The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 439
The Holy Qur'ān. The second verity which is contained in: بسم الله الرّحمنِ الرَّحِيمِ (252 439 is that this verse has been revealed for the commencement of the Holy Qur'an and the purpose of its recitation is to seek help from the Being Who comprehends in. Himself all perfect attributes, one of which is that He is. Rahman and out of His pure Benevolence He provides the means of cultivating good and blessing and guidance for a seeker after truth; and another of Whose attributes is that He is Raḥīm, Who does not let go waste anyone's effort and blesses it with good results and bestows the fruit of his diligence upon him. These two attributes are such that without their help no design, whether secular or religious, can be carried to its goal. . Reflection would show that these two attributes are in operation all the time to bring about the fulfilment of all designs. The Raḥmāniyyat of God began to manifest itself before man came into being, and it provides such resources for man as are beyond his power and which he cannot acquire through any design or planning. These resources are not bestowed as a consequence of any action but only out of Grace and Benevolence, as, for instance, the advent of Prophets, the revelation of Books, the provision of rain, the performance of their functions by the sun and the moon and air and clouds, and the appearance in the world of man himself equipped with diverse types of faculties and capacities and his being granted a term of life in health, peace and leisure. All these are matters that manifest themselves in conse252 'In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. 'al-Fatihah, 1:1 [Publisher]