The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most beloved of your names to Allah are ʿAbd Allah and ʿAbd al-Rahman” (Muslim 2132), and scholars add to them all names formed on a name of Allah. The name al-Raʾuf occurs 10 times in the Quran; its page in the 99 Names section gives its meaning and verses.
ʿAbd al-Raʾuf joins ʿabd with al-Raʾuf, from the root r-ʾ-f of tenderness (raʾfa), the gentlest form of mercy: the One whose compassion spares His servants what harms them. The Quran also uses the word for the Prophet ﷺ: “to the believers he is kind and merciful” (9:128). Common in Algeria and Tunisia (Abderraouf).
And thus We have made you a median [i.e., just] community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you. And We did not make the qiblah which you used to face except that We might make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels. And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allāh has guided. And never would Allāh have caused you to lose your faith [i.e., your previous prayers]. Indeed Allāh is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.
