Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 157
157 The distinction between Ar-Rahman (the Gracious One) and Ar-Rahim (the Merciful One) is that the former connotes that aspect of God’s Grace which precedes, and is independent of, human action, while the latter connotes the Divine Grace or Mercy that causes beneficent results to follow upon righteous action. In other words, the operation of the former is without reference to human action, and the operation of the latter is consequent upon human action. It is also to be observed that the fourth attribute describes God as Master of the Day of Judgement, and not merely as Judge. It is true that the operation of all Divine attributes is in accord with the requirements of justice, but the concept of justice leaves ample scope for the operation of other attributes such as, for instance, Mercy, Bountifulness, Appreciation. It is a misconception that justice demands punishment or a certain degree or type of punishment of all defaults and offences, and that it restricts reward and bounty to a scale proportionate to the action or quality that deserves appreciation. Justice demands that all shall have their just due, that is to say, that no penalty shall be severer than that which is appropriate to the default or offence, and that no reward, remuneration, or compensation shall fall short of that which is deserved or has been earned. The reduction of a penalty, or its total remission, is not inconsistent with justice, nor is the multiplication of reward in conflict with its spirit.