(By: M. Javed Naseem)
سَبِّحِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ ٱلأَعْلَىٰ
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ
‘Glorify the name of your Lord, the
Most High, Who has created (everything),
and then proportioned it.’
(Quran 87:1-2)
Rahman is the preferred and chosen name of Allah that He mentioned in the Holy Quran 57 times. The Quran starts with His name ‘Allah’ (Bismillah …) and then follows it with the best attributes ‘Rahman’ and ‘Raheem’ (or Rahim).
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Translation: In the name of Allah,
the Most Beneficent,
the Most Merciful.
In foreign language translations this Arabic word ‘Rahman’ is commonly translated and understood as gracious, beneficent, kind, compassionate, merciful, affectionate, etc., just like the word ‘Raheem’ that means merciful or kind. The reason for that is that both words (Rahman and Raheem) stem from the same root. These are derived from the Arabic word ‘Rahmah’ or “Rah’m” (meaning mother’s womb, mercy, love, etc.).
Al-Qurtubi said: ‘The proof that these names are derived from ar-Rahmah, is what the Hadith al-Tirmidhi recorded (and graded Sahih) from Abdur-Rahman bin Awf that he heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) say:
Allah the Exalted said, ‘I am Ar-Rahman.
I created the Raham (womb of a mother,
mercy), 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. The Arabs denied the name Ar-Rahman because of their ignorance about Allah and His attributes.’
Here is the proof from the Holy Quran, Surah al-Furqan. Allah, the Most Gracious, says:
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱسْجُدُواْ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ
قَالُواْ وَمَا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ
أَنَسْجُدُ لِمَا تَأْمُرُنَا وَزَادَهُمْ نُفُوراً
‘And when it is said to them: ‘Prostate
to the Most Beneficent (Rahman)!
They say: ‘And what is the Most
Beneficent? Shall we fall down in
prostration to that which you (O
Muhammad, s.a.w.) command us?’
And it increases in them only aversion.’
(Quran 25:60)
The Arabs of those days (that includes the Jews and the Christians as they are also the offspring of Arab tribes, sons of Abraham who was neither a Jew nor a Christian) were very stubborn and ignorant people. Unfortunately, many among them still are. They did not accept the message. In every era, they took refuge in their ignorance and gave real hard time to all the Messengers of Allah. They assaulted them, stoned them, plotted and tried to kill them and even killed some of them. They were very harsh with Mary (Maryam); they brutally killed Zakaria and his son Yahya; they gave hard time to Moses and Aaron; they were very cruel to Jesus; and they tried to do the same thing with Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).
And the legacy continues as we see and face the wrath of non-believing forces. As they say, it is the same stuff in a different packing. They try to cover it up and when they cannot (as they are exposed), they justify it by calling it a ‘clash of civilizations’. Believe me, the same clash is going on and on since the period of Prophet Abraham, or even before. The only thing different is the tactics or the means.
A believer, or a true Muslim, is a symbol of humility, good conduct and appreciable manners. He cannot lower himself down to a level that is below dignity, although he is down-to-earth kind of a person. He believes in values and shows it. Allah says:
وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَىٰ ٱلأَرْضِ
هَوْناً وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الجَاهِلُونَ قَالُواْ سَلاَماً
‘And the slaves of the Most Beneficent
(Rahman) are those who walk on the
earth in humility and sedateness, and
when the foolish address them (with
bad words) they reply back with mild
words of gentleness.’
(Quran 25:63)
In many Surahs (chapters) of the Holy Quran, the Almighty used the word ‘Rahman’ instead of Allah, because Rahman delivers the same meaning, with same force. It also means that Allah loves this name or attribute because it perfectly describes Him. When He talked about creation and His Throne, He referred to Himself as Rahman again:
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَٱلأَرْضَ
وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ
ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ
فَاسْأَلْ بِهِ خَبِيراً
‘Who created the heavens and the earth
and all that is between them in six days.
Then He rose over the Throne (in a manner
that suits His Majesty). The Most Beneficent
(Rahman or Allah). Ask Him (O Prophet
Muhammad, s.a.w.), (concerning His
Qualities, His rising over His Throne,
His creations, etc.), as He is The All
Knower of everything (i.e. Allah).’
(Quran 25:59)
M. Pickthal translated the middle phrase (Ask Him, O Prophet) of this verse differently. According to Pickthal, the phrase ‘Ask Him’ does not refer to Allah but to ‘anybody’ who knows Allah. Here is Pickthal’s version:
‘Who created the heavens and the earth
and all that is between them in six days,
then He mounted the Throne: The
Beneficent! Ask any one informed
concerning Him!’
(Quran 25:59)
Both words (Rahman and Raheem) refer to mercy but there is a big difference in the connotation, usage and the sense of meanings of the both.
Rahman is same as Allah. In the Holy Quran, The Almighty never used this attribute for anybody (or anything) else except for Himself. On the other hand, the attribute or the name Raheem (or Rahim) has been used in the Holy Quran for Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) too.
لَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ
عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ
بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
‘Verily, there has come unto you a
Messenger (Muhammad, s.a.w.) from
amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you
know well). It grieves him that you
should receive any injury or difficulty.
He (Muhammad, s.a.w.) is anxious
over you (to be rightly guided, to repent
to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and
forgive your sins, in order that you may
enter paradise and be saved from the
punishment of the Hellfire), for the
believers he (Muhammad, s.a.w.) is
full of pity, kind and merciful.’
(Quran 9:128)
In the above-mentioned verse Allah uses the attribute ‘Raheem’ for Prophet Muhammad, (s.a.w.) But Allah chose the name (or attribute) ‘Rahman’ exclusively for Himself. In many verses of the Holy Quran the word Allah has been replaced to refer to The Almighty God. I have selected to mention in this article all the verses (Ayaht) of the Holy Quran where Rahman is used instead of Allah. He says in Surah (Chapter) Ta-Ha:
ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱسْتَوَىٰ
‘The Most Beneficent (Al-Rahman)
Rose over the Mighty Throne in a
Manner that suits His Majesty.’
(Quran 20:5)
Pickthal’s translation reads: ‘The Beneficent One, Who is established on the Throne’. In this verse Allah refers to Himself as ‘Rahman’.
So, what does it mean? In simple words it means that Rahman is the Creator and Raheem the creation. Rahman is the Possessor and also the Creator of Raheem. It cannot be explained more simply than that. And that is the reason that Allah exclusively used this word in the Holy Quran for Himself. He possesses and bestows mercy on His creation (man). Thus man shows mercy to others in his actions and dealings.
It is recorded in the Sahih Bukhari: Narrated Usama bin Zaid: ‘We were with the Prophet (s.a.w.) when suddenly there came to him a messenger from one of his daughters who was asking him to come and see her son who was dying. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said (to the messenger), ‘Go back and tell her that whatever Allah takes is His, and whatever He gives is His, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world). So order her to be patient and hope for Allah’s reward’.
But she sent the messenger to the Prophet (s.a.w.) again, swearing that he should come to her. So the Prophet (s.a.w.) got up, and so did Sa’ad bin Ubada and Mu’adh bin Jabal (and went to her). When the child was brought to the Prophet (s.a.w.) his breath was disturbed in his chest as if it were in a water skin. On that the eyes of the Prophet (s.a.w.) became flooded with tears, whereupon Sa’ad said to him, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! What is this?’ The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, ‘This is mercy which Allah has put in the hearts of His slaves, and Allah bestows His mercy only on those of His slaves who are merciful to others.’
As far as mercy is concerned, Rahman is more intensive and profound than Raheem. Some Arab scholars say that Raheem pertains to the mercy of Allah for the believers while Rahman encompasses the whole universe. I personally don’t find any reason to limit the mercy of Raheem to the believers alone. He is the Lord of the Universe, therefore, His mercy also encompasses the entire universe:
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ
ٱلرَّحْمـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
‘All the praises and thanks be to
Allah, The Lord of the Worlds
(mankind, Jinns and all that exists).
The Most Beneficent (Rahman),
The Most Merciful (Raheem).’
(Quran 1:2-3)
As a matter of fact, Raheem means the one who practices mercy as he is compassionate, merciful, affectionate, kind, loving, caring, etc. A mother’s mercy towards her child, a parent’s affection or compassion towards his/her children, a teacher’s guiding help to his pupils or a generous person’s act of charity towards the needy, a boss’s kindness towards his employees, they all fall in this category – being ‘raheem’ or merciful. Even the wild animals show mercy and kindness towards their offspring.
According to Sahih Bukhari, narrated Abdullah bin Amr:
‘Abu Bakr As-Siddiq said to the Prophet (s.a.w.), ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Teach me an invocation with which I may invoke Allah in my prayers.’ The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, ‘Say: O Allah! I have wronged my soul very much (oppressed myself), and none forgives the sins but You; so please (Allah) bestow Your Forgiveness upon me. No doubt, You are the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’
The Almighty likes it when His slaves (true believers) invoke Him by good names like Rahman (or Ghafour or Ghaffar or Raheem). He tells the believers:
قُلِ ٱدْعُواْ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدْعُواْ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنَ
أَيّاً مَّا تَدْعُواْ فَلَهُ ٱلأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ
‘Say (O Muhammad): Invoke Allah or
invoke the Most Beneficent (Rahman),
by whatever name you invoke Him
(it is the same), for to Him belong
the Best Names.’
(Quran 17:110)
There are also other names or attributes that Allah used in the Holy Quran and He commands the believers to invoke Him by the best names or attributes. He says:
وَللَّهِ ٱلأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا
وَذَرُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِيۤ أَسْمَآئِهِ
سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ
‘And (all) the Most Beautiful Names
belong to Allah, so call on Him by them,
and leave the company of those who
belie or deny (or utter impious speech
against) His Names. They will be
requited for what they used to do.’
(Quran 7:180)
Pickthal’s translation: ‘Allah’s are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them. And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names. They will be requited what they do’.
Here is a little piece of advice. When we name our children, we should choose the best names. If we choose a name from the 99 names or attributes of Allah, for a baby boy, we should add to it a sub-attribute or a relative clause or a subordinate pronoun. For example, we cannot name a child Rahman Khan. No, that name belongs to Allah alone (I mean Rahman, and not Khan). We should add ‘Abdel’ (meaning: slave, servant) to it, thus making it Abdel-Rahman Khan; and it is pronounced as Abder- or Abdur-Rahman (language rules!) Khan.
Allah loves ‘Tawheed’ – absolute Oneness. He also loves those who believe in it and always acknowledge it. One of His favorite names is ‘Wahid’ or ‘Ahad’ meaning ‘the One and the Only’. This is best mentioned in Surah Ikhlaas (Chapter 112) of the Holy Quran:
قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَّهُ كُفُواً أَحَدٌ
‘Say (O Muhammad): He is Allah,
The One. The Self-Sufficient Master,
Whom all creatures need, He neither
eats nor drinks. He begets not,
nor was He begotten. And there
is none co-equal or comparable
unto Him.’
(Quran 112:1-4)
According to one Hadith (Prophet’s saying) recorded in Sahih Bukhari, it is related from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri that a man heard another man reciting, ‘Say: He is Allah, Absolute Oneness’ (Quran 112:1) and he repeated it. In the morning he went to the Prophet (s.a.w.), and mentioned that to him. It seemed as if the man thought that it was insufficient. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "By the One who has my soul in His hand, it is equal to a third of the Qur'an."
That shows how Rahman rewards His servants who praise Him and acknowledge His Oneness (Tawheed). If you recite this verse or verses (112:1-4), you get the reward from Allah as if you had recited one-third of the Holy Quran. By the way, Allah rewards you at least ten Hasanas (good deeds) for each letter of the Holy Quran you recite. Now that is Rahman in action – showering His mercy on us.
In the Holy Quran, the Almighty Allah keeps reminding the believers or faithful slaves that He is the One to be worshipped and remembered. He says:
وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ
لاَّ إِلَـٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
‘And your God is One God.
There is none who has the right
To be worshipped but He, the
Most Beneficent (Rahman), the
Most Merciful (Raheem).’
(Quran 2:163)
Those who believe in His revelations and His Oneness, and obey His commands, they are given glad tiding. Allah says about these people:
جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ ٱلَّتِى وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ
عِبَادَهُ بِٱلْغَيْبِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ وَعْدُهُ مَأْتِيّاً
‘They will enter Eden Paradise
(everlasting Gardens), which the
Most Beneficent (Rahman) has
promised to His slaves in the
unseen. Verily, His Promise
must come to pass.’
(Quran 19:61)
And again in another verse of the same Surah, Allah assures His faithful slaves:
يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ وَفْداً
‘The Day We shall gather the pious
Unto the Most Beneficent (Rahman),
Like a delegate (presented before a
King for honour).’
(Quran 19:85)
Those who are mistaken or have some misconception about the creation and The Creator, Allah gives them a second chance. They are given the time till their death to choose the right path. They can repent and join the true believers in worshipping and praising Allah, the Almighty, Lord of the universe. Here is a warning for them. After that, it will be too late:
قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلضَّلاَلَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ
لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ مَدّاً حَتَّىٰ إِذَا رَأَوْاْ
مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا ٱلعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ
فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكَاناً وَأَضْعَفُ جُنداً
‘Say (O Muhammad, s.a.w.), whoever
is in error, the Most Beneficent (Rahman)
will extend (the rope) to him, until,
when they see that which they were
promised, either the torment or the Hour.
They will come to know who is worst in
position, and who is weaker in forces.’
(Quran 19:75)
Defying Allah’s Oneness is the worst sin a human can commit. Allah gets angry with those who do not believe in Tawheed (His Oneness) and ascribe sons, daughters, offspring or spouses to Him. They are considered as rebellious people.
وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَلَداً
‘And they say: The Most Beneficent
(Rahman) has begotten a son (or
offspring or children.’
(Quran 19:88)
أَن دَعَوْا لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ وَلَداً
وَمَا يَنبَغِى لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَداً
إِن كُلُّ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَٱلأَرْضِ
إِلاَّ آتِى ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَبْداً
‘That they ascribe a son (or offspring
or children) to the Most Beneficent
(Rahman). But it is not suitable for
(the Majesty of) the Most Beneficent
(Rahman) that he should beget a son
(or offspring or children). There is
none in the heavens and the earth but
comes unto the Most Beneficent
(Rahman) as a slave.’
(Quran 19:91-93)
The Almighty further clarifies that all those people or prophets that are ascribed to Him, were actually the faithful servants or slaves of Allah:
وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَلَداً
سُبْحَانَهُ بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّكْرَمُونَ
‘And they say: ‘The Most Beneficent
(Rahman) has begotten a son (or
children)’. Glory to Him! They
(those whom they call children of Allah,
i.e. the angels, Jesus son of Mary,
Ezra, etc.) are but honored slaves.’
(Quran 21:26)
Every body depends on Rahman for survival and He provides for them. In return, the creation needs to be grateful and appreciative to the Creator. It does not work one way. We cannot play smart with Allah. We just cannot use Him to have good time in the Earth. Good time is always short-lived, conditional and has its price-tag. When Allah tells us that this worldly good time is only temporary and we should work hard for the real happy life of the Hereafter, we need to get serious. The life in the Hereafter is real, everlasting and eternal.
Sometimes it happens so that humans, out of respect and affection, or out of ignorance, attribute things or elements to the Almighty that are not worthy. Those things or elements are part of the creation and Allah (Rahman) is the Creator, independent of all and everything.
I live in a so-called Arab country. It is very common there that parents name their baby-girl ‘Malak’ (‘angel’). That comes out of love and affection, but at the same time out of ignorance. That girl or angel ‘Malak’, in her teens, starts fooling around with teenage boys or young men. How can one justify an angel ‘Malak’ doing that? Those ‘angels’ go to school with boys who are not angels, unfortunately. The French culture and co-education is promoted in all educational institutions, government or private.
The real angels are not females. Allah did not create them as females, therefore, it is a great sin to attribute to Allah something that is not true. The concept of ‘female angels’ has been promoted by the followers of Satan and non-Muslims. It has been going on since centuries. Allah is aware of that and does not like it. He asks those people:
وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلْمَلاَئِكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ
إِنَاثاً أَشَهِدُواْ خَلْقَهُمْ سَتُكْتَبُ شَهَادَتُهُمْ وَيُسْأَلُونَ
‘And they make the angels who
themselves are slaves to the Most
Beneficent (Rahman) females. Did
they witness their creation? Their
evidence will be recorded, and
they will be questioned!’
(Quran 43:19)
Nobody has the knowledge of the unseen, not even the Prophets, except what Allah tells them. Allah gives very limited knowledge to us humans because we don’t have the capacity to grasp and understand His Wisdom. He asks:
أَطَّلَعَ ٱلْغَيْبَ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَهْداً
‘Has he known the unseen or
has he taken a covenant from the
Most Beneficent (Rahman)?’
(Quran 19:78)
The worst thing is that humans attribute to Allah the things that they don’t like for themselves. Man, sometimes, is so foolish and ridiculous! Most of the people in this world prefer male children and they make faces or gestures on the birth of baby-girls – just like in the dark ages. Imagine somebody who does not like daughters but he attributes female angels to Allah as His daughters! That’s the height of ignorance. Allah says:
وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ
مَثَلاً ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُ مُسْوَدّاً وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
‘And if one of them is informed of
the news of (the birth of) that which
he set forth as a parable to the
Most Beneficent (Rahman)
(i.e. of a girl), his face becomes
dark, gloomy, and he is filled
with grief!’
(Quran 43:17)
That’s man! He wants things that he does not know about whether they are good or bad for him. That is why Allah prescribed education (‘ilm’) for the believers. Education takes people out of the darkness of ignorance, and bring them into the light of guidance. But there were, and there still are, people who blindly followed their ancestors believing that they were on the right path. They themselves never tried to find out the truth, although it is their responsibility.
It is considered fashionable to talk against God, the Almighty and criticise His Creation. These days, we are even trying to change things genetically and call it ‘scientific revolution’. We are going all out against nature. We are being fooled, deceived and manipulated by the forces of evil. We act stupidly and consider it ‘cool’.
There are those who say that if Allah was so powerful why did He allow them to worship Satan or other deities? He could have created one religion for the entire mankind:
وَقَالُواْ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدْنَاهُمْ
مَّا لَهُم بِذٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ هُمْ إِلاَّ يَخْرُصُونَ
‘And they said: ‘If it had been the
will of the Most Beneficent (Rahman),
we should not have worshipped them
(false deities).’ They have no knowledge
whatsoever of that. They do
nothing but lie!’
(Quran 43:20)
They surely lie. Many Western singers, dancers, actors, music groups and the musicians openly claim that they worship Devil. There are T-shirts with satanic slogans and images. They are promoting those ideas among the younger folk. The answer to their unreasonable question is that Allah gave you the choice of action. You choose your way of life, but you are answerable to Him for that choice. You need Allah for your protection, survival and salvation. Allah does not need you. He is above that.
وَلَوْلاَ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً
لَّجَعَلْنَا لِمَن يَكْفُرُ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقُفاً
مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيْهَا يَظْهَرُونَ
وَلِبُيُوتِهِمْ أَبْوَاباً وَسُرُراً عَلَيْهَا يَتَّكِئُونَ
وَزُخْرُفاً وَإِن كُلُّ ذٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَاعُ ٱلْحَيَاةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا
وَٱلآخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
‘And were it not that all mankind
would have become of one community
(all disbelievers, desiring worldly life
only), We would have provided for
those who disbelieve in the Most
Beneficent (Rahman), silver roofs for
their houses, and elevators (and stairways,
etc. of silver) whereby they ascend;
and for their houses, doors (of silver),
and thrones (couches of silver) on which
they could recline. And ornament of
gold. Yet all that would have been
but a provision of the life of the world.
And the Hereafter with your Lord
would have been for those who
keep from evil.’
(Quran 43:33-35)
The Hereafter is a reward for those who follow the right path in this world and try to please Allah with their good deeds to win the Hereafter. And that is not easy. It is full of tests, trials and sacrifices.
The Devil offers temptation and allures humans. He shows us the easy path with fun and pleasure but such a path leads to Hell. The Devil-worshippers and the rebellious should surrender to His will. If they don’t repent and start believing in His revelations, Allah warns them of His wrath and punishment:
ثُمَّ لَنَنزِعَنَّ مِن كُلِّ شِيعَةٍ
أَيُّهُمْ أَشَدُّ عَلَى ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عِتِيّاً
‘Then indeed We shall drag out
from every sect all those who were
worst in obstinate rebellion against
the Most Beneficent (Rahman).’
(Quran 19:69)
Denying Allah’s Oneness (Tawheed), His revelations and His right to be worshipped, is such a grave sin that even the families of the Prophets were not spared of the punishment. The son of Prophet Noah, the wife and son of Prophet Lot and the father of Prophet Abraham, remained disbelievers and did not accept Islam. Therefore, Allah destroyed them along with other evil-doing people. Allah is Rahman and Raheem but He is very strict in enforcement of His laws and rendering punishment to the defiant. Here is Prophet Abraham talking to his father:
يٰأَبَتِ لاَ تَعْبُدِ ٱلشَّيْطَانَ
إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَصِيّاً
يٰأَبَتِ إِنِّيۤ أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ
مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيّاً
‘O my father! Worship not Satan.
Verily, Satan has been a rebel against
the Most Beneficent (Rahman).
O my father! Verily, I fear lest a
torment from the Most Beneficent
(Rahman) overtake you, so that
you become a companion of Satan
in the Hereafter.’
(Quran 19:44-45)
The nation of Prophets Moses and Aaron was so stubborn that they always tried to look for an easy way of life. God gave them provision and even dropped food (Manna & Salwa) from the skies. But they remained defiant and ungrateful. Here is Aaron talking to his Jewish tribes:
وَلَقَدْ قَالَ لَهُمْ هَارُونُ مِن قَبْلُ
يٰقَوْمِ إِنَّمَا فُتِنتُمْ بِهِ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ
فَٱتَّبِعُونِى وَأَطِيعُوۤاْ أَمْرِي
‘And Aaron indeed had said to them
beforehand: ‘O my people! You are
being tried in this, and verily, your Lord
is (Allah) the Most Beneficent (Rahman),
so follow me and obey my order.’
(Quran 20:90)
Some of them followed him but most of them failed the test. In every prophet’s nation there were the follower of Satan who did not care about the divine message. They mistreated Allah’s Messengers and ridiculed their teachings. Allah says:
قُلْ مَن يَكْلَؤُكُم بِٱلْلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ
بَلْ هُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِمْ مُّعْرِضُونَ
‘Say: ‘Who can guard and protect
you in the night or in the day from
the (punishment of the) Most
Beneficent (Rahman)?’ Nay, but
they turn away from the
remembrance of their Lord.’
(Quran 21:42)
That was a quote from Surah (Chapter) Al-Anbiya. Allah refers to the similar attitude of people in Surah (Chapter) Ash-Shu’ara:
وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن ذِكْرٍ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ
مُحْدَثٍ إِلاَّ كَانُواْ عَنْهُ مُعْرِضِينَ
‘And never comes there unto them
a Reminder as a recent revelation
from the Most Beneficent (Rahman),
but they turn away from it.’
(Quran 26:5)
The pious are rightly guided and they always seek Allah’s refuge from Satan (devil), from evil and evil-doers. The mercy of Allah (Rahman) protects them. That’s how Allah takes care of His true servants or slaves.
According to the Holy Quran, when the Holy Spirit appeared in front of Mary (Maryam), she got scared and worried. So she sought Allah’s protection:
قَالَتْ إِنِّيۤ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيّاً
‘She said: Verily, I seek refuge with
the Most Beneficent (Rahman) from
you, if you do fear Allah.’
(Quran 19:18)
In these verses of the Holy Quran, Virgin Mary (Maryam) refers to Allah as ‘Rahman’ and Allah, while talking to Mary via Holy Spirit, also chose the name ‘Rahman’ for Himself:
فَكُلِى وَٱشْرَبِى وَقَرِّى عَيْناً فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ
مِنَ ٱلبَشَرِ أَحَداً فَقُولِيۤ إِنِّى نَذَرْتُ
لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ صَوْماً فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ ٱلْيَوْمَ إِنسِيّاً
‘So eat and drink and be glad,
and if you see any human being,
say: Verily, I have vowed a fast
unto the Most Beneficent (Rahman)
so I shall not speak to any human
being this day.’
(Quran 19:26)
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) had the similar experience when Gabriel came down and delivered the message of Allah, referring to Him as Rahman:
وَإِذَا رَآكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوۤاْ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ
إِلاَّ هُزُواً أَهَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَذْكُرُ آلِهَتَكُمْ
وَهُمْ بِذِكْرِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ
‘And when those who disbelieve
(in the Oneness of Allah) see you
(O Muhammad, s.a.w.), they take
you not except for mockery (saying):
‘Is this the one who talks (badly)
about your gods?’ While they
disbelieve at the mention of the
Most Beneficent (Rahman).’
(Quran 21:36)
Prophet Solomon heard about Bilqees, the Queen of Sheba (or Saba), from a hoopoe and sent her a letter. She discusses the matter with her chieftains and reads to them the message that started with the praise of Rahman:
إِنَّهُ مِن سُلَيْمَانَ وَإِنَّهُ بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
‘Verily, it is from Solomon, and
verily, it reads: In the name of Allah,
the Most Beneficent (Rahman),
the Most Merciful (Raheem).’
(Quran 27:30)
Allah is so Merciful to His creation that He can reward Paradise for a small little good deed. He rewards His slaves beyond measure. Even a smile is considered an act of charity by the Almighty and He rewards the believers for that.
There are seven small acts that are considered the acts of charity and Rahman, the Almighty, rewards us for that in the Hereafter. According to Sahih Bukhari, narrated Al-Bara:
‘The Prophet (s.a.w.) ordered us to do seven (things). He ordered us to:
1. Pay a visit to the sick.
2. Join the funerals of other Muslims.
3. Say ‘Yarhamak-Allah’ (May Allah be Merciful to you) when you hear one saying ‘Alhamdo-lillah’ after sneezing.
4. Accept the invitations (for good, Halal things).
5. Return greetings in the same or better manner.
6. Help the oppressed.
7. Help others to fulfil their oaths (provided it was not sinful).
These are the regular, normal daily-life affairs but are considered acts of mercy and charity, and bring rewards in the Hereafter. It is so easy to please Rahman (Allah)!
Those who believe in Allah and do good deeds, Allah blesses them both in this world and in the Hereafter. They are elevated in status and respect. He says:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ
سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وُدّاً
‘Verily, those who believe (in the
Oneness of Allah and in His
Messenger (Muhammad, s.a.w.),
And work deeds of righteousness,
The Most Beneficent (Rahman)
Will bestow love for them (in the
Hearts of the believers).’
(Quran 19:96)
In another Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Abur-Rijal Muhammad ibn Abdur-Rahman related from his mother, Amra bint Abdur-Rahman, who was in the care of A'isha, the wife of the Prophet (s.a.w.), heard from A'isha that the Prophet (s.a.w.), sent a man in charge of an expedition. This man used to recite for his companions in the prayer and conclude with: ‘Say, He is Allah, Absolute Oneness’ (Surah Ikhlaas, Quran Ch. 112). When they returned, they mentioned that to the Prophet (s.a.w.), who said, "Ask him why he does that." They asked him and he answered: "Because it is the description of the All-Merciful and I love to recite it."
The Prophet (s.a.w.), said, "Tell him that Allah loves him." How great! Now, that’s Rahman showering His Mercy on His slaves who exalt Him and praise Him the way He should be praised. They call Him by His favourite names.
Allah tells our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) that he has been designated as ‘mercy for the entire universe’:
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلاَّ رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
‘And We have sent you
(O Muhammad, s.a.w.)
not but as a mercy for the
‘Alamin’ (mankind, jinns
and all that exists).’
(Quran 21:107)
Allah had bestowed mercy on our beloved prophet and his sins were forgiven. He became a symbol of mercy and kindness for the mankind. Here is how he praised Rahman, the Lord of the Worlds:
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱحْكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَرَبُّنَا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ
ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
‘He (Muhammad, s.a.w.) said:
My Lord! Judge You in truth.
Our Lord is the Most Beneficent
(Rahman), Whose help is to be
sought against that which you
ascribe unto Allah.’
(Quran 21:112)
Allah tells Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) that he has been given by Rahman (Allah) a divine book (the Holy Quran) for the guidance of the mankind:
كِتَابٌ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ قُرْآناً عَرَبِيّاً لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
بَشِيراً وَنَذِيراً فَأَعْرَضَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ فَهُمْ لاَ يَسْمَعُونَ
‘A revelation from the Beneficent (Rahman),
the Merciful (Raheem). A Scripture
whereof the verses are expounded,
a lecture in Arabic for people who
have knowledge. Good tidings and
a warning. But most of them turn
away so that they hear not.’
(Quran 41:2-4)
That was Pickthal’s translation. Here is another version of the same verses from Dr. Hilali and Dr. Muhsin Khan that includes explanation (or Tafsir):
‘A revelation from Allah, the Most
Beneficent (Rahman), the Most
Merciful (Raheem). A Book whereof the
verses are explained in detail; a Quran in
Arabic for people who know. Giving
glad tidings (of Paradise to the one
who believes in the Oneness of Allah
and fears Allah much (abstains from
all kinds of sins and evil deeds) and loves
Allah much (performing all kinds of good
deeds which He has ordained), and
warning (of punishment in the Hellfire
to the one who disbelieves in the Oneness
of Allah), but most of them turn away,
so they listen not.’ (Quran 41:2-4)
Allah is Wise and Knower of everything. He knows human beings very well because He is the One Who created them. He knew that most people would not listen to His messengers and would follow Satan (devil). Still He commanded the messengers to deliver His message and do their job. He says:
إِنَّمَا تُنذِرُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلذِّكْرَ
وَخشِىَ ٱلرَّحْمـٰنَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ
فَبَشِّرْهُ بِمَغْفِرَةٍ وَأَجْرٍ كَرِيمٍ
‘You can only warn him who follows
the Reminder (the Quran), and fears
the Most Beneficent (Rahman) unseen.
Bear you to such one the glad tidings
of forgiveness, and a generous
reward (i.e. Paradise).’
(Quran 36:11)
Generally, the prophets were chosen from the modest families. They impressed people with their exemplary conduct, good moral character, honest dealings and humble talk. They never impressed others with their wealth, material possessions or status. That was the reason that the most influential or powerful people of their times did not listen to them and opposed the message they brought. They did not consider them ‘important’ as important for them were the tribal leaders, the rich and wealthy. Allah refers to that in the Holy Quran:
قَالُواْ مَآ أَنتُمْ إِلاَّ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُنَا
وَمَآ أَنَزلَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ مِن شَيْءٍ
إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلاَّ تَكْذِبُونَ
‘They (people of the town) said:
You are only human beings like
ourselves, and the Most Beneficent
(Rahman) has revealed nothing,
you are only telling lies.’
(Quran 36:15)
Allah wants humans to believe in Him as He gives them the proof of His might, grace, power, capability, mercy and forgiveness. He does not ask for ‘blind faith’. He wants us to reflect upon His Creation, His signs, His revelations and His message that He conveyed through His messengers. He asks:
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقاً مَّا تَرَىٰ
فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَاوُتِ
فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ
‘Who has created the seven heavens
one above another, you can see no
fault in the creations of the Most
Beneficent (Rahman). Then look
again. Can you see any rifts?’
(Quran 67:3)
Do we ponder over His miraculous Creation? Do we ever think about heavens and the earth and whatever is in-between? And if that is not enough, he asks again:
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَافَّاتٍ
وَيَقْبِضْنَ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلاَّ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ
إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ بَصِيرٌ
‘Do they not see the birds above them,
spreading out their wings and folding
them in? None upholds them except
the Most Beneficent (Rahman). Verily,
He is the All-seer of everything.’
(Quran 67-19)
The Almighty wants to convince us with reason and logic because He has created us as intelligent beings. There are hundreds of verses in the Holy Quran on this subject with better examples, but I have selected only those wherein Allah refers to Himself as Rahman, hence the title of this article. He is the One Who helps and supports His faithful slaves in times of trial:
أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ جُندٌ لَّكُمْ يَنصُرُكُمْ
مِّن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ إِنِ ٱلْكَافِرُونَ إِلاَّ فِى غُرُورٍ
‘Who is he besides the Most
Beneficent (Rahman) that can be
an army to you to help you? The
disbelievers are in nothing
but delusion.’
(Quran 67:20)
Despite all those signs, revelations and proofs, if someone is still in doubt and does not believe in Him, then he is in error:
قُلْ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ آمَنَّا بِهِ وَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا
فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ فِى ضَلاَلٍ مُّبِينٍ
‘Say: ‘He is the Most Beneficent
(Rahman), in Him we believe, and
in Him we put our trust. So you
will come to know who is it that
is in manifest error.’
(Quran 67:29)
For such a person, who gives a deaf ear or a blind eye to the signs of the Almighty, there is no guidance. When he turns away from Allah, Allah also turns away from him. Therefore, he continues living in delusion or sin.
وَمَن يَعْشُ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ
نُقَيِّضْ لَهُ شَيْطَاناً فَهُوَ لَهُ قَرِينٌ
‘And whosoever turns away (blinds
himself) from the remembrance of
the Most Beneficent (Rahman), We
appoint for him Satan (devil) to be
an intimate companion to him.’
(Quran 43:36)
Allah is Infinite Mercy. His kindness and mercy encompasses everything. It’s boundless. He says in the Holy Quran:
كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةَ
‘… Your Lord has written Mercy
for Himself’ … (Quran 6:54)
Another translation says: ‘Your Lord has prescribed for Himself mercy’. Here is the complete verse:
وَإِذَا جَآءَكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِنَا فَقُلْ سَلاَمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ
كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةَ
أَنَّهُ مَن عَمِلَ مِنكُمْ سُوۤءًا بِجَهَالَةٍ
ثُمَّ تَابَ مِن بَعْدِهِ وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَنَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
‘When those who believe in Our Ayat
(proofs, evidences, verses, lessons,
signs, revelations, etc.) come to you,
say: Salamun Alaikum (peace &
blessings be on you); you Lord has
written Mercy for Himself, so that,
if any of you does evil in ignorance
and thereafter repents and does
righteous good deeds (by obeying
Allah), then surely He is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful.’
(Quran 6:54)
There are no limits to His Mercy. It covers the universe, the heavens and the earth, and whatever is between them. But it is preferably bestowed upon those who are pious; who give Zakat; who believe in His verses, revelation, signs, lessons and evidences. But those who defy Him; and don’t believe in Him and His revelations, they face His anger.
قَالَ عَذَابِيۤ أُصِيبُ بِهِ مَنْ أَشَآءُ
وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ
‘He said: (As to) My Punishment
I afflict therewith whom I will, and
My Mercy embraces all things.’
(Quran 7 :156)
But at the same time He is merciful to them too and provides them with food to eat, water to drink, air to breathe and an environment that sustains. Imagine that certain people don’t even believe in Him the way they should; they don’t even thank Him but He still gives them provision and grants them life. That is Raheem, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
There is a Hadith on this subject. According to Sahih Bukhari, narrated Abu Huraira: ‘The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, ‘When Allah created the Creation, He wrote in His Book – and He wrote that about Himself, and it is placed with Him on the Throne – ‘Verily, My Mercy overcomes My Anger.’
The Almighty Rahman reminds all human beings that He is the sole Creator, the One Who has the right to be worshipped, the One Who bestows mercy, the One Who guides us to the right path to Paradise. Without His mercy and forgiveness, nobody would enter the Garden. One-third of the population of this planet (i.e. over a billion people) don’t believe in One God. But God is there for them too. Despite all our sins and wrong-doing, He takes care of us, gives us the provision and good health. But we are always ungrateful. He asks:
أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُ
بَل لَّجُّواْ فِى عُتُوٍّ وَنُفُورٍ
‘Or who is he that will provide
for you if He should withhold
His providence? Nay, but they are
set in pride and frowardness.’
(Quran 67:21)
قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَآؤُكُمْ
غَوْراً فَمَن يَأْتِيكُمْ بِمَآءٍ مَّعِينٍ
‘Say (O Muhammad, s.a.w.): ‘Tell me!
If (all) your water were to be sunk
away, who then can supply you with
flowing (spring) water?’
(Quran 67:30)
Nobody, of course. He is the Lord of the lords, the King of the kings and the Owner of the heavens and the earth. He is the Sole Provider, the Sustainer. His mercy embraces all things. His mercy overcomes His anger. When Rahman practices or bestows His mercy on mankind, He becomes Raheem. In other words Rahman in action is Raheem. His mercy is so vast that He has prohibited believers to despair. As long as there is hope, His mercy will be there. No matter how big, serious or great the sin, Allah’s mercy is greater than that and covers it. The only thing needed is the sincere repentance.
According to one Hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari, When Allah created mercy, He created it in one hundred parts. He kept 99 parts for Himself and bestowed just one part upon the universe. He will shower the remaining 99 parts on His creation on the Day of Judgment when He will save many from the Hellfire. He will be the Most Merciful (Raheem) to the believers.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَلِّى عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلاَئِكَتُهُ
لِيُخْرِجَكُمْ مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ
وَكَانَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيماً
‘He it is Who sends Salat (His blessings)
on you, and His angels too (ask Allah to
bless and forgive you), that He may
bring you out from darkness (of disbelief
and polytheism) into light (of belief and
Islamic monotheism). And He is ever
Most Merciful to the believers.’
(Quran 33:43)
When Allah sent Adam and Eve from Heaven down to the Earth, He told them that they will be there for a fixed term. They were also told what to do and what not to do during this tenure. Adam was the biggest and the tallest man on earth, and he lived longer than any other human being – 960 years. The couple went through lots of hardship and trials but Allah’s mercy was with them, therefore, they left their offspring to spread in the Earth. Among them were hundreds or even thousands who were chosen by Allah to be His messengers. According to one narration, they were 124,000 in number, of whom Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was the last and final.
أُولَـٰئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّيْنَ
مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ ءادَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ
وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا
وَٱجْتَبَيْنَآ إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ
خَرُّواْ سُجَّداً وَبُكِيّاً
‘Those were they unto whom Allah
bestowed His Grace from among the
Prophets, of the offspring of Adam,
and of those whom We carried (in the
ship) with Noah, and of the offspring
of Abraham and Israel and from among
those whom We guided and chose.
When the verses of the Most Beneficent
(Rahman) were recited unto them, they
fell down prostrating and weeping.’
(Quran 19:58)
They were the most righteous people of their time and guided their respective communities or nations to the right path.
كَذٰلِكَ أَرْسَلْنَاكَ فِيۤ أُمَّةٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهَآ
أُمَمٌ لِّتَتْلُوَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلَّذِيۤ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ
وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ
قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّى لاۤ إِلَـٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ
عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ
‘Thus have We sent you (O Muhammad)
to a community before whom other
communities have passed away, in order
that you might recite unto them what We
have inspired to you, while they disbelieve
in the Most Beneficent (Rahman or Allah).
Say: ‘He is my Lord. None has the right to be
worshipped but He. In Him is my trust, and
to Him will be my return with repentance.’
(Quran 13:30)
Mercy is a godly quality. It is a virtue. Allah wants His slaves to be merciful to each other. He commanded His prophets or messengers to be a model of mercy and good conduct. Our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) also instructed the believers to be merciful to one another. As per one Hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari, narrated Jarir bin Abdullah:
‘Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.’
Allah (Rahman) talks about His grace, mercy, compassion and forgiveness throughout the Holy Quran. But he also warns us of His anger, displeasure and wrath. Those who deny His Oneness, sovereignty and revelations, are given the news of severe punishment on the Day of Judgment. He says:
ٱلْمُلْكُ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلْحَقُّ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ
وَكَانَ يَوْماً عَلَى ٱلْكَافِرِينَ عَسِيراً
‘The sovereignty on that Day will be
the true (sovereignty), belonging to
the Most Beneficent (Rahman), and it
will be a hard day for the disbelievers.’
(Quran 25:26)
Allah tells us about their reaction when they will be resurrected from their graves or other resting places:
قَالُواْ يٰوَيْلَنَا مَن بَعَثَنَا مِن مَّرْقَدِنَا
هَذَا مَا وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمـٰنُ وَصَدَقَ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
‘They will say: ‘Woe to us! Who has
raised us up from our place of sleep?’
(It will be said to them:) This is what the
Most Beneficent (Rahman) had promised,
and the Messengers spoke truth!’
(Quran 36:52)
Allah’s caller will announce the proceedings of the day, step by step and nobody else dare talk. Only the person, whom Allah tells to speak, will speak:
رَّبِّ ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَٱلأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا
ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ لاَ يَمْلِكُونَ مِنْهُ خِطَاباً
‘(From) the Lord of the Heavens and
the Earth, and whatsoever is in between
them, the Most Beneficent (Rahman),
none can dare to speak with Him (on
the Day of Resurrection except
with His permission),’
(Quran 78:37)
The angels will be standing in formation waiting for Allah’s command and permission to speak:
يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلرُّوحُ وَٱلْمَلاَئِكَةُ صَفّاً
لاَّ يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلاَّ مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ
وَقَالَ صَوَاباً
‘The Day that Gabriel (or another
angel) and the angels will stand
forth in rows, none shall speak
except him whom the Most
Beneficent (Rahman) allows, and
he will speak what is right.’
(Quran 78:38)
There will be silence and only one voice will be heard, and that voice would be of Allah’s caller:
يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلدَّاعِىَ لاَ عِوَجَ لَهُ وَخَشَعَتِ
ٱلأَصْوَاتُ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ فَلاَ تَسْمَعُ إِلاَّ هَمْساً
يَوْمَئِذٍ لاَّ تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَاعَةُ إِلاَّ
مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَرَضِىَ لَهُ قَوْلاً
‘On that Day, mankind will follow
strictly (the voice of) Allah’s caller
without going astray, and all voices
will be humbled for the Most
Beneficent (Rahman), and nothing shall
you hear but a faint murmur. On that
Day no intercession shall avail, except
the one for whom the Most Beneficent
(Rahman) has given permission and
whose word is acceptable to Him.’
(Quran 20:108-109)
No intercession will be accepted on that Day as The Almighty Himself would be watching over the proceedings of the Day of Judgment – the Longest Day. Only His word will prevail:
لاَّ يَمْلِكُونَ ٱلشَّفَاعَةَ إِلاَّ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَهْداً
‘None shall have the power of
intercession, but such a one as has
received permission (or promise)
from the Most Beneficent (Rahman).’
(Quran 19:87)
A person who is convinced that Allah is Supreme, the One Who is worthy of worship, he/she will not turn to any other deity as none can protect him/her from Allah. No deity would have the right or the power to intercede on that Day:
أَأَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِهِ آلِهَةً إِن يُرِدْنِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ بِضُرٍّ
لاَّ تُغْنِ عَنِّى شَفَاعَتُهُمْ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يُنقِذُونَ
‘Shall I take besides Him gods,
if the Most Beneficent (Rahman)
intends me any harm, their
intercession will be of no use
for me whatsoever, nor can
they save me?’
(Quran 36:23)
Everybody is responsible for his/her own actions and will be held accountable for that. His/her fate depends on his/her actions in this world. He/she cannot count the blessings or bounties of Allah but he/she has been ungrateful most of the time.
وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ
لاَ تُحْصُوهَا إِنَّ ٱلإنْسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ
‘And He gave you of all that you asked
for, and if you count the blessings of
Allah, never will you be able to count
them. Verily, Man is indeed an extreme
wrong-doer, a disbeliever’
(an extreme ingrate, denies Allah’s
blessings by disbelief, and by
worshipping others besides Allah,
and by disobeying Allah and His
Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w.).
(Quran 14:34)
Allah, being the Creator and Owner of the heavens and the earth, has rights over His Creation.
As per Sahih Bukhari, Al-Aswad ibn Hilal related from Mu’adh ibn Jabal that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, ‘Mu’adh, do you know what is Allah’s right on His slaves?’
He answered: ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: ‘Allah’s right on His slaves is that they should worship Him and not associate anything with Him.’
He then asked: ‘Do you know what is the right of the slaves on Allah?’
Mu’adh replied: ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: ‘That He will not punish them.’
Subhan-Allah! That’s the mercy of Rahman and Raheem which is going to protect us from the Hellfire on the Day of Judgment, Inshallah.
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