| The
Great Formulation:It contains The Most High
Exalted Comprehensive Name and The Most Beautiful Best Attributes
of Allah in one and the same formulation (i.e. Ism, Allah,
Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Rahiim occur in one verse) - `ISM’
includes the Name and all the Most Beautiful Best
Attributes of Allah. Furthermore `Ar-Rahmaan’ is the
exclusive Name of Allah Himself Alone and not applied to anyone
or anything, as is the position of the term Allah. Again consider
Ar-Rahmaan in intensification with Ar-Rahiim!- Blessings,
Benevolence, Benediction, Bounties boundless! It may be noted
that human expression is limited by philology and phonetics.
It can not fully comprehend or encompass the infinity of the
intensive compounded by these two terms of the same root word
`Rahmah' - even standing solely or singly, `Allah's Rahmah'
itself is limitless!
The
Great Supplication:It is one of the greatest
all-embracing supplications for all times and all occasions.
It is the Preface of all other supplications, invocations,
initiatives, dedications and devotions. It sets right the
direction of all other supplications and submissions, which
follow. In praying to Allah, the worshiper addresses the Almighty,
All-Powerful Able-Master through His limitless Mercy and Benevolence,
to those Most Beautiful Best Names and Attributes, which he
wishes to appeal to. In this very precise formulation the
Attributes of Benevolence and Mercy, which encompass all other
Most Beautiful Best Attributes of Allah, have been most intensively
included. If such a pure appeal to The Ever All-High Exalted
Greatness of Allah Al-mighty, is made with full faith and
confidence, then one can expect the grant of sure Blessings
and Bounties as are associated with `Ismul- A’azam’
(the Great Name, i.e., in the Greatness of the Name of Allah).
In such a sublime state of submission the over all high objective
and the supreme aim of man becomes the Pleasure of Allah.
Sincere invocation right from the beginning shows
faith in Allah with good intent and purpose on the part of
the suppliant. As such it rises higher in rank with the degree
of confidence reposed in the invocation. In other words the
suppliant, through this invocation, acts with `Tawakkal allal-Allaah’
(trust in Allah) - He takes Allah as the Vakiil (the Guardian,
Trustee, Disposer of affairs) and the Accomplisher. With the
deepening of the faith of the devotee and increasing dimensions
of his devotion, the Ever All-Gracious-Beautiful Attributes
Of Allah, also become clear and manifest within his own person
and worlds around him.
"For
truly did he (Muhammad) see,
of the Signs of his Lord-Master-Sustainer,
The Ever All-Great" 53-18
When Allah’s Command came, Naoh (Peace be
upon him) asked believers-followers to embark the Ark, for
its journey and landing “In the Name of Allah”
(11-41). This provided the much needed confidence and support
to the believers. The story reveals that the supplication
did not only work for the course and the landing, but the
place of landing and all subsequent matters worked well for
their safety, rehabilitation and welfare.
Submission
of Will to Allah:One Hadiith Qudsii is reported
as follows:
O My slave!
You desire,
but there is only that I Will,
And it can’t be except, what I Will.
But if you submit to Me, in that, what I Will,
Then, I will suffice you in that you desire.
But if you don’t submit to that, what I
Will,
Then I will exhaust you in that, you pursue.
And it can’t be except, what I Will
The Quran
declares that nothing happens unless Allah Wills:
"But you can not will, unless Allah wills;
Verily, Allah is Ever All-Knower, Ever All-Wise.
76-30
Al-Quran reveals
that Solomon (Peace be upon him) addressed `the letter’
to the queen of `Sabaa’ with the opening “In the
Name of Allah, The Ever All- Beneficent, the Ever All- Merciful”.
By referring in the Name of Allah, he basically submitted
his will to the Supreme Sovereignty of Allah – the submission
to start with and conduct accordingly. He made it clear that
all elements of his invitation, diplomatic dialogue and military
mission flow from the fountain of his Faith. All further dealings
would depend upon the philosophy formulated in this phrase-
quite loud and clear.
The opening address of Solomon (Peace be upon
him), in the above manner, demonstrated moral courage, strength
of faith and power of confidence, which in fact put fire in
the arm, to challenge the physical power of the infidel state.
It also made it amply clear and easy for the addressee to
understand that implementation of the `writ’ (that was
the `Will of Allah’) by Solomon (Peace be upon him),
would be irresistible:
“Verily,
it is from Solomon, and
verily it is:
In The Name of Allah,
The Ever All-Gracious, The Ever All Merciful”
27-30.
Muhammad (Peace
be upon him) also followed the same practice in his correspondence
and invitation to the leaders and the rulers of the world
at that time. In the opening address to Muhammad (Peace be
upon him), it was indicated right at the beginning, that all
the `Reading’ (Revelation) would be taking place, as
ordained, only by the Will of the Lord-Master-Sustainer (Allah)
of all creation and the creation of the humankind. Here also
starting with the Name of `Rabb’ (The Unique Name of
Allah when stands alone in the statement) embraces all the
Attributes of the Ever All-Compassionate-Merciful Allah.
Rejection
of Superstition and Polytheism: Polytheists
used to attribute different powers and functions to their
different idols and gods. It was customary in Arabia, before
Islam that people used to start everything with the name of
their gods or idols.
"It was
not Allah Who instituted (superstitions like)
a slit-ear she -camel
or a she -camel let loose for free pasture,
or idol sacrifices for twin births in animals,
or stallion- camels freed from work:
it is the disbelievers who invent a lie against
Allah;
but most of them lack wisdom." 5-103
Also see 7-194
When one
starts with `Bismillaah’, it means that he negates and
rejects all superstitions, idols and so-called forces, and
recognizes, accepts and submits to One Ever All-Powerful –Able-Omnipotent
–Beneficent-Merciful Allah. By this style and spirit
of initiation and submission of all affairs, he shuns `Shirk’
and presents himself as the `practicing believer’ in
Allah.
"Have
you seen Laat and Uzzaa? (19)
And another, the third, Manaat"? (20)
"These
are nothing but names which you have devised,-
you and your fathers,-
for which Allah has sent down no authority .
They follow nothing but conjecture and
what the souls desire!-
Even though there has already come to them
Guidance from their Lord-Master-Sustainer"
(23)
(53- 19, 20, and 23)
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