Compassion In Arabic

Randa asked for the translation of “compassion” in Arabic.

There are quite a number of Arabic words that have the meaning of “compassion”, for example:
الرأفة (ar-ra’fa)
الشفقة (ash-shafaqa)
الحنان (al-Hanaan)

However, the most standard way of translating compassion is probably الرحمة (ar-raHma). Below is this word in three different fonts:

"compassion" in Arabic

"compassion" in Arabic

As a side note, this word shares the same root as two words in the opening line of the Koran (1st line of al-faatiHa):

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

The word الرَّحْمَـٰن (ar-raHmaan) is usually translated as “the beneficent”, sometimes as “the merciful”. In essence, however, it means “compassionate” too. This form is usually reserved as one of God’s 99 names in Islam.

The word الرَّحِيم (ar-raHeem) also means “compassionate”. Unlike رحمـان (raHmaan), رحيم (raHeem) is in common usage.

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Posted in Arabic tattoos, Translation.

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2 Responses

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  1. Firdaus says

    is this also the same word as mercy? thanks!!

  2. ArabicGenie says

    Firdaus, one meaning of الرحمةis “mercy”, but there are other words that can have the same meaning, e.g. الاشفاق .



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