“AN AYAH A DAY KEEPS THE SHAITAAN AWAY”
Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem.
In the Name of Allah(swt) the Most Merciful and the Most Beneficial”.
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu
AN AYAH A DAY
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
THE MEANING OF “ALLAH”
Allah is the Name of the Lord, the Exalted. It is said that Allah is the Greatest Name of Allah SWT, because it is referred to when describing Allah SWT by the various attributes.
For instance, Allah SWT said, (He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa, the King, the Holy, the One free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the Almighty, the Wise) (59:22-24).
Hence, Allah SWT mentioned several of His Names as Attributes for His Name Allah. Similarly, Allah said (And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah SWT, so call on Him by them) (7:180),and,
(Say (O Muhammad 🙂 “Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names.”) (17:110)
Also, the Two Sahihs recorded that Abu Hurayrah (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah ( SAW) said, (Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred minus one, whoever counts (and preserves) them, will enter Paradise.)
THE MEANING OF AR RAHMAN AND AR RAHEEM-THE MOST GRACIOUS , THE MOST MERCIFUL
🔹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. Further, Al-Qurtubi said, “The proof that these names are derived (from Ar-Rahmah), is what At-Tirmidhi recorded – and graded Sahih that he heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) 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.’)
🔹Ar-Rahman, which is exclusively for Allah, is a name that encompasses every type of mercy that Allah has. Ar-Rahim is what effects the believers, for Allah SWT said, (And He is ever Rahim (merciful) to the believers.)’ (33:43)
Ibn `Abbas RA 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).”’
🔹He is Ar-Rahman with all creation and Ar-Rahim with the believers.” Hence. Allah’s statements, (Then He rose over (Istawa) the Throne (in a manner that suits His majesty), Ar-Rahman) (25:59 and,
(Ar-Rahman (Allah) rose over (Istawa) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His majesty).) (20:5)
🔹Allah SWT thus mentioned the Istawa – rising over the Throne – along with His Name Ar-Rahman, to indicate that His mercy encompasses all of His creation.
🔹Allah SWT also said, (And He is ever Rahim (merciful) to the believers), thus encompassing the believers with His Name Ar-Rahim. They said, “This testifies to the fact that Ar-Rahman carries a broader scope of meanings pertaining to the mercy of Allah with His creation in both lives. Meanwhile, Ar-Rahim is exclusively for the believers.
🔹Allah’s Name Ar-Rahman is exclusively His. For instance, Allah SWT said, (Say (O Muhammad ): “Invoke Allah or invoke Ar-Rahman (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names) (17:110),) and,
(And ask (O Muhammad ) those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: “Did We ever appoint alihah (gods) to be worshipped besides Ar-Rahman (Most Gracious, Allah)”) (43:45).
🔹Therefore, Allah SWT first mentioned His Name – Allah – that is exclusively His and described this Name by Ar-Rahman, which no one else is allowed to use.
As for Allah’s Name Ar-Rahim, Allah has described others by it. For instance, Allah SWT said, (Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad ) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad ) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided) for the believers (he is) kind (full of pity), and Rahim (merciful)) (9:128).
🔹Allah has also described some of His creation using some of His other Names. For instance, Allah SWT said, (Verily, We have created man from Nutfah (drops) of mixed semen (sexual discharge of man and woman), in order to try him, so We made him hearer (Sami`) and seer (Basir) (76:2).
In conclusion, there are several of Allah’s Names that are used as names for others besides Allah. Further, some of Allah’s Names are exclusive for Allah alone, such as Allah, Ar-Rahman, Al-Khaliq (the Creator), Ar-Raziq (the Sustainer), and so forth.
🔹Hence, Allah started the Tasmiyah (meaning, `In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful’) with His Name, Allah, and described Himself as Ar-Rahman, (Most Gracious) which is softer and more general than Ar-Rahim. The most honorable Names are mentioned first, just as Allah did here.
And Allah Knows Best.
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We have embarked upon a new journey of learning AN AYAH A DAY & I request you all to keep the same decorum & enthusiasm in learning our deen.
May Allaah accept it from us & you all.
Ameen ya Rabbul Alameen
Jazakumullaahu khairan katheeran katheera.