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C.1.... First comes that beautiful Surah, The opening
Chapter of Seven Verses, Rightly called the Essence of the Book. It teaches
us the perfect Prayer. For if we can pray aright, it means that we have some
knowledge of Allah and His attributes, of His relations To us and His
creation, which includes Ourselves; that we glimpse the source form which we
come, and the final goal which is our spiritual destiny under Allah'S true
judgement; then we offer ourselves to Allah and seek His light.
C.2.... Prayer is the heart of Religion and Faith but how shall we pray?
What words shall convey the yearnings of our miserable ignoran hearts to the
knower of all? Is it worthy of Him or of our spiritual nature to ask for
vanities, or even for such physical needs as our daily bread? The inspired
one taught us a Prayer that sums up our faith, our hope, and our aspiration
in thig that matter. We think in devotion of Allah's name and His nature; we
praise Him for His creation and His cherishing care; we call to mind the
realities, seen and unseen; we offer him worship and ask his guidance; and
we know the straight from the crooked path by the light of His grace that
illumines the righteous.
English Translation:
[1.1] In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[1.2] Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
[1.3] Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
[1.4] Master of the Day of Judgment.
[1.5] Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
[1.6] Show us the straight way,
[1.7] The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose
(portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray. |
