Special Mention of God’s Name: Ar-Raḥmān
The Basmalah (first verse of the Quran) includes two Beautiful Names of God: Ar-Raḥmān and Ar-Raḥīm. While Ar-Raḥīm is often translated as The Merciful or The Most Merciful, Ar-Raḥmān has been inconsistently rendered as The Most Gracious, The Compassionate, or The Beneficent.
Although these translations emphasize mercy, verses using Ar-Raḥmān often highlight might and absolute power rather than compassion.
Examples from the Quran:
- 19:18 – Mary seeks refuge in Ar-Raḥmān for protection, emphasizing might over mercy.
- 19:45 – Abraham warns his father of punishment from Ar-Raḥmān, portraying divine power.
- 36:11 & 50:33 – Fear of Ar-Raḥmān reflects reverence for His might.
- 19:88–92 – The heavens and earth react with awe to claims that Ar-Raḥmān has a son, underscoring His grandeur and authority.
- 36:23 – Harm from Ar-Raḥmān aligns with the will of the Almighty, not compassion.
- 19:93 – All creation stands as servants before Ar-Raḥmān, denoting His supreme power.
- 20:108 – All voices are subdued before Ar-Raḥmān, highlighting His might.
- 67:20 – Ar-Raḥmān is the ultimate source of support through His power.
- 21:42 – Protection is sought from Ar-Raḥmān, emphasizing His might over compassion.
These examples show that Ar-Raḥmān often signifies God's overwhelming power and majesty, complementing His other attributes.