- Allah (swt) calls Himself Ar-Ra’oof – the Kind, the Compassionate – on ten occasions in the Quran. He is the One Who bestows mercy with utmost tenderness.
- The One Who is Most Kind, the Tenderly Merciful.
- Ra’oof comes from the root raa-hamza-faa, which points to three main meanings. The first main meaning is ‘to be gentle, kind, and forgiving’, and the second is ‘to be merciful and compassionate’. The third main meaning is ‘to show pity and tenderness’.
- Ar-Ra’oof has mercy. It has the same meaning as Ar-Raheem though in a more intense form. Ra’fa is very delicate gentleness. Ra’hma is mercy that can be detected.
- When Allah (swt) is Ar-Ra’oof, He is very delicate. For example, rain is Allah’s (swt) mercy. Allah (swt) is Rahman when He sends the rains and His creation can see the rain. Exactly how will that rain benefit His creation? If some creatures are hibernating underground, and Allah (swt) sends rain water to the depths of the Earth for them, that is Allah’s Ra’fa.
- Ar-Raoof created beings in stages according to His wisdom and kindness, although He is able to create them all at once, in a single moment. This bears testimony to His kindness, may He be glorified.
- It is His kindness on humans that He gave us caring hearts, which are not harsh like that of a wolf. He gave us a tongue, which is not like that of a cow, whose cry for joy, fear, hope, hunger and love has the same tone. It is indeed His mercy on us that He produced for us food in variety of colours, fragrances, nutrients and tastes to please our senses.
- Ar-Ra’oof has put the ability of forgetfulness in us, so that we are able to forget sufferings and others’ mistakes and hurtful behaviours. Our wounds heal when we let go of the past and move forward anew.
- Ar-Ra’oof is the One Who bestows pity and mercy on us in many different forms, including warnings and withholding, for us to be guided to success in this world and the next! Allah (swt) is delicately merciful.
- When we exceed in our love for the creation, Ar-Raoof puts us in a test, so that we return to Him. Tests and trials are a form of his Rahmah on us.
- It is Ar-Raoof’s love and mercy that He sent the Quran and Sunnah as a guiding light to pull us out of darkness of ignorance, sadness, depression, Kufr and Shirk.
- Jannah is called Allah’s (swt) Rahmah.
How Can You Live by this Name?
- Reflect on the Ra’fa of Allah (swt)
Do you reflect on the mercy of Ar-Ra’oof in guiding you to be a Muslim each day? What about all the times He warned you through certain signs in your life, like that “feeling” you should not go to a certain place? Reflection is Ibadah.
- Learn from the mercy of the Prophet (sa)
Ar-Ra’oof described the Prophet (sa) as Ra’oofun Raheem: “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.” (At-Tawbah 9:128) Study the Seerah to learn how the Prophet (sa) dealt with his companions, family, and even his enemies! All prophets of Allah (swt) had the quality of Ra’fa.
- Increase your heart in mercy
Be kind to others and handle people’s feelings with tenderness. Sometimes you are so busy with your own life and your own family and friends that you forget about others. The connection you feel with the Muslim Ummah is a mirror for your Iman. Read about the situation of your fellow brothers and sisters around the world and think about the ways of how to support them. For example, in every Witr prayer, make sure you remember the Ummah in your Dua. Be merciful to the poor, orphans, widows and needy, and Ar-Raoof will be kind and merciful to you.
- Be proactive
If you see your brother or sister low in Iman or even going astray, feel concerned for them and advise them with kindness and care. Forbidding evil and enjoining good is a duty upon you. Be inspired by the Ra’fa of Allah (swt) to help, warn, and guide others as much as you can!
- Balance is Islam
Compassion is balanced with strictness in Islam, depending on the situation. Shaitan plays with kind-hearted people by misleading them to show excess kindness in the situations where Sharia demands strictness – for example, in punishing the evil suppressors. Shaitan misleads people with hard hearts towards showing excessive harshness where kindness is essential – for example, in dealing with family and relatives. Our beloved Prophet (sa) never retaliated when he was personally abused. He did so only to defend the Hadd (laws) or rules of Allah (swt), when they were broken or abused. Similarly, parents are told to be strict with kids only at ten years of age when they do not pray, after they have trained them patiently during their early years.
- Open your heart to the Quran
Allah (swt) says: “It is He Who sends down upon His Servant [Muhammad] verses of clear evidence that He may bring you out from darknesses into the light. And indeed, Allah is to you Kind and Merciful.” (Al-Hadid 57:9)
Ask Ar-Ra’oof to make your heart tender for His reminder, the Quran!
- Ask Ar-Ra’oof.
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.” (Al-Hashr 59:10)
Memorize this beautiful Dua, call upon Allah (swt) with it, and teach it to others!
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