Rahman and Rahim; Two Attributes of God
Contemplating on the meaning of these two attributes would help us learn interesting points, according to scholar Abolqassem Haqiqatdoust, addressing a Quran interpretation session on Surah Al-Fatiha. Following are excerpts from his remarks at the session:
Usually these two words, namely Rahman and Rahim, are translated as compassionate and merciful. Both words are from the same root of Rahma, which means mercy. The difference between Rahman and Rahim is that the former has a larger scope and domain. Rahim is a special blessing while Rahman is not special. Of course I do not believe that Rahman is for all and Rahim is for the believers only.
There are two questions raised here, the second being a continuation of the first.
The first question is how can one believe that God is Rahman and Rahim and at the same time Adil (just, He is an impartial judge who tells the truth) and Hakim (is All-Wise and acts based on wisdom)? Are these not contradictory? The second question is related to the issue of eternal punishment.
Some calamities in the world such as floods and earthquakes occur based on the natural process of events and God does not want to make nature in the form of a robot. From a religious point of view, we can say that according to Hadiths, there is a reward for every calamity and tragedy. That is, even an unbeliever who faces a tragedy will be given a reward in this world. So from this perspective, such tragedies lead to a better system of creation and include rewards.
Basically, punishment and tragedies are meant to purify. According to Hadiths, a person who is given Hadd (special punishment for some sins) will not be punished in the hereafter. If we look at it this way, we will realize that they are not even punishment but implementation of the law. Actually, if these punishments are not carried out, it would be a violation of God’s Adl (justice) and Hikma.
The next question is about eternal punishment. No matter how big their sins and corruption, is it justified that some people will be in punishment forever? We are not talking about one year or two years or a hundred years or a thousand years. We are talking about eternity. Is it not against God being Rahman and Rahim or even with His Adl and Hikma?
1- When one asks the Imam (AS) why they will be in fire forever, Imam (AS) says because their Kufr (disbelief) was temporary (only in this world) but their intention to be Kafir (unbeliever) was eternal. That is, if they had remained in the world, they would be Kafir forever.
2- We have a principle that says there must be compatibility between crime and punishment but not compatibility between crime and duration of punishment.
3- Some say that after sometime, the one who is being punished will adapt to his punishment. So when a Kafir enters hell, he will assume a fire nature after sometime and then the fire would not burn him. For example, because a pig is used to filth and dirt, it will not mind being put in dirt, but will enjoy it.
4- Some Quran interpreters have said that eternal here means a long time.
5- The fifth answer to this question requires changing our view of paradise and hell, that is, we should realize that punishment is the result of one’s deeds not God’s creation.
