14/05/2023
*Allah's Name: Ar-Rabb الرب* (The Lord)
➡️ Ar-Rabb is the One Who *nurtures and sustains* all of His servants through regulating their affairs and granting all types of favors and blessings. More specifically He nurtures His pious servants in a way that reforms their hearts. He is the Creator, the Possessor and the Master.
➡️ This name is mentioned 900 times in the Qur’an, for example:
⚪️*”All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”* [sūrat Al-Fatihah: 1]
And in sunnah:
⚪️The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The tooth-stick cleans the mouth and pleases the Lord.”
➡️ Allah's lordship is divided in two categories:
1️⃣ *General Lordship* for all creation for it is Allah Almighty, who created and guided them and bestowed His provision upon them in this life.
2️⃣ *Special Lordship* for the believers represented by correcting and purifying their hearts, souls and manners, and He bestowed more favors and special care to the chosen prophets and messengers represented by the revelation He sent down to them.
⚪ This is why the prophets and messengers of Allah would frequently supplicate using this noble name 'the Lord', seeking this specific nurturing:
⚪ Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) 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.”*
➡️ This great name of Allah reminds us:
1️⃣ 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.
2️⃣ 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 that are to be obeyed.
3️⃣ Oneness of Lordship entails Oneness of worship. Allah says that which means: *"O mankind, worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous.”* [Sūrat Al-Baqarah: 21]
➡️ The name (Ar-Rabb الرّب) must not be attributed to other than Allah. However, (rabb رب) may be used to refer to other than Allah, in the genitive case only, where it means “the owner or proprietor of something”. For example, rabb al-‘usrah means head of the family.