The Word 'rabb'
Archived under Knowledge .
If someone told you that in the Qur`aan, there are references to 'rabb', but not referring to Allaah, what would your response be?
"`Ittaqullaah (fear Allaah)!"; "Astagfirullaah!"
Yes, it would most probably be one of those. However, maybe it would be...
"Where's your proof?"; "Show me!"
The truth is, there are such references in the Qur`aan - and this post will highlight the great importance of learning the language of the Qur`aan: Arabic.
Let's define it
Before anyone goes on a tangent that I am sliding on the slopes to kufr (and I seek refuge with Allaah from this) by stating that the Qur`aan mentions 'rabb' while not referring to Allaah, let us first define what this word means linguistically.
According to Ibn Munzhoor (d. 711AH) in Lisaan an-'Arab (1/399 under rabb), rabb is defined as the one who has ownership (Al-Maalik), the right to be obeyed (the master - As-Sayyid), and one who nourishes and sustains (Al-Murabbee wal-Qayyim).
This seems simple enough - this is the linguistic meaning of rabb. So where are references to this linguistic meaning in the Qur`aan?
“O two companions of the prison! As for one of you, he (as a servant) will pour out wine for his rabb to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified and birds will eat from his head. Thus is the case judged concerning which you both did inquire.” (Soorah Yoosuf: 41)
"And he said to the one whom he knew to be saved "Mention me to your rabb..."" (Soorah Yoosuf: 42)
Here, the rabb is not referring to Allaah, but rather, it is referring to the king at the time of Prophet Yoosuf ('alayhis-salaam). Why did Yoosuf say "rabb"? Because he is referring to the king; he is the one to be obeyed in that land - the leader. Those who are familiar with the Arabic language will see that there is no 'alif-lam' preceding the word rabb, hence it does not mean THE Rabb, but rather, the linguistic form of rabb.
Islaamic Implications
What, then, are the Islaamic implications of rabb? We are now moving away from the linguistic focus, on rabb means to us as Muslims.
Ar-Rabb (The Rabb) is Allaah, subhaanahu wa ta'aala. There is none who can take this title but Him. However, is it just a 'title' or is there more to it? Of course there is!
Allaahu ta'alaa is Ar-Rabb:
>> The One Who has Ultimate Ownership
>> The One Who has the Ultimate right to be obeyed
>> The One Who is the Ultimate Nourisher and Sustainer.
Hence, Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah is the belief that it is only Allaah who Creates, Sustains and Owns the entire creation - this in the Oneness of Allaah in His Actions. Ultimate Ownership implies creation; the one who creates or makes something has ultimate ownership over that which is created. Hence, since Allaah Created us, He is our Ultimate owner.
As rightly mentioned in the comments of the last post, most of mankind do not deny this aspect of tawheed. Most of mankind will tell you that it is God (Allaah) Who created them, Who sustains them and has control over them. However, most of mankind deviate in the aspect of obedience and worship. Hence, if our kalimah was Laa rabba illallaah (there is no Rabb but Allaah), the majority of mankind would be considered Muslims!
Can you now say "Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-'aalameen" in the same way as you used to? Should you not feel humbled by the knowledge that your Rabb not just your 'Lord', rather, He is the One who completely owns you, the One who nourishes you and sustains you and most importantly, the One who has the ultimate right for you to obey Him? Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-'aalameen.
Inshaa`Allaah, in the next post I will expand on the concept of Ruboobeeyah: its types and implications.
Wa subhaanak Allaahumma wa bihamdik. Ash-hadu al-laa illaaha illa ant. Astaghfiruka, wa atoobu ilayk.
~ Umm Junayd.
Your Thoughts
Yaa ukhtil-jameelah!
SubhaanAllaah, such a profound reminder you have given. Reflecting on the meaning of the adhkaar during the salaah is just so important - it makes you yearn to worship Allaah more and increases you in humility.
Subhaana Rabbiyal a'laa - how can people be arrogant when they utter such words in their salaah?
Jazaakillaahu kullu khairaa.
salaamun 'alaykum sister, barakallaahu feek
Subhaana rabiyal 'ala is said in sujood and one should contemplate the submissiveness and humbleness they are forced to observe while in the prostration position. In this position one places his/her most noble part of their body (the face) on the same place and level as where they place the most lowly part of their body (the feet). The action basically reads "my lord I surrender to you and accept that I am your slave).
Now the statement subhaana rabiyal 'ala, as opposed to subhaana rabiyal atheem in the sujood posture is more befitting because one mentions the highness of Allaah while they are in the most lowly position. So you surrender in word and action. wallaahu akbar.
And what is more amazing is that we would never be able to give Allaah is due right or praise Him as He, subhaanahu wa ta'ala, deserves. Even the prophet salallaahu 'alayhi wasalam, when he is given the permission to interceed on yamil qiyamah, he will first praise Allaah with words that Allaah inspires him with, and they will be words of praise that he, salallaahu 'alayhi wasalam, would never have thought of himself.
I would like to refer you or anyone else to the description of salah by ibn uthaymeen, dr.saleh goes through it, and its available on his site walhamdulillaah.
"Subhaana Rabbiyal a'laa - how can people be arrogant when they utter such words in their salaah?
It's heedlessness and/or ignorance, and we ask Allaah for guidance, and help in perfecting our worship.
Assalamu 'alaikum,
One keeps learning new things everyday. Your recent entries on Tauheed have given me food for thought. The more I learn the more humbled I feel contemplating the greatness of Allah. Next to it, we truly are insignificant.
I can't tell you enough how your entries and the discussions that follow have helped me. May Allah bless you and reward you. Amin... Looking forward to the next instalment, :)
PS. Sis Zahra; I would really appreciate it if you can provide the link to Dr. Saleh's website. Thank you.
The website is down right now, apparently someone hacked into it. However you can try this link for the audios http://www.understand-islam.net/audio/andromeda.php,
and here for the salah described.
I thought rabb means 'lord' in english thats what I remember from my tajweed lessons , is their not two types ? raab al aalimeen , meaning lord of the worlds which is allah then their's lord ( which i dont know wether thats permissible in islam to say someone is a lord ) like they use they use that term lord in courts rooms ...
Dear 'poeticmuslim',
The word 'rabb' is usually translated as 'Lord' for the sake of ease. However, what this post aims to illustrate is that:
1. The English language is flat compared to Arabic
2. The definition of 'rabb' is much deeper than the way it is translated.
In the English courts, they do say "My Lord", however I'm unsure about the Islaamic ruling on this.
And Allaah Knows best.
~ Umm Junayd.
Dear poeticmuslim
I think Umm Junayd answered your question in the post regarding the usage of rabb when refering to the creation. She gave these two verses from the Quran:
“O two companions of the prison! As for one of you, he (as a servant) will pour out wine for his rabb to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified and birds will eat from his head. Thus is the case judged concerning which you both did inquire.” (Soorah Yoosuf: 41)
"And he said to the one whom he knew to be saved "Mention me to your rabb..."" (Soorah Yoosuf: 42)
The term rabb when it is without the definite article AL (alif lam), it can be used to refer to other than Allaah. For example it is permissible to say "the rabb of the land" or "the rabb of the house" in refering to the creation. The word rabb carries different meanings, amongst them is "owner". So it means the owner of the land etc. But the title Al-Rabb (pronounced Ar-rabb) along with its attributes of divinity is only for Allaah.
When Firown said "I am your Lord, most High", he was claiming the Lordship which only belongs to Allaah.
And Allaah the Most High knows best.
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"Can you now say "Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-'aalameen" in the same way as you used to? Should you not feel humbled by the knowledge that your Rabb not just your 'Lord', rather, He is the One who completely owns you, the One who nourishes you and sustains you and most importantly, the One who has the ultimate right for you to obey Him? Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-'aalameen."
Bismillaah MashaAllaah. This is an excellent example of how knowledge of tawheed improves and perfects ones worship (refering to the benefit i gained). Jazakillaahu khairan sister, it was a great reminder.
After reading your post one can also contemplate the wisdom (in prayer) in the statments 'subhaana Rabiyal 'atheem (far removed is my Rabb from imperfection, the most magnificent)and 'subhaana Rabiyal 'ala (far removed is my Rabb from any imperfection, the most High) in the most appropriate posture relative to each saying.
Barakallaahu feeki, this post has definetly humbled me and inshaAllaah increased me in submissiveness.
zahra mukhtar