Ar-Rafeeq (The All-Kind)

The Name of Allaah, Ar-Rafeeq, has been mentioned in the following narration:

Narrated ’Aisha (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O ‘Aisha! Allaah is All-Kind and loves kindness. He bestows upon kindness that which He does not bestow upon harshness (severity), nor on anything else other than kindness and tenderness.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

She (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) also said: “The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in his fatal sickness, before his death, started dipping his hand in the water and rubbing his face with it, he said, ‘La ilaha illa-Allaah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah). Death has its agonies.’ He then lifted his hand (towards the sky) and started saying, ‘With the highest Rafeeq (companion),’ till he expired and his hand dropped down.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Al-Qurtubi (Rahimahullaah) said: “Ar-Rifq linguistically means easiness and lenience. Accordingly, Allaah is One Who makes easy the means of attaining all the good and the One Who grants all the good. One of the greatest blessings that Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) made easy for memorization is the Qur’an. He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said:

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ

“And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember.”(Al-Qamar 54:17)

Had it not been made easy, one would not be able to memorize. Nothing is made easy without Allaah making it easy nor is there any benefit without Allaah’s Grant or Decree.

Ar-Rifq could also mean tolerance and deliberateness. Accordingly, Ar-Rafeeq means, with regards to Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala), Al-’Haleem (the Forbearing) He Who does not hasten the punishment for those who disobey Him (among whom He cares) so that they may repent and become sorrowful, and for those whom He has written the wretchedness to increase in evil.”

Al-Khattabi (Rahimahullaah) said: “Verily Allaah is Rafeeq,” means He is not hasty. Only the one who fears to miss (anything) is hasty, while the One in Whose Hands and Ownership is everything, would not do anything hastily.” [Al-Kitab al-Asna]

The impact of believing in this Name:

Knowing that:

1- Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is attributed with kindness.

2- Allaah’s Kindness with His slaves is shown in His Mercy and Compassion to them in His legislations, laws and decrees.

3- Out of Allaah’s Kindness with His slaves that He gives respite to the disobedient among them to repent, though, if He wills, He can hasten the punishment for them.  However, He shows tolerance and deliberateness in order for them to attain the happiness in this life and Hereafter. All praises are due to Him, as many pure and blessed praises as He loves and is pleased with.

4- He (Subhana wa Ta’ala)  is Kind and loves kindness. He (‘Azza wa Jall) also loves the kind ones among His slaves. He rewards for kindness what He does not give for other good deeds.

Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) exhorted (urged) his followers to be kind, even sometimes with their enemies.

Imam al-Bukhari (Rahimahullaah) titled a chapter with “To be lenient and kind in all matters.”

‘Aisha (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated that group of Jews entered upon Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said: “As-Saam Alaikum (i.e. death be unto you).” ’Aisha (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) said: “I understood what they meant, so I said: “Wa alaikum as-saam wal-la’nah (i.e. death and curse be unto you).”

Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Be calm, O ’Aisha! Verily, Allaah loves that one should be kind and lenient in all matters.” I said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Did you not hear what they said?” He said: “I have already said ‘wa alaikum’ (i.e. and to you).” [Al-Fat-h 10/449]

She (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) also narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whenever kindness is added to something, it adorns it (it adds to its beauty), and it is not withdrawn from anything, but it makes it defective.” [Muslim]

5- Al-Qutubi said: “It is incumbent upon every Muslim to be kind in all his affairs and states. He should not be hasty, for hastiness is from the Shaitan (Satan) and it does not bring except loss and regret.”

Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to Ashaj Abd Qais (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): “You possess two qualities which Allaah loves. These are patience and deliberation (tolerance).” [Muslim]

Man should not be hasty whether in transmitting news or judging every thing he hears before verifying the truth.

• Narrated Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): A Bedouin urinated in the mosque and some people rushed to beat him. Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Leave him alone and pour a tumbler of water over it to wash it out. You have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult.” [Al-Bukhari]

Commentary:

This Hadith brings into light the fact that leniency is also vitally needed in the sphere of education and discipline. This is particularly true in the case of ignorant and ill-bred people. This is so because if they are treated unkindly, they will become more indocile on account of their wild temperament and foolishness. A kind handling is indispensable for putting them to discipline, even if they make desperate blunders. This Hadith is very beneficial with regard to the way of Da’wah, guidance and practical education. Another point this Hadith discloses is that the flow of water can wipe out dirt and impurity, and make the place free from its effect.

• Narrated Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Make things easy and do not make them difficult, cheer the people up by conveying glad tidings to them and do not repulse (them).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary:

A–  This Hadith informs us that preaching, sermons, religious discourses and moral advice all should concentrate on such things as may be helpful to people in being inclined towards gaining religious knowledge. Likewise this aspect should also be kept in view in the exposition and interpretation of religion. Moreover, the tone and mode of expression of religious leaders should not be repulsive and based on sectarian hatred, rather it should pull hearts to religion

B–  This Hadith emphasizes lenience and using the easiness whether it be regarding our deeds or dealings with others. We should use what is the easiest in all our states, even in acts of worship and when dealing with people. Because Allaah intends for us ease and He does not want to make things difficult for us, as He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) said in Surat al-Baqarah (2:185):

يريد اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ

“Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.”

For example: one has two ways to go to the mosque. One is difficult, full of stones, thorns, and the other one is easy. The best thing is to use the easiest way.

But if performing the act of worship can not be accomplished except with difficulty, there is no other option, one then performs it and gets greater reward. For example, performing ablution properly, even in difficult circumstances, is something by which Allaah expiates the sins and elevates one in rank. But choosing the difficult matter while having the option of choosing an easiest matter, this is against the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). 

One should not adopt the difficult ways neither in one’s acts of worship nor in his dealing with others.

Narrated Ibn ’Abbas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): While the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was delivering a Khutba (religious talk), he saw a man standing, so he asked about that man. They (the people) said: “It is Abu Israel who has vowed that he will stand and never sit down, and he will never come in the shade, nor speak to anybody, and will fast.” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Order him to speak and let him come in the shade, and make him sit down, but let him complete his fast.” [Al-Bukhari]

C–  Give glad tidings to yourselves and others, i.e. if you did a good act, give glad tidings to yourselves that Allaah will accept it from you if you feared Allaah and if you invoked Allaah. Give glad tiding to yourself that Allaah will respond to your request, because Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) says in Surat Ghafir (40:60):

ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ

“Call upon Me, I will respond to you.”

Also, when visiting a sick, say: “Receive the good news, you are good, be patient and hope the reward from Allaah, etc.” In this way you will cheer him up. Adopt this way with yourself and others, by entering the joy and happiness in your heart and the hearts of others.

D–  He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then said, “Don’t repulse the people,” especially as regard the good deeds.

An example of this would be the Imam prolonging the congregational prayer, exceeding the Sunnah. Once Mu’adh bin Jabal (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) led the Isha prayer and recited Surat al-Baqarah. Somebody left the Salat and Mu’adh criticized him. The news reached the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and he said to Mu’adh, “You are putting the people to trial,” and order him to (recite) two medium Surahs of Mufassal*. [1]

He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) advised another man and said, “Some of you make people dislike good deeds [the Salat (prayer)]. So whoever among you leads the people in Salat should shorten it because among them are the weak, the old and the one who is in a state that requires urgent relief.” [Al-Bukhari]

• Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who is deprived of kindness and gentleness is, in fact, deprived of all good.” [Muslim]
• Narrated ‘Aisha (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha): Whenever the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was given a choice between two matters, he would (always) choose the easier course as long as it was not sinful to do so; but if it was sinful he was most strict in avoiding it. He never took revenge upon anybody for his own sake; but when Allaah’s Legal Bindings were outraged, he would take revenge for Allaah’s Sake. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary:

The two things between which Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would make his choice could be religious or worldly. For instance, if he were asked to award one of the two punishments to somebody, he would choose the milder one. And if he had the liberty of choice between two obligations, he would opt for the easier one. Between war and peace he would two obligations, he would opt for the easier one. Between war and peace he would always go for peace, provided it involved the interest of Islam and Muslims. Moreover, in all matters he used to take the line of least resistance, so long as it went without the disobedience of Allaah.

In this Hadith, a principle has been defined for Muslims in general as well that they are free to take to an easy way, but this must not entail a loophole in respect of the Shari’ah. Secondly, the most excellent character of Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also comes to our view that he never retaliated for personal reason. His extraordinary concern for the sanctity of Islamic Law is also displayed by the fact that he could never tolerate the transgression of Allaah’s limits, and the transgressor was sure to be punished by him.

* Surahs starting from chapter 50 till the end of the Qur’an.

• Narrated Ibn Mas’oud (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I not tell you whom the (Hell) Fire is forbidden to touch? It is forbidden to touch a man who is always accessible (close to the people), soft, lenient and is kind hearted (i.e. having polite and tender nature).” [At-Tirmidhi]

Commentary:

The Hadith throws light on a kind bearing which is rooted in Faith and saves man from Hell-fire. To be close and kind to the people, fulfil their needs and make easy for them their affairs. The second lesson is that prior to discussing something important with somebody we should make him attentive and receptive, so that he may take interest and put faith in what we tell him.

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* Surahs starting from chapter 50 till the end of the Qur’an.

Sources:

📚  An-Nahj al-Asma Fii Sharh Asma’ Allaah ul-Husna, by Shaikh Muhammad al-Humoud an-Najdi.

📚  Riyadh us-Saliheen, published by Dar-us-Salam.

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