Al-Asma al-Husna
Ar-Rafi: meaning, transliteration and explanation
Who exalts the people of truth and raises degrees
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Arabic
الرَّافِع
- Transliteration
- ar-Rāfiʿ
- Meaning
- "Ar-Rafi" means the One who raises the ranks of His servants, exalting the people of truth. This name forms a pair with "Al-Khafid" (the Abaser). Allah exalts the one who has knowledge, faith and piety; this elevation is in His hand alone.
In the Quran
This Name does not occur directly in this form in the Quran. It appears in the well-known list of 99 Names transmitted in Jami at-Tirmidhi 3507.
Explanation
True elevation comes from Allah
The Quran states, "Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees" (Surah Al-Mujadila, 11). True elevation comes not through wealth or position, but through faith and piety.
This name in the Quran
The name "Ar-Rafi" (الرَّافِع) does not occur in this exact form in the Quran; however, the expression "Rafi'u-d-darajat" (who raises degrees), from the same root, is used for Allah (Surah Ghafir, 40:15). As a name, "Ar-Rafi" appears in Tirmidhi's list of the 99 Names of Allah (Jami at-Tirmidhi, 3507; the list portion of the narration is considered weak).
Sources
This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.
- HadithJami at-Tirmidhi, 3507
This name occurs in Tirmidhi's narration that enumerates the 99 names; the list portion of the narration is considered weak (gharib).
- Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Esmâ-i hüsnâ"
Academic source for the meaning of the name Ar-Rafi and its occurrence in the Quran as "Rafi'u-d-darajat".
Related Names
Other Names with closely connected meanings.
As a personal name
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Name.
What does the name Ar-Rafi mean?
"Ar-Rafi" means Allah who raises the ranks of His servants, exalting the people of truth.Does Ar-Rafi occur in the Quran?
It does not occur in this exact form (الرَّافِع); the expression "Rafi'u-d-darajat", from the same root, is used for Allah (Surah Ghafir, 15). As a name, it appears in Tirmidhi's list.