Ar-Rafi

The One who raises ranks and elevates provision. Allah Almighty says: "[He is] the Exalted above [all] degrees, Owner of the Throne..." (Ghafir, 15) The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "If a servant is wronged and bears it patiently, Allah increases his honour and dignity all the more. Allah will surely raise the servant who is humble for Allah's sake." The name Ar-Rafi' occurs in various forms in the Noble Qur'an. It appears in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, and all the scholars of Islam have accepted it. He is the One who raises His believing servants in this world and the next. He raises whom He wills and abases whom He wills. He raises hearts by drawing them near to Himself, and abases souls by distancing them from Himself. Allah raises to higher stations the one who is content with His decree. To be raised does not mean possessing high rank and position, holding power, showing arrogance toward the poor and destitute, or boasting of one's abundant wealth and well-ordered affairs. Possessing such things does not amount to deserving praise or elevation. True honour and dignity, true rank and station, are what is attained through Allah granting success. Such honour and dignity lead one to affirm Allah, to obey His commands and prohibitions, to walk in His path, to purify the heart and to rejoice in Him. Whoever possesses this honour finds his recompense with his Lord. This name expresses that Allah raises people, that in the Hereafter He will raise the ranks of the believers, and that He will thereby make them happy and increase their honour. Ar-Rafi', which does not appear as a name in the Noble Qur'an, occurs in the hadith enumerating the Beautiful Names (Tirmidhi, Da'awat, 82). Whoever wishes to be raised should demonstrate his longing through deeds that earn Allah's pleasure — for unless He wills it, no one can rise of his own accord. A reminder: Whoever knows this name should, if he holds authority, raise and honour those whom Allah has raised and honoured. If he does not hold authority, he should apply this name to brotherhood and friendship, forming companionship and friendship with those whom Allah has raised and honoured. If he is unable to do this, he should love those whom Allah has raised and detest those whom Allah has abased — for loving and hating for the sake of Allah is a requirement of faith.

The noble name Ar-Rafi' is recited 351 times as "Ya Rafi', jalla jalaluhu" for the raising of one's rank, materially and spiritually, and for provision to be plentiful. Whoever recites the noble name Ar-Rafi' 70 times is kept safe from the evil of an oppressor. Whoever recites it 440 times after nightfall on a Monday or Friday night becomes dignified among the people.