Unraveling More Secrets of al-Fatihah
الرَّحمَْنِ الرَّحِيمِ
“The Most Gracious, Most Merciful.”10
Have you ever wondered why this comes before “Maliki Yaumi-Deen” [Master
of the Day of Judgement] in al-Fatihah? Picture this scenario. You happened
9 See al-Baqarah 2:255.
10 Transliterated: “Ar-Rahmanir Raheem.”
to be at the scene of a crime and there is an ongoing investigation. The trial
begins and though you are innocent, the judge summons you for questioning.
He proceeds to question you in one of two manners: He at once bombards
you with interrogation! [Why were you at the scene of the crime? What were
you doing? At what time did you arrive? What did you see? etc.] When your
heart nearly stops and your nerves can no longer stand it, the judge then reassures
you, “by the way, we know you are innocent but we are collecting as
much information as we can.”
Or, he declares to you from the beginning that “we know you are innocent,
but we appreciate all the information you can help us with”, and then proceeds
with his questions. You would be much more relaxed and comfortable
in the second scenario, wouldn’t you? So what does “ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem”
have to do with “Maliki Yaumi-Deen” and why does it come before it? To
remind us that it is “ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem” who will judge us on Judgment
Day. These 2 names should kindle within us that sense of relief and reassurance
in Salah when we are reminded of our stand before Allah on that terrifying
day - Judgment Day. [Let us always strive to remain, worthy of this
Mercy.]
“ar-Rahman ar-Raheem” declares that Allah’s sovereignty is that of an allencompassing
Mercy [not Wrath]. In this life, He is there for everyone - believers
and non-believers, the righteous and the wrongdoers. He feeds,
clothes, heals, and provides, for all. He’s not quick to punish but provides
ample time for people to return to Him – a whole lifetime!
And Allah’s Mercy is manifested either through His giving [of favours] or
through His withholding of them. And when He sometimes withholds a favour
from us, this in reality is the heart of giving, for we have been given of
knowledge but so very little to immediately realize the wisdom. Again, it’s a
mercy in disguise!
“Does He Who created not know..?”11 and Allah [swt] says “…But it may well
be that you hate a thing the while it is good for you, and it may well be that
11 Surah Mulk 67:14.
you love a thing the while it is bad for you, and Allah knows, whereas you do
not know.”12
When we say “ar-Rahmaan”: this form of “Merciful” is in the Arabic form
that implies “to the fullest extent”, like ghadbaan vs. ghaadeb [angry] or joo’aan
vs. jaa’e’ [hungry]. The former form implies the fullest extent of hunger and
anger in comparison to the latter form. Thus Allah is truly the Most Merciful,
to the fullest extent of the word!
In fact, “ar-Rahmaan” is the most all encompassing of His names. Just remember
by which name He chose to preside over His Throne: “ar-Rahmaan, above
the Throne presides!”13 His most all-encompassing name is always coupled in the
Quran, with his most all - encompassing creation - His Throne!
And this name only belongs to Him - You will never find anyone named “Arrahmaan”,
except Allah, but instead people will name “Abdur-Rahmaan” [the
servant of the Most Merciful]. You will also never find anyone with the name
“Allah” besides Allah. These two names are His, exclusively! Now “ar-
Raheem” is the One who delivers His mercy to His creation. You will see this
name used in the Quran when Allah speaks of His mercy to believers, specifically.
If we knew well the true nature of Allah and the true nature of people,
we would prefer without an instant of hesitation to deal with Allah, over having
to deal with people. It suffices us to know that Allah’s Mercy for us far
exceeds the mercy of our own mothers for us. So “Alhamdulillah” for the kind
of sovereignty He reigns by. Feel the rhythm of ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem lift the
heaviness off your heart.
