Al-Rabb (It is written as Al-Rabb but is pronounced as Ar-Rabb)
الرب
(The Lord)
This beautiful name of Allah is present in some of the collections of the beautiful names of Allah but it has come in the Holy Quraan hundreds of times as is mentioned in the book Fiqh Al-Asmaa’-il-Husna. It is also repeatedly recited in our daily prayers, for e.g. Alhamdu-lillahi Rabbil-aalameen, (surah Al Fatiha 2nd verse)
It means: All praises are due for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
Subhaana Rabbiyal Azeem, (Glorified is my Lord, The Magnificent) It is recited in rakoo’ when we bow down in our prayer.
Subhaana Rabbiyal A’la (Glorified is my Lord, The Highest). It is recited in sujood (prostrations).
Allah said in the Holy Quraan in surah AL-Naba’ verse 37 :
Rabbi-ssamaawaati wal- ardi wa maa bainahumaa-Al-Rahmaan laa yamlikoona minhu khitaabaa
English translation:
The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and whatsoever is in between them, is the Rahmaan, none can dare to speak with Him (on the Day of Resurrection except after His Leave).
Al-An’aam, 164
Qul aghair-Allahi abghi rabban wa huwa Rabbu kulli shai’…
English translation:
164. Say: “Shall I seek a lord other than Allah, while He is the Lord of all things?…
Al-An’aam 162
Qul inna salaatee wa nusukee wa mahyaaya wa mamaatee lillahi Rabbil-aalameen.
English translation:
162. Say: “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds:
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This name Al-Rabb is related with Tawheed-Al-Raboobiyyah which means the absolute oneness of Lord-hood. Allah, Al-Rabb is the only One Lord Who cherishes everyone in unique way.
According to this tawheed we must believe that Allah is the Lord of everyone and everything and there is no Lord other than Allah.
The meaning of Rabb is Al-Malik-al-Mudabbir i.e. The Master, The Sovereign, the One that is the Manager of all affairs of the universe,.
And the Raboobiyyah of Allah on HIS creation means that HE (Allah) is the Only One Who creates them, all are in HIS possession and HE alone manages the affairs of all creation including mankind and Jinn.
The Oneness of Rabb also means to believe that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala is the One Who gives us life and death, benefits and harms, accepts and answers our du’aa (prayers, supplication), HE is the Provider as well as the Preventer; and HE has power over all HIS creation. In short, HIS is the creation and HIS is the Command as Allah Almighty said in surah Al-A’araaf verse 54:
….. Ala lahul khalqu wal-amr, Tabaarak-Allaho Rabbul-aalameen.
English translation of the complete verse 54 of surah Al-A’araaf:
(7:54). In fact, your Guardian-Lord is Allah alone , Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then firmly established on the throne (of HIS Kingdom); Who makes the night cover the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession; Who created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Note it well: HIS is the creation and HIS the Command (HIS is the Sovereignty). Full of blessings is Allah, the Lord of the worlds!
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Under the Attribute Al-Rabb also comes destiny. Our fortune/luck is all in the hands of that single and unique Lord, “AL-Rabb”. So whatever good or bad befalls us, it happens by Allah All-Mighty’s Knowledge, Will and Power. Nothing can happen in this universe without Allah’s Will. Therefore, Allah, Al-Rabb has the right to be worshipped and obeyed; and that we must remain humble and grateful to HIM. Du’aa (prayer) request must be done to the One Whose is the creation and Command and we all must fear only HIM.
Allah is Rabbil-Arshil-Azeem, i.e. The Lord and Master of the Great Throne. So Allah Almighty is the real true King and the Law-Giver. Therefore all of us mankind is obligated to follow the rules and regulations given by our Rabb Allah. All chiefs/rulers must implement the Laws that the True Lord Allah has revealed in the Holy Quraan and are explained in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him). Every Chief must take lesson from the fate of Fir’on (Pharaoh) whose body, along with the bodies of his army, are preserved in the pyramids of Egypt for warning!
There are two kinds of the Al-Raboobiyyah:
1. The general and common Al-Rabboobiyyah; This type of cherishing includes all creatures good and bad, believers and unbelievers, rightly guided and astray. They all are provided sustenance, blessings, management of their affairs, their rise and fall, giving them blessings or preventing from them, honoring or dishonoring them, relieving their pain and answering the prayers of those in restless condition. See the translation of the surah Al-Rahmaan (Ar-Rahmaan) verse 29:
(55:29) All in the heavens and the earth entreat Him for their needs; a new, mighty task engages Him each day.
2. The second is the special cherishing of the awliyaa and muttaqeen (God-fearing, righteous practicing believers). The Ar-Rabb helps them to reach high degree of eemaan (faith) and increase in good deeds and worship of Allah, taking them out from the darkness of ignorance into the light of the Islamic knowledge, becoming closer to Allah, making all good easy for them and protecting him/her from all evil. So the aim of the ulul-albaab (the wise) and pious Muslims is to achieve this meaning of the Al-Rabb (Ar-Rabb). They did special training for this purpose and achieved their aim. Then the eemaan (faith) of the servant on the name Ar-Rabb of Allah makes it mandatory to purify his worship to Allah and stand before his Lord with extreme humbleness. Allah said in the surah Al-Anbiyaa 92:
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ — 21:92
(21:92) Verily this community of yours is a single community, and I am your Lord; so worship Me.
Surah Al-Baqarah verse 21:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ — 2:21
