Al-Raheem (Ar-Raheem) 

(The Merciful)

This name of Allah also came many times in  the Holy Quraan. Allah said in the following verses:

هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَائِكَتُهُ لِيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۚ وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا – 33:43

(33:43). It is He who confers blessing upon you, and His angels, that He may bring you out from darknesses into the light. And ever is He, to the believers, Merciful. (Al-Ahzaab 43)

Surah Al-Tawbah (At-Tawbah) verse 117:

(9:117). Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.

This Quality is that of the Mercy of Allah. Allah is Arhamur-Raahimeen (Allah is the Most Merciful, none has mercy equal to Allah). Allah is the Creator of all mercy as well as the Bestower of all mercy. Allah’s mercy surpassed HIS anger. 

According to a unanimous hadeeth shareef of Muhammad salla Allaho alaihi wa sallam, Allah sent 1/100 part of HIS mercy among Jinn, mankind, all animals and vermins. Due to this mercy they have sympathy and mercy with each other; and a wild animal is merciful to its young ones. And Allah left 99/100 of HIS mercy to use for HIS servants on the Day of Judgment.

 [Unanimous (Bukhaari and Muslim)]. 

In the Hereafter the 99/100 parts of Allah’s mercy shall be only for the Prophets alaihim salaam and for the believers while kafirs/ unbelievers shall be deprived of Allah’s mercy.

Allah said in surah Al-A’raaf 156 (its English translation is):

155. And Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment. And when the earthquake seized them, he said, “My Lord, if You had willed, You could have destroyed them before and me [as well]. Would You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is not but Your trial by which You send astray whom You will and guide whom You will. You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us; and You are the best of forgivers.

156. And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned unto You.” [ Allah ] said, “My punishment – I afflict with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things.” So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakah and those who believe in Our verses –
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[In the above two verses, only the last part of the verse 156 (bold) is related with the mercy of Allah Almighty but I had to write complete 2 verses 155 and 156 to give you understanding of the situation.]

From the above principle of Allah regarding HIS mercy, we must understand that although the mercy of Allah is encompassing everything but for mankind, Allah will ordain it only for those who: 

1. Fear Allah and guard themselves against disobedience to HIM,

2. They regularly pay the obligatory charity,

3. They believe in the verses/signs of Allah.

Also to get more mercy of Allah, a Muslim should take guidance from the verses like Al-An’aam 155, Al-Noor 56, Al-A’raaf 56 and many others. The English translation of some of these verses is:

Al-An’aam 155: 

(6:155). And this is a blessed Book (the Quran) which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allah (i.e. do not disobey His Orders), that you may receive mercy (i.e. saved from the torment of Hell).

Al-A’raaf 56:

(7:56). And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope; Surely, Allah’s Mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers.

Al-Noor 56: 

(24:56). And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat and obey the Messenger (Muhammad Salla Allaho alayhi wasallam) that you may receive mercy (from Allah).
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This name usually comes in combination with other names for e.g. Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem (written as Al-Rahmani-Al-Raheem), Al-Barrur-Raheem, Al-Ghafoorur-Raheem (Al-Ghafooru Al-Raheem).

These two names (Al-Rahmaan, Al-Raheem) are the essential part of the verse Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem (written as “Bismi Allahi Al-Rahmaani Al-Raheem).This is the starting verse of all surahs except surah Al-Tawbah (read as At-Tawbah) which is not started with this verse because this verse presents vast Kindness and Mercy of Allah All-Mighty. In the surah Al-Tawbah Allah announced the breaking of peace treaty with the mushrikeen (idolaters), therefore, it was not started with this verse of Mercy and Rahmaaniah. The peace treaty was already broken from the side of the idolaters as they acted against it again and again; and due to that Allah ordered the Final Prophet (Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him) to announce its cancellation.

The verse “Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem” is revealed in the Holy Qur’aan 114 times, 113 times in the beginning of all surahs except surah Al-Tawbah and once inside surah Al-Namal. There it is in the beginning of a letter written by the Prophet Sulaimaan (Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him) to the queen of Sabaa to invite her to Islam. In fact a bird called Hudhud had informed Sulaimaan alaihi salaam that a queen and her nation worshipped the Sun instead of One God Allah. Then Sulaimaan alaihi salaam wrote the letter to invite her to the worship of One Single God Allah, started it with Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem and sent it to her by the same bird “Hudhud”!!!

Here is an important point to note, i.e. birds and animals know that only One God Allah must be worshipped but most of the human beings know it not, alas!!!

Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem is a kalimah/verse which the Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him) used to read in the beginning of every work and we, the Muslims are advised to read the same. Then we will have to do only good, kind and merciful actions because we cannot start doing evil things with this verse/kalimah of mercy. 

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