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48
A point that should be added to the commentary, here, regarding 'ar-Rahman'
and 'ar-Rahim', is that these two attributes, which are the most significant
attributes of Allah, are repeated at least 30 times, every day, in our (5)
daily prayers; (twice in Sura Al-Fatihah, and once in the Sura we recite after
it) . In this way, we praise Allah sixty times as being ' Mereiful ' each day.
This, indeed, is a lesson taught to all human beings more than anything else
that they should try to acquire this attribute, and practice it in their daily
lives and activities. Moreover, it points to the fact that if we count ourselves
among the true, obedient servants of Allah, we should not follow or imitate the
manner in which tyrant slave owners use against their servants when dealing with
our servants.
The history of slavery indicates that the tyrant owners used to treat their
slaves in horrifyingly cruel ways. For example, if a slave moved a little slow
in performing services, he would receive harsh punishments: i.e. be whipped, put
in chains or fetters, fastened to a mill-stone and forced to turn it, instructed
to work in mines, imprisoned in deep, dark, wet holes and, if his faults were
greater, he would be hanged.
Another reference in the history of slavery also shows that condemned slaves
were put in wild animal cages. If the slave succeeded in staying alive, another
animal would be let in on him.
These are some examples of the conduct of some owners with their slaves. But,
Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, has mentioned repeatedly, in the Holy Qur'an,
that Allah is Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful to the servants who are repentant
of their disobedience to Him. For example: Sura Az-Zumar, No. 39, verse 53 says:
" Say: ' O' My servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not
of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins, for He is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful' ".
Therefore, the terms 'ar-Rahman' (the Beneficent) and 'ar-Rahim' (the
Merciful) used after the phrase /rabb-il-'alamin/ 'the Lord of the Worlds'
refer to the idea that, He, with the absolute Power He has, is yet Merciful to
all His creatures. This quality, which Allah possesses, attracts His servants to
Him and they eagerly say:'ar-Rahman-ir-Rahim',
(the Beneficent, the Merciful) .
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