:sl:
*bump:
Just a bit more on this:
Ar-Rahmaan: (the Most Merciful) is one of the names which are particular to Allaah, the Mighty the Majestic, and cannot be applied to other than Him. Ar-Rahmaan means the one who has as His attribute very great and extensive Mercy.
Ar-Raheem: (The Bestower of Mercy) is a name which is applied to to Allaah, the Mighty, the Majestic, and the term may be restrictively applied others also. It's meaning is the great who is merciful to others. Ar-Rahmaan is the one who possess very great and extensive mercy, and ar-Rahmeem is the one who bestows that Mercy upon others. (i.e He has mercy upon them). So when these two names of Allah come together, then what is meant by ar-Raheem is the one who has mercy upon whomever He wishes from His servants. As Allaah, the Most High, says:
بعذب من يشاء ويرحم من يشاء واليه تقلبون
"He justly punishes whomever He wills (i.e the disobedient) and shows mercy to whomever He wills, and to Him you will be returned." (Surat al-Ankaboot, 21)
Source: Sharh Usool ath-Thalaath, by Sheikh ibn Uthaymeen, rahimahullah...