Ar-Rahman1
The All-Compassionate
He who desires goodness and mercy for all His creatures is Allah, Ar-Rahmaan. He blesses all His creation with prosperity and eliminates disparity. He is the most merciful, kind, and loving towards all creation. His Rahma encompasses and embraces everything.
Name and Meaning
Ar-Rahman (ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ) is one of the 99 beautiful names of Allah, meaning “The Most Compassionate” or “The Entirely Merciful.” It comes from the Arabic root Ra-Ḥa-Mim (ر-ح-م), which refers to mercy, compassion, and tenderness.
Allah’s Infinite Compassion
The name Ar-Rahman highlights Allah’s mercy that covers all of His creation—humans, animals, and everything in the universe—regardless of their actions or beliefs. This mercy is not limited, and it encompasses all time, space, and beings. It shows the boundless, unconditional kindness Allah gives to all living things.
Mention in the Quran
This beautiful name appears frequently in the Quran. One clear example is in Surah Ar-Rahman (55:1), Its repeated mention reminds Muslims of Allah’s overwhelming love and care:
Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem
Ar-Rahman is often mentioned together with Ar-Raheem (The Most Merciful). While both names are about Allah’s mercy, there is a slight difference:
- Ar-Rahman: Mercy for all creation.
- Ar-Raheem: Mercy especially for the believers. This pairing is seen at the beginning of almost every surah in the Quran in the phrase: “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem” (In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful).
A Lesson for Believers
Reflecting on the name Ar-Rahman encourages Muslims to show kindness, empathy, and compassion in their daily lives. Just as Allah’s mercy is limitless, believers are encouraged to act mercifully toward others—whether through forgiveness, helping those in need, or being gentle in their words and actions.
