Lesson 05 – Ar-Rahman (The Most Beneficent)
- Ramadan Lectures
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- Ramadan Lectures 1446 AH – The Most Beautiful Names of Allah
In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Dear noble brothers, today we explore another of Allah's Most Beautiful Names, and the Name for today is Ar-Rahman.
﴾ Say (O Muhammad PBUH): "Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Beneficent (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names" ﴿
Ar-Rahman, in Arabic language, is words that resemble the active participle, and this Name is stronger than Ar-Raheem (The All-Merciful). As for human beings, mercy is something instilled in the heart, and it leads one to be merciful towards others. It is manifested in being forbearing, kind, supportive, and warm-hearted.
Being merciful means that there is someone who will receive that mercy. However, when we say Allah, may His Glory be glorified, is Ar-Rahman, this Name is exclusive to Him, Exalted and Sublime be He, and it cannot be used to describe anyone other than Him, as it is an attribute that belongs solely to Allah.
Ar-Rahman is an attribute of Allah, and it represents His Non-Finite Mercy towards all people (believers and non-believers), in the sense that He provides them all with food, water, and protection. Hence, Allah's mercy embraces both believers and non-believers.
To clarify, let us consider the example of a father with two children: one of them is dutiful to him, while the other is not. This father provides them both with food and buys them both clothing on Eid. However, who is in his heart? Certainly, it is the dutiful one, although he treats both of them equally.
