Rabb
Encyclopedia
Rabb is an Arabic word meaning Lord, Sustainer, Cherisher, Master, which in Islamic context refers to Allah
. In the Qur'an, Rabb is one of the usual Names of God.
The literal meaning of the word is Sustainer and Master, and in that sense, a man is the "rabb" of his house. With the same root
is the verb
yurabbi, meaning "raise" (as in raise a child). However, Rabb covers such a wide meaning, that other languages lack an equivalent of the word. Some have explained it to mean a fostering things in such a manner as to make them attain one condition after another until they reach their goal of completion. Thus, it conveys not only the idea of fostering, bringing up or nourishing, but also that of regulating, completing, accomplishing, cherishing, sustaining and bringing to maturity by evolution from the earliest state to that of the highest perfection. The Quran, in Surah
Fatihah, introduces this name in the beginning, "All praise and gratitude is due to Allah, Rabb of all the worlds." Note that it mentions "Rabb of all the worlds", thus stating clearly that he takes care, nourishes, fosters through every stage of existence, everything that exists.
Pre-Islamic
Arabians used to believe that, while there were multiple 'aalihah (gods), only Allah was the Rabb (Lord/sustainer) of the earth and heavens. He is believed to be the abstract Supreme Being who is beyond any resemblance and the one who governs the heavens and earth.. In pre-Islamic Arabia, which is commonly referred to as the Jahiliya era, the worship of God(Allah) along other lesser gods was common, but Mohammad introduced a different religion centered on Allah. One of Mohammad's aims was to reintroduce Allah as being the "Rabbu alAAalameen" Or "رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ" which translates as "the Lord of the Worlds", who is beyond being solely a creator, but also the Only Deity who should be recognized by all men . Going back in history, other prophets, such as Abraham (in the Islamic view) and usa](Moses], were also preaching to introduce God(Allah)as the Rabb(Lord) and say: Surely we are the apostles of the Lord of the worlds" [26:16]
... "قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَا رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ " which may translate as "Pharaoh said: And what is the Lord of the worlds?" [26:23]
"قَالَ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ" which translates as "Musa"(Moses) said: The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you would be sure." [26:24]
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
. In the Qur'an, Rabb is one of the usual Names of God.
The literal meaning of the word is Sustainer and Master, and in that sense, a man is the "rabb" of his house. With the same root
Root
In vascular plants, the root is the organ of a plant that typically lies below the surface of the soil. This is not always the case, however, since a root can also be aerial or aerating . Furthermore, a stem normally occurring below ground is not exceptional either...
is the verb
Verb
A verb, from the Latin verbum meaning word, is a word that in syntax conveys an action , or a state of being . In the usual description of English, the basic form, with or without the particle to, is the infinitive...
yurabbi, meaning "raise" (as in raise a child). However, Rabb covers such a wide meaning, that other languages lack an equivalent of the word. Some have explained it to mean a fostering things in such a manner as to make them attain one condition after another until they reach their goal of completion. Thus, it conveys not only the idea of fostering, bringing up or nourishing, but also that of regulating, completing, accomplishing, cherishing, sustaining and bringing to maturity by evolution from the earliest state to that of the highest perfection. The Quran, in Surah
Sura
A sura is a division of the Qur'an, often referred to as a chapter. The term chapter is sometimes avoided, as the suras are of unequal length; the shortest sura has only three ayat while the longest contains 286 ayat...
Fatihah, introduces this name in the beginning, "All praise and gratitude is due to Allah, Rabb of all the worlds." Note that it mentions "Rabb of all the worlds", thus stating clearly that he takes care, nourishes, fosters through every stage of existence, everything that exists.
Pre-Islamic
Pre-Islamic Arabia
Pre-Islamic Arabia refers to the Arabic civilization which existed in the Arabian Plate before the rise of Islam in the 630s. The study of Pre-Islamic Arabia is important to Islamic studies as it provides the context for the development of Islam.-Studies:...
Arabians used to believe that, while there were multiple 'aalihah (gods), only Allah was the Rabb (Lord/sustainer) of the earth and heavens. He is believed to be the abstract Supreme Being who is beyond any resemblance and the one who governs the heavens and earth.. In pre-Islamic Arabia, which is commonly referred to as the Jahiliya era, the worship of God(Allah) along other lesser gods was common, but Mohammad introduced a different religion centered on Allah. One of Mohammad's aims was to reintroduce Allah as being the "Rabbu alAAalameen" Or "رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ" which translates as "the Lord of the Worlds", who is beyond being solely a creator, but also the Only Deity who should be recognized by all men . Going back in history, other prophets, such as Abraham (in the Islamic view) and usa](Moses], were also preaching to introduce God(Allah)as the Rabb(Lord) and say: Surely we are the apostles of the Lord of the worlds" [26:16]
... "قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَا رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ " which may translate as "Pharaoh said: And what is the Lord of the worlds?" [26:23]
"قَالَ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ" which translates as "Musa"(Moses) said: The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you would be sure." [26:24]
See also
- RabbiRabbiIn Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
- Hebrew term that sounds much like "Rabb" and may have a similar etymology. - RebbeRebbeRebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement...
- Yiddish term derived from the identical Hebrew word Rabbi. It mostly refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement.