Understanding ‘Rabb’ () رب

“essential meaning” of Rabb is reduced to merely one of its meanings. He writes: “By mistake, the meaning of Rabb has been confined merely to ‘Provider’ or ‘Nurturer’. Consequently, in defining Rububiyyah (Lordship), the following expression has become common: huwa insha‘u al-shay‘i halan fa-halan ila haddi al-tamam—meaning: to gradually bring something, stage by stage, until it reaches perfection.” However, this is only one of the word’s broad meanings. Examining its full scope reveals that it encompasses the following concepts: 1. Nurturer, provider of needs, the one who fosters growth and development. 2. Guardian, overseer, responsible for care and improvement of affairs. 3. The central figure, one upon whom various individuals converge. 4. Respected leader, authoritative figure, one whose commands are followed, whose superiority and dominance are accepted, and who has the power to exercise control. 5. Owner, master. — (pp. 28-29)