The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 453
The Holy Qur'an 453 and benevolence, and help and steadfastness, and obedi- ence and freedom from sin, and the acquisition of all the means of doing good, and the reform of the here and the hereafter, and to emphasise the need of seeking His help in all matters. This purpose is set forth briefly in the af- firmation: إيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ 264 The eighth purpose of the Holy Qur'an is to set forth the fine points of the straight path and to emphasise the need of seeking it through prayer and supplication. This is briefly included in supplication: اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ 265 The ninth purpose of the Holy Qur'an is to set forth the way and manner of those who become the recipients of God's bounty and grace so that the hearts of the seeker after truth might be comforted. This purpose is included in: صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِم 266 The tenth purpose of the Holy Qur'an is to set forth the qualities and way of those with whom God was dis- pleased and of those who lost the way and fell into all sorts of innovations so that the seekers after truth should be warned of their ways. This purpose is in- cluded in: غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّايِّينَ 267 264 Thee alone do we implore for help. ' al-Fatihah, 1:5 [Publisher] 265 'Guide us in the right path. '-al-Fatihah, 1:6 [Publisher] 266 . . . the path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy bless- ings. ' al-Fatihah, 1:7 [Publisher] 267 267 . . . those who have not incurred displeasure, and those who have not gone astray. ' al-Fatihah, 1:7 [Publisher]