Al-Barr — The Source of Goodness
Al-Barr is the One abundantly good and kind to His creation, whose goodness reaches even those who have no claim on it. The root birr means expansive goodness — the same word used for kindness to parents — so the name describes generosity that goes beyond what is owed. The people of Paradise say they used to call upon Him, for He is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful (52:28). Classical scholars note that His goodness precedes any deserving of it.
Updated July 16, 2026
Name 79 of 99
الْبَرُّ
Al-Barr
The Source of Goodness
Where Al-Barr appears in the Quran
إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبۡلُ نَدۡعُوهُۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡبَرُّ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Lo! we used to pray unto Him of old. Lo! He is the Benign, the Merciful
Arabic text: Tanzil Uthmani (public domain). English translation: Marmaduke Pickthall, “The Meaning of the Glorious Koran” (1930) — public domain.
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