Proceedings of the Prayer Meeting — Page 6
6 man at a time when many misfortunes could have befallen him. Or, someone might be worthy of praise for refusing to allow a diligent worker’s labour to go to waste and granting due rights to those who work diligently. Even though rendering the worker his rights is apparently his due, someone may be laudable simply for the complete fulfilment of those rights. These are the excellent qualities that can render someone wor- thy of praise and admiration. Reflect and see that all these praise- worthy qualities truly belong to Almighty Allah who perfectly exemplifies them to the exclusion of all others. First , consider the attribute of creation and sustenance. In connection with this attribute, one can presume that parents and other benefactors have certain interests and motives for showing kindness. The proof thereof is that parents, for instance, feel happy when the child is born healthy, strong, and handsome. If it is a boy, this happiness increases manifold and celebrations are held, but if it is a girl, the entire household goes into mourning as if it were a dark day and they feel too embarrassed to go out in public. There are instances when some ignorant people put baby girls to death by using various devices, or pay little regard to their upbringing. And if the child is born crippled, blind, or handicapped, the par- ents desire its death and it would be no surprise if they were to kill it, believing it to be an unbearable burden. I have read that the Greeks used to intentionally kill such children. In fact their royal law prescribed that if a child was born disabled, handicapped, or blind, it should immediately be put to death. This clearly illustrates that human thought is tainted with personal and selfish motives when it comes to upbringing and care. On the contrary, Almighty Allah has no personal motive in