Ar Rahman and Ar Rahim
As
is the case with all other beings, we also exist in a state of need. Our
existence depends on many conditions: oxygen to breathe, water and nutrients
for our bodies' physical functions, for example. The list is endless, for an infinite
number of details are essential for maintaining each person's physical
existence.
However,
all people can survive without giving much thought to meeting their needs.
Everything they need for their bodies and their survival has already been
provided and put to use. The first example that comes to mind is breathing.
Oxygen is essential for survival, but who provides the right ratio of oxygen in
the atmosphere? Or, who places the system that takes in this oxygen and
processes it so that it can be conveyed to each cell? None of these can be
attributed to anyone, for no one has any part in forming the atmosphere or
one's respiration system.
This
vital need being the foremost, every detail is designed in its most perfect and
feasible form. At this point, we encounter a superior wisdom that designs all
details and the infinite compassion that the Owner of this wisdom—Allah, the
Most Merciful—shows to us.
Allah's mercy is not limited to meeting people's physical
needs. Allah created people, placed them in the most suitable place, and, in
return, only asked them to serve Him. He also told people how to do this and
sent down books and Prophets for this very purpose. This way, Allah made
Himself known and called them to religion and moral excellence. These are obvious
signs of our Lord's infinite mercy.
Ar-Rahman
and Ar-Rahim are two names derived from Ar-Rahmah (the mercy), but Rahman has
more meanings that pertain to mercy than Ar-Rahim. There is a statement by Ibn
Jarir that indicates that there is a consensus on this meaning. Further,
Al-Qurtubi said, "The proof that these names are derived (from Ar-Rahmah),
is what At-Tirmidhi recorded - and graded Sahih from `Abdur-Rahman bin `Awf
that he heard the Messenger of Allah say,
(Allah the Exalted said, 'I Am Ar-Rahman. I created the
Raham (womb, i.e. family relations) and derived a name for it from My Name.
Hence, whoever keeps it, I will keep ties to him, and whoever severs it, I will
sever ties with him.') He then said, "This is a text that indicates the derivation.''
He then said, "The Arabs denied the name Ar-Rahman, because of their
ignorance about Allah and His attributes.''
Al-Qurtubi said, "It was said that both Ar-Rahman and
Ar-Rahim have the same meaning, such as the words Nadman and Nadim, as Abu
`Ubayd has stated. Abu `Ali Al-Farisi said, `Ar-Rahman, which is exclusively
for Allah, is a name that encompasses every type of mercy that Allah has (as
above). Ar-Rahim is what effects the believers, Thus the former is
expressive of the utmost degree of love and generosity, the latter of unbounded
and constant favor and mercy, for Allah said,
(And He is ever Rahim (merciful) to the believers.)' (33:43)
Also, Ibn `Abbas said - about Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, `They
are two soft names, one of them is softer than the other (meaning it carries
more implications of mercy).'''
