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Rida

Rida (: رضا) is an Arabic term meaning "" or "", and may refer to:

Personal name

Etymology and meaning

The name Rida originates from the Arabic root r-ḍ-y (رضي), which conveys the meanings "to be pleased," "to approve," or "to be content." This root gives rise to the noun form riḍā (رضا), denoting "contentment," "satisfaction," or "approval," particularly in the context of divine or personal acquiescence. As a personal name, Rida thus embodies notions of inner peace and acceptance, reflecting a positive emotional or spiritual state valued in Arabic linguistic traditions. In the , Rida functions as a gender-neutral , suitable for both boys and girls, and appears in various transliterations such as Ridha, Reda, , and , adapted to regional phonetics and orthographies like or Turkish. Its historical attestation dates back to early Islamic periods, with indirect references in the through verses emphasizing divine pleasure and contentment, such as those in Surah Al-Fajr (89:27-28) alluding to the soul at rest. A prominent early bearer was (765–818 CE), the eighth Shia , whose epithet "al-Rida" (the Pleasing One) underscores the name's association with piety and favor in religious narratives. The name has spread widely among global Muslim communities, maintaining popularity in regions like the , , and , where it symbolizes qualities such as being "favored by " or embodying pious contentment in contemporary interpretations. Through immigration and cultural exchange, has seen increasing adoption in countries, appearing in U.S. baby name records since the late 20th century and peaking at rank 1293 nationally in 2005, particularly in diverse states like , , and . This rise reflects the growing influence of Arabic naming practices in multicultural societies.

Notable people

The name Rida, derived from roots signifying and , is predominantly used in Middle Eastern and Muslim diaspora communities, where it appears frequently among individuals of , , and South Asian descent.

Religion

(765–818 ), also known as Ali ibn Musa, was the eighth Imam in Twelver , revered as a spiritual leader and descendant of the Prophet Muhammad who emphasized ethical guidance and during his in and later Tus, Iran. His tenure, marked by scholarly debates and resistance to Abbasid authority, solidified his role as a pivotal figure in Shia theology. Rashid Rida (1865–1935), a Syrian Islamic reformer and theologian born near in , founded the influential journal in , advocating Salafism, the revival of early Islamic practices, and the reopening of to address modern challenges. His writings bridged traditional scholarship with reformist ideas, influencing Arab intellectual movements toward unity and anti-colonialism.

Scholarship

Ahmad Rida (1872–1953), a Lebanese linguist and writer from , played a central role in the Arab Nahda by compiling Matn al-Lugha, the first modern monolingual dictionary of Arabic, which standardized terminology and promoted linguistic revival. He also contributed to and , authoring works on and that supported . Rida Said (1876–1945), a Syrian ophthalmologist and educator born in , trained in at and before serving as an field doctor and later founding in 1923 as Syria's Minister of Education. His reforms modernized , establishing faculties in and to foster scientific and secular advancement in post- .

Arts

Rida Al Abdullah (b. ), an Iraqi singer and born in , rose to prominence in the Arab music scene with hits like "Bo'dak Habibi" and "Qasawa," blending traditional Iraqi with contemporary pop, and has performed extensively across the . His career, spanning over two decades, includes roles in Iraqi and film, contributing to cultural expression amid regional conflicts. Variants of the name, such as Reza, appear in figures like Reza Aslan (b. 1973), an Iranian-American scholar of religions, author of Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, and professor at the University of California, Riverside, whose works explore Islam, Christianity, and interfaith dialogue.

Islamic contexts

Theological concept

In Islamic theology, riḍā (رضى) refers to the state of perfect contentment and approval with God's decree, derived from the Arabic root r-ḍ-y, which connotes satisfaction, acceptance, and divine favor. This concept emphasizes a profound inner harmony with divine will, surpassing mere endurance of hardships and representing the pinnacle of spiritual submission. The personal name "Rida" is etymologically linked to this root, signifying one who is pleasing or content. Unlike sabr (patience), which involves bearing trials with restraint, riḍā entails active joy and affirmation of God's wisdom in all circumstances, fostering a reciprocal relationship where human acceptance aligns with divine pleasure. The Qur'an establishes riḍā as a core virtue, particularly in verses such as 89:27-28, which addresses the "soul at rest" (nafs al-muṭmaʾinnah): "Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him]." Other references, including 5:119 and 9:72, highlight mutual satisfaction between and the righteous, portraying riḍā as the ultimate reward in paradise. Hadiths further elevate it as the highest level of ; for instance, one narration states that the believer who attains riḍā encounters own satisfaction upon meeting Him, underscoring its role in completing īmān (). These sources frame riḍā not as passive but as an active affirmation of , integral to tawḥīd (oneness of ). Scholars like , in his Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn, describe riḍā as the ultimate spiritual state, where the heart expands to embrace God's boundless will, resolving apparent paradoxes such as contentment amid adversity by viewing all events through . Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah outlines progressive stages: initial of God as Lord, contentment with divine decree (qadāʾ wa qadar), and ultimate surrender where personal desires yield to divine pleasure, culminating in joy during trials as a sign of perfected . In , riḍā manifests as an expression of divine love, unifying the seeker's faculties in total surrender and serving as a gateway to mystical union, as articulated in works by early masters like Al-Hujwīrī. These interpretations position riḍā as a transformative virtue, essential for spiritual ascent. Practically, riḍā encourages Muslims to embrace fate without complaint, promoting and resilience by reframing calamities as opportunities for growth and proximity to . This fosters and , mitigating worldly attachments and enhancing communal harmony through acceptance of others' actions as part of divine plan. A historical exemplar is the Prophet Ayyub (Job), who endured severe trials—loss of wealth, health, and family—yet responded with unwavering patience (sabr), exemplifying a path toward riḍā, declaring in the Qur'an (21:83-84) his trust in God's , thereby modeling the transition from suffering to spiritual elevation.

Garment

The term rida' (Arabic: رداء) originates from the root r-d-y, which conveys the sense of or , and refers to an upper garment or worn over other attire. In historical Arabian contexts, the rida' served as a common mantle for men, often ceremonial in nature, and is referenced in early Islamic sources as part of pre-Islamic attire influenced by the region's nomadic and trade-based . Over time, it evolved into simpler forms, particularly unstitched white sheets used in religious rituals to emphasize uniformity and spiritual focus. During and , the rida' forms the upper piece of the male attire, consisting of a single unstitched white cloth draped over the shoulders to cover the torso, symbolizing equality among pilgrims regardless of social or economic status. It is worn over both shoulders during the recitation and other general activities, but the right shoulder is typically left uncovered (known as idhtiba') specifically during the tawaf to denote a state of devotion. This garment, paired with the lower izar, underscores themes of purity and detachment from worldly vanities, as pilgrims enter a consecrated state of humility before . In certain Muslim communities, such as the Dawoodi Bohras, the rida adapts into a women's overgarment, comprising a two-piece ensemble—an upper draped from the head and a lower —that covers from head to toe and features vibrant colors, intricate , and borders for aesthetic distinction. This version reflects and , with modern iterations incorporating contemporary fabrics and designs in lines while preserving traditional techniques. Overall, the rida' embodies and , stripping away markers of status to foster ; it is typically made from lightweight for breathability in contexts or wool in cooler regions, with regional variations such as longer, striped styles in for added protection against the environment.

Other uses

Geographical features

The Rida is a small located in the province of , , serving as a left-bank tributary of the River. It originates near the village of Vottem and flows northward through the town of before joining the . In an Arabic-speaking region, Rida` is a small in the Radda District of , , situated at an elevation of approximately 2,497 meters in a mountainous area. Similarly, Ar Rida'i is a village in Al Udayn District, Ibb Governorate, , at about 1,557 meters elevation.

Acronyms and abbreviations

RIDA most commonly stands for Revue Internationale des Droits de l'Antiquité, a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to the study of legal systems in antiquity. Founded in 1948 through the merger of Archives d'histoire du droit oriental and an earlier iteration of the Revue internationale des droits de l'antiquité, it emerged in the post-World War II era amid renewed scholarly interest in classical legal traditions as a foundation for modern jurisprudence. Published by the Office international de librairie in Brussels and closely associated with the Société internationale Fernand De Visscher pour l'histoire des droits de l'antiquité, the journal is edited by a team of international scholars, including notable figures such as Jean-François Gerkens from the Université de Liège and Emmanuelle Chevreau. The journal's scope encompasses the history and analysis of ancient rights, with a primary focus on , , and Near Eastern legal systems, including topics such as contracts, , , and state authority in classical civilizations. Articles typically explore comparative aspects of ancient and its enduring influence, drawing on primary sources like inscriptions, papyri, and codices. It accepts contributions in French, English, and other languages, promoting interdisciplinary approaches that integrate , , and legal theory. Volumes are issued annually, with issues containing original research articles, book reviews, and editorial notes; digital archives of volumes from 1948 to 2008 are available through the Université de , ensuring ongoing accessibility for researchers. Less prominently, RIDA has been used as an acronym for organizations in development sectors, such as the Rural Infrastructure Agency in , a quasi-governmental body under the Office of the President and Cabinet responsible for rural infrastructure maintenance since the early 2000s. Another instance is the Research Inputs and (RIDA), a Nepalese NGO founded to support rural programs through community empowerment initiatives. These uses are context-specific and far less established than the academic journal, which remains the primary and most cited reference for the in scholarly literature. It should not be confused with similar abbreviations like RID, which denotes unrelated entities in or .

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