Understanding Salat — Page 154
Understanding S al A t 154 primarily pray that future shortcomings be covered, and sec- ondarily that the negative effects of our past mistakes be cov- ered. For example, we can think of the Sajdah we just did and realize its shortcomings. We say ‘My Lord, forgive me’ [ ِّ ْ رَب اغْفِرْلِي ], and pray that those shortcomings be covered. Then, we can think of the Sajdah we are about to do, and realize it can be the most blessed Sajdah we have ever done before; all doors of progress are open to us if we would only walk through them. We say ‘My Lord, forgive me’ [ ْ رَب ِّ اغْفِرْلِي ] and pray that we not miss any opportunities in the next Sajdah. ________ O _________ ْ وَارْحَمْنِي and have mercy on me Hadrat Mu s le h Mau‘ ū d ra said, “Gracious” ( رَحۡمٰن ) means one who helps in such a vast way that there is no thought of sectarian differ- ences. …However, the word “Merciful” ( ۡم ي رَحِ ) tells us that this help will continue forever. Length is found in “Merciful” ( ۡم ي رَحِ ), whereas width is found in “Gracious” ( رَحۡمٰن ). “Gracious” ( رَحۡمٰن ) stands in the