The Second Muslim Term for God

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The next Muslim term for God is really as important as the 99th; however, a quick study of the name uncovers a fascinating connection to a Biblical name of God. According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad said, "To God belongs 99 names, 100 minus 1, anybody who memorizes them will enter Paradise; He (God) is odd (odd number, he is the Only One), and He loves odd numbers."

Notice, memorizing these names is just a guarantee of one's place in paradise. Muhammad didn't promote understanding, only memorization. Please pray that even as Muslims memorize and recite these each Muslim name for God they'd have opportunities to hear the truth about Muslim Names God's character, and come to learn Him.

One highly esteemed Muslim name for God is Al-Rahman. This is one name of God found in the Muslim Shihada (confession of faith).

Al-Rahman - The All-Compassionate, Beneficent

Have a look at what the Qur'an says in regards to the name:

"The Most Gracious has imparted this Qur'an unto man. He has created man: He's imparted unto him articulate thought and speech. At His behest sunlight and the moon run their appointed courses; before Him prostrate themselves the stars and the trees. And the skies has He raised high, and has devised for all things a measure, so that you too, O men, might never transgress the way of measuring what's right: weight, therefore, your deeds with equity, and cut not the measure short! And the planet earth has He disseminate for several living beings, with fruit thereon, and palm trees with sheathed clusters of dates, and grain growing tall on its stalks, and sweet-smelling plants. Which, then, of your Sustainer's powers are you able to disavow?" S. Al-Rahman 55:1-13

The Most Compassionate, the Beneficent, the Gracious. This is actually the second name for God based on Islam. By definition this means The one who has lots of mercy for the believers and the blasphemers these days and particularly for the believers in the hereafter. This is a quite interesting definition, indeed.

Once we see, this can be a powerful, promising Muslim term for God and a good bridge to inter-faith dialogue. A great question to ask a Muslim is; How can God show His mercy and compassion to believers and blasphemers? If the person you ask doesn't know, then simply share a few of the stories from the Bible which clearly show God's mercy in action through Jesus.

For instance, there's:

The Woman with the Problem of Blood - John 8:1-12

The Story of Blind Bartimaeus- Mark 10:46-52

The Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-24 - This story is very telling of God's compassionate nature. In the story, an abundant man's son ran off and fell into a life of sin and disgrace. He stumbled on the finish of his rope and returned home, repentant and intent on being but a servant in his father's home. His father, on another hand, was expectantly searching for his son's return. When he saw his son, a long way off, he ran to him, forgave him, and restored him to his place of honor as a beloved son. This is actually the perfect picture of Allah's compassion.

When these are His graciousness and His amazing provision, I also like to consider Job 38 & 39. The questions from God in these passages blow my mind each time I read them! Our God is an incredible God. Allah is really the generous and gracious one! If Muslims memorize only one Muslim term for God, I pray it's this 1, Al-Rahman.

Consider the following two facts from the Holy Scriptures:

1. Allah slow to anger and rich in love.

2. Allah is good to all or any and he has compassion on all he has made.

For example with this, we have Jesus. Jesus was often moved with compassion for the masses and he often healed their sick. I've had the privilege of discussing this all important term for God with many Arab Muslims and have found that factually and by first hand experience, this is not really a Muslim term for God. It is just a universal title for God to be utilized by all. Most Muslims know this term for Allah. They recite it daily inside their prayers. The experience and expectation of His mercy, however, is very another issue.

Maybe you have heard Christians claim that'that one or that one'could never enter into heaven. Well, would Allah's mercy cover those individuals? Did it? Typically, we don't know, but His mercy is vast enough to forgive even the vilest of offenders. Muslims struggle with this aspect regardless of this beautiful name of Allah. I cherish the inter-faith dialogues that let me explore God's mercy. They give ample opportunity to share with you what God did in Christ to reconcile the planet to Himself.