Ar-Rahmaan Ar-Raheem (99 names of allah)
The Names Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem are two honourable Names which occur numerous times in the Qur’aan. Allaah began Umm al Qur’aan (Sooratul Faatihah) with them, they were made a sign of what Allaah revealed of guidance and clarification. Within them is a speech which the shaytaan cannot take hold of. The Prophet of Allaah Sulaymaan started his letter with them and Jibreel came down with them at the start of every Soorah of the Qur’aan revealing them to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). These two Names both indicate that mercy is an Attribute of Allaah.
Ar-Rahmaan means being described as having mercy.
قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنَۖ أَيّٗا مَّا تَدۡعُواْ فَلَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ وَلَا تَجۡهَرۡ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتۡ بِهَا وَٱبۡتَغِ بَيۡنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلٗا
Say, “Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Compassionate – whichever name you call, to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.” Do not be too loud in your prayer, nor too quiet, but seek a way in between.
[Al-Isrā’:110]
Ar-Raheem means bestowing mercy upon His servants. These two Names indicate perfect and complete mercy which is Allaah’s Attribute and description.
قُلۡ يَٰعِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Say [Allah says], “O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of Allah’s mercy, for indeed Allah forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
[Az-Zumar:53]
In these two Names is a proof of Allaah’s perfect mercy which is an all-encompassing Attribute of His. Everything in the higher and lower worlds (the heavens and the earth) that happens such as gaining benefits, liked enjoyable things and good things are from the effects of Allaah’s Mercy. Just as what is diverted from them of hateful things: tests, frightening incidents, dangers and harms are from the effects of His Mercy. Good deeds only come from Him and only He can deflect bad deeds and He is the Most Merciful of those who have mercy.
