Ar-Raqib — The Watchful One
الرَّقِيبُ
Name 43 of the ninety-nine. The Watcher, The One that nothing is absent from Him
Allah is Ar-Raqib (in Arabic ٱلْرَّقِيبُ), meaning the one who sees what's hidden.
The root
From the root ra-qaf-ba (ر ق ب), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to look, watch, be vigilant to expect, anticipate, await.
Reflection
In one hadith, it describes how the companions gathered around the Prophet ﷺ and asked questions about Al-Imaan, Al-Islam, and Al-Ihsan. In the hadith, they discussed the obligations of Al-Imaan and affirmed Al-Qadr (the divine decree of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). It is quite a long hadith, but at one point, it was asked of Prophet ﷺ "Inform me about al-Ihsan (perfection or performance of good deeds).
He ﷺ said: That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, for though you don't see Him, He, verily, sees you. [1] A common thread that runs through each name requires us to look inward. The believer benefits from this self-monitoring, not just from doing immoral acts but asking if they are living up to their potential.
Are they using their time in a manner that Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ would be pleased to see? By truly embracing this perspective, a person can become more aware of how they dispense with their time. A person looks to see how they can be more productive and contribute to the well-being of their community, family, or friends.
However, we must learn to balance, to not live with guilt to take time to enjoy the many blessings Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ has provided for us as well. " Suppose we learn to understand the root of our desires, fears, and insecurities. In that case, we can neutralize the destructive ways they manifest. If we are watchful over ourselves, we can protect ourselves from many shortcomings.
Ar-Raqib: The Watchful One (43 / 99 Names of Allah) Help support us this Ramadan. Donate → Home Companion Series Du'as 99 Names of Allah Prophet Stories Prayer Times Qibla Direction Tasbih Counter Islamic Games
Where it appears
[1] Sahih Muslim 8a & Sahih al-Bukhari 50 ALL 99 NAMES OF ALLAH WITH MEANING Al-Karim al-Mujib chevron_left AR-RAQIB chevron_right TAKE OUR QUIZ 99 Names of Allah search Explore by Attributes of Allah (swt). 1. Ar-Rahman الرَّحْمَنُ 2. Ar-Raheem الرَّحِيمُ 3. Al-Malik الْمَلِكُ 4. Al-Quddus الْقُدُّوسُ 5. As-Salam السَّلاَمُ 6. Al-Mumin الْمُؤْمِنُ 7. Al-Muhaymin الْمُهَيْمِنُ 8. Al-Aziz الْعَزِيزُ 9. Al-Jabbar الْجَبَّارُ 10. Al-Mutakabbir الْمُتَكَبِّر 11. Al-Khaliq الْخَالِقُ 12. Al-Bari الْبَارِئُ 13. Al-Musawwir الْمُصَوِّرُ 14. Al-Ghaffar الْغَفَّارُ 15. Al-Qahhar الْقَهَّارُ 16. Al-Wahhab الْوَهَّابُ 17. Ar-Razzaq الرَّزَّاقُ 18. Al-Fattah الْفَتَّاحُ 19. Al-Alim اَلْعَلِيْمُ 20. Al-Qabid الْقَابِضُ 21. Al-Basit الْبَاسِطُ 22. Al-Khafid الْخَافِضُ 23. Ar-Rafi الرَّافِعُ 24. Al-Mu'izz الْمُعِزُّ 25. Al-Muzil ٱلْمُذِلُّ 26. As-Sami السَّمِيعُ 27. Al-Baseer الْبَصِيرُ 28. Al-Hakam الْحَكَمُ 29. Al-Adl الْعَدْلُ 30. Al-Lateef اللَّطِيفُ 31. Al-Khabir الْخَبِيرُ 32. Al-Haleem الْحَلِيمُ 33. Al-Azeem الْعَظِيمُ 34. Al-Ghafoor الْغَفُور 35. Ash-Shakur الشَّكُورُ 36. Al-Aliyy الْعَلِيُّ 37. Al-Kabeer الْكَبِيرُ 38. Al-Hafiz الْحَفِيظُ 39. Al-Muqeet المُقيِت 40. Al-Haseeb الْحسِيبُ 41. Al-Jaleel الْجَلِيلُ 42. Al-Karim الْكَرِيمُ 43. Ar-Raqib الرَّقِيبُ 44. Al-Mujeeb ٱلْمُجِيبُ 45. Al-Wasi الْوَاسِعُ 46. Al-Hakeem الْحَكِيمُ 47. Al-Wadud الْوَدُودُ 48. Al-Majeed الْمَجِيدُ 49. Al-Ba'ith الْبَاعِثُ 50. Ash-Shaheed الشَّهِيدُ 51. Al-Haqq الْحَقُ 52. Al-Wakeel الْوَكِيلُ 53. Al-Qawiyy الْقَوِيُ 54. Al-Matin الْمَتِينُ 55. Al-Waliy الْوَلِيُّ 56. Al-Hameed الْحَمِيدُ 57. Al-Muhsi الْمُحْصِي 58. Al-Mubdi الْمُبْدِئُ 59. Al-Muid ٱلْمُعِيدُ 60. Al-Muhyi الْمُحْيِي 61. Al-Mumeet اَلْمُمِيتُ 62. Al-Hayy الْحَيُّ 63. Al-Qayyum الْقَيُّومُ 64. Al-Wajid الْوَاجِدُ 65. Al-Maajid الْمَاجِدُ 66. Al-Wahid الْواحِدُ 67. Al-Ahad اَلاَحَدُ 68. As-Samad الصَّمَدُ 69. Al-Qadir الْقَادِرُ 70. Al-Muqtadir الْمُقْتَدِرُ 71. Al-Muqaddim الْمُقَدِّمُ 72. Al-Muakhkhir الْمُؤَخِّرُ 73. Al-Awwal الأوَّلُ 74. Al-Akhir الآخِرُ 75. Az-Zaahir الظَّاهِرُ 76. Al-Baatin الْبَاطِنُ 77. Al-Wali الْوَالِي 78. Al-Mutaali الْمُتَعَالِي 79. Al-Barr الْبَرُّ 80. At-Tawwab التَّوَابُ 81. Al-Muntaqim الْمُنْتَقِمُ 82. Al-Afuw العَفُوُ 83. Ar-Rauf الرَّؤُوفُ 84. Malikul-Mulk َمَالِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ 85. Dhul-Jalaali-Wal-Ikram ذُوالْجَلاَلِ وَالإكْرَامِ 86. Al-Muqsit الْمُقْسِطُ 87. Al-Jami الْجَامِعُ 88. Al-Ghaniy ٱلْغَنيُّ 89. Al-Mughni ٱلْمُغْنِيُّ 90. Al-Mani اَلْمَانِعُ 91. Ad-Darr الضَّارَ 92. An-Naafi…