Ramadan Diaries: Treasures from the Quran - "Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem"

The holy Quran, a collection of Allah (swt)'s instructions for Man, begins with the words "Bimillahir Rahmanir Raheem." 

They translate as: "In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." Anybody who recites the Quran is to recite these words before they begin reading a new chapter so as to bear witness each time of the acknowledgement that Allah (swt) is the Most Gracious and Most Merciful. Not only in Quranic recitation but before beginning any act such as eating, drinking, going out, writing an exam, and etc. Muslims are to recite these words. They invoke Allah (swt) and are a call for help so as to benefit from His Mercy in whatever it is that we are doing.

Allah (swt) Himself told us about His names, Ar-Rahman (Most Gracious) and Ar-Raheem (Most Merciful), and that they are derived from Rahmah (Mercy). He says: 

"I Am Ar-Rahman. I created the Raham (womb, i.e. family relations) and derived a name for it from My Name. Hence, whoever keeps it, I will keep ties to him, and whoever severs it, I will sever ties with him.') He then said, "This is a text that indicates the derivation.'' He then said, "The Arabs denied the name Ar-Rahman, because of their ignorance about Allah and His attributes.''

Allah (swt) made it known to Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessing on him and his family - saww) that Allah (swt)'s mercy encompasses this world and the next and so only He should be invoked in times of need and only He should be paid all the gratitude. So, it is essential that we begin Ramadan by realizing that we should be connecting ourselves only and only with Allah (swt) for our needs and not any others. Mercy is only going to come to us from the Most Merciful, nobody else. 

In this Ashra (10 days) we shall be focusing on two things:

Gratitude is what we should begin Ramadan with, because it is an acknowledgement of Ar-Rahman (Most Gracious). In order to seek mercy from Allah (swt) the first step is to realize His Graciousness, His Bounties, and His Greatness. I'd be reviewing the chapter Ar- Rahman (The Merciful) to study this.

Next, we should seek mercy from trials and troubles, from evils and misguidance, and from the anger of Allah (swt). 

Stay tuned to Treasures from the Quran on Ramadan Diaries at Sisterly Yours.