Understanding Salat — Page 132
Understanding S al A t 132 of our praise. Our claim that all praise belongs to Allah may end up being nothing more than flattery. If an ordinary per- son would not like hearing flattery, Allah Almighty would not be pleased with it either. If we know that a cup of milk has a drop of urine mixed into it, we would never drink it because we wouldn’t consider it pure. For our praise of Allah to be pure ( طَيِّب ), we should strive to remove every drop of idolatry from our praise. Then our praise ( حَمْد ) will be not only numerous ( كَثِيْر ) but also pure ( طَيِّب ). The third characteristic is the results it produces. Praise that is blessed ( ِ مُبَارَكًا فِيْه ) is praise that continuously increases in quantity and quality. Barakah is, ‘A blessing; any good that is bestowed by God; and particularly such as continues and increases and abounds’ ( Lane’s Lexicon , Root: برك , Entry: ٌ بَرَكَة ). Hadrat Khalīfatul Masīh IV rta said, A Beloved whose beauties are deeper than your initial impression is worthy of praise. When you see Him from up close and praise Him, then you find greater beauty and depth. Each time you express your love to Him, you return with more love; you don’t come back tired. Those people whose beloveds are empty and shallow, their love ends very quickly because their beauty does not have depth. Their praise remains devoid of Barkat [blessings]. Thus, God Almighty Results