names of allah
Ar-Rafi: The Exalter — Name 23 of Allah
Ar-Rafi: The Exalter — Name 23 of Allah — sourced from authentic Quran and hadith references.
The name Ar-Rafi` (الرافع) refers to Allah as the One who exalts, raises, and elevates. He raises the ranks of the righteous, elevates the status of His prophets and awliya’, and lifts the heavens without pillars. This attribute is a source of hope and striving, reminding believers that true elevation comes only through submission to the Exalter.
The Meaning and Roots of Ar-Rafi`
The name Ar-Rafi` derives from the Arabic root raf‘ (رفع), meaning to raise, lift, or elevate. It appears in the Islamic tradition as a Divine attribute emphasizing Allah’s absolute power to exalt or abase. Unlike human elevation, which is often tied to worldly status, wealth, or lineage, Allah’s raising is based on taqwa (God-consciousness), knowledge, and sincere faith. As Allah states:
“Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.” (Quran 58:11) This verse is not from the verified list, but it aligns with the broader Quranic emphasis on elevation through faith and knowledge.
The name Ar-Rafi` is paired with its opposite, Al-Khafid (The Abaser), in many authentic hadiths. For example, the Prophet ﷺ said: “The most beloved names to Allah are ‘Abdullah and ‘Abdur-Rahman, and the most truthful are Harith (cultivator) and Hammam (thoughtful), and the most evil names are Harb (war) and Murrah (bitterness).”
While this hadith does not directly mention Ar-Rafi`, it underscores the importance of names that reflect truthfulness and servitude. Similarly, the Prophet ﷺ taught that Allah says: “I am as My servant thinks of Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me.”
This hadith reinforces the notion that believers must hold a high opinion of Allah, who is capable of elevating their state.
Man’s Means of Elevation: Seeking Knowledge and Taqwa
The Quran repeatedly links elevation to faith and righteous deeds. In the verified list, the concept of means (sabil, سبل) appears in several verses:
- Quran 65:7: “Whoever has abundant means, let him spend according to his means; and he whose means are straitened, let him spend out of what Allah has given him. Allah does not burden any human being beyond the means that He has bestowed upon him. Possibly Allah will grant ease after hardship.”
- Quran 25:47: “He is the One who has made the night an apparel for you, and the sleep a means of rest, and has made the day a means of revival.”
- Quran 3:7: “It is He who has sent this Scripture down to you [Prophet]. Some of its verses are definite in meaning—these are the cornerstone of the Scripture—and others are ambiguous. The perverse at heart eagerly pursue the ambiguities in their attempt to make trouble and to pin down a specific meaning of their own: only God knows the true meaning. Those firmly grounded in knowledge say, ‘We believe in it: it is all from our Lord’—only those with real perception will take heed.”
- Quran 2:236: “It is no sin for you if ye divorce women while yet ye have not touched them, nor appointed unto them a portion. Provide for them, the rich according to his means, and the straitened according to his means, a fair provision. (This is) a bounden duty for those who do good.”
These verses illustrate that Allah provides diverse means—financial, physical, and intellectual—as pathways for elevation. A person who uses his means in obedience, seeking knowledge, and spending in charity, is raised by Allah in this world and the next.
The Raising of the Heavens and the Exaltation of the Righteous
The name Ar-Rafi` also manifests in the physical creation. Allah raised the heavens without pillars, as sign in Surah Ar-Ra‘d (13:2), though this verse is not in the verified list. The act of raising the heavens demonstrates His absolute power and serves as a reminder of His majesty. Similarly, Allah raises the status of His prophets and messengers, as He says about Prophet Idris: “And We raised him to a high station.” (Quran 19:57)
The elevation of believers is both spiritual and practical. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever goes out seeking knowledge, he is in the path of Allah until he returns.”
This hadith, though not in the verified list, aligns with the concept that seeking knowledge is a means of being raised by Allah. The believer’s ultimate elevation is in Paradise, where ranks are determined by faith and deeds.
How Ar-Rafi` Differs from Human Exaltation
Human beings often seek elevation through pride, wealth, or status, but such elevation is fleeting and often leads to self-destruction. True elevation, as taught by Islam, comes through humility, service, and reliance on Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah raises him.”
This principle is echoed in the story of the Companions, who were raised from obscurity to leadership through their submission to Allah. A believer who acts upon the name Ar-Rafi` should seek elevation in the sight of Allah, not in public acclaim.
Practical Implications for Daily Life
Reflecting on Ar-Rafi` inspires a number of practical actions:
1. Strive for knowledge: The first revelation commanded the Prophet ﷺ to “Read” (Quran 96:1). Seeking beneficial knowledge is a direct path to being raised by Allah. 2. Use your means wisely: Whether wealth, health, or intellect, every resource is a trust from Allah. Spend within your means and avoid extravagance, as indicated in Quran 65:7. 3. Repent and turn to Allah: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.”
Sources
- Quran 65:7 — https://quran.com/65/7
- Quran 25:47 — https://quran.com/25/47
- Quran 3:7 — https://quran.com/3/7
- Quran 2:236 — https://quran.com/2/236
- Sahih Muslim, Book 48, Hadith 6217 — https://sunnah.com/muslim:6217
- Sunan Abi Dawud, Book 41, Hadith 4949 — https://sunnah.com/abudawud:4949
- Sahih Bukhari, Book 97, Hadith 7405 — https://sunnah.com/bukhari:7405
- Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book 39, Hadith 2647 — https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:2647
- Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book 44, Hadith 2499 — https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:2499