Foreword

God is bountiful and feels unhappy if He has to refuse to grant a wish. He feels embarrassed when a man holds out both his hands before Him, and He has to disappoint him by turning him away empty-handed. HADITH OF ABU DAWUD AND AT-TIRMIDHI ON THE AUTHORITY OF SALMAN AL-FARSI. 199 ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud said, ‘It is as if I see the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, describing the life of one of the prophets,1 who is assaulted by his people until the blood runs. He wipes the blood from his face and says, “O God, forgive my people for they know not what they do.’” HADITH OF BUKHARI AND MUSLIM. 1. THE ALLUSION IS PROBABLY MADE TO THE PROPHET NUH (NOAH)