Is it permissible to name the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, as "the Clement, the Merciful" (al-Ra'uf al-Rahim)?
Allah Almighty described His Messenger Muhammad, may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him, as Ra'uf (compassionate) and Rahim (merciful). He was named with these two names. Ibn Abbas, regarding the verse: (to the believers Ra'uf [compassionate], Rahim [merciful]), mentioned that Allah named him with two of His own names. However, naming him with these terms defined by the definite article (al-Ra'uf, al-Rahim) has not been mentioned in the Quran or the Sunnah. Some scholars have stated that the names "al-Ra'uf" and "al-Rahim," when defined, can only be applied to Allah. Ibn al-Qayyim pointed out that names that can be applied to both Him and others, such as al-Sami' (the All-Hearing), al-Basir (the All-Seeing), al-Ra'uf (the Compassionate), and al-Rahim (the Merciful), it is permissible to convey their meanings when describing a created being. However, it is not permissible to use them in an absolute sense, as they are used for the Lord Almighty.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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