Understanding Salat — Page 51
Qiyam 51 with the name of Allah’ or ‘recite with the name of Allah,’ or ‘I or we begin with the name of Allah. ’ or ‘I or we recite with the name of Allah. ’ ( The Holy Quran with English Translation and Commentary, vol. 1, p. 5) The words “with the name of Allah” are left open-ended so that we can use them in every situation. If a person is going to go for a walk, he can add this verb and say, “I walk with the name of Allah. ” If a person is going to cook, he can add this verb and say, “I cook with the name of Allah. ” Any verb can be used to fit every situation in our daily lives. The meanings of the words “with the name of Allah” are vast because they can have so many verbs implied with it. Similarly, the words “with Your praise” can also have many verbs implied with it. The following are some possible verbs: a. ‘and I begin with praising You’ Since we are beginning our prayer, the act of “beginning” can be the implied verb. Thus, we mean to say, “Holy are You, O Allah, and I begin with praising You. ” ( َ وَأَبْتَدِئ ُ بِحَمْدِك ) and I begin with praising Thee; ُ أَبْتَدِئ being under- stood ( Lane’s Lexicon, Root: حمد - Entry: ٌ حَمْد ). When we recite with this interpretation, we bring to mind