Ar-Raqib

The Watchful, who observes and oversees, and from whom nothing can be hidden. Allah Almighty says: "And ever is Allah, of all things, an Observer." (Al-Ahzab, 52) "Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer." (An-Nisa, 1) "I said not to them except what You commanded me — to worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness." (Al-Ma'idah, 117) The name Ar-Raqib occurs in 3 places in the Noble Qur'an. Ar-Raqib is the One who guards and watches, such that nothing is lost from Him. He knows and sees what is hidden and all secrets. No word or private conversation is concealed from Him. With His absolute knowledge, in which forgetting is impossible, Allah watches over and oversees all beings. Every Muslim should know that Allah Most High watches over him and all beings and keeps them under observation; that for this He has appointed two angels for everyone; that these angels write and record every word and every deed of the person; and that in the Hereafter Allah will give punishment or reward according to this record. The person whose knowledge that Allah watches over him reaches the level of certainty does not spend his life in empty and useless matters; he strives to take even the breaths he draws with remembrance of Him. In all his conduct, deeds and words he acts in accordance with His commands and prohibitions, and he orders his relations with people on this basis. The heart that does not forget that its Lord is watching attains advanced degrees in the sciences of the heart.

The noble name Ar-Raqib is recited 312 times as "Ya Raqib, jalla jalaluhu" so that one may be under the protection of Almighty Allah in all one's affairs, hidden and open, material and spiritual, and so that sorcery and talismans worked against one may be undone. The noble name Ar-Raqib is recited seven times over an unborn child whose life is feared for, saying "Ya Raqib, jalla jalaluhu". So that one may be safe, by Allah's leave, from a child's bad behaviour when it goes outside, the hand is placed upon the child's neck and the noble name Ar-Raqib is recited seven times, saying "Ya Raqib, jalla jalaluhu". If a person recites the noble name Ar-Raqib seven times over himself, or over his family, or his children, or his property, saying "Ya Raqib, jalla jalaluhu", they come under the safekeeping of the Truth Most High, and Allah takes them into His protection.