Who Is The Womb Named After?
Masjid Al Rahma, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Arabic root of Rahma (mercy) is R-H-M. This trilateral root means to have compassion, care and mercy towards someone. Two of God’s divine names share the same root; Al-Rahman and Al-Rahim (the Merciful & the Compassionate). However, these English translations don’t explain the depth of meaning contained in these arabic words. So consider this: the same root (rhm) also produces the word, rahm, which is the arabic word for womb.
The close connection between all these words have always fascinated me. This connection has been expressed in a Hadith Qudsi*:
“I am the Merciful (Al-Rahman). I created the womb, rahm, and I have [given] it a name derived from My own name.” i.e. Allah created the womb and named it rahm, after his own names (Al-Rahman & Al-Rahim).
The connection between these words — Rahma, Rahim, Rahman, Rahm — is a beautiful expression of Allah’s all-encompassing mercy. Allah’s mercy surrounds us, nurtures us and protects us, much like our mother’s womb did for 9 months of our lives. Generally speaking, our mothers are considered to be the sole beings on this earth who will unconditionally love you and always have mercy on you, more than she loves, and shows mercy to, herself. A mother would die for you, would rather put herself through pain than to see you in pain. This is because we are — from her.
Now what of the mercy and love from the creator of this mother? From the creator of the womb, the creator of you, the creator of life? It is said in a Hadith** that, “Allah is more merciful to His servants than this mother is to her child.” Allah loves you more than your mother loves you. Allah is more merciful to you than your mother is to you. Imagine the depth of love and mercy He has for us. Beyond our comprehension. Subhanallah.
*Hadith Qudsi are the sayings revealed Allah (swt) to our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and then communicated by the Prophet (pbuh)
** Hadith are sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) — not attributed to Allah (swt)
