Du`a – Essence of `Ibadat Part One - Al-Hamd (Praise and Extollation of God)
Al-Hamd (Praise and Extollation of God)
Al-Hamd's meaning implies all the attributes and beauties of God. It is in this respect that it is translated as “all praises”. Each one of these attributes and beauties, when specified, is prefixed with alif-lam, such as al-khaliq (the Creator), al-raziq (the Sustainer), al-`alim (the Knowing), al-sami` (the Hearing), al-jamal (the Beauty), al-kamal (the Perfection), al-thana' (the Praise), al-baqa' (the Survival), etc. The means and causes of the real meaning of alif-lam, which is prefixed to all these known attributes and beauties, are the holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah send blessings and peace through him and his progeny) and Mawlana `Ali (May peace be through him), as explained above.
Now the question arises: Is this the ultimate recognition (ma`rifat) of God, as mentioned above? The answer is “No”, rather this is the common and elementary kind of recognition, which belongs to the religion of Islam in comparison to other religions. This recognition is followed by communal recognition, and finally the individual recognition. Nonetheless, as mentioned above, in all these stages of recognition, it is the Prophet and his wasi who are the means of recognition and at every advanced or higher stage the meaning of al-hamd and the recognition of alif-lam become more and more special. For recognition has many stages. God has sent the holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah send blessings and peace through him and his progeny), as His last and final Prophet in the chain of these stages to make the people pass through them. The Prophet, according to Divine command, appointed Mawlana `Ali (May peace be through him) as his wasi, so that His everlasting light as the Imam of the time may continue as the fountainhead of guidance and the means of recognition till the Day of Resurrection.
| Chapter Index | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter |