Name 1
الرَّحْمَن
Ar-Rahman
The Most Merciful, whose mercy embraces all that exists.
About
Ar-Rahman comes from the Arabic root r-h-m, which carries the sense of mercy, tenderness and protection. The word for the womb, rahim, shares this root. Just as the womb shelters and nourishes a life without asking anything in return, this name speaks of a mercy that is vast, unearned and all-encompassing.
The fa'lan pattern of the word conveys fullness, a mercy that overflows and fills everything. It reaches believer and unbeliever, human, animal and plant alike: every breath, every sunrise and every rainfall is a sign of it. For this reason, Ar-Rahman is used for Allah alone; no created being is ever called by this name.
In the Qur'an, Ar-Rahman appears in the basmala that opens every surah except At-Tawbah, and an entire surah bears its name. Surah Ar-Rahman opens with it and lists teaching the Qur'an, creating the human being and granting the gift of speech among the first expressions of this mercy. In Al-Isra, believers are told they may call upon Him as Allah or as Ar-Rahman, showing how closely the two names are held together.
From the Qur'an
The Most Merciful Taught the Qur'an, Created man, [And] taught him eloquence.
Reflection
The first breath you took this morning was not something you earned; it was given to you freely. Ar-Rahman reminds you that goodness reached you long before anything was asked of you. Try looking at what you have today as a gift rather than a given. You may find it easier, then, to be kind to others without keeping score.
Today's practice
Do a small kindness today for someone who expects nothing from you, and expect nothing in return.
- Dhikr
- 298times
- The abjad value of the Name
For these feelings
- Emotional · Loving
- Hopeful · Surrendered
One Name every day, with a reminder
Inner Hunt brings you one Name each day; over 99 days every Name comes once. A daily reminder calls you back to the Name of the day at the time you choose. Pick how you feel, and it shows a Name suited to that feeling.
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