Praise Be to Allah

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PRAISE BE TO ALLAH THE RABB OF THE WORLDS Faqeer Nasrullah Naqshbandi

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We Love Allah. We are grateful to Him for His countless blessings. To express our Love and gratefulness, we pray and praise our Beloved Allah (swt). Let's learn the ways to praise Him.

Transcript of Praise Be to Allah

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PRAISE BE TO ALLAH THE RABB OF THE WORLDS Faqeer Nasrullah Naqshbandi

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TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS PAGE

No. PREFACE: PRAISE BE TO ALLAH PART-1 UNDERSTANDING “AL-HAMD” (I) CAUSES OF THE PRAISE (II)DEFINITION OF THE PRAISE (III)CATEGORIES OF THE PRAISE (a)"ALHAMDOLILLAH” WHEN SAID BY THE RABB HIMSELF (b)"ALHAMDOLILLAH” WHEN SAID BY THE HUMAN BEINGS (IV)FORMS OF THE PRAISE: (a) HAMD (b) TAKBEER (c) TASBEEH (d) TABREEK (e) SHUKR (V) TYPES OF THE PRAISE 1-PRAISE BY WORD 2- PRAISE BY DEED 3-PRAISE BY WORD AND DEED 4- PRAISE BY WORD AND DEED, HEART AND SOUL PART 2 WHO IS WORTHY OF PRAISE? PART-3 ALHAMDOLILLAH AS A VALUE OF MUSLIM SOCIETY: PRAISE WHILE SLEEPING PRAISE WHILE AWAKENING NO THANKS PLEASE

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CONTENTS PAGE No.

PART-4 ALHAMDOLILLAH ALA KULLE HAAL (I) HAMD IS MORE GENERAL THAN SHUKR (II) “ALHAMDOLILLAH” OF IMAM HUSSAIN R.A. (III) ALHAMDOLILLAH AS AN EXPRESSION OF SHUKR (IV) IS AL-HAMD EXCLUSIVELY FOR ALLAH? (V) THE BELOVED IS ALWAYS DEAR TO THE LOVER (VI) ALHAMDOLILLAH DISSAPPOINTS SATAN (VII) PRAISE IS NOT AN ISOLATED VALUE PART-5 AL-HAMD AS IN HOLY QUR’AAN PART 6: THE RABB (I) MEANINGS OF THE WORD “RABB” "RABB" AS DEFINED BY IBRAHIM A.S. TRANSLATION OF THE WORD RABB IN ENGLISH (II) RABB, THE FIRST (a) THE FIRST REVELATION OF THE HOLY QUR’AAN (b)THE FIRST HUMAN TESTIMONY (c) THE FIRST HUMAN SUPPLICATION (III) RABB AND THE PRO-PARENTHOOD (a)RABB OF THE FETUS (b)RABB OF THE INFANT (c)RABB OF THE CHILD (d)RABB OF MAN FROM FETUS TO ELDERLY (IV) THE BLESSINGS OF OUR RABB ARE COUNTLESS (V) NO FEAR! PART 7: RABB OF THE WORLDS (I) RABB THE CREATOR (II) RABB THE ONLY GOD (III) RABB THE SUPREME RULER (IV) RABB OF THE WORLDS (V) RABB THE LISTENER OF THE CALL SUBMITTING TO THE SUPREME BEING

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PRAISE BE TO ALLAH I take refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Creator and Owner of the universe. Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon Mohammed, the last Prophet sent to the world. Every creature in the heavens and the earth Praises Allah, whether consciously or unconsciously. But the mankind has been created with a higher level of consciousness and has been given the freedom to be either grateful or ungrateful to the Creator. “We guided him the Way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.” [076:003] Alhamd is a conscious Praise of Allah, usually as an expression of gratitude by a human being as

1. The most conscious creature of Allah, 2. The Khaleefa (Deputy) of Allah at the earth, 3. The creature for whom Allah ordered all of His angels to prostrate, 4. The creature for whom Allah has subjugated all the universe, 5. The creature who is the best in acquiring knowledge and having

the urge to realize himself as well as his Creator. Alhamdolillah (Praise be to Allah) is said by every Muslim consciously from the context of Love, respect, thankfulness, gratefulness, obedience, honour, glorification, and as an expression of relief & joy in a very sincere way from the core of our heart, mind and spirit. Since the blessings of Allah are countless so we always remain Praiseful to Allah submitting to His will, expressing our joy and relief for His blessings always, in all the circumstances whether favourable or unfavourable. PRAISE BE TO ALLAH EVERYWAY, EVERYWHERE, EVERYTIME.

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HUMBLE REQUESTS 1- In these tough times of tribulations, when darkness is spreading everywhere at an alarming speed, the Holy Qur’aan is the best source of Allah’s Light of Guidance. So I request every of my brother and sister in Faith to absorb this Light of Guidance as maximum as possible into our hearts and minds.

2-The best way to thank Allah for His countless blessings is to acquire the knowledge & understanding of the Holy Qur’aan and then change our lives according to Allah’s will. The best way of improving our knowledge & understanding of the Holy Qur’aan is to share it with our fellow brothers and sisters in Faith.

3-The English translation of a Qur’anic verse is just for an approximate understanding of that specific verse and can never be equivalent to the original Arabic text of that verse. Translations are always subject to change, from person to person and from time to time. But the word of Allah will never change till the end of the world.

4- This piece of work is humbly presented just for the knowledge sharing purposes. The true meaning of the Holy Qur’aan is either best known by Allah Himself or His Wise Prophet S.A.W. and the great scholars of Islam.

5- I humbly seek the advice and guidance of my brothers and sisters in Faith to improve this piece of work and make it more meaningful and understandable.

May Allah accept this humble attempt and make it a source of my forgiveness. May Allah forgive the errors in it and may He increase our Faith, knowledge and understanding of the Holy Qur’aan and guide us to His pure straight Path. Aameen. May Allah reward you the best.

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I take refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. “Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds. The Gracious, the Merciful. Master of the Day of the Recompense. You alone, we worship; and You alone, we beseech for help. Guide us the straight path. The path of those, to whom You have favored with Your blessings. Not of those, who earned Your wrath. And not of those who went astray.” Aameen. (001:001-007) “Our Rabb! We do have heard a Crier, Crying out for the Faith: “Believe You in your Rabb!” Hence we do have believed. Our Rabb! So please forgive us our sins, And remove from us our evil deeds, And make us die in the company of the righteous. Our Rabb! And please give us what You have promised us through Your Messengers, And disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection. Certainly You never break the promise.” Aameen. (003:193-194) “….We do have heard, And we do have obeyed. Your forgiveness, our Rabb! And to You is the return.” (002:285) “….Our Rabb! Please bring us not to hard testing if we forget or err. Our Rabb! Please load us not with any such burden as You loaded the people before us. Our Rabb! And load us not with any such thing for which we lack strength to bear. And please forgive us, And grant us the pardon, And have mercy on us. You are our Friend, our Ally, our Guardian. So please support us against the unbelieving people.” Aameen. (002:286)

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PART-1 UNDERSTANDING “AL-HAMD” After Tasmia, ''Al-hamd'' is the 1st word of the 1st Sura of Nobel Qur’aan. English word ''Praise'' is the closest equivalent to the word ''Hamd''. “Those who rejoice in what they have been given and they love to be Praised for that which they have not done; so do not consider them immune from the torment. And for them is a painful torment”. (003/188) So praise is subject to doing/having something good. i.e. Praise is subject to performance. Praise without performance is Flattery.

CAUSES OF THE PRAISE: Praise is subject to doing/having something good. e.g. Good work, skill, knowledge, achievement, effort, ability, performance, beauty, courage, grace, success, act, deed, feat, quality, characteristic, feature, etc.

DEFINITION OF THE PRAISE: General: In general terms “Praise is an expression of the feeling of admiration, respect, gratitude, pleasure or warm approval for somebody/ something for performing/possessing something good.” Quranic: The Quranic meaning of the word ‘Al-hamd’ are specific to the Praise of Allah S.w.T. because He is the ultimate origin of everything good and ultimate owner of everyone, everything, hence the ultimate Praiseworthy. “Al-hamd is an act of expressing Praise, glorification, exaltation, and greatness of Allah S.w.T. as a manner of worship. ‘Alhamd’ is also an expression of relief or joy for the blessing(s) of Allah S.w.T. and is more close to thanksgiving in this regard.” S.w.T: Subhanahu wa Ta’ala (He is Glorified and Exalted)

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CATEGORIES OF THE PRAISE (a) "ALHAMDOLILLAH”- WHEN SAID BY THE RABB HIMSELF:

When the statement Alhamdolillah is as an announcement from the Rabb to the Abd (slave) it usually means Glorifying and Exalting Allah S.w.T.

“Praise be to Allah who revealed the Scripture to His slave and has not left any crookedness in it.” (018:001)

“So the roots of the people who did wrong were cut off. And Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.” (006:145)

“And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne from all sides glorifying their Rabb by His Praise. And the Justice to them will be done rightly and it will be announced, “Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds” (039:075)

(b) "ALHAMDOLILLAH”- WHEN SAID BY THE HUMAN BEINGS:

When this statement (Alhamdolillah) is from the Abd (slave) to the Rabb(Cherisher-Allah) it can mean Praise, glorification and thanksgiving.

Their prayer in it (Paradise) will be, “Glory be to You, O Allah”, and their greetings in it will be “Peace!” and the end of their prayer will be,” Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds” (010:010)

“The seven heavens and the earth and whatever exists between them glorify Him. And there is no anything which does not glorify Him by His praise but you do not understand their glorification. In deed He is the Forbearing and the Forgiving.” (017:044)

“Praise be to Allah who has given me Ismail and Is’haq (Isac) in the old age. Surely my Rabb is the Listner of the invocation.” (014/039)

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FORMS OF THE PRAISE: Many terms represent Praise and sometimes are interchangeable. e.g Hamd, Takbeer, Tasbeeh, Tabreek and Shukr etc.

(a) HAMD: For the glorification of Allah S.w.T. “Praise be to Allah who created the heavens and the earth and caused the darknesses and the Light. Yet the unbelievers set up equals to their Rabb” (006:001)

“So Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the heavens and the Rabb of the earth, the Rabb of the worlds.” (045:036) “Praise be to Allah who revealed the Scripture to His slave and has not left any crookedness in it” (018:001) Their prayer in it (Paradise) will be, “Glory be to You, O Allah”, and their greetings in it will be “Peace!” and the end of their prayer will be,” Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds” (010:010) (b) TAKBEER: The expression of the greatness of Allah S.w.T. And say, “Praise be to Allah who has neither took anyone as son, nor there is any partner to Him in the Kingdom and nor there is any ‘supporter-in-weakness’ to Him” and proclaim His Greatness, in a great manner. (017:111) “So the roots of the people who did wrong were cut off. And Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.” 006/145 “And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne from all sides glorifying their Rabb by His Praise. And the Justice to them will be done rightly and it will be announced, “Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds” (039:075) (C) TASBEEH: The expression of the exaltation of Allah S.w.T. “The seven heavens and the earth and whatever exists between them glorify Him. And there is no anything which does not glorify Him by His Praise but

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you do not understand their glorification. In deed He is the Forbearing and the Forgiving.” (017:044) “And the thunder glorifies Him by praising Him and the angels (glorify Him) out of His fear. And he sends down the thunderbolts and strikes with them whomever He wills. Yet they dispute concerning Allah and He is mighty in prowess.” (013:013)

“Glorified be the One who caused His slave to have journey within a night from Masjid-al-Haram to Masjid-al-Aqsa, whose environment was blessed by Us to show him our signs. Surely He is the Listener, the Observer.” (017:001)

(D) TABREEK: The glorification of Allah as the Blessed One. “Blessed be the One who has revealed to His slave the Furqan, so that he may become a warner to the worlds. He is the One to whom belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth. Neither He has any son nor any partner in the Kingdom. And He has created everything and has set a measure/fate for it.” (025:001-002) “Blessed be the One in whose hand is the Kingdom and He has the power over everything.” (067:001) (E) SHUKR: The expression of relief or joy. Thanksgiving to Allah S.w.T. “And we gave knowledge to David and Soloman and they said, “Praise be to Allah who prefered us over many of His believing slaves” (027:015) “Praise be to Allah who gave me Ismail and Is’haq (Isac) at the old age. Surely my Rabb is the Listner of the invocation.” (014:039) “And We will remove whatever rancor be in their hearts. Rivers will be flowing beneath them. And they will say,” Praise be to Allah who guided us to this. And we would never be able to be guided if Allah would not have guided us. Surely the Messengers of our Rabb were sent rightfully. And it will be announced that this is the Paradise for which you were promised.” (007:043)

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TYPES OF PRAISE

1-PRAISE BY WORD: This is praising Allah S.w.T. by the words of mouth accompanied by sincere feelings too. And say, “Praise be to Allah who has neither took anyone as son, nor there is any partner to Him in the Kingdom and nor there is any ‘supporter-in-weakness’ to Him” and proclaim His Greatness, in a great manner. (017:111) “And when you have embarked on the Ark, along with whoever is with you, then say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has saved us from the wrongdoing people.” (023:028) And they will say, “Praise be to Allah who removed the grief from us. Surely our Rabb is the Forgiving One, the Acknowledging One.” (035:034)

2- PRAISE BY DEED: Words may not be there for Praise but ‘actions speak louder than words’. ”Surely we have given you Al-Kaothar (the abundance). So offer prayer to your Rabb and offer sacrifice.” (108:001-002) “Did He not find you orphan thus sheltered you? And He found you astray thus guided you? And He found you poor thus made you rich? So concerning the orphan, oppress not. And concerning the help-seeker, repulse not. And concerning the favours of your Rabb, so proclaim.” (093:006-011)

3-PRAISE BY WORD AND DEED: “So do the glorification by the Praise of your Rabb and be among those who prostrate by obeisance.” (015:098) “Certainly the people who believe in our signs are those, when they are advised through them ( the signs), they fall into prostration and do glorification by the Praise of their Rabb, and they do not scorn.” (032:015)

4- PRAISE BY WORD AND DEED, HEART AND SOUL: This is the ultimate and absolute Praise subject to Submission and Surrender. “Certainly those who are near your Rabb, disdain not to worship Him, and they glorify Him and they prostrate to Him.” (007:206) “Say: ‘my worship and my rituals/sacrifice and my life and my death are for Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.” (006:162)

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PART 2

WHO IS WORTHY OF PRAISE? Everyday we observe people praising their fellow human beings like kings, leaders, and heroes etc. These kings/heroes are Praised due to their excellence in certain specific attributes like power, sovereignty, authority, knowledge, Justice, mercy, wealth etc. None of these kings/leaders/heroes is perfect in his self and attributes. 1-There are certain limits to his self and attributes. 2-His self and his attributes are limited in certain time & space frame. 3-His self and attributes are limited in consistency. 4-He has a limited level of balance and harmony among his attributes. 5-He has a certain limit of dependence on others for his self and his attributes. And many other limitations too in his self and attributes. But there exists a King of the kings, the Supreme Creator of every creature, 1-Who is absolutely perfect in His self and His attributes. 2-Whose self and attributes are above the limits of time and space. 3- Whose self and attributes are absolutely constant since pre-eternity. 4-Who has an absolute harmony and balance in all of His attributes. 5-Who is absolutely independent regarding His self and His attributes. Any good characteristic or capability for doing goodness that a creature can possess, it is not its own but granted by Allah, the ultimate and absolute Creator and Owner of every creature. “It is We Who have created you: why would you not witness the Truth? Do you then see? – (The semen) that you throw out. Is it you who create it, or We are the Creators? We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated. From changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (the forms) that you know not. And you certainly know already the first form of creation: Then why do you not celebrate His Praises? Do you see the seed that you sow in the ground? Is it you who cause it to grow, or We cause it? Were it Our will, We would

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crumble it to dry powder, and you would be left in wonderment, (Saying), "We are indeed left with debts (for nothing): "Indeed we are shut out (of the fruits of our labor)" Do you see the water that you drink? Do you bring it down from the cloud or We do it? Were it Our will, We would make it salty. So why do you not remain grateful? Do you see the Fire which you kindle? Is it you who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it? We have made it a memorial and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts. So glorify the name of your Rabb, the Great by His Praises! [056:057-074] Allah is the only absolute reality with absolute existence. Everyone everything else has relative reality and relative existence. “All that exists on it (the earth) has to perish. And only the face of your Rabb, full of Majesty and Honor will exist forever.” (055:026-027). To Him belongs the Kingdom and to Him belongs the Praise. He creates and owns everyone, everything. He exalts and abases. He makes people Rich and Poor. In His hand is the Good and He has power over everything. He is the only focus of all our Praise, prayer and prostration. His pleasure is the goal of every good deed of ours. “Say, my prayer and my rituals/sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.” (006:162) His self and All His attributes exist since pre-eternity. He is Ghaniyun Hameed , the absolute Rich, the absolute Praiseworthy (The absolute owner of the universe who is above any need to be Praised). He is Alhameed (the Praiseworthy) absolutely and eternally. He was Al-Hameed even in pre-eternity when nothing did exist except He Himself alone. And He will remain Al-Hameed eternally even when everyone everything will lose existance at the end of this world. So Allah is the ultimate and absolute creating and driving force of the universe. Hence the ultimate and absolute owner of everyone everything. Hence the ultimate and absolute goodness. Hence the ultimate and absolute praiseworthy . Praise be to Allah.

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PART-3

ALHAMDOLILLAH AS A VALUE OF MUSLIM SOCIETY: Allah S.w.T. loves us. As an expression of His love and mercy He blesses us with the good and saves us from the evil. We love Allah, our only Rabb, our Creator, Cherisher, Sustainer and Guide. As an expression of our approval, gratefulness and thankfulness, we obey His commands, we do the good and we give thanks saying Alhamdolillah. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah has created us. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah has created us as human beings. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah has created us in best configuration. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah feeds us with food and water. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah provides us with clothes and shelter. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah has enabled us to speak. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah has granted us variety of languages. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah ordered all Angels to prostrate Adam. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah made us Khaleefa/Deputy on earth. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah made us dominant over everything. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah has made us conscious of good & evil. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah has showed us the path of Paradise. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah has sent His Holy Prophets to us. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah has sent His Holy Books to us. We say Alhamdolillah but our Praises are limited and His favors unlimited. We say Alhamdolillah because Allah is our only Rabb Who creates and feeds us, loves and cares us, nourishes and redeems us, protects and shelters us, cherishes and cures us, sustains and saves us, supports and guides us. Hence the real origin of creation, generation, growth, development, care, cure, kindness, tenderness, affection, protection, safety, security, cherishing, rearing, fostering, sustenance, maintenance, nourishment, redemption, guidance, love and mercy. Hence the only true Rabb of ours, Rabb of all the mankind, Rabb of everyone, everything, Rabb of the worlds. PRAISE BE TO ALLAH, THE RABB OF THE WORLDS.

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PRAISE WHILE SLEEPING: “Praise be to Allah who fed us with enough food & drink and gave us place of shelter to reside. And how many are the people who neither have enough to eat & drink nor enough place of shelter to reside”. (Muslim 2085)

PRAISE WHILE AWAKENING: “Praise be to Allah who gave us life back after our death(sleep) and towards Him we will go after the Resurrection.” (Bukhari 11:113, Muslim 4:2083) “Praise be to Allah who secured me physically and returned my soul back to me and gave me opportunity to do His zikr”. (Trimzi 5:473, 2:144)

NO THANKS PLEASE: “And for the sake of His love, they feed the poor, the orphan and the captives/prisoners, with food. (And they say) “In fact we feed you for the sake of Allah. We neither wish to have any reward from you nor any thanks/ acknowledgement. We fear our Rabb regarding the Day which is frowning and distressful” [076:008-010] A Muslim acknowledges the countless blessings of Allah and expresses his Shukr saying Alhamdolillah always. Unlike astray civilizations, the Allah-centric slaves of Allah are not ego-centric and Allah only is the focal point of their beliefs, acts and words. Allah is the Purposeful being and the purpose of His slave should be in accordance with the purpose of Allah. So the purpose of every thought and act of a slave of Allah is to win the pleasure of Allah only. We prefer to say Jazakallah (May Allah reward you) instead of saying “Thank you”. When a poor hungry Muslim is offered a meal from a rich Muslim, upon finishing the eating both say, “Alhamdolillahillazi at’amana wa saqauna wa ja’alana minal Muslimeen” ( Praise be to Allah who fed us with food & drink and included us among the Muslims).

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Then both say Jazakallah (May Allah reward you) to each other. The poor Muslim says Jazakallah for satiating his physical need (hunger) by the food. And the rich Muslim says Jazakallah for satiating his spiritual need by accepting the offer and giving him the opportunity to please Allah and to thank Allah for His blessings. Similarly instead of saying wow! Hurrah! Oh! Ah! Oops! Ouch! Hello! Hey! Huh! Hooray! Alas! Boo! Poo! Shit! Cool! Crap! Snap! Damn! Woot! Etc, we are taught to express our feelings focusing Allah only: “Alhamdolillah”, “Yarhamkomullah”, ““Masha’Allah”, “Subhanallah”, “Naoozobillah”, “Astaghfirullah”, “Allaho Akbar”, “Bismillah”, “Barakallah”, “Fee Sabeelillah”, “Fee Amanillah”, “Assalam O alaikum wa Rahmatullah”, “Hasbiyallah”, “Inna Lillahe wa inna ilahe rajeoon”, “La haola wa la quwwata illa billahil Aliyyil Azeem” etc, etc.

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PART-4 ALHAMDOLILLAH ALA KULLE HAAL (PRAISE BE TO ALLAH, WHATEVER BE THE CIRCUMSTANCES)

When something pleasant happened to the Prophet S.A.W. he used to say, “Praise be to Allah, by whose grace good things happen.” And when something unpleasant happened to the Prophet S.A.W. he used to say, “Praise be to Allah in all circumstances.” (Hakim 1:499, Albani in Sahi-ul-Jaamay 4:201)

(I) HAMD IS MORE GENERAL THAN SHUKR:

Every one, every thing in the heavens and the earth is praising Allah whether consciously or unconsciously- the stars, the planets, the moons, the mountains, the trees, the animals, the birds, the angels and many from mankind.

Every Muslim Praises Allah through Al-Fatiha at least 17 times a day in 5 obligatory prayers, regardless of being Sabir (patient) or Shakir (thankful), healthy or sick, wealthy or rich, happy or sad, blessed or deprived.

SHUKR: Shukr (thanksgiving/gratefulness) is an expression of relief or joy or acknowledgement regarding something favorable or desired.

SABR: Sabr (patience, forbearance) is an expression of patience, tolerance or forbearance regarding something unfavorable or undesired.

A Muslim says “Alhamdolillahe Rabbil Aalameen” (Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds) every day whether he/she is experiencing relief & joy and good quality of life or whether pains, hardships and calamities are threatening his/her life or quality of life.

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A Muslim never stops praising Allah S.w.T. in Al-Fatiha in obligatory prayers even if he/she is on death bed or participating in Jihad and knows that he/she may be killed within minutes by the enemy.

Allah has given the title “Sabbarin Shakoor” to the believer who is grateful to Him even in the circumstances of hardships requiring patience and forebearance: “Do you not see that the ships sail through the ocean by the Grace of Allah? That He may show you of His Signs? Verily in this are Signs for all those who constantly persevere and remain grateful.” [031:031]

The prophet (S.A.W.) as well as his companions (R.A.) always Praised Allah S.w.T. regularly in every prayer in the circumstances of Sabr as well as Shukr.

So Alhamdolillah is not necessarily an expression of relief or joy although it is most commonly used as an expression of Shukr.

(II) “ALHAMDOLILLAH” OF IMAM HUSSAIN R.A:

Consider the Alhamdolillah (Al-Fatiha) of Imam Hussein R.A. in his last prayer under the shadow of swords & arrows while he would be severely injured, hungry and thirsty for days, with most of his male family members killed by the enemy in front of him. But in spite of all these pains, injuries, and hardships he never missed a single of his obligatory prayers reciting Al-Fatiha in it and praising Allah saying “Alhamdolillahe Rabbil Aalameen” (Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds). So even in life threatening conditions like war we may shorten our prayer but we neither cancel nor delay our prayers and Praise.

Alhamdolillahe ala kulle hal.

S.A.W: Sallallahu Alaihe wa Sallum (May peace and protection of Allah be upon him)

R.A: RadhiAllah Unhu: May Allah be pleased with him.

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(III) ALHAMDOLILLAH AS AN EXPRESSION OF SHUKR:

Alhamdolillah is most commonly used as an expression of Shukr. Alhamdolillah is mostly used by the Muslims as a statement of Shukr in the circumstances of thanksgiving regarding some favor of Allah. For example:

1-The statement of the people of Paradise: “And they will say, ‘Praise be to Allah who guided us for this. And we would never be able to be guided if Allah would not have guided us…”. (007:043)

2-The statement of Ibraheem A.S: “Praise be to Allah who gave me Ismail and Is’haq (Isac) at the old age. Surely my Rabb is the Listner of the invocation.” (014:039)

In both statements the Muslims are saying that it was purely by the mighty power of Allah that they were able to get a specific favor. Otherwise they would never be able to get this favor. So in actual they glorified Allah as Haadi (the Guide), Wahhab (the gracious Giver), Samee-ud-Dua (the Listener of the invocation).

Shukr is recognition or acknowledgement for some favor or blessing. The most common expression of Shukr by a Muslim is the Sajda (prostration) of Shukr and prayer of Shukr in humbleness and humility. The best example of such prayer and humility can be seen in the actions of the Prophet S.A.W. on the conquest of Makkah.

‘When the Help of Allah came (to you, O Mohammed S.A.W. against your enemies) and the conquest (of Makkah) came too, and you saw the people entering into Allah's religion in multitudes. So do glorification by the Praises of your Rabb, and implore Him for Forgiveness. No doubt, it is He who accepts the repentance, forgives and redeems.” 110:001-003

Man acknowledges Allah's blessings and expresses his Shukr through Praise and prayer. In turn Allah acknowledges man's Shukr and expresses His recognition (Shukr) by increasing His blessings to that Slave.

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“And remember! Your Rabb caused to be declared: "If you are grateful, I will give you more; But if you are ungrateful then My punishment is terrible indeed." 014:007

“And indeed We bestowed ‘Al-Hikmah’ (wisdom and religious understanding) upon Luqman saying: "Be grateful to Allah," and whoever remains grateful, he remains grateful for (the good of) his own self. And whoever is ungrateful, then certainly, Allah is the absolute Rich (Free of all needs), the absolute Praiseworthy. (The Praised One who is above any need or desire to be Praised)” 031:012

The Acknowledgement or Shukr to the parents is expressed in the form of respect and praying for them. “And your Rabb has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you remain dutiful to your parents. If anyone of them or both of them attain old age in your life, do not say any word of disrespect to them, nor shout at them but address them in an honorful manner”. 017:023

“And treat them (your parents) mercifully with humbleness and humility and say, “My Rabb! shower Your mercy & grace on them like they did rabb me (reared me /cherished me/brought me up) during my childhood.” 017:024

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(IV) IS AL-HAMD EXCLUSIVELY FOR ALLAH S.W.T?

Regarding Shukr, Allah S.w.T. has used the words Shakir and Shakoor (the one who acknowledges) for Himself as well as for His slaves. FOR HIMSELF: Shakir 002:158, 004:147, Shakoor 035:030, 035:034, 042:023, 064:017 FOR HIS SLAVES: Allah S.w.T. has used the words Shakir and Shakoor for His slaves too: Shaakir 016:121, 076:003 ; Shakoor 034:013, 017:003, 014:005, 031:031, 034:019, 042:033

But regarding Al-Hamd, Allah S.w.T. has used the word Al-Hameed (The Praiseworthy) exclusively for Himself and Al-Haamid (The Praiseful) exclusively for His slaves. “AL-HAMEED” EXCLUSIVELY FOR ALLAH: 011:073, 022:064, 002:267, 014:008, 031:012, 064:006, 031:026, 035:015, 042:028, 057:024, 060:006, 041:042, 014:001, 022:024, 034:006, 085:008, 004:131 “AL-HAAMID” EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PRAISING SLAVES: Al Haamidoon 009:112

In the Holy Qur’aan, Allah S.w.T. did not use the word Al-Haamid for Himself and did not use the word Al-Hameed for any of His slaves. Does it mean that Allah S.w.T. wants Al-hamd to be exclusively for himself?

Allah S.w.T. has advised to pay Shukr to Him as well as our parents. But regarding Al-hamd, Allah has not advised us to pay Al-hamd to anyone else besides Himself.

So Al-hamd whether used as an expression of Shukr or Sana or Tasbeeh or Takbeer it is exclusively for Allah S.w.T, to whom belongs everyone every thing in the heavens and the earth. His self and All His attributes exist since pre-eternity. He is Ghaniyyun Hameed (The Praised One who is above any need or desire to be Praised). He was Al-Hameed even in pre-eternity when nothing did exist and He will remain Al-Hameed even when everyone everything will lose existence at the end of this world.

ALHAMDOLILLAHE RABBIL AALAMEEN.

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(V) THE BELOVED IS ALWAYS DEAR TO THE LOVER

“Since the Beloved is always loved by the lover in all circumstances, from the core of one’s self, hence the Beloved will also be Praised by the lover in all circumstances from the core of one’s self (Personal Love). And so the lover will Praise the Beloved whether the lover gets pain or gain. And at this stage, such lover must say truly and purely, “Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds, whatever be the circumstances.” And such kind of lover Praises Allah S.W.T. truly in happiness & sadness.

It seems that superiority of Al-hamd over Shukr is due to this same reason that in Shukr there is acknowledgement of some favour or blessing of Allah which results in the feeling of relief or joy. But in Praise, the core beauty and goodness of the Praised One is in focus, whether this beauty and goodness exists in His self or attributes and whether the Lover experiences pains or gains. Because for a believer, the pain given by Allah S.w.T. is also good like His blessings.

So unlike Shukr, PRAISE is more advanced, superior, and comprehensive in goodness & beauty having deeper & durable effects both in the state of Pains & gains, happiness & sadness. Because Shukr, due to its limited scope is subject to decay because Shukr is associated with the feeling of relief or joy due to some favour, therefore Shukr can end when the favour ends.”

Ref: Maktoobaat Imam Rabbani Part-2 Letter No. 33 (Letter from Sheikh Ahmad Sarhindi R.A. to Maolana Muhammed Sualeh Kolabi)

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(VI) ALHAMDOLILLAH DISSAPPOINTS SATAN

Alhamdolillah is a key virtue of a Muslim, a true believer who submits to Allah consciously. Praising Allah and being grateful to Him in all circumstances is a common virtue of all the prophets of Allah and their companions.

The ego-centeric Iblees (Satan) kept praising Allah S.w.T. in gains ( e.g. promotions in ranks) but refused to prostrate to Adam A.S. since it threatened the loss of his ranks. The only creatures of Allah who are rebillious and ungrateful to Allah consciously are the ego-centric Satan and his followers. Satan gets pleased by misleading people and making them ungrateful to Allah. “Satan has engrossed them so he has caused them to forget Zikr of Allah. They are the Satan’s party. Beware, it’s the Satan’s party who are the ultimate losers.” 058:019

So the Praise by a true Allah-centric Muslim pleases Allah and disappoints His enemy Satan. A true Muslim, who submits his will to the will of Allah, never stops praising Allah whether he is subjet to losses or gains, pleasures or pains, and increase or decrease in ranks. He is always pleased in the pleasure of Allah. He seeks good pleasure of Allah by praising Him through Hamd, Shukr, Sabr, Zikr, Prayer, Fast, Sadaqa, Zakaut, Jihad, Hajj, doing good to others, promoting the good and preventing the evil, earning the legitimate bread, and avoiding all the sinful acts that serve the purpose of Satan, the cursed creature of Allah S.w.T.

We take refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast. May Allah keep us grateful to Himself, always, till the last moment of our lives. Aameen.

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(VII) PRAISE IS NOT AN ISOLATED VALUE

Praise is one of the many beautiful colours in the triumphant personality of a Muslim: “Triumphant are Those who turn repentant (to Allah), Those who worship him, Those who observe fast, Those who bow down, Those who fall prostrate, Those who enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, And those who keep the limits of Allah. And give good news to the believers”. 009:112

All the prophets of Allah S.w.T from Adam to Mohammed S.A.W, and every of their true follower is Sabir, Shakir and Haamid at the same time. Thetrue Muslims consider the characteristics like Sabr, Shukr and Hamd etc. as sub-features of the single main feature, SUBMISSION to Allah. They Praise Allah even if they have to sacrify their lives, their family, their children, their homes, their jobs, their business and their assets in the way of Allah. “Allah has bought from the believers, their selves and their assets as there is Paradise for them….”(009:111). “…and as far as the believers are concerned, their love for Allah is supreme (Over love for anyone, anything else).” [002:165]

All creatures of Allah S.w.T. sing His Praises unconsciously but a true Muslim believes in Allah consciously, submits to Allah consciously, loves Allah consciously and sings His Praises consciously. That is why Allah loves the conscious Praise by a conscious praising person, a true Muslim believer of Allah. And that is why the Prophet Sallallaho Alaihe wa Sallum has advised Al-Fatiha as an essential and integral part of every Prayer.

Allah is pleased with a Muslim who Praises Him in prayer. But Allah is too much pleased when a group of Muslims Praise Him through Al-Fatiha in a Joint Prayer.

All praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.

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PART-5

AL-HAMD AS IN THE HOLY QUR’AAN 1. “Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds”; [001:002]

2. “Praise be Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and caused

the darkness and the light. Yet the ungrateful people associate partners to their Rabb”. [006:001]

3. “And we shall remove whatever rancor is in their hearts. Rivers will

be flowing beneath them. And they will say,” Praise be to Allah who guided us to this. And we would never be able to be guided if Allah would not have guided us. Surely the Messengers of our Rabb were sent rightfully. And it will be announced that this is the Paradise for which you were promised.” (007:043)

4. Their prayer in it will be, “Glory be to You, O Allah”, and their

greetings in it will be “Peace!” and the end of their prayer will be,“Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds” (010:010)

5. “Praise be to Allah who gave me Ismail and Is’haq (Isac) at the old

age. Surely my Rabb is the Listner of the invocation.” (014:039)

6. “Allah sets forth the Parable (of two men: one) a slave under the dominion of another; He has no power of any sort; and (the other) a man on whom We have bestowed goodly favors from Ourselves, and he spends (freely) thereof, privately and publicly: are the two equal? Praise be to Allah. But most of them do not understand.” [016:075]

7. And say, “Praise be to Allah who has neither took anyone as son, nor

there is any partner to Him in the Kingdom and nor there is any ‘supporter-in-weakness’ to Him” and proclaim His Greatness, in a great manner. (017:111)

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8. “Praise be to Allah who revealed the Scripture to His slave and has not left any crookedness in it.” (018:001)

9. “And when you have embarked on the Ark, along with whoever is with you, then say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has saved us from the wrongdoing people.” [023:028]

10. “And We gave the knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both

said: "Praise be to Allah, Who has preferred us over many of His Faithful Slaves!” [027:015]

11. “Say: Praise be to Allah, and Peace be on his chosen Slaves. Which

one is the better?- Allah or the false gods that they associate (with Him as the partners)?” [027:059]

12. “And say: "Praise be to Allah. He will soon show you His Signs, so

that you will recognize them"; and your Rabb is not unaware of whatever you do.” [027:093]

13. “And He is Allah: He is such a God that there is no god except Him.

To Him be the praise, in the former (current) world as well as in the Hereafter. And to Him belongs all the Command, and to Him you will return.” [028:070]

14. “Praise be to Allah, to Whom belongs all that exists in the heavens

and the earth. And to Him belongs all the Praise in the Hereafter. And He is the all-Wise, the all-Aware.” 034:001

15. “And if you ask them, who it is that created the heavens and the earth.

They will say, "Allah". Say: "Praise be to Allah!” But most of them do not understand.” 031:025

16. “And if you ask them who it is that sends down the rain from the sky,

and so revives the soil after its death by means of this (rain), they will certainly reply, "Allah!" Say, "Praise be to Allah!" But most of them do not understand.” [029:063]

17. “And to Him be the praise, in the heavens and the earth; and in the

late afternoon and when the day begins to decline.” 030:018

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18. “Praise be to Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth (out of

nothingness), the One Who caused the angels to be His messengers having two, three, or four wings. He adds to the Creation whatever He pleases. No doubt, Allah has the power and ability regarding everything.” 035:001

19. “And they will say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has removed the grief

from us. No doubt, our Rabb is the Forgiving, the Acknowledging”: 035:034

20. “And they will say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has fulfilled His

Promise to us, and has given us (this) land in heritage: We can dwell in the Paradise as we wish. What an excellent reward for the performers!” 039:074

21. “And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne from all sides glorifying their Rabb by His Praise. And the Justice to them will be done rightly and it will be announced, “Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds” (039:075)

22. He is the eternally Living one. There is no god except Him. So invoke

Him with purity of Faith exclusive to Him. Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.” 040:065

23. “So Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the heavens and the Rabb of the

earth, the Rabb of the Worlds!” 045:036

24. “All that exists in the heavens and the earth, glorifies Allah: to Him belongs all the dominion, and to Him belongs all the praise: and He has power and ability regarding everything.” 064:001

25. “And when your Rabb said to the angels: "I am about to appoint a

deputy at the earth." They said: "Will you appoint there the one who will cause deformities in it and will shed the blood? Whereas we do celebrate Your glory by Your praises and we do celebrate Your absolute purity." He said: "I know what you know not." 002:030

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26. “So celebrate His glory by the praises of your Rabb, and be among the people of prostration.” 015:098

27. “Therefore be patient about whatever they say, and celebrate His

glory by the praises of your Rabb, before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; and do glorification for a part of the night, and at the edges of the day so that you may have (spiritual) pleasure.” 020:130

28. “Certainly the people who believe in our signs are those, when they

are reminded of them ( the signs), they fall into prostration and celebrate His glory by the praises of their Rabb, and they do not scorn.” (032:015)

29. “Those who hold the Throne and those surrounding it celebrate His glory by the praises of their Rabb and they believe in Him; and they implore Forgiveness for those who have entered the Faith, saying: "Our Rabb! Your Mercy and Knowledge spans everything. So forgive those who turn to You in Repentance, and who follow Your Path; and save them from the torment of the Fire!” 040:007

30. “So be patient. Certainly the Promise of Allah is true: and ask

forgiveness for your sin, and celebrate His glory by the praises of your Rabb in the evening and in the morning.” 040:055

31. “The heavens are almost rent asunder from above them and the angels

celebrate His glory by the praises of their Rabb, and pray for forgiveness for those who live at the earth: No doubt, Allah is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” 042:005

32. “So bear with patience whatever they say, and celebrate His glory by

the praises of your Rabb, before the rising of the sun and before its setting.” 050:039

33. “So await patiently the decree of your Rabb, for certainly you are in

Our sight: and celebrate His glory by the praises of your Rabb while you get up.” 052:048

34. “So celebrate His glory by the praises of your Rabb, and implore Him

for Forgiveness. No doubt, it is He who accepts the repentance, forgives and redeems.” 110:003

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35. “And the thunder celebrates His glory by praising Him and the angels

(glorify Him) out of His fear. And he sends down the thunderbolts and strikes with them whomever He wills. Yet they dispute about Allah and He is mighty in prowess.” (013:013)

36. “The seven heavens and the earth and whatever exists between them

celebrates His glory. And there is no anything which does not celebrate His glory by His Praises but you do not understand their glorification. In deed He is the Forbearing and the Forgiving.” (017:044)

37. "The Day when He will call you, and you will answer (His call) with (words of) His praise, and you will think that you stayed in the world just a little while!” 017:052

38. “And put your trust in the Living one who is never subject to death.

And celebrate His glory by the praises of your Rabb. And He is enough to be well aware of the faults of His Slaves.” 025:058

39. “Alif. Lam. Ra. A Scripture that We have revealed to you, so that you

may bring the mankind out of the darkness into the Light - by the will of their Rabb, to the Way of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy!” 014:001

40. “And they (the people of Paradise) have been led to the well

mannered communication and they have been led to the Path of the Praiseworthy.” 022:024

41. “Whatsoever exists in the heavens and the earth belong to Him only.

Certainly Allah is the absolute Rich (free of all needs), the absolute Praiseworthy.” 022:064

42. “All that exists in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah only.

Certainly Allah is the absolute Rich (free of all needs), the absolute Praiseworthy.” 031:026

43. “O the people! It is you who are poor and needy towards Allah. And it

is Allah who is the absolute Rich (free of all needs), the absolute Praiseworthy.” 035:015

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44. “And He is the One who sends down the rain after they have

despaired, and spreads around His grace. And He is the Guardian, the Praiseworthy.” 042:028

45. "Certainly they were a good exemplary model for those of you who

look forward to Allah and the Last Day. But if someone turns away, then certainly Allah is the absolute Rich (free of all needs), the absolute Praiseworthy.” 060:006

46. They said: "Do you wonder at Allah's decree, o the family (of

Abraham)? May the mercy and blessings of Allah be on you. Surely He is the Praiseworthy, the Glorious!” 011:073

47. And Moses said: "If you and all that exists on the earth become

ungrateful to Allah, yet Allah is the absolute Rich (free of all needs), the absolute Praiseworthy." 014:008

48. “And indeed We gave the wisdom to Luqman, saying: "Be grateful to

Allah," and whoever remains grateful, he remains grateful for (the good of) his own self. And whoever is ungrateful, then certainly, Allah is the absolute Rich (Free of all needs), the absolute Praiseworthy. (The Praised One who is above any need to be Praised)” 031:012

49. “All that exists in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah.

Certainly we have directed you and the People of the Scripture before you to fear Allah. But if you become ungrateful to Him, then in actual all things in the heavens and the earth belong to Allah, and Allah is the absolute Rich (Free of all needs), the absolute Praiseworthy. (The Praised One who is above any need to be Praised)” 004:131

50. “Glorified be your Rabb, the Rabb of Honor and Power! He is above

what they attribute to Him! And peace be on the Messengers! And praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds!” 037:180-182

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PART 6: THE RABB (I) MEANINGS OF THE WORD “RABB” "RABB" AS DESCRIBED BY IBRAHIM A.S. “Certainly they (idols) are enemy to me, except the RABB of the Worlds: The One Who has created me, And it is He Who guides me; And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink; And it is He Who restores me to health when I am sick; And it is He Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again); And it is He, Who, I hope will forgive me my mistakes on the Day of the Recompense." 026:077-082 “Your only Rabb is the Rabb of the heavens and the earth, the One who created them. This is the testimony to which I bear witness.”(021:056) DOES THE WORD “LORD” MEANS “RABB”? 1-There is no proper equivalent to the word "Rabb" available in English. 2-The Arabic word Rabb is not an equivalent to the English word Lord. 3-The closest Arabic equivalent to the word Lord is “Sayyid”. 4- "The Lord Jesus Christ" has been translated as “As-Sayyid Yasoo Al-Maseeh" in the Arabic translations of the Bible. 5- "The Lord Jesus Christ" has never been translated as "Ar-Rabb Yasoo Al-Maseeh" in the Arabic translations of the Bible. 6-"Sayyid" as well as “Lord” is not an equivalent to the word "Rabb". 7-The word “Lord” or “Sayyid” denote a male tribal chief, a male feudal head, a male social superior or a male spiritual superior in a human society and he is essentially a basic member of the same class of the human males of his own kind. But regarding our Rabb, neither there is anyone like Allah, nor is Allah like any one of His creatures. And our Rabb is absolutely independent of all of His creatures in all regards. “(Allah is) The Rabb of the heavens and the earth, and all that exists between them, so worship Him (Alone) and be constant and patient in His worship. Do you know of anyone who is similar to Him?” 019:065

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8- The existence of a Lord depends on the existence of a similar class of human males of his own kind. Men of higher ranks were given the title of Lord by their fellow men, only after the human specie and society came into existence by the grace of Allah S.w.T. But our Rabb is the Eternal being and Allah is the Rabb since pre-eternity even when nothing did exist. And our Rabb will exist forever even when every Lord, everyone, everything will lose existence at the end of this world. “All that exists on it (the earth) has to perish. And only the face of your Rabb, full of Majesty and Honor, will exist forever. So which one of the favors of your Rabb would you deny?” (055:026-028) 9- Our Rabb is Allah, who is neither a tribal chief nor a feudal lord, nor a social superior nor a priest, nor a Jewish rabbi etc. He is our only Creator and all of us are His creatures. Our Rabb is our only God and all of us are His worshipers. Praise be to Allah, our only one eternal Rabb who is above the limits of time and space. Praise be to our Rabb whose self and attributes are absolutely real, perfect, independent, invariable, infinite and eternal while the selves and attributes of everyone else are relative, imperfect, dependent, variable, finite and mortal. Praise be to our Rabb who is the Supreme Creating and Controlling being who creates & owns, commands & controls the entire system of the universe in perfect and independent way. “No doubt, your Rabb is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then firmly established on the Throne. He made the night cover the day which it pursues swiftly. And He made the sun and the moon submissive under His command & control. Is He not the only one to whom belongs all the creation and command & control? Blessed be Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.” (007:054) 10- So the word "Lord" is not an equivalent to the word "Rabb", the sole Creator and Owner of everyone, everything from the earliest form of matter to the human being, from creation to development, from growth to guidance and from Resurrection to Recompense. “Allah did create you from the dust, then from a drop of (reproductive) fluid, then made you in pairs. And everything is contained in a Book whatever a female conceives or delivers and whatever part of life is added or subtracted from the age of an elderly being. Surely that is easy for Allah. And the two oceans, one sweet (soft) and the other salty (hard), are not alike. From each ocean you can eat fresh meat and obtain ornaments to use. And

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you see the ships ploughing their way through them so that you may seek His favor and that you may be grateful. He causes the night to enter into the day and the day to enter into the night. He has made the sun and the moon subservient to Himself, each of them follows its course to an appointed time. Such is Allah, your Rabb, to whom belongs all the dominion and ownership. And those (so-called Rabbs), whom you invoke instead of Him, do not own even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone). (035:011-013) And your Rabb has said: "Invoke Me, I will respond to your invocation. Surely, those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves humiliated in Hell.” Allah: It is He who has made the night for you so you may have rest in it and the day for you to see. Surely Allah is full of grace to mankind but most of the mankind are ungrateful. Such is Allah, your Rabb, the creator of everything. There is no god except Him. So why are you turned away? Thus are turned away only those who deny the signs of Allah. Allah: It is He who has made the earth for you as a resting place, and the sky as a canopy, and has fashioned you and well fashioned you, and has provided you with goodly provisions. Such is Allah your Rabb. So blessed be Allah, the Rabb of the worlds. He is the eternally Living one. There is no god except Him. So invoke Him with purity of Faith exclusive to Him. Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.”(040:060-065)” “Surely Your Rabb is the One, Who is the Master Creator, the Master of all the Knowledge.” 015:086 "He has provided you everything that you asked Him for. And if you try to count the favors of Allah, you will never be able to count them all. In fact the mankind is unjust and ungrateful." [014:034] Allah is our only Rabb Who creates and feeds us, loves and cares us, nourishes and redeems us, protects and shelters us, cherishes and cures us, sustains and saves us, supports and guides us. Hence the real origin of creation, generation, growth, development, care, cure, kindness, tenderness, affection, protection, safety, security, cherishing, rearing, fostering, sustenance, maintenance, nourishment, redemption, guidance, love and mercy. Hence the only true Rabb of ours, Rabb of all the mankind, Rabb of everyone, everything, Rabb of the worlds. PRAISE BE TO ALLAH, THE RABB OF THE WORLDS.

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(II) RABB, THE FIRST (a) THE FIRST REVELATION OF THE HOLY QUR’AAN: Rabb is the first noun of the holy Qur’aan as in the first Verse of the first revelation to the Holy Prophet Muhammed S.A.W. “Read! In the Name of your Rabb, The One Who has created (all that exists), He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read, and your Rabb is the Most Bounteous, Who has taught by means of the pen. He has taught man the knowledge that he knew not.” 096:001-005 (b)THE FIRST HUMAN TESTIMONY “And (recall) when your Rabb summoned all the descendants of Adam, out of their loins and made them bear witness against their own selves: "Am I not your Rabb?" They all said, "Yes (You are our Rabb). We bear the witness." So that, you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, "We were not aware of this." 007:172 (c) THE FIRST HUMAN SUPPLICATION: Rabb is the first word of the first supplication of the first human couple on earth, the supplication taught to them by Allah to shower His mercy and forgiveness on them. Subhanallah. “Our Rabb! we have done wrong to ourselves. And if You would not forgive us and would not have mercy on us, we will become the losers.” 007:023

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(III) RABB AND THE PRO-PARENTHOOD As a verb, rabb means cherish, rear, foster, bring-up, the attributes of parenthood. Allah manifests His Rabb-hood to His creatures through the behaviors of parenthood exhibited by the parents towards their children. “And treat them (your parents) mercifully with humbleness and humility and say, “My Rabb! shower on them Your mercy & grace like they did rabb me (reared me /cherished me/brought me up) during my childhood.” 017:024 "He (Pharaoh) said: Did we not rabb (rear/cherish) you as a child among us? And did you not dwell among us many years of your life?" 026:018 (a)RABB OF THE FETUS "…..He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, in multiple stages of creation in three veils of darkness; such is Allah your Rabb. To Him belongs the dominion. No god except Him! So why are you turned away?" 039:006 RABB OF THE INFANT "And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship and she delivers him with hardship, and the bearing of him, and the weaning of him is thirty (30) months..."046:015 RABB OF THE CHILD “And treat them (your parents) mercifully with humbleness and humility and say, “My Rabb! shower on them Your mercy & grace like they did rabb me (reared me /cherished me/brought me up) during my childhood.” 017:024 RABB OF MAN FROM FETUS TO ELDERLY "O the mankind! if you have any doubt about the Resurrection, then consider that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, so that We may manifest (our Rabbhood) to you; and We cause whomever We will to stay in the wombs for an appointed term, then We bring you out as babes, then foster you that you may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called back to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know (almost) nothing after having known (much), and you see the earth barren and lifeless, but when We pour down rain on it, it is revived, it swells, and it produces every kind of beautiful vegetation." 022:005

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(IV) THE BLESSINGS OF OUR RABB ARE COUNTLESS "He has provided you everything that you have asked Him for. And if you try to count the favors of Allah, you will never be able to count them all. In fact, the mankind is unjust and ungrateful." [014:034] "He has created the heavens and the earth for a genuine purpose. He is too Exalted to be considered equal to anyone else. He created the human being from a drop of fluid but the human being openly disputes His Word. And the cattle, He has created them for you; there is warmth (warm clothing), and numerous benefits in them; and you eat of them too. They also provide you with luxury during your leisure, and when you travel. And they carry your loads to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to yourselves. Truly, your RABB is full of Kindness, The Most Merciful. And (He has created) horses, mules and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment. And He creates (other) things too, about which you have no knowledge. And the guidance to the right path belongs to Allah; And there are some deviating paths also; And if He pleases He would certainly guide you all aright. It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it you drink, and through it the vegetation grows, by which you feed your cattle. With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit. Verily! Certainly it has an evident proof and a manifest sign for the thoughtful people in it. Allah has made the day and the night, the sun and the moon, and all the stars subservient for you by His command. Certainly it has an evidence of the truth for the people of understanding. And the things of diverse hues that He has created for you in the earth also serve your purpose. Surely, it has a Sign for the people who take heed.

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And it is He Who has subjected the sea (to you), so that you may eat fresh tender meat (i.e. fish) from it, and that you bring forth ornaments out of it to wear. And you see the ships ploughing through it, that you may seek His bounty and that you may be grateful. And He has affixed into the earth, the mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you, and rivers and roads, that you may guide yourselves. And, He has set up other marks; by these marks and by the stars they follow the right direction. Can the One who does create be equal to the one who does not create? Would you not then ponder? And if you would count Allah’s favors, you would not be able to count them all. Surely Allah is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” 016:003-018 And your Rabb has said: "Invoke Me, I will respond to your invocation. Surely, those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves humiliated in Hell.” Allah: It is He who has made the night for you so you may have rest in it and the day for you to see. Surely Allah is full of grace to mankind but most of the mankind are ungrateful. Such is Allah, your Rabb, the creator of everything. There is no god except Him. So why are you turned away? Thus are turned away only those who deny the signs of Allah. Allah: It is He who has made the earth for you as a resting place, and the sky as a canopy, and has fashioned you and well fashioned you, and has provided you with goodly provisions. Such is Allah your Rabb. So blessed be Allah, the Rabb of the worlds. He is the eternally Living one. There is no god except Him. So invoke Him with purity of Faith exclusive to Him. Praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.”(040:060-065)”

(V) NO FEAR! To those who have said, " Our Rabb is (only) Allah " then stood firm, the angels will descend to them saying, "Do not be afraid or grieved. And receive the glad news of the Paradise which was promised to you. 041:030 Certainly, those who say: "Our Rabb is (only) Allah," and then stand firm, neither shall they fear, nor shall they grieve. 046:013

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PART 7: RABB OF THE WORLDS

(I) RABB THE CREATOR “O the mankind! What deceived you about your Honorable Rabb? The One, Who created you, then fashioned you perfectly, then well balanced you. In whatever fashion He pleased, He developed you.” 082:006-008 “No doubt, your Rabb is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then firmly established on the Throne. He made the night cover the day which it pursues swiftly. And He made the sun and the moon submissive under His command & control. Is He not the only one to whom belongs all the creation and command & control? Blessed be Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.” (007:054) "Had there not been a period of time concerning the Man, when he was not anything worth mentionable? We created the Man from the mingled reproductive fluid (Sperm+Ovum), to make him pass through trials (for his development). Then We made him equipped with hearing and vision (the tools of consciousness to enable him to know the ways of his Rabb). We guided him the Way whether he becomes grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will)." 076:001-003 "How can you be ungrateful to Allah as you were lifeless; And it is He Who gave you the life; Moreover, it is He Who will cause you to die; Moreover, it is He Who will resurrect you; Moreover, it is He to Whom you will ultimately return. He is the One who created for you everything on earth, Then He turned to the sky and perfected seven heavens therein, And He is the Master of all the knowledge about everything." 002:028-0029 “Surely Your Rabb is the One, Who is the Master Creator, the Master of all the Knowledge.” 015:086 “Such is ALLAH, your Rabb. There is no god but He, the Creator of everything; so worship Him. And He is the Guardian over everything.” 006:102

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(II) RABB THE ONLY GOD “Rather, Allah is my Rabb and I will never set up any one as a partner to my Rabb.” 018:038 “Say: My prayer and my rituals/sacrifice and my life and my death are surely for Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.” –006:162 Say, "Shall I seek anyone as Rabb other than Allah, while He is the Rabb of everything? No one benefits except from its own deeds, and none bears the burden of any other. Ultimately, you have to return to your Rabb, then He will inform you regarding all of your disputes." 006:164 Say, “Who is the Rabb of the heavens and the earth?” Say, “ALLAH.” Say, “Instead of Him, have you then adopted the allies, who have no power for good or harm even for themselves?” Say, “Can the blind and the seeing one be equal? Or can the darkness be equal to the light? Or the so-called partners that they associate with Allah, have created anything same as Allah’s creation so that the two creations may appear the same to them?” Say, “ALLAH alone is the Creator of all things, and HE is the One, the all-Dominant Supreme Being.” 013:016 (Joseph said).”O my prison mates, are the various so-called Rabbs better (to be worshipped) or Allah alone, the only One Rabb, the All-Dominant, the Supreme being?” (012:039) Say: O the people of the Scripture! Come to the statement that is common between you and us: “We worship none but Allah; And we associate no partners with Him; And we will not set up any of the men from among our own selves as Rabbs besides Allah.” So if they turn away then say, “We bear witness that we are the Submitters (Muslims)”. (003:064) “They have taken their Priests and monks and the Christ son of Mary, as their Rabbs besides Allah. And they were commanded to worship none but the only one God. None has the right to be worshipped but He. He is far above from having the partners which they associate with Him.” (009:031) “(Allah is) The Rabb of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, so worship Him (Alone) and be constant and patient in His worship. Do you know of anyone who is similar to Him?” 019:065 “Glorified be your Rabb, the Rabb of the Honor and the Power. He is above what they attribute to Him! And peace be on the Messengers! And praise be to Allah, the Rabb of the worlds!” 037:180-182

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(III) RABB THE SUPREME RULER Pharaoh said: And what is the Rabb of the worlds? He (Moses) said, "The Rabb of the heavens and the earth, and all that exists between them. You should be certain about this." The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "Did you hear that?” Moses said: "Your Rabb and the Rabb of your ancient fathers!" Pharaoh said: “Lo! your messenger who has been sent to you is surely a madman!” Moses continued, "He is the RABB of the East and the West and all that exists between them, if only you would understand". Pharaoh said, "If you adopt anyone as god other than me, I will surely put you in prison". (026:023-029)

(IV) RABB OF THE WORLDS “And who can turn away from the religion of Abraham except the one who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and certainly he will be among the righteous in the Hereafter. When his RABB asked him to submit, he said: “I submit myself to the RABB of the worlds.” 002:130-131 “…..Say: Allah's Guidance is the only guidance in actual, and we have been commanded to submit (ourselves) to the RABB of the worlds. 006:071 Noah said: "O my people! I am not any astray person but rather I am a Messenger from the RABB of the worlds.” 007:061 “Their prayer therein will be, ‘Glory be to You, O Allah’! and their greeting in it will be, ‘Peace’! And the end of their prayer will be: Praise be to Allah, the RABB of the worlds!” 010:010 “And this Qur'an is not such a scripture that could be produced by anyone other than ALLAH. Rather it verifies the previous scriptures and it is a more detailed description of the Law. There is no doubt about it that it is from the RABB of the worlds.” 010:037

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(V) RABB THE LISTENER OF THE CALL, THE FORGIVING, THE MERCIFUL

1. “Invoke your Rabb with humility and in secret. Certainly, He does not like the transgressors.” 007:055

2. “And your RABB says: "Invoke Me; I will answer your invocation.”

Certainly those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves humiliated in Hell” 040:060

3. “When those who believe in Our signs come to you, say: "Salamun

Alaikum" (peace be on you); your Rabb has made Mercy obligatory for Himself, so that, if anyone of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds, then surely, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” 006:054

4. They said: "Our RABB! We have done wrong to ourselves. And if

You would not forgive us, and would not have Mercy on us, we will become the losers." 007:023

5. (They say): Our Rabb! Let not our hearts to stray after You have

given us the Guidance. And bestow upon us Your Mercy by your Grace. Indeed it is You, the Gracious Giver." 003:008

6. “Our RABB! Certainly, it is You who will gather mankind together on

the Day about which there is no doubt. Surely Allah never breaks the promise” 003:009

7. Those who say: "Our RABB! We have truly entered the Faith. So

forgive us our sins and save us from the torment of the Fire." 003:016

8. And say (O Mohammed S.A.W): "My RABB! Forgive and have mercy. And You are the Best of those who show mercy!" 023:118

9. (O Mohammed S.A.W), say, "O my RABB, make me enter through a

righteous entry and make me come out through a righteous exit. And appoint a powerful supporter for me by Your grace.” 017:080

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10. And they said, “We put our trust In ALLAH only. Our RABB, please

do not make us a trial for the wrongdoing people. And save us by Your Mercy from the disbelieving folk." 010:085-086

11. And those who say: "Our RABB! Avert from us the torment of the

Hell. Certainly its torment is very anguish." 025:065

12. Our Rabb! Forgive us and our brethren who preceded us with respect to the Faith. And cause not any rancor in our hearts for the faithful. Our Rabb, indeed it is You, the Forgiving, the Merciful. 059:010

13. And those who say, “Our Rabb! give us solace in our spouses and our

children. And make us a model for those who ward off.” 025:074

14. “Our RABB! And make them enter the Gardens of Eden which You have promised them, along with their righteous parents, spouses and descendants. Surely You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” 040:008

15. "Our RABB! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers, and forgive us,

Our RABB! Surely You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." 060:005

16. And they said nothing else but: "Our RABB! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions (in keeping our duties to You), and establish our feet firmly, and help us against the disbelieving folk." 003:147

17. And there are some of them who say: "Our RABB! Give us the good

in this world and the good in the Hereafter. And save us from the torment of the Fire!" 002:201

18. “….Our Rabb! Please bring us not to hard testing if we forget or err. Our Rabb! Please load us not with any such burden as You loaded those before us. Our Rabb! And load us not with any such thing for which we lack strength to bear. And please forgive us, and grant us the pardon, and have mercy on us.You are our Friend, our Ally, our Guardian. So please support us against the disbelieving people.” (002:286)

19. “Our Rabb! Please complete our Light for us and please forgive us.

Surely You are the Almighty, having power over everything.” 066:008

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20. “Our Rabb! Give us mercy by Your grace and give us guidance in

our task (assigned by You).” 018:010

21. Our Rabb we believe in what You have revealed and we follow the Messenger. So please enroll us among those who bear the witness. 003:053

22. “Our Rabb! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors,

and appoint for us a guardian by Your grace and appoint for us a helper by Your grace.” 004:075

23. And (remember) when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the

foundations of the House, (saying), "Our RABB! Accept from us. Certainly it is You, the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." 002:127

24. "Our RABB! And make us submissive to You and from our offspring

make a nation submissive to You, and guide us our Rituals, and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. 002:128

25. "Our RABB! And appoint among them a Messenger out of themselves

who will recite Your Verses to them and teach them the Law and the Wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the All- Mighty, the All-Wise." 002:129

26. "Our Rabb, I have settled my family near Your Sacred House in this

plant less valley. Our Rabb, so that they may establish the Prayer. So let the hearts of the people yearn towards them, and provide them with the fruits, so that they may be grateful. 014:037

27. "Our Rabb! Certainly, You know whatever we conceal and whatever

we reveal. Nothing in the heavens and the earth remains hidden from Allah.” 014:038

28. "Praise be to Allah, Who has given me Ishmael and Isaac in the old

age. Certainly my Rabb is the listener of the invocations.” 014:039

29. "O my Rabb! Make me the one who establishes the Prayer and from my offspring too. Our Rabb! And accept the invocation. 014:040

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30. "Our Rabb! Forgive me and my parents, and the believers on the Day

when the reckoning will be established." 014:041

31. And (remember) when Abraham said, "My RABB, make this city (Makkah) a place of security & peace and provide its people who believe in Allah and the Last Day with the fruits." He (Allah) answered: "As for him who disbelieves, I will leave him in contentment for a short while, then I will compel him to the torment of the Fire. And indeed that is the worst destination!" 002:126

32. He (Solomon) said: "My RABB! Forgive me, and give me such a

kingdom that no one else will have after me. Certainly, You are the Gracious Giver." 038:035

33. So he (Solomon) smiled, amused at her speech and said: "My RABB!

Enable me to be grateful for Your Favors which You have showered on me and my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that may please You, and include me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves." 027:019

34. (Remember) when the wife of Imran said: "O my RABB! I have

vowed to You (the baby) that is in my womb to be dedicated for Your worship. So accept it from me. Certainly, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." 003:035

35. So when she delivered her, she said: "O my RABB! I have delivered a

female baby" - and Allah knew the best what she delivered - "And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Mary. And regarding her and her offspring, I seek refuge in You from the Satan, the outcast." 003:036

36. So her RABB accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her

grow in a good manner and He put her under the care of Zachariah. Every time he entered Al-Mehrab (the prayer room) to visit her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Mary! From where have you got this?" She said, "This is from Allah." Surely, Allah provides sustenance without any measure, to whom He wills." 003:037

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37. At that time Zachariah invoked his RABB, saying: "O my RABB!

Give me a good offspring by Your grace. Certainly, You are the Listener of the invocation."003:038

38. Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al-

Mehrab (the prayer room): "Allah gives you good news of John, who will verify the Allah’s Word (Jesus son of Mary) and will be a noble, chaste and righteous Prophet." 003:039 He said: "O my RABB! How can I have a son when I am very old, and my wife is barren too?" Allah said: "Thus Allah does whatever He wills." 003:040

39. And (remember) Zachariah, when he invoked his RABB: "O My

RABB! Please do not leave me childless, and You are the Best of the inheritors." 021:089

40. (Joseph said),"My RABB, You have given me the kingdom and taught

me the meaning of the dreams. You are the Creator of the heavens and the earth. You are my Guardian in this world and in the Hereafter. Make me die as a Muslim (submitter) and make me join the Righteous." 012:101

41. Moses said: "O my RABB! Forgive me and my brother, and make us

enter into Your Mercy, for you are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy." 007:151

42. He (Moses) said: My RABB, expand my breast for me: 020:025 `And make my task easy for me; 020:026 "And loosen the knot in my tongue, (i.e. remove the errors in my speech) 020:027 "So that they may understand what I say: 020:028 "And appoint an assistant for me from my family. 020:029 "Haroon (Aaron), my brother; 020:030 "Increase my strength by him, 020:031 And make him share my task --020:032 "So that we may glorify You much, 020:033 "And remember You much, 020:034 You are well Aware of our situation." 020:035

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43. And when they advanced to face Goliath and his forces, they invoked:

"Our RABB! Give us endurance and make us stand firm and help us against the disbelieving people."002:250

44. And (remember) Job, when he cried to his RABB: "Certainly, distress

has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy." 021:083

45. Then he invoked his RABB (saying): "I have been overcome, so help (me)!" 054:010

46. Those who always remember Allah whether standing, sitting, or lying

down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our RABB! You have not created (all) this without purpose. Glory be to You! Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire. 003:191

47. "Our RABB! The one whom You put into the Fire, in fact, You have

disgraced him.” And the wrong-doers will never find any helpers. 003:192

48. “Our Rabb! We do have heard a Crier, Crying out for the Faith:

“Believe You in your Rabb!” Hence we do have believed. Our Rabb! So please forgive us our sins, and remove from us our evil deeds, and make us die in the company of the righteous. (003:193)

49. Our Rabb!And please give us what You have promised us through

Your Messengers, And disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection. Certainly You never break the promise.” Aameen. (003:194)

50. So their RABB accepted of them (their supplication and responded),

"I will never let the deeds of any of you to be lost, whether a male or female. You are co-existent and inter-related. So those who emigrated and were driven out of their homes, and suffered harm in My Cause, and who fought, and were killed (in My Cause), certainly, I will remove from them their evil deeds and will admit them into the Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise); What a reward from Allah! And all the best rewards are from Allah only." 003:195

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SUBMITTING TO THE SUPREME BEING Glory be to You, Our Rabb, And praise be to You, And blessed be Your name, And supreme be Your majesty, And no deity but You. Glory be to Allah, And Praise be to Allah, And no god but Allah, And Allah is the Great. Glorious be our Rabb, of whom is the Dominion and the Kingdom. Glorious be our Rabb, of whom is the Sovereignty and the Strength. Glorious be our Rabb, of whom is the Honor and the Power. Glorious be our Rabb, of whom is the Majesty and the Might. Glorious be our Rabb, of whom is the Supremacy and the Greatness. Glorious be our Rabb, the Ever-living King who has neither sleep nor death. Glorious be our Rabb, the Above, the Exalted, the Holy, the High. Glorious be our Rabb, the Almighty, the Powerful, the Supreme, the Great. Our Rabb! We beg and beseech You. We repent and seek forgiveness from You. We believe in You, And trust in You. We well praise You, And remain grateful to You, And do not become ungrateful to You, And abandon those who disobey You. Our Rabb! You only we worship, And to You we pray, And to You we prostrate, And towards You we rush, And in Your presence we are still. We do hope Your mercy, And we do fear Your punishment, Indeed Your punishment is associated with the ungrateful people.

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Almighty Rabb, the most Merciful! I do confess that I have sinned against You. And I do believe that there is none to forgive the sins but You. Merciful Rabb! Forgive me all my sins that I have ever done. Forgive me my sins that I have done consciously. Forgive me my sins that I have done unconsciously. Forgive me my sins that I have done secretly. Forgive me my sins that I have done openly. Forgive me my sins that I did in darkness. Forgive me my sins that I did in light. Forgive me my sins, which I know. Forgive me my sins, which I know not. Indeed it is You who knows the secrets; And it is You who conceals the defects; And it is You who forgives the sins. Aameen. Merciful Master! It is You who restores them who are penitent, Please restore me by Your mercy. And forgive me my sins in my past life. And save me from doing sins in my future life. Aameen. Merciful Rabb, Almighty and Powerful! Give me courage to avoid sins and give me strength to do good. And none can give the courage and the strength but You, my Rabb, The Almighty, the High, the Supreme, the Great. Aameen. Almighty Rabb! I beg Your refuge from considering anyone, anything as a partner, equal, parallel, similar or comparable to You. I beg Your refuge from doing this consciously and I beg Your forgiveness if I have ever done this unconsciously and I do renounce any such act forever. Almighty Rabb! I do declare my renunciation of infidelity, idolatry, wickedness, heresy, lying, backbiting, tale telling, slander, scoffing, jealousy, prejudice, obscenity and all of the sins and wrong doings against You. I do surrender and submit myself to You, the only True Rabb, the Rabb of the worlds.

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No god but Allah, the Almighty. He is One, He is Alone, He is Unit, He is Unique. There is no any kind of partner to Him. There is none equal, parallel, similar or comparable to Him. He is one, only one, purely one, truly one, absolutely one. To Him be the Kingdom and to Him be the praise. He gives life and He gives death. And He is such a living One, That He is not subject to any kind of death, ever, ever. The Almighty and the Glorious. In His hand is the good. And He is dominant over everyone, everything. I do believe in Almighty Allah, the Supreme Being, The Rabb of mine and the Rabb of my parents, The Rabb of everyone, everything, the Rabb of the worlds. And in all of His angels (those I know and those I know not); And in all of His scriptures (those I know and those I know not); And in all of His prophets (those I know and those I know not); I do not exclude even a single one from His angels, scriptures and prophets, And in the Resurrection after death; And in the Final Day of the Judgment. I do believe in Almighty Allah, the Supreme Being, As He is according to His good names and according to His good attributes. And I do accept all of His commandments. This I declare by my word and verify by my heart. I do reject the devil, the outcast. The enemy of mine and the enemy of my Gracious Rabb, The enemy of Adam and Eve and the enemy of the whole human race. And all kinds of his forms and figures, And all kinds of his trickeries and tactics, temptations and teachings, advices and promises, And all kinds of his agents and servants, And all kinds of the so-called gods and deities promoted by him to worship besides the One, the only One true Rabb, And I take refuge in Allah, the High, the Almighty, the Supreme, the Great, From the Devil, the Cursed, the Abased, the Rejected, the Reprobate.

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Our Rabb! The High, the Almighty, the Supreme, the Great! O the most Gracious! O the most Merciful! O the help of the needy! O the hope of the troubled! O the peace of the fearful! O the refuge of the resigned! O the Kind, the Beneficent, the Affectionate! O the Gracious, the Merciful, the Compassionate! O the Eternal Goodness! O the Responsive to the requests! Listen to our request too! And convert our fears into peace, And convert our grief into relief, And conceal our defects, And forgive our sins, And resolve our troubles, And approve our good deeds, And remove our evil deeds. Merciful Rabb! We are bent under the heavy burdens of the bundles of our sins. We neither can raise our heads nor can lift our eyes in front of You due to our shameful deeds. Merciful Rabb! Our sins are countless, But Your Mercy is infinite. And Your Mercy is covering everyone, everything. And Your Mercy is stronger than our sins. Merciful Rabb! Please look not towards our sins, And look only towards Your Mercy. And make your Mercy cover and remove all of our sins. And include us, our Rabb! Among the righteous and the successful near You. Among those who are blessed with Your true Guidance for Your Straight Path. By Your Mercy, O the most Merciful, O the Merciful Rabb of the worlds. Aameen.

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Gracious Rabb! Make us fond of the Faith, And decorate it in our hearts. And make us allergic to infidelity, debauchery and sinfulness, And make it disgustful in our hearts. And make us among the righteous, And make us deserve and desire the House of the righteous. By Your mercy, Our Rabb, the Merciful Rabb of the Worlds. Aameen. Our Rabb! Accept from us. Indeed it is You, the Hearer, the Knower. And accept our repentance, Indeed it is You, the accepter of repentance, the Merciful. Aameen. O the Merciful Rabb of the worlds, O the Glorious, the Gracious, the Great Rabb, O the most High, the Almighty, the Supreme Rabb, O the most Beneficent, the most Kind, the most Merciful Rabb. Listen to the call of Your meekest, meanest, silliest and sinful servant. Merciful Master! Have a merciful look at Your sinful servant who is in great need of your mercy. Merciful Rabb! I have done myself so many wrongs. And there is none to forgive the wrongs but You. So please forgive me by granting a thorough forgiveness from Your presence. And have mercy on me. Indeed it is You, the Forgiving, the Merciful. Aameen. O the molder of the hearts! Mould my heart into Your love and obedience. Aameen. Merciful Rabb! You are the Forgiving One, You love to forgive, Hence please forgive me. Aameen.

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Most Kind Rabb! Please guide me like you guided Your blessed, And save me like You saved Your blessed, And care me like You cared Your blessed. And put good fortune in everything, which you have decided in my fate. And save me from the evil of everything which You have decided in my fate. No doubt, You do decide and nothing is decided against Your will. No doubt, he is never abased who wins Your friendship. And he is never exalted who wins Your enmity. You are the Holy and You are the High. I do repent and seek forgiveness from You. You are enough to me and You are the best Trustworthy. You are the best Guardian and You are the best Helper. You are the best Ally and You are the best Friend. Aameen. Gracious Rabb! I beg You every good which You Know. And I beg Your refuge from every evil which You know. And I beg Your pardon for every sin of mine which You know. Aameen. Kind Rabb! I beg You a submissive heart, And thankful tongue, And perfect Faith, And pure belief, And true trust, And useful knowledge, And sensible mind, And good-mannered children, And wide, sufficient earnings, And pure, legitimate bread, And realistic repentance, And graceful patience, And honorable award, And righteous deeds, And the loss-free Trade. Aameen.

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Merciful Rabb! I beg Your guidance for Your straight path, for the ways of Your peace. And I beg You for standing firm in my job assigned by You, And stability in the righteousness, And gratefulness for Your blessings, And excellence in Your worship. Aameen. O the Light of the lights, O the knower of insights, Drive me out from the darkness towards the Light. And all of Your submissives, In this world and in the Hereafter. And make me live as Your sincere, devoted and dedicated submissive. And make me die as Your submissive. And make me join the Virtuous. By Your mercy, O the most Merciful, O the merciful Rabb of the Worlds. Aameen. Merciful Rabb! Forgive and have mercy, And You are the best to have mercy. No deity but Thee. Above art Thee. Indeed it is me, The wrong and guilty. Merciful Rabb! The Glorious, the Gracious, the Great! Your eternal peace, blessings, protection, favors, mercy and comfort be upon all the prophets, all the messengers, all the righteous, all the pious, all the virtuous, all the witness, all the martyrs, all the faithful and all the submissives in this world, in the hereafter and on the Day of the Judgment, by Your Mercy and Grace, O the most Beneficent, O the most Gracious, O the most Merciful, O the Merciful Rabb of the worlds. Aameen. Wa aakhiro da’wana anil hamdolillahe Rabbil Aalameen.

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