Whether you have read the Quran or not, whether you have ever stepped inside a mosque or not, this book opens the same way every time. Before any commandment, before any story, before any law, it says two words. Both of them mean mercy. Both of them come from the same Arabic root: Raḥm, a mother's womb.

In this episode, we explore why God chose this exact image to introduce Himself, why He repeats these two names twice in just seven verses, and what the difference is between Ar-Raḥmān (the mercy that covers everything in existence) and Ar-Raḥīm (the mercy that meets you personally when you turn toward Him).

We spend so much of our days rushing. Look at the tired faces on the train, or watch the cars sitting in heavy traffic. We constantly check our phones, reply to endless messages, and worry about what tomorrow will bring. It is not just the tiredness you feel after a long walk or a hard day of work. It is a deep, quiet tiredness in our minds and our hearts. In this episode, we explore the word رَبِّ (Rabbi) from Surah Al-Fātiḥah — a word usually translated as "Lord," but whose Arabic roots reveal something far more intimate: a Nurturer who raises, grows, and cares for His creation with patience and love.

Welcome to The Still Point. I am a humble seeker on a journey of inner peace, and I believe that an examined life is the only life worth living. I invite you to join me on a journey to discover this life by stepping away from the external world for a few minutes to feed our souls. Together we will explore the Quran, the sacred book of Muslims, the spiritual path of the Prophet of Islam, and calming prayers to soothe the heart. Join me as we walk together on the path of inner peace and stillness within.