The First Name of Allah, Ar-Rahman.

Prologue.

We begin the journey to understanding who is Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ with the name Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem. As a way of developing His relationship with us, He tells us more about Him. The names most frequently used in the Qur'an are the names of Rahmah (i.e., His mercy). We begin every surah with the exception of Surah Taubah with the recitation of the Basmala (i.e., the bismillah), in which we proclaim His mercy. The Qur'an is a gift from Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, a sign of His mercy. It gives the impression He would like all of mankind to know that He is the most gracious and the most merciful.

There are 57 mentions of the name Ar-Rahman spanning across 16 different chapters of the Qur'an.

"Say, “Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call – to Him belong the best names.” And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way." (Qur'an 17:110)

Who is Ar-Rahman?

Allah is Ar-Rahmaan (in arabic: ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ). He is the One who blesses all His creation with prosperity and devoid from disparity. He is most merciful, kind, and loving towards all creation. His Rahma is all inclusive and embraces all.

From the root ra-ha-mim (ر ح م), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to have tenderness, gentleness, kindness, to love, to have mercy, to have pity, to show favor and goodness, to have all that is required for beneficence.

There are eight names that refer to His mercy and kindness: Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem, Ar-Ra'uf, Al-Barr, Al-Wahhab, Al-Ghaffar, Al-Afuww, and At-Tawwab. Each name, although related under the umbrella of mercy, is unique. We'll explore each in detail and see the various ways in which Allah's mercy manifests. As for the name Ar-Rahman it is reserved for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ alone. It's a quality that can't be ascribed to anybody else. A person can be referred to as Raheem, meaning being merciful. But Ar-Rahman is understood to be all-encompassing mercy, so far-reaching that it touches everything and everyone. A kind of mercy that knows no bounds. As a name, it is understood this kind of mercy is reserved only for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. A person named Rahman must therefore have the prefix Abdur, meaning servant of the merciful.

'Umar b. Khattab reported that there were brought some prisoners to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) amongst whom there was also a woman, who was searching (for someone) and when she found a child amongst the prisoners, she took hold of it, pressed it against her chest and provided it suck. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Do you think this woman would ever afford to throw her child in the Fire? We said: By Allah, so far as it lies in her power, she would never throw the child in Fire.' Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Allah is more kind to His servants than this woman is to her child. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5999 & Sahih Muslim 2754)

One Hundred Portions of Mercy.

From the hadith, it comments on Allah's Rahmat (mercy), “Verily, Allah has one hundred portions of mercy. From one portion the creation has been given mercy by virtue of which there is mutual love between the people and ninety nine portions are reserved for the Day of Resurrection.” (Sahih Muslim 2753)

Be a merciful!

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Those who are merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1924)

The belief in Allah's mercy is beneficial to a believer because it causes an individual to reflect on their ability to be merciful themselves. Narrated Jarir bin `Abdullah: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind." (Sahih al-Bukhari 7376). It also encourages a believer to do good, to act with virtue so that they can receive the mercy of their Lord, "As for those who believe and do good, the Most Compassionate will certainly bless them with genuine love" (Surah Maryam ayah 96)

Epilogue.

Allah's mercy is vast and is described by Prophet ﷺ to be greater than a mother's love for her child. In Imam Zarruq's book, The loftiest goal in elucidating Allah's most beautiful names he recommends attaching oneself to this name through "fellowship, hope, behaving with extreme affection because of firm trust in His affection." Know Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is all-wise and all-knowing, your forgiveness towards others, and their imperfections will be rewarded on the day of judgment. Lead with hope and compassion and seek to assist those who are misguided as they are in need. And on a concluding note for this name, begin every task by calling upon Ar-Rahman through the phrase, "Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Rahim," which means "In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful." All things are only made possible with Allah's blessing. We, too, require His mercy and grace in all matters.

Source: My Islam