A Gift for Baghdad — Page 49
Reply to the Announcement & Letter 49 1 َو ٌةَّلُث َنِّم َنْيِرِخٰاْلا۰۰ ٌةَّلُث َنِّم َنْيِلَّوَاْلا۰۰ And He enjoins His servants to pray: 2 اَنِدْهِا َطاَرِّصلا َمْيِقَتْسُمْلا۰۰ َطاَرِص َنْيِذَّلا َتْمَعْنَا ْمِهْيَلَع۰۰ So, what is the meaning of this prayer if we are meant to be among those who have been excluded [from these blessings]? And you know that the foremost of those upon whom Allah has bestowed blessings are the Prophets and the Messengers. The blessing is not dirhams or dinars, but knowledge, gnosis, and the descent of grace and light, as is well established among the wise. Moreover, if we have been commanded to recite this prayer in every S al a h [obligatory Prayer], then our Lord has only com- manded us so that our prayers may be answered and that we might be bestowed those blessings that He bestowed upon the Messengers. He has given us the glad tidings—Exalted be His name—that we have been made the heirs of those blessings that were bestowed upon the Prophets and Messengers before us. How, then, can we deny these blessings and become like blind people? How can it be possible for Allah to leave us disappointed by failing to fulfil His promises after having assured us? O my brother, you know that the best among those upon 1. A large party from among the early Muslims, and a large party from the later ones ( S u rah al-W a qi‘ah, 56:40–41). [Publisher] 2. Guide us in the right path—the path of those on whom You have be- stowed Your blessings ( S u rah al-F a ti h ah, 1:6–7). [Publisher]