Source:
An-Nahj Al-Asma Fii Sharh Asmaa’u Allah-ul-husna, by Shaikh Muhammad Al-Humoud Al-Najdi
هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ
“He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.” [Al-Hashr 59:22]
Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim are two of Allah’s mightiest Names. Both Names are derived from the word Rahmah which means mercy. Ar-Rahman is a more intensive and exaggerated form than Ar-Rahim.
Ar-Rahman, when attributed to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala), means that Allah is the owner of a wide encompassing mercy that entails all of His creation in this life, and is a special gift for the believers in the Hereafter.
Ar-Rahman is one of the Names that none is allowed to be named with except Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) Alone.
The Name Ar-Rahim means the Most Merciful to the believers on the Day of Judgement, as Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Al-Ahzab (33:43):
وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيماً
“And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.”
Only one is allowed to be called Rahim as Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala), He has attributed this characteristic to His Messenger (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) in Surat At-Tawbah, (9:128):
حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“He (Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) is anxious over you, for the believers (he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) is full of pity, kind, and merciful.”
The impact of believing in these two Names:
- Whoever believes that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) is Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful, should believe also that Allah’s Mercy is so broad such that it embraces all things. It includes all that is in the heavens and on the earth, includes the righteous and the wicked, and the Muslim and the non-Muslim. There is none that exists without enjoying (and turning in) Allah’s Mercy day and night. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Al-A’raaf (7:156):
وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ
“And My Mercy embraces all things.”
There is a special mercy for the believers in this life and in the Hereafter. However, for the unbelievers, there is no mercy in the Hereafter. Also the gates of His Mercy are opened for those who want to repent after having transgressed against themselves by committing sins.
- We have to believe that Allah’s Mercy overcomes His anger. Narrated Abu Hurairah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When Allah (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) completed the creation He wrote in His Book which is with Him or on His Throne; “My Mercy has overcome My anger.” Also in Surat Al-An’am, Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) said:
كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ
“Your Lord has written Mercy for Himself.”(Al-An’am 6:54)
- Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) divided mercy into one hundred parts, and each part fills what is between the heavens and the earth. He kept 99 parts with Him and He sent one part down to earth. Because of that one single part, His creatures are so merciful to each other, that even the mare lifts its hoof away from its baby, lest it should trample on it.” [Al-Bukhari]
- One should know that as long as man is close to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) (i.e. obedient to Him) he becomes more deserving of Allah’s Mercy, because Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Al-‘Imran (3:132):
وَأَطِيعُواْ اللهَ وَالرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
“And obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) that you may obtain mercy.”
- Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) loves those who exhibit mercy and kindness. Also, Allah’s Mercy will be granted to the merciful ones among His slaves, as the Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) bestows mercy on the merciful people amongst His slaves.” [Al-Bukhari]. Also Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He, who is not merciful to others, will not be treated mercifully.” [Al-Bukhari]
- Our deeds by themselves, do not qualify us to go to Paradise. Narrated Abu Hurairah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The deeds of anyone of you will not save you [from the (Hell) Fire].” They said, “Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah’s Messenger?” He said, “No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah protects me with His Grace and His Mercy. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and practice Al-Qasd (always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course) whereby you will reach your Al-Qasd i.e. target (Paradise).” [Al-Bukhari]
- Allah’s Mercy is also shown in His commands and laws to an extent that men of understanding attest to that. His laws is a light, mercy and guidance. His laws comprises mercy and leads to the most sublime mercy, dignity, happiness and success. His laws is characterized with ease and negation of difficulty and hardship which indicates His vast mercy and generosity. All His prohibitions are mercy, because they maintain the religions of the servants, maintains their minds, honors, bodies, conduct and wealth from all evils and harms.
We must always ask for Allah’s Mercy and Grace, and call unto Him by these two Names, bearing in mind that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) is more merciful to His servants than the mother is to her child.
Always feel free to share the khair!
