar-Rahman: The Impact of Divine Mercy on Personal Conduct
The attribute of Ar-Rahman significantly influences how believers conduct themselves. Knowing that Allah is merciful instills a deep desire to embody this mercy in all interactions. This divine characteristic serves as a model for how to treat others, emphasizing leniency, kindness, and compassion.
“So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you.” (Quran 3:159)
This passage demonstrates how the Prophet Muhammad, influenced by divine mercy, adopted a gentle demeanor that drew people to him and softened their hearts. It encourages believers to adopt a similar approach in their personal and social relationships, fostering an environment where mercy begets mercy. This conduct, inspired by Allah’s attribute of Ar-Rahman, not only enhances personal relationships but also strengthens communal bonds, promoting a society founded on mutual respect and understanding.
Ar-Rahman: Reflections on the Day of Judgment
The attribute of Ar-Rahman provides critical reflections on the Day of Judgment, offering believers solace and hope. On that definitive day, Allah’s mercy becomes the believers’ refuge and hope for forgiveness and salvation.
“And Allah invites to the Home of Peace and guides whom He wills to a straight path.” (Quran 10:25)
This verse reassures believers that the ultimate goal of Allah’s guidance—a manifestation of His mercy—is to lead His servants to eternal peace, namely Paradise. The hadith about Allah reserving ninety-nine parts of His mercy for the Day of Judgment highlights His overwhelming propensity to forgive. This promise encourages believers to persist in their efforts to seek Allah’s forgiveness through repentance and good deeds, knowing that His mercy on that day will overshadow His wrath. It instills a hopeful anticipation of a merciful reckoning, where divine compassion will offer a path to redemption and eternal peace.