Ar-Rabb
The Lord
He is the One Who raises His servants through His favors and makes them grow in a gradual way. And He raises His pious servants in a way that reforms their hearts. He is the Creator, the Possessor and the Master.
This noble name occurs more than 900 times in the Qur’an. For example: {“Peace,” a word from a Most Merciful Lord.} [Sūrat Yāsīn: 58] And {Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him; a good land and a Most Forgiving Lord.} [Sūrat Saba’: 15]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The tooth-stick cleans the mouth and pleases the Lord.”[1]
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Verily, I was forbidden to recite the Qur’an in bowing or prostration. As for bowing, glorify the Lord therein.”In light of this great name, I would say:
- Know that the prophets and messengers of Allah would mostly implore Him using His name ‘the Lord’. The Prophet Muhammad would often make this supplication: “Our Lord, give us in this world what is good and in the Hereafter what is good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”[2]
- If you know that Allah is your Lord, you must not worship or invoke other than Him. No one is more merciful to a servant than his Lord, Who created him, and none is more worthy of being worshiped than Him.
- Whoever believes in Allah as a Lord, a Creator and a Provider must also believe in Him as a Legislator Who issues commands and prohibitions. {Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command.} [Sūrat Al-A‘rāf: 45] Oneness of Lordship entails Oneness of worship. {O mankind, worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous.} [Sūrat Al-Baqarah: 21]
- Some scholars divide Lordship into three types:
- General Lordship for all creation for it is Allah Almighty, Who created and guided them and bestowed His provision upon them.
- Special Lordship for the believers represented by raising their bodies in a lawful manner and cultivating their hearts through faith.
- More special Lordship for the prophets and messengers represented by the revelation He sent down to them and the special favors He bestowed upon them.
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[1] Narrated by Al-Bukhāri, Ahmad and Al-Nasā’i
[2] Narrated by Al-Bukhāri; reported by Anas
