Allah The Exalted — Page 44
4 Al h amdu lill a h , makes it clear that all worthiness of praise belongs to God alone. The second verity is Ra h m a n , which follows upon Rabb-ul- ‘ A lam i n. We have already explained that all animates, whether gifted with reason or not, good or bad, have been furnished and continue to be furnished with all that is needed for their maintenance, preservation of life, and the continuation of their species out of the general mercy of God Almighty. This is an absolute bounty that does not depend upon anyone's actions. The third verity is Ra hi m , which follows after Ra h m a n. This means that, as demanded by His mercy, God Al- mighty brings about good results in consequence of the efforts of His creatures. He forgives the sins of those who repent. He bestows upon those who ask. He opens for those who knock. The fourth verity is M a lik-i-Yaum-id-D i n. This means that God Almighty is the Master of all perfect recompense which is free from all test and trial and the intervention of beguiling means and is purified of all uncleanness and is free from doubt and defect and is a manifestation of His great powers. He does not lack the power to make manifest His perfect recompense, which is as bright as the day. The manifestation of this grand verity has as its purpose to make the following matters clear to everyone as a certainty. First, that reward and punishment are a certainty, which are imposed upon His creatures by the True Master as the result of His special determination. This matter is not possible of exposition in this world for it is not clear to the average person why and wherefore does he experi- ence good or ill, and comfort or pain. No one hears the