Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As-Salaam-Alaikum
Hope you are having good Ramadhan.

I wanted to know why people use (r.a.) or (A.s) after the names of prominent personalities. I can understand that this usage is done according to the reputation of a person. Can you guide what does they mean and how it is used. for eg: Imam Ali ( r.a) some use it in this format some writers will write Imam Ali (a.s.).

Please put some light on it.

One more thing i would like to mention is about Syedna. To let you know that there is full one community in the state of rajasthan who is against Kothar and against the functions and beliefs of Sydena.

Remember All Mumieens in your prayers. Thanks for the invaluable information you have on your site. Keep up the good work.

May Allah Bless you and your family.

Allah Al Hafiz 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

What does (R.A.) & (A.S.) stand for

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: I wanted to know why people use (r.a.) or (A.s) after the names of prominent personalities. I can understand that this usage is done according to the reputation of a person. Can you guide what does they mean and how it is used.

There are basically three types of supplications normally associated with prominent personalities in Islam, and each of these three supplications are derived from the guidance of the Glorious Quran.

1. ‘Sall-allaaho alayhe wa salllam’ or (saws) meaning ‘May the blessings of Allah and peace be upon him’. This supplication is normally associated with the Last and Final Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws).
2. ‘Alayhis Salaam’ or (a.s.) meaning ‘upon him be peace’. This supplication is normally associated with all the Prophets of Allah Subhanah.
3. ‘Radhe Allaho-ann’ or (r.a.) meaning ‘may Allah be Pleased with him/her’. This supplication is normally associated with all the noble companions of the Last Messenger of Allah (saws).

Thus each time the name of any amongst the above personalities finds mention in the presence of a believer, it would be accepted etiquette on the part of the believer to make a supplication unto their Lord for that pious slave of Allah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan