Rahman indicates that Allah mercifully provides us...

Rahman indicates that Allah mercifully provides us sustenance even if we cease to obey and worship Him, as indicated in Tafseer Saafi. On the other hand, the term Raheem describes that aspect of mercy which is issued forth only in response to the actions and behavior of the recipient. It is in this manner that God takes ten steps toward us when we take even a single step toward God.

Allah (SWT) is Raheem with our religion, our wordly affairs, our hereafter and He has made it easy for us with least amount of burden (Tafseer Saafi). According to many narrations, the mercy associated with Raheem is specific to the believers only. As mentioned in the book Al Khesaal, it is recommended to recite this verse with a loud voice during prayers and it is considered to be one of the five signs of a true believer.

There is also a sacred Hadith (Qudsi) in which Allah (SWT) says: كل أمر ذي بال لم يذكر فيه بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم فهو أبتر. ( Every considered matter which “Bismillah Al Rahman Al Raheem” is not recited is put at halt. ). Along the same lines, Allah (SWT) said to Prophet Musa: “ O Musa!

Ask My servants to confess about Me that I am the most Merciful of all the merciful and I answer the supplications of the uneasy souls and I ward off the troubles and turn the conditions of time and I grant bounties after calamities and appreciate even small deeds and give reward generously and turn the needy into the affluent and that I am the everlasting Mighty and Omnipotent Lord and that they should pray to me .” (Hayaat Al Qulub vol I) Indeed there are many secrets to this common yet profound expression such that it is narrated that whoever among the Shia (followers of Ahlul Bayt) abandons its recitation, Allah (SWT) will test him with a trial to remind him of praise and gratitude and to erase his shame acquired due to neglecting its recitation.

The school of , however, disagree that this verse is part of every Surah and hence they abandon its recitation. It is certainly not a coincidence that this verse be a point of contention among the Muslims. In fact this contention on a verse which bears no controversial issue and is simply highlighting the mercy of Allah and His attributes implies to us that there are indeed hidden secrets behind this expression which requires further contemplation on our part.