99 Beautiful Names of God

According to Dr Sharib:

"This is a specific name. The name implies the One Who conceals and
hides the faults and shortcomings of the people in the world. He is also the
One Who gives when asked."

To emulate the quality implicit in the name one should treat people with
love and affection, and direct them to the path of righteousness and truth.

Appropriate recitation is said to be conducive to softening the heart and
can prevents the mischief and evil designs of people.

see 'The 99 Most Beautiful Names of Allah' by Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib

Some other references:

"'Ar-Rahmaanu" (The first verse of Sura 55 of the holy Qur'an - which is
also entitled Rahmaan).

The following frequently recurring refrain occurs in this Sura:-

"Fabi-'ayyi 'alaa-'i Rabikumaa tukazzibaan?"

"Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?"

Al-Ghazali refers to Ar-Rehman as a 'specific name' in that no one other
than God is named by it. (Compare Ar-Rahim).

He further says: 'the meaning of Rehman should be a kind of mercy
beyond the powers of people and related to happiness in the next life.'

(Al-Ghazali - The Ninety-nine Beautiful Names of God. Trans. Burrel/Daher: ITS: 1992.)

Asked why she never spoke ill of Shaitan (Satan) Bibi Rabia of Basra said:
"No time is left to me for me to talk ill of Satan . I can only do so if I get the
time from remembering Ar-Rehman"

The Culture of the Sufis: by Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib: Sharib Press: 1999

When Ar-Rehman becomes felt in the heart of the believer its power
cleanses all perceived hurt and grievance and leaves to justice only
whatever truly requires it.

JMZ

'After the name Allah it is the most frequently used name of God in the
Qur'an.'
'The divine name Ar-Rahman means 'Merciful by His Very Nature' and is a
name of the essence.'

(Concise Encyclopedia of Islam)

The name ar-Rehman also figures in the expression 'The Breath of The
Merciful' and we have incorporated some references to this below.

'The Southern or Eastern breeze 'Nafas ar-Rahman' (The breath of the
Merciful) that reached the holy Prophet from Yemen carrying the fragrance
of Uwais Qarani's piety.'

(Schimmel - Deciphering the Signs of God)

"Nafas-ar-Rehman - [the breath of the Merciful]. A name for the sanctified
emanation,.... The cause of the emergence of creation is God's
All-Mercifulness."

Hasan Sushud : Masters of Wisdom of Central Asia. Coombe Spring. 1983

A Tradition of the holy Prophet Muhammed:

'Truly, during the days of your time, your Lord has certain breaths [of Mercy]
so meet them [when they occur]! Perchance one of the breaths will reach
you , and then ye will nevermore be miserable'.

The commentary of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi on this:-

The Prophet said, "God's Breaths (of Mercy) are bringing
[moments of] precedence during these days.

(So) keep your ears and minds (alert) for these times, (and)
seize (the opportunity of) such breaths as these."

The breath (of Mercy) came, saw you, and left;
it gave (spiritual) life to whomever it wished, and left.

Another breath has come. Be aware, so that you don't stay back
from this (one) as well, O master of the house.

Mathnawi I: lines 1951-1954

From "The Mathnawî-yé Ma`nawî" [Rhymed Couplets of Deep Spiritual Meaning] of Jalaluddin Rumi.
Translated from the Persian by Ibrahim Gamard (with gratitude for R. A. Nicholson's 1926 British translation)
© Ibrahim Gamard (translation, footnotes, & transliteration) First published on "Sunlight" (yahoogroups.com),
12/2/99

Can there be a sweeter way of describing the elevation of the heart felt at
the time of the 'Urs (death anniversary) of the saints, than the expression
Nafas ar-Rehman, 'the breath of Divine Mercy', that gives spiritual life to
whomever is ready to receive it.
JMZ

'Nafas ar-Rehman - a term in Sufi metaphysics for the manifestation of
possibilities, and thus for the creation of the world, based upon the
symbolism of breath.'

(Concise Encyclopedia of Islam)