Ar-Rahmaan

Ar-Rahmaan is derived from Ar-Rahmah which means blessing or tenderness that is filled with kindness. Allah Ta'ala is Ar-Rahmaan in the sense that He is filled with mercy and enormous kindness that has no limit.

A person feels sorry for his friend when he sees him in poverty or in a certain difficulty. He wants to help him according to his ability. Sometimes, he is unable to help him even though he has the firm will to help him.
But Allah Ta'ala has ability over everything. Therefore, He is Ar-Rahmaan in the sense that He helps His servant in all circumstances when His servant asks Him for His grace and His favour. According to a Hadith, Allah Ta'ala loves His servants more than a mother loves her baby whom she is breastfeeding. Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'an-e-Kareem:

“My mercy encompasses everything…” (S7/V156)

People who are in difficulty have the tendency to think of knocking at the door of one in whom he has hope in his kindness. Sometimes, he succeeds just like sometimes, he is disappointed. Thus, why not knock at the door of Ar-Rahmaan whose door of kindness is open 7/7, night and day, in all season, with 100 percent success and guarantee?

However, the Rahmat of Allah Ta’ala descends in different forms. Sometimes, it also comes down in the form of difficulty that is called "Blessing in disguise".

The kindness of Ar-Rahmaan is not restricted to those who are in Deen only. The kindness of Ar-Rahmaan is also open to sinners because He is the Rabb of everyone. Nevertheless, is it good to abuse the kindness of such a generous Rabb who is filled with immense mercy, by disobeying Him?

اَللهُمَّ ارْحَمْنِىْ بِتَرْكِ الْمَعَاصِىْ اَبَدًا مَا اَبْقَيْتَنِىْ

"O Allah! Descend Your Rahmat (mercy) upon me by granting me the Taufeeq to always refrain from sins as long as You keep me (alive)!"

A person who has dignity will always be grateful to someone who has helped him. He will have the tendency not to displease him. A dignified person is always appreciative. Thus, a dignified person will always be grateful to Ar-Rahmaan, whose Rahmat is descending upon him continuously.

If a person is truly grateful to Allah Ta’ala, he will use the Rahmah that he has received in the form of courage, health, wealth, eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, etc. in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala.

Meditation on this attribute suffices to change our lives. It is an attribute that contains the message of affection, hope and submission to Allah Ta’ala that covers every atom of the universe by His infinite Rahmah at every instant.

[English version of "Ar-Rahmaan" – Al Jamiat – Vol.3 No.6]