JPRA)YlER

"In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Metcitul.' All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds . The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path -the path of those You have blessed, not those who have earned Your anger, nor those who have gone astray."

I Ar-Ralpn an ar-raneern are two attributive names of Allah derived from the word "r31pnall" (mercy). In Arabic gr ammar both are intensive forms of "mercifu)" (i.e., extremely merciful). A double me aning is intended by using both together. RatJman is used only to describe Allah (sublJanalJU wa La'iHa), while raheern might be used to describe a person as well. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was described in the Qur'an as ra1.Jeem. Ra/.lmiin is a bove the human level (i.e., intensely merciful). Since one usually understands intensity to be something of short duration, Allah describes Himself also as ra/.Jcem (i.e., continually merciful). RaiJman also carries a wider meaning -merciful to all creation. Justice is a part of this mercy. Reh cetn has a meaning of specificity -especially and specifically mercifultothebelievers. Forgive nessisapartofthis mercy.