The ONLY Name of Allah Which You Can Personalize
Do you know what makes the word Rabb so unique?
It is the only name of Allah which you can personalize with the first person singular: MY.
- In the Quran, we don't find Allahi ("my Allah"). Or Rahmani ("my Rahman"). Or Raheemi, Ghafoori, Maliki, or Hakeemi.
- Even Ilahi (“my god”), although used in poetry or du'a, never appears in the Quran. Nor does Khaliqi (“my Creator”).
The only exception I'm aware of is Waliyyi: "my Protector/Guardian," which appears just twice in the Quran: 7:196 and 12:101.
Aside from that rare exception, we don’t see any name/title of Allah personalized with MY except for one:
Rabbi: My Caring Master.
Why is the word MY so beautiful and important?
Because it signifies a relationship. A closeness. A connection.
It’s personal. It’s intimate.
Think about your close human relationships… when you’re asked, “Who is so and so?”
Your response is probably: “That’s my _______.”
My mom or dad. My wife or husband. My son or daughter. My brother or sister. My best friend. My coworker or colleague. My teacher or mentor. Etc.
Whatever you follow the word “my” with shows that you have a connection with it.
Similarly, when someone asks you: “Who is Allah?” or “Who is God to you?”
You could beautifully answer:
“God is my _______ (Rabb).”
"He is my Caring Master… my Loving Caretaker… my Cherishing Sustainer… my Rock."
Use whichever translation feels most natural and authentic to you.
A tip for parents and educators
If you’re a parent (or teacher), I encourage you to share this with your child. Tell them:
“Allah is your Rabb. And my Rabb. And the Rabb of everything.”
Your child will ask:
“What does that mean?” or “What does it mean that Allah is my Rabb?”
Proceed to explain the beautiful, multifaceted meaning of Rabb.
Make their relationship with Allah as real and personal as their relationship with you.
They know: “That’s my mum.” And “That’s my dad.”
They don’t just say it—they mean it. They know it’s true. They feel something when they say it.
Likewise, with such confidence, conviction, and emotion - our kids should be saying:
“That’s my Caring Master.” “Allah is my Rabb.” "He loves and cares for me SO much." "He's the One who watches over me, everyone, and everything."
Rabb: A recurring reminder in prayer
Although we are discussing Rabb in the context of the phrase in surah al-Fatihah: Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin…
Did you realize that we address Allah as Rabb repeatedly throughout the prayer?
And unlike in al-Fatihah, when we say, “Caring Master of all that exists” (Rabb al-Alamin)...
...in nearly every movement of the prayer, you’re addressing Allah PERSONALLY: as “my Rabb” (or “our Rabb”).
1. In bowing (ruku’):
سبحان ربي العظيم
Subhana Rabbi al-Adheem
How Perfect is my Caring Master, the Greatest
2. Standing after bowing:
ربنا ولك الحمد
Rabbana walakal Hamd
Our Caring Master, all praise and thanks are Yours
3. Both prostrations (sujood):
سبحان ربي الأعلى
Subhana Rabbi al-A’la
How Perfect is my Caring Master, the Most High
4. Sitting between prostrations:
رب اغفر لي وارحمني
Rabbi ighfirlee wa irhamnee
My Caring Master, please forgive me and have mercy on me
You can barely go a few moments in prayer without addressing Allah as Rabb.
That’s why I call this prayer tip: Rabb - A Recurring Reminder.
Why is this an absolute game-changer—or should I say, prayer-changer?
Because understanding the meaning and significance of just this one word, Rabb (and its personalized “Rabbi”), can transform so many parts of your prayer.
But don’t forget...
As you say “Rabb,” “Rabbi,” and “Rabbana” throughout the prayer... be present and aware.
As we’ve discussed previously, it’s one thing to understand a word or phrase (level 1).
It’s another to be conscious / present when you say it in prayer (level 2).
And it’s another to mean it when you say it (level 3).
God willing, these emails help you with Level 1, which will help you at Level 2.
But you need to be intentional at Level 2, so you can get to Level 3.
Put this into practice TODAY:
1. Every time you hear yourself saying "Rabbi" in prayer, pause.
2. Reflect for a brief moment; remember the meaning of Rabbi.
3. Then express it—from deep within your heart—with emotion, humility, and gratitude, knowing that He is hearing you:
Rabbi. My Rabb. My Caring Master. My Loving Caretaker. My Everything.
At your service,
Farzan
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