goodness and its abundance. It is derived from birkat al-ma’ (a large pool of water). When attributed to Allah, tabāruk means that He is immense and abundant in blessing, that He bestows blessing, and that blessing is attained through His remembrance and through His Name. Thus, if a man says, “In the Name of Allah,” over a slaughtered animal, it becomes lawful; but if he does not say, “In the Name of Allah,” it becomes unlawful. Likewise, if he says, “In the Name of Allah,” when performing ablution, his ablution is valid; but if he does not say it, then according to many scholars it is invalid.

Although the sounder view is that saying the Name of Allah when performing ablution is not obligatory, according to the view that it is obligatory, if one deliberately omits it, his ablution is invalid. (1)

His saying, “Our Lord,” means: O our Lord. The vocative particle has been omitted for two reasons:

1. Because of frequent usage.
2. To seek blessing by beginning with the Name of Allah.

His saying, “Our Lord,” is one of Allah’s Names. At times, it occurs in the construct state, as it does here and in His saying, Most High:

“Lord of the heavens and the earth, Lord of the Throne, exalted above what they describe.” [Surat al-Zukhruf 43:82]

At other times, it occurs without being annexed to another word, defined by the definite article, as in the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “As for bowing, then glorify the Lord therein.” (2) And in his saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “The siwak purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord.” (3)