Ar-Raḥīm

How the scholars invoke Ar-Raḥīm.

1. "Abd al-Rahim replied, "Of asceticism. When Abu Yazid inquired further, "In what regard? Abd al-Rahim said, "In the world. Abu Yazid shook his hand and remarked, "I thought he would speak of something significant, and the world is nothing. How can one renounce it?" For those who leave the world for the Hereafter, it is like tossing bread to a dog to distract it, allowing one to enter through the door and attain closeness to the king."

   — Imam al-Ghazali, Book 34: Poverty and Asceticism

2. "This represents the perfection of asceticism, rooted in complete understanding. Such an ascetic is less likely to return to worldly attachments, much like someone who trades a shard for a jewel without regret. Abu Yazid, may God have mercy on him, once asked Abu Musa Abd al-Rahim what he would speak about. Abd al-Rahim replied, "Of asceticism. When Abu Yazid inquired further, "In what regard?"

   — Imam al-Ghazali, Book 34: Poverty and Asceticism

3. "and we have certainly made the Quran easy to remember, so is there any who will remember? And he the exalted began with Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim. Indeed we sent Noah to his people saying, Warn your people before there comes to them a painful punishment. He said, O my people, indeed I am to you a clear warner, that you should worship Allah, fear him, and obey me. He will forgive you of your sins and delay you for a specified term. Indeed the time set by Allah when it comes will not be delayed if you only knew. He said, My Lord, indeed I invited my people night and day, but my invitation increased them not except in flight. The people placed their"

   — Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā

4. "world is brought to its markets. Eyes and noses never tire of seeing it one day, or inhaling its fragrance. The following is suited by the Honorable Judge Abd al-Rahim al-Baisani about it in a poem, also attributed to Ibn al-Munir. O lightning, are you capable of carrying a greeting that sweetened and became like your water, clear? Visit Damascus with an advance of life, its flowers adorned and crowned, and let your fringes drag in Jerun, setting aside, abounding in excellence and dignity, where the springtime rain is plentiful, and the bountiful showers nourish the grass. Abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Musa ibn Said al-Ansi"

   — Ibn Battuta, Volume One: From Tangier to the Lands of the East