The Most Merciful

The Mercy that chooses, that bends down over the soul turned toward Him.

The tongue

A faʿīl (فَعِيل) form, from the same root as ar-Raḥmān (اَلرَّحْمَٰن), but of more intimate reach. Al-Kāfījī says: ar-Raḥmān is for this world, ar-Raḥīm is for the next — the one is universal, the other elects.

The reason

This is the mercy of the return: it welcomes the penitent, soothes the burned, forgives the broken.

The Sufi meaning

Where ar-Raḥmān gives being, ar-Raḥīm gives felicity. It is the smile of God upon the face of the faithful.

The servant's portion

Let the servant, after having given, accompany — let him not be content with the general gift, but bend down over the details of another's pain.