#2 of 99 — Asmaul HusnaMercy & Compassion

Ar-Rahimالرَّحِيمُ

Transliteration: Ar-Raheem

Meaning: The Bestower of Mercy

معنی: بار بار رحم کرنے والا

Arabic Root: ر-ح-م (Rahima) — to show mercy, compassion

Mentioned 114 times in the Quran

Ar-Rahim describes the special, intimate, and sustained mercy that Allah directs specifically toward His believing servants. While Ar-Rahman is universal, Ar-Rahim is particular — it is the mercy that guides believers, f...

Complete Meaning of Ar-Rahim

Ar-Rahim describes the special, intimate, and sustained mercy that Allah directs specifically toward His believing servants. While Ar-Rahman is universal, Ar-Rahim is particular — it is the mercy that guides believers, forgives their sins, and ultimately grants them Paradise. The name Ar-Rahim appears 114 times in the Quran — once for every Surah. The Prophet ﷺ described Allah's mercy: He divided mercy into 100 parts, sent one part to this world (from which all compassion among creation comes), and kept 99 parts for the Day of Judgment for the believers.

Mercy & Compassion📖 114 Quranic mentions🔤 Root: ر-ح-م (Rahima)

Benefits of Ar-Rahim

  • 1.Reciting Ya Rahim strengthens hope in Allah's special mercy for the believers
  • 2.Calling upon this name after sincere repentance draws Allah's forgiveness and pardon
  • 3.Reflecting on Ar-Rahim reassures the believer that no sin is too great for Allah's mercy
  • 4.It is a name of comfort during grief — Allah's Rahim encompasses the believer in all states
  • 5.The Prophet ﷺ taught: 'Allah is more merciful to His servants than a mother to her child'

How to Do Dhikr of Ar-Rahim

Recite 'Ya Rahim' (يَا رَحِيم) after each obligatory prayer. Combine with istighfar (seeking forgiveness): 'Ya Rahim, ighfir li' — O Bestower of Mercy, forgive me.

How to Use Ar-Rahim in Dua

Call upon Ar-Rahim when seeking forgiveness for sins, when asking for guidance back to the right path, and when making dua for deceased loved ones. Say: 'Ya Rahim, irhamna wa irham mawta al-muslimeen' — O Bestower of Mercy, have mercy on us and on the deceased Muslims.

Spiritual Lesson from Ar-Rahim

Ar-Rahim reminds us that Allah's mercy is not just general — it is personal and tailored to each believer. He knows your specific struggles, your private pain, and your sincere efforts. His Rahim is not distant; it is close, warm, and continuous for those who believe and strive.

Ar-Rahim in the Quran

Al-FatihahVerse 3

الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

"The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful."

Al-BaqarahVerse 37

إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

"Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful."

Prophetic Tradition

"Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly will enter Paradise."

Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim✓ Sahih

Ar-Rahim is name number 2 of the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah. Understanding and reflecting on its meaning — The Bestower of Mercy — is a means of drawing closer to Allah and entering Paradise through the promise of the Prophet ﷺ.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Ar-Rahim

Q1.What does Ar-Rahim mean in English?

Ar-Rahim means 'The Bestower of Mercy' or 'The Most Merciful' — specifically referring to Allah's special mercy for His believing servants.

Q2.How is Ar-Rahim different from Ar-Rahman?

Ar-Rahman is general mercy for all creation. Ar-Rahim is special, sustained mercy for believers — guiding them, forgiving them, and rewarding them in the Hereafter.

Q3.How many times is Ar-Rahim in the Quran?

Ar-Rahim appears 114 times in the Quran — corresponding exactly to the number of Surahs. It appears in Bismillah and frequently at the end of verses about forgiveness.

Q4.What is the dua using Ar-Rahim?

A well-known dua: 'Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, bi rahmatika astaghith' — O Ever-Living, O Self-Sustaining, by Your mercy I seek help. Ar-Rahim is invoked when seeking forgiveness and guidance.

Name Information

Arabicالرَّحِيمُ
TransliterationAr-Raheem
Urdu Meaningبار بار رحم کرنے والا
Number#2
CategoryMercy & Compassion
In Quran114 times

🔗 Related Names

Ar-RahmanAl-GhafurAt-TawwabAl-Wadud

🌟 Famous People with This Name

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan

Famous Mughal poet and commander, known for his poetry about devotion to Allah

Understanding Ar-Rahim — A Complete Islamic Guide

Ar-Rahim (الرَّحِيمُ) is one of the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah (Asmaul Husna), meaning "The Bestower of Mercy". This divine name falls under the category of Mercy & Compassion and appears 114 times in the Holy Quran.

Ar-Rahim describes the special, intimate, and sustained mercy that Allah directs specifically toward His believing servants. While Ar-Rahman is universal, Ar-Rahim is particular — it is the mercy that guides believers, forgives their sins, and ultimately grants them Paradise. The name Ar-Rahim appears 114 times in the Quran — once for every Surah. The Prophet ﷺ described Allah's mercy: He divided ...

Arabic Root: ر-ح-م (Rahima) — to show mercy, compassion

Ar-Rahim Among the Mercy & Compassion Names

The 99 Names of Allah are grouped into thematic categories that help Muslims understand and reflect on different aspects of Allah's perfection. Ar-Rahim belongs to the Mercy & Compassion category, which encompasses divine attributes related to Allah's infinite mercy, forgiveness, and loving care for His creation.

Other Mercy & Compassion Names:

How Muslims Apply Ar-Rahim in Daily Life

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In Prayer (Salah)

Muslims call upon Allah using Ar-Rahim in their daily prayers, especially when the specific quality of the bestower of mercy is most needed.

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In Dhikr

Repeating "Ya Ar-Rahim" as part of daily remembrance brings the believer closer to Allah and invites the qualities associated with this divine attribute.

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In Dua

The Quran instructs believers: "Call upon Allah by His Beautiful Names" (7:180). Using Ar-Rahim in dua aligns the request with the most appropriate divine attribute.

Islamic Baby Names Derived from Ar-Rahim

Many beautiful Islamic names are derived from the attribute of Ar-Rahim. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The most beloved names to Allah are Abdullah and Abdur-Rahman" — names prefixed with "Abdul" (Servant of) are particularly recommended.

Browse all Islamic baby names →

Continue Learning the 99 Names of Allah

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"And to Allah belong the most beautiful names, so call upon Him by them." — Quran (7:180)