the mercy that Allah alone bestows—such as sending down rain, ending drought, and similar things—demonstrates Allah’s mercy.

It is astonishing that those who deny that Allah possesses real mercy, on the grounds that reason does not establish it or even deems it impossible, nevertheless affirm that Allah possesses a real will on the basis of a rational argument less evident than the rational proof of Allah’s mercy. They say that the fact that certain created beings are distinguished by particular characteristics rationally demonstrates the existence of will. This is undoubtedly correct, but it is far less evident than the way the effects of mercy demonstrate its existence, for only discerning people recognize the former, whereas even ordinary people recognize the effects of mercy. If, on the morning after a rainy night, you asked an ordinary person, “How were we given rain?” he would reply, “By Allah’s grace and mercy.”

Question: Is the basmala a verse of al-Fātiha or not?

Scholars disagree on this question. Some say that it is a verse of al-Fātiha, recite it aloud in prayers whose recitation is audible, and hold that the prayer is invalid unless the basmala is recited because it forms part of al-Fātiha. Others say that it is not part of al-Fātiha but is an independent verse of the Book of Allah. This is the correct view, as demonstrated by the explicit text and the structure of the surah.

As for the explicit text, it is related in the hadith of Abu Hurayra—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Allah Most High said: ‘I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves. When he says, ﴿All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds﴾, Allah Most High says, “My servant has praised Me.” When he says, ﴿the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful﴾, Allah Most High says, “My servant has extolled Me.” When he says, ﴿Master of the Day of Judgment﴾, Allah Most High says, “My servant has glorified Me.” When he says, ﴿You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help﴾, Allah Most High says, “This is divided equally between Me and My servant.” When he says, ﴿Guide us to the straight path﴾, Allah Most High says, “This is for My servant, and My servant shall have whatever…’”