Through Force or Faith? — Page 301
Chapter 7 — Novelty in the Teachings of Muhammad 301 Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help. Guide us in the right path—The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, those who have not incurred displeasure, and those who have not gone astray. In the beginning, Allah has described His four attributes that are the mother attributes. They are mentioned in a natural order, that is, in a matter-of-fact sequence in which they are manifested in this world. God’s bounties descend upon the world in four man- ners, and the first one is incessantly continuous and overwhelm- ing, covering every thing, that is, He creates out of nothingness and then develops everything into perfection. Therefore, in S u rah al-F a ti h ah, in the very beginning God has put this bounty as His attribute of being the ‘Lord of all the worlds’. Next, He mentions His attribute of being ‘Gracious’ towards His creation, an attribute that also comprehends everything. This attribute is gratuitously and extensively at work in all living things without regard to their effort or work. Under the blessing of this attribute, all living crea- tures receive their sustenance for life, are safeguarded from dis- asters, and have all their needs being met. In consequence, every living thing is provided what its nature requires, that is, whatever is its natural urge, there is a way to satisfy it, and no living thing is left out of this beneficence. The third type of grace pertains to special rewards and it is limited to those who make effort to purify their soul, make prayer, and concentrate on Allah. These are limited in the sense that these are conditional to appropriate hard work. This bounty is for those who seek God, and strive for it. Naturally, this attribute follows the unbounded Grace of God;