One of the most common ideas for a long time concerning the difference between “Al-Rahman” and “Al-Rahim” is the generality of the function of “Al-Rahman” and the specificity of the function of “Al-Rahim”. This view has been expressed in different interpretations, the most common of which is that “al-Rahman” includes all human beings or all creatures, but “al-Rahim” includes only believers. Based on a descriptive-analytical method, this study examined the origin and validity of this view. Despite the attempts to introduce it based on Qur’anic and literary evidence, it contradicts the total Qur’anic usage of “Al-Rahman” and “Al-Rahim”. In addition, the etymological construction of two good descriptions is not consistent with it as well. Finally, based on the Qur’anic usage and etymology form, it can be said that “al-Rahman” is an internal attribute that does not belong to the external source. “Al-Rahim” is an active adjective with stages, one of which is general for all and the strong and permanent of which is associated with specific people. Moreover, in some hadiths, it has been said that this view is not authentic, while it is proved that because of Qur’anic and literary usage of these two words, such hadiths are not acceptable. However, it is possible to have an interpretation of hadiths, agreeing with the chosen view.
Keywords: Al-Rahman؛ Al-Rahim؛ The scope of mercy؛ General mercy؛ Special mercy
Zamakhshārī, Mahmoud bin Omar; Ibn Hajar Asqalānī, Ahmad bin Ali (1407 AH), Al-Kashshāf, Research: Mustafa Hussain Ahmed, Muhammad ‘Ulyān Mazkour, Ahmad bin Al-Munīr Iskandrī, and Muhammad ‘Ulyān Marzouqī, Dar -al-Kitāb al-Arabi.
Samirā’ī, Fādil Saleh (1428 AH), Ma’ānīy al-Abnīya fi al-Arabīya, Amman: Dar Ammar.
Sultan Ali Shah, Sultan Muhammad bin Haider (1408 AH), Bayān al-Sa'āda fī Maqāmāt al-‘Ibāda, Beirut: Al-'A'lamī Publications Institution.
Sulamī, Muhammad ibn Hussein (1990), haqā’iq al-Tafsīr, Tehran: Daneshgahi Publishing Center.
Samarqandī, Nasr bin Muhammad (1416 AH), The Commentary of al-Samarqandī called Bahr al-‘Ulūm, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr.
Sibiwayh, ‘Amr bin Othman (1408 AH), Al-Kitab (Book of Sibiwayh), Cairo: Al-Khanjī Library.
Sayed Mortada ‘Alam Al-Huda, Ali Bin Al-Hussein (1431 AH), The Commentary of Al-Sharif Al-Murtadā called: Nafā’is Al-Ta’wīl, Beirut: Al-'A'lamī Foundation for Publications.
Al-Suyūtī, Abd al-Rahman (nd), Hama' al-Hawā’mi', Beirut: Dar 'Iihya' al-Turāth al-Arabī.
Shubairī, Muhammad Jawad (2003), “Ali Ibn Ibrahim Qomi’s Tafsir,” Encyclopedia of Muslim World, Tehran: Center of the Great Islamic Encyclopedia.
Shoushtari, Muhammad Taqi (nd), Al-Akhbar Al-Dakhilah, Tehran: Al-Sadooq Library.
Sheikh Zadeh, Muhammad bin Mustafa (1419 AH), A footnote by Mohy Al-Din Sheikhzadeh on the interpretation of Al-Qadi Al-Baydawi, Beirut: Dar Al-Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyya.
Sadeqi Tehrani, Mohammad (1986), Al-Furqān fī Tafsīr al-Qur’an bi al-Qur'an, Qom: Islamic Culture Publications.
Sadūq, Muhammad bin Ali (1398 AH), Al-Tawhid, Qom: Qom Seminar Teachers Association.
Sadūq, Muhammad bin Ali (1406 AH), Thawāb al-'A'māl wa ‘Iqāb al-'A'māl, Qom: Dar Al-Sharif Al-Radi for Publishing.
Tabataba’ī, Sayed Muhammad Hussein (1390 AH), Al-Mīzān, Beirut: Al-'A'lamī Foundation for
Rezaei Kahnamoei, A. (2022). Evaluating the Famous Theory about the Inclusion of “Al-Rahmānīyah” and “Al-Rahīmīyah”. Researches of Quran and Hadith Sciences, 19(2), 73-105. doi: 10.22051/tqh.2022.35727.3185
MLA
Ali Rezaei Kahnamoei. "Evaluating the Famous Theory about the Inclusion of “Al-Rahmānīyah” and “Al-Rahīmīyah”". Researches of Quran and Hadith Sciences, 19, 2, 2022, 73-105. doi: 10.22051/tqh.2022.35727.3185
HARVARD
Rezaei Kahnamoei, A. (2022). 'Evaluating the Famous Theory about the Inclusion of “Al-Rahmānīyah” and “Al-Rahīmīyah”', Researches of Quran and Hadith Sciences, 19(2), pp. 73-105. doi: 10.22051/tqh.2022.35727.3185
VANCOUVER
Rezaei Kahnamoei, A. Evaluating the Famous Theory about the Inclusion of “Al-Rahmānīyah” and “Al-Rahīmīyah”. Researches of Quran and Hadith Sciences, 2022; 19(2): 73-105. doi: 10.22051/tqh.2022.35727.3185
)
