Is there a Muslim term for God that's only reserved for true believers? This term for God is much like Al-Rahman, however, many would teach that the advantages of this name apply only to Muslims. Let's see whether or not this is true. Even as we study this Muslim name for God and the names of God found in the Bible we could find common ground and the truth. The matter available is whether Allah's mercy is extended to unbelievers.
Al-Rahim - The All-Merciful
Based on Islam, this name means He who has lots of mercy for the believers. The term the believers, is clearly understood to mean the real believers, or Muslims. This Muslim name for God, like Al-Rahman, is utilized in the Shihada, the Muslim confession of faith. I often ask Muslims; How can one develop into a believer without receiving Allah's mercy? Few have an answer because of this question. This is something which hardly any think of, but rather, accept as truth; believing that Allah's mercy isn't open to infidels.
What's the Quranic basis with this name?
"In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Most Merciful." S. Al-Fatihah 1:1
Surra Al-Fatihah (The Opening) Hindu Boy Names could be the opening Surra in the Quran. This Muslim name of God is found in the very first verse of the Quran, so clearly it's important. For a deeper knowledge of the prominence of this Muslim term for God, see: S. 2:163, and S. 4:100.
As an ardent promoter of inter-faith dialogue, I'd to include this next verse from the Qur'an. You'll understand just why in a moment:
"Say: "If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will like you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." S. 3:31
Wow! Exactly the same claim was created by the Savior, Jesus Christ. The question for the Muslim (and every sinner) is clear... Can Jesus be trusted? This verse is critical in Muslim evangelism because the idea of sin is vastly different in Islam than it's in Christianity. Muslims usually count the'big'sins as people who cut men off from Allah's mercy and fail to know the subtle destructiveness of the'little sins '.
So, is Al-Rahim, The All-Merciful, a Muslim term for God reserved mainly for Muslim believers, or are Christ's claims valid?
Consider a few of Christ's claims from the Bible:
Matt. 9:4-7 recounts the story of Jesus being upset with the religious leaders because Jesus desired to heal a man on the holy day. Jesus let them understand that He not just had power on the planet to heal a person of paralysis, but He also had the energy to forgive the man of his sins. Obviously, it's better to simply proclaim a man's sins are forgiven. To show His authority, however, He explained that to prove He'd power to forgive the man's sins he would rise up and walk off healed. Guess what... The man rose up, healed and forgiven. This really is but one demonstration of Allah's tangible, powerful mercy in action.
While on earth, Jesus constantly reminded the religious leaders that they were from beneath and He was from above. They were of the natural world and He was from above. So many will die in their sins if they cannot believe that He is the Merciful One and receive His mercy. It is Him who's ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.
The language have now been spoken, the books have already been written. When someone hears of the Savior, the choice should be made. For easy illustrations of God's immeasurable mercy, I refer you again to the three Scriptures that I mention often, and I leave you with some compelling verses from the Psalms.
The Woman with the Problem of Blood - John 8:1-12
Blind Bartimaeus- Mark 10:46-52
The Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-24
Let's remember, Allah, Al-Rahim, is merciful and gracious. He's slow to anger, and abounds in mercy. He isn't just merciful, He's overflowing with mercy. Thankfully, He hasn't dealt with us in line with the extent our sins, nor punished us according to the wrongdoings. Just since the heavens are high above our planet, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. One of the ways I like to think about His mercy could be the picture of east and west. He's removed our sins from us through Christ's finished work just because the east is taken off the west. He's just like a father who pities his children. Allah pities those who fear Him. He knows that we are but mere men.
Our Heavenly Father is incredibly merciful, but He's also incredibly just, and holy. If the Muslim name for God, Al-Rahim, simply for Muslim believers, we wouldn't find the same name and character descriptions for God throughout the Bible. Understanding Him fully may help Muslims and all men understand the Gospel fully. Al-Rahim is but one Muslim name for God, but it is powerful in communicating God's mercy to all.