Ar-Rāfi' (الرَّافِع), "The One Who Elevates", is one of the most beautiful Names of Allah — the luminous counterpart of Al-Khāfid, "The One Who Abases". It designates The One Who elevates the ranks of His servants: through faith, through knowledge, through humility. Every true elevation — that which endures when titles and fortunes fade away — comes from Him alone.
What does Ar-Rāfi' mean?
The name Ar-Rāfi' comes from the Arabic root rā-fā-'ayn (ر ف ع), which means to elevate, to raise, to exalt. Applied to Allah, this Name designates:
- The One who elevates degrees: Allah raises the rank of His believing servants, in this world through the honor of the heart, and in the Hereafter through the degrees of Paradise.
- The One who elevates the truth: He makes His religion triumph, elevates the mention of His prophets, and raises up to Him the good word and the righteous deed.
- The One who elevates whom He wills, as He wills: "We raise in degrees whom We will" (Surah Yūsuf, 12:76) — Yūsuf went from prison to the governance of Egypt, with no support other than his Lord.
Ar-Rāfi' in the Quran
Allah says:
يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ
"Allah will raise in rank those of you who have believed and those who have been given knowledge." (Surah Al-Mujādala, 58:11)
And regarding the Last Day:
"It will lower (some) and raise (others)." (Surah Al-Wāqi'a, 56:3)
Verse 58:11 reveals the two keys to elevation: faith and knowledge. Neither wealth, nor birth, nor fame — two treasures accessible to the most humble of servants. The Prophet ﷺ confirmed: "Indeed, Allah elevates through this Book (the Quran) some peoples, and abases others." (reported by Muslim): the greatness of a person or community is measured by their proximity to the Book of Allah.
Living with Ar-Rāfi' in Daily Life
1. Seek Elevation from the One Who Elevates
Chasing after the honors of creation exhausts and disappoints; the degrees that Allah grants depend on no human jury. The servant of Ar-Rāfi' invests where elevation is guaranteed: faith, knowledge, service to others.
2. Attach Yourself to the Quran
Since it is "by this Book" that Allah elevates, every page read, learned, meditated upon, and taught is a step climbed. A family that keeps the Quran alive in their home asks Ar-Rāfi' for their elevation every day.
3. Lower Yourself to Be Elevated
The prophetic paradox: "Whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah elevates him." (reported by Muslim). Humility is not weakness — it is the divine elevator. The arrogant one raises himself and Allah lowers him; the humble one lowers himself and Allah raises him.
Invocation with the Name Ar-Rāfi'
Between the two prostrations, the Prophet ﷺ used to say: اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاجْبُرْنِي وَارْفَعْنِي وَارْزُقْنِي وَاهْدِنِي
"O Allah, forgive me, have mercy upon me, repair my brokenness, elevate me, grant me my sustenance and guide me." (reported by At-Tirmidhī and Ibn Mājah). Asking for one's elevation from Ar-Rāfi' is thus part of the invocations within the daily prayer itself.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ar-Rāfi'
What is the difference between Ar-Rāfi' and Al-Mu'izz?
Ar-Rāfi' elevates degrees and ranks — a notion of height and proximity; Al-Mu'izz grants power and honor ('izza) — a notion of strength and dignity. One raises up, the other renders invulnerable; both are only obtained from Allah.
What are the means of elevation indicated by the texts?
Faith and knowledge (58:11), the Quran (hadith reported by Muslim), and humility before Allah (hadith reported by Muslim). To which are added prayer, prostration — the Prophet ﷺ encouraged multiplying prostrations, through which Allah elevates in degrees and erases faults (reported by Muslim).
How do you invoke Allah by this Name?
In prayer, by the "warfa'nī" of the invocation between the two prostrations, and according to verse 7:180: "Yā Rāfi', irfa' darajātī wa darajāti wālidayya" — "O You Who elevates, elevate my degrees and those of my parents."
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