Linguistically, this Attribute is derived from ra'fa, intense mercy or compassion which is the ultimate limit of rahma. When applied to the Almighty, it means His warding off all types of evil.

This Attribute is derived from "mercy" and "compassion." "Ar-Ra'oof' refers to the One Who does not cease being kind and compassionate to the sinners by accepting their repentance, and to His friends by protecting them from committing sins. It conveys the same meaning conveyed by the Attribute "AI-Raheem" with an intensification of the meaning embedded in the latter. Among the manifestations of His mercy towards His servants is that He protects them against committing what incurs His penalty. Such a protection from slipping from the right path carries a stronger sense of mercy than His forgiveness for sins already committed

The Most Exalted One has advanced the Attribute "Ar-Ra'oof" over that of "Ar-Raheem," preferring "ra'fah" over "rahmah" and giving precedence to the first over the latter in the following glorious verses: Most surely Allah is Affectionate, Merciful, to people [2:143], ...and We put in the hearts of those who followed him kindness and mercy [57:27], ...to the believers He is Compassionate, Merciful [9:128].

If a servant of Allah wishes to model his conduct after the inspiration of this Attribute, he has first' to remember and mention it quite often, hence the light of al-Ra'oof will manifest itself to his heart, so much so that he will become compassionate towards all people, the commoners as well as the elite, always remembering the saying of the Messenger of Allah, "Be merciful unto" the people of the earth so that the people of the heavens may be merciful to you