Bismillah ar Rahman ar Raheem
Alhamdulillah, we covered the first part of first aayah of first Surah in Qur’an….Alhamdulillah. Let’s go to the next word, ‘Rabb’. Usually translated as the ‘Lord’ in English language, Rabb has an elegant and uncompromised meaning in itself and which is hard to translate word by word / in one word. Subhanallah. let’s see the notes now.
The Meaning of Ar-Rabb, the Lord
Ar-Rabb is the owner who has full authority over his property. Ar-Rabb, linguistically means, the master or the one who has the authority to lead. All of these meanings are correct for Allah. When it is alone, the word Rabb is used only for Allah. As for other than Allah, it can be used to say Rabb Ad-Dar, the master of such and such object. Further, it was reported that Ar-Rabb is Allah’s Greatest Name.
Meaning of the word ‘ar-Rabb’ in the Book and the Sunnah
The three radicals of this word are the letters (ra-ba-ba) and the basic meaning is to bring up. If we take into account the wider meaning of the root word and its various derivatives, we find that it has following connotations:
- One who brings up, rear, fosters or nourishes, or is responsible for doing all or one or more than one of these;
- Guardian, patron; one who supervises or is responsible for carrying out improvements;
- One who occupies a central or focal position, who himself gathers people round himself of his own or round whom people gather out themselves;
- Leader, head, chief, or lord; one whose word is obeyed, and whose supremacy or overlordship acknowledged, and who has authority to dispose of men or things;
- Owner ; master.
The root word of the word, ‘ar-Rabb‘ is ‘rabba-yarubbu‘ meaning, ‘to nurture something from one form to another up to its final form. It is said, ‘he raised him’ (rabbahu), they raised him (rabbaahu), etc. Thus, metaphorically the word, ‘rabb’ is used only for the doer.
‘Ar-Rabb‘ is not said in its absolute sense (i.e., without limitations) except for Allah, the One, Who rectifies the affairs of all creatures. Reflect upon His saying, ‘(Rabbul-Alameen) the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).’ [Soorah al-Fatiha (1): 2] and, ‘(Rabbukum) Your Lord and (Rabbu-Aabaikum) the Lord of your ancient fathers!’ [Soorah ash-Shoorah (26): 26]
The word, ‘ar-Rabb‘ is not said for anyone other than Allah, except with an adjective, for example, ‘Rabbud-dar‘ meaning, master of the house, ‘Rabbul-Faras‘ meaning, owner of the horse, as Allah related about Yusuf (alaihi as-salaam), ‘Mention me to your lord (i.e. your king, so as to get me out of the prison).’ But Shaytan made him forget to mention it to his Lord.’ [Soorah Yusuf (12): 42]
‘Return to your lord and ask him.’ [Soorah Yusuf (12): 50]
‘As for one of you, he (as a servant) will pour out wine for his lord (king or master) to drink.’ [Soorah Yusuf (12): 41]
Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) said about the lost camel, ‘until its rabb (owner) finds it.’ [Agreed upon]
Thus, it has become clear from the above that the word, ‘ar-Rabb‘ (without limitations) is applicable (only) to Allah with or without any adjective. Thus, it can be said, ‘ar-Rabb‘ (the Lord i.e., in the absolute sense), and (in the restricted form) Rabbul-Alameen (the Lord of the mankind, jinn, etc.) or Rabbun-Nas (the Lord of mankind). The word, ‘ar-Rabb‘ cannot be said to anyone other than Allah without an adjective (in order to limit its meaning) like, Rabbud-dar (lord of the house), Rabbul-Bait (owner of the house), and Rabbul-Ibl (owner of the camel).
And the meaning of, ‘Rabbul-Alameen‘ (Lord of the mankind, jinn, etc.) is their Creator, Owner and the One, Who rectifies and nurtures them by sending His Messengers, and revealing His Books, and rewarding them for their righteous deeds. Al-Allamah Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullah) said,
‘Verily, Rububiyah includes commanding the slaves and prohibiting them, and rewarding the good doers with good and reprimand (the evil doers) with punishment.’
[See, Madarijus-Salikeen (1/8)]
This is the reality of Rububiyah. We end this part here, to ponder upon the greatness of the Rabb in choosing the words, and making us to ponder about His knowledge once again…Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen.
Courtesy: One, Two and Three
