The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 441
The Holy Qur'ān 441. Source of all grace. Considering himself wholly poor and indigent and as nothing, man seeks the blessings of Raḥmāniyyat and Raḥimiyyat from the All-Powerful. These. Divine attributes are in operation of themselves but the. All-Wise has made it a law of nature from the beginning that man's prayer and seeking help have a great share in success. Divine grace addresses itself to resolving the difficulties of those who supplicate earnestly for success in their undertakings and whose supplications arrive at the full degree of sincerity. A person who considers his own weaknesses and observes his own defaults does not commence any enterprise freely and optimistically because his condition of servitude instructs him that he should seek the help of God Almighty Who is the Absolute Controller. This eagerness of true servitude is found in every heart which retains its natural simplicity and is aware of its weakness. A sincere person whose soul is not afflicted with any pride or arrogance and who is well aware of his weakness and nothingness, and does not find himself competent to perform anything successfully, and finds no power or strength in himself when he begins an enterprise, naturally supplicates for heavenly strength. . He beholds the Powerful Being of God in His Perfection and Glory all the time and he perceives that success in any endeavour depends upon Raḥmāniyyat and Raḥīmiyyat. Then forthwith before putting forth his defective and worthless effort, he seeks Divine help through the supplication: بسم اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ 253. Through such humility he becomes worthy to be be253 'In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. '— al-Fatihah, 1:1 [Publisher]