A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The distinction between the Names.
Allah, al-Rabb (the Lord), and al-Rahman (the Most Merciful).
The Names of Allah, al-Rabb, and al-Rahman.
All of them point to the Essence of the Deity who alone is worthy of worship and absolute obedience.
These are names to which a specific rule applies.
When they are used separately, they encompass one another.
And when they are used together, they are distinguished from one another.
That is, when these names are separated,
and each name is mentioned individually without the others,
it signifies the meaning of the other two names and includes them.
However, if the names are mentioned together, or if two of them are joined,
and they are mentioned in a single context,
then the names are distinguished in their meanings.
Each name becomes specific to an independent meaning,
and a particular intent.
The name "Allah" is specific to the Deity who is worshipped and adored,
whom the servants must single out with their acts of worship.
Therefore, the attributes of Majesty, Beauty, and Grandeur
are most specific to this Exalted Name.
The name "al-Rabb" refers to the Owner who disposes of affairs,
the All-Powerful, the Creator, the Disposer of all matters,
the Giver of life and the Bringer of death.
Therefore, most of the attributes of action pertaining to the Lord
are most specific to this Wise Name.
As for the name "al-Rahman,"
it is most closely associated with the attributes of benevolence, generosity, and righteousness,
as well as tenderness, grace, and compassion,
and everything that conveys the meaning of mercy.