Ar-Rahman facts for kids

Ar-Rahman (Arabic: الرحمان, ar-raḥmān; meaning: The Merciful) is the 55th chapter (Surah) of the Qur'an. It has 78 verses, which are called āyāt.

What Does Ar-Rahman Mean?

The name of this chapter, Ar-Rahman, is found right in its first verse. It means "The Most Beneficent" or "The Most Gracious." This important name for God, "ar-Rahman," is also used at the beginning of almost every chapter in the Qur'an. It's like a special phrase that says, "In the Name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy."

Long ago, around the 300s CE, people in South Arabia started using the word "rahman" in their writings. This showed a change towards believing in a single God, moving away from older pagan beliefs.

When Was This Chapter Revealed?

Scholars have different ideas about when the chapter Ar-Rahman was revealed. Some think it was revealed early on, when the Prophet Muhammad was in Mecca. Others believe it was revealed later, when he was in Medina.

Many Muslim scholars generally agree that Sūrat ar-Rahman belongs to the Meccan period. This means it was revealed before the Prophet Muhammad moved to Medina.

Images for kids

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  This is a Folio from an old Qur'an. It shows verses 62 - 65 of the chapter Ar-Rahman. The writing style is called Kufic script. This piece is from North Africa or the Near East and dates back to the 10th century. It is now kept at the Aga Khan Museum.