Research article
● Open access
Rahim and the Question of Arham: A Qur’an-Centric Linguistic Analysis of Divine Self-Description of Mercy in the Holy Qur’an
Abstract
In exploring the nuances of divine self-description within the Holy Qur’an, this original research delves into the linguistic deployment of the root R-Ḥ-M (رحم), focusing on how mercy is articulated as an inherent attribute of Allah. Drawing from a Qur’an-centric perspective, the study argues that forms like al-Raḥīm (الرحيم) represent absolute, non-relational mercy, while elative constructions such as Arḥam (أرحم) introduce comparative elements that may not fully align with the text’s emphasis on unbounded divine compassion. Anchored in principles of Tawḥīd and Raḥmah, the analysis employs root tracing, morphological dissection, and semantic mapping across the Qur’anic corpus to reveal patterns in divine naming. Findings indicate that al-Raḥīm appears in fixed, nominal structures over 100 times, often paired with al-Raḥmān, whereas Arḥam is confined to relational contexts in fewer than 10 instances, never as a standalone name. This distinction underscores potential tensions between scriptural precision and devotional expansions, contributing to discussions on theological linguistics and the authority of Qur’anic self-reference in Islamic scholarship.
Keywords
Raḥīm, Arḥam, Qur’anic linguistics, Tawḥīd, Raḥmah, divine attributes, Qur’an-centric theology
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al-Ghazālī, A. Ḥ. (1992). *The ninety-nine beautiful names of God* (D. B. Burrell & N. Daher, Trans.). Islamic Texts Society. (Original work published 1100 CE)
al-Rāzī, F. al-D. (1981). *Mafātīḥ al-ghayb* (Vol. 1-32). Dār al-Fikr. (Original work published 1209 CE)
Burrell, D. B., & Daher, N. (1992). *The ninety-nine beautiful names of God*. Islamic Texts Society.
Crone, P. (2004). *Medieval Islamic political thought*. Edinburgh University Press. https://doi.org/10.3366/edinburgh/9780748618712.001.0001
Gardet, L. (1965). Allah. In *Encyclopaedia of Islam* (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 406-417). Brill.
Izutsu, T. (2002). *Ethico-religious concepts in the Qur’an*. McGill-Queen’s University Press. (Original work published 1966)
Krippendorff, K. (2018). *Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology* (4th ed.). Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506395661
Madelung, W. (1997). *The succession to Muhammad: A study of the early Caliphate*. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511622397
Schimmel, A. (1994). *Deciphering the signs of God: A phenomenological approach to Islam*. State University of New York Press.
Sells, M. A. (1999). *Approaching the Qur’an: The early revelations*. White Cloud Press.
Sinai, N. (2017). *The Qur’an: A historical-critical introduction*. Edinburgh University Press. https://doi.org/10.3366/edinburgh/9780748695775.001.0001
Versteegh, K. (1997). *The Arabic language*. Edinburgh University Press. https://doi.org/10.3366/edinburgh/9780748606948.001.0001
Watt, W. M. (1973). *The formative period of Islamic thought*. Edinburgh University Press.