99 beautiful names of Allah Almighty mentioned in the Quran and Hadith—are the names and attributes of Allah Almighty. Although these names cannot be used for others in their original divine sense, the Lord of the worlds has made the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم a manifestation (meaning an example and sign) of all these beautiful names.^[1]

Manifestation of the Pure Name Raḥmān

For example, among the beautiful names of Allah Almighty is the name al-Raḥmān. It is mentioned many times in the Holy Quran and is a very famous name. There is an entire with this name too. Al-Raḥmān is a name of Allah Almighty, and none other than Him can be called by this name. Some people name their children ꜤAbd al-Raḥmān, but call them Raḥmān, which is incorrect. Raḥmān is a name of Allah Almighty, and it is exclusively associated with Him. Raḥmān (meaning exceedingly Merciful) is an attribute of Allah Almighty. When there was no earth, no sky, no moon, sun, or stars, when nothing existed, Allah Almighty was still Raḥmān. He has always been Raḥmān and will remain Raḥmān forever. But here is a point to reflect upon: Allah Almighty is Raḥmān, but when He intended to shower His mercies upon creation, and desired to manifest this attribute, what did He do? How was it manifested? Allah Almighty states:

وَ مَاۤ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ اِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعٰلَمِیْنَ(۱۰۷)

And We sent you not but as mercy for all the worlds.^[2]

This is the greatest manifestation of the attribute of Raḥmān. When Allah Almighty willed to manifest this attribute, He made His Beloved Prophet, the Hāshimī Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, the manifestation of this