GIVE GLAD-TIDINGS TO THE HUMBLES

      The verses here imply that the ritual of sacrifice was not especially ordained for Muslims. Allah has appointed the ritual for every nation, so as to pronounce the name of Allah over the cattle which He has given them for sustenance. This ritual is a symbol of thanks giving by sharing the meat with fellow-men, and a sign of piety of the heart for offering it purely to the Only one God.

THE PILGRIM'S WEAK POINT

      True that the sacrifice is a symbol of thanks giving by sharing meat with fellow-men, but it can also remind us of the incident of ABRAHAM who was even ready to sacrifice his son in the way of Allah.

      We all know, how HAZRAT IMAM HUSSAIN (AS) offered all his dearers and nearers to the Altar of Love for God, in the battle-field of KARBALÄ:ِ

      SHAIKH BAHÄEE, has composed a beautiful QUATRAIN in this relation which shows up the weak point of the pilgrim in his sight:ِ

      ``The pilgrim is busy in his movements around KAABEH;

      Whatever of the rites of Hajj he performs are all good.

      His short coming is on the ALTAR, that he brings something else,

      For sacrifice instead of himself, at the sacrificing place of love.''

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

      Then in the second verse (NO.35), some qualities of those who are truthful devotees of Allah, have been mentioned as follows:ِ

      That they are humble before God, and even when the name of Allah is mentioned, their heart is filled with the awe of reverence. In other word, fear of Allah which is akin to love, touches them to the heart. They do not fear His wrath without a cause; nor do they doubt His Mercy and Forgiveness. It is rather their sense of responsibility that frightens them. It is the grandeur of the Creator that fills their heart with awe and respect.

      They are patient in trials and afflictions and will not lose their constancy when a misfortune touches them.

      They show their gratitude to God by their acts of charity to all fellow-creatures. They therefore, neither grieve nor fear of anything apart from God.