The Meaning of “Allah”#

“Allah” is a proper noun that is used for Allah Himself, the Mighty and Sublime. None can be named with it other than Him. It means the Ma’luh (Deified One), that is; He Who is worshipped with love and veneration.

It is a derivation - according to the preferred view - based upon His, the Most High, statement:

“And He is Allah in the heavens and on the earth, He knows what you conceal and what you reveal” (Al-An’am 6:3)

This is because ‘in the heavens’ refers back to with the Word of Majesty (the Name Allah). So it means He is the Ma’luh (Deified One), both in the heavens, and on the earth.

The Meaning of “Ar-Rahman”#

“Ar-Rahman” means the Possessor of Extensive Mercy.

Because in the Arabic Language, the Fa’lan form indicates extensiveness and fullness. As it is said: “A man is Ghadban (meaning angry - in the Fa’lan form), when he is filled up with anger.

The Meaning of “Ar-Rahim”#

“Ar-Rahim” is a name that indicates the action (of bestowing mercy), because it is in the Fa’il form but with the meaning of the doer. So it indicates the action.

Hence, “Ar-Rahman ar-Rahim” will together imply that Allah’s Mercy is extensive, and that it reaches creatures. This is what is some scholars have indicated when they say that Ar-Rahman refers to Mercy in general, while Ar-Rahim refers to a Mercy that is specific for the believers.

Therefore, since Allah’s Mercy for the disbelievers is specific to this world only, it is as if there is no mercy for them. Because in the Hereafter, when they ask Allah to remove them from the Fire, appealing to Allah, the Most High, by His Lordship, and confessing against themselves:

“Our Lord! Bring us out of this; if ever we return (to evil), then indeed we shall be unjust/wrongdoers.” (Al-Mu’minun 23:107)

They will not meet Mercy, but justice. Then, Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will say to them:

“Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!” (Al-Mu’minun 23:108)

The Commentary#

Concerning his saying: “Praise be to Allah, Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth:”

Allah, the Most High, is being praised for His Perfection, the Mighty and Sublime, and His granting of favors. Thus, we praise Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, because He is perfect in His Attributes from all angles, and we also praise Him because He is Perfect in granting favors and beneficence:

“And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help” (An-Nahl 16:53)

The greatest of all the favors that Allah favored His Creatures with is sending the Messengers, by which there is guidance for the creatures. That is why the author says: “Praise be to Allah, Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth.”

What is intended by ‘the Messenger’#

What is intended by ‘the Messenger’ here is the class of the Messengers, since all the Messengers were sent with guidance and the religion of truth. However, he whom Allah has completed the Messengership with is Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), because Allah sealed (all) the Prophets by him, and completed the building with him.

As the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) described himself in relation to the (other) Messengers; like a man who built palace and completed it, with the exception of the place of a brick. Thus, the people would come to that palace and be amazed with it, except for the place of that (missing) brick. He said: “I am indeed the brick; and I am indeed the last of (all) the Prophets.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari (3535) and Muslim (2287), from Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him]

Concerning his statement: “with guidance”#

The guidance (Al-Huda) means the beneficial knowledge. It is also implied that the message itself (which he is sent with) is the guidance and the religion of truth.

”The religion of truth” means righteous actions#

“The religion of truth” means righteous actions, because Ad-Din means actions or the reward for actions.

So, an example of it being used for actions, is the saying of the Most High:

“Truly, Ad-Din (the religion) with Allah is Islam” (Al-‘Imran 3:19)

An example of it being used for reward, is the saying of the Most High:

“And what will make you know what the Day of Ad-Din (Recompense) is?” (Al-Infitar 82:17)

Furthermore, the truth is the opposite of falsehood, and it - that is the truth - includes bringing about good and warding off evil, in the rulings (of Shari’ah) and the information.

Concerning his statement: “to make it/him prevail (‘Liyuzhirahu’) over all religion”#

The letter “Lam” here indicates the purpose, meaning: in order to make it prevail over all religions. And the meaning of “prevail” is to become manifest and clear, and to become victorious over all other religions.