In the name of God, who is abundant in mercy and compassion! Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe, the most merciful and compassionate, the Sovereign of the day of judgment. Thee alone we worship, and from Thee alone we seek help. Guide us to the right path--the path of them to whom Thou hast been gracious--not of them with whom Thou art angry, nor of them who have gone astray. Amen.[1] [1] This opening chapter of the Koran--very short as it is--contains the fundamental principles of the whole book--the doctrine of God, His infinite mercy, the immortality of the soul, the rewards and punishments of the world to come, and the duty of prayer, and thanksgiving, and adoration, and obedience. It is a fair specimen of all that is best in the "Revealed Book" of the Moslems, and is as frequently repeated by them as the Lord's Prayer is by Christians. REPENTANCE, AND GOD'S FORGIVING MERCY _Koran_. O ye who believe, repent unto God, for He loveth them who are penitent. O ye who believe in me, who by much sin have done a great wrong to themselves, despair not of the mercy of God, for He forgiveth all sins. Verily He forgiveth and is merciful. _Traditions_. Sorrow for sin is repentance. He who repents is like him who has not sinned. _Wise Sayings and Proverbs_. No intercession succeeds so effectually as repentance. The most truthful man is he who is true to his repentance. Two sins only God does not forgive--worship of false gods and injury to men. A SINNER'S CRY UNTO GOD[2] [2] The original Arabic is in verse. O Thou who knowest every thought, and hearest every cry, Who art the source of all that is, or ever shall be, Who art the only hope in every trouble, The only help in every plaint and every woe, Whose treasures of bounty and word creative are one, God of all good, hear my prayer! One sole plea I have--my need of Thee; But needing Thee my need is filled. One only resource I have--to stand and knock; And if unheard at Thy mercy-gate, to whom shall I go? Whom shall I call, what Name shall I invoke, If Thy needy servant shall in vain Thy bounty seek? But far be it from Thee, God of grace, to refuse a sinner's cry. Too good and gracious art Thou to send me thus away. Contrite, I stand at Thy door, Believing that contrite prayer availeth much with Thee. Suppliant, I stretch forth my hands, And with all my soul look up to Thee. Save me, God, from every ill, and be Thy favour ever mine! FORGIVING OTHERS _Koran_. God forgiveth past sins; let men forgive and pardon. Forgive freely. Forgiving others is the nearest thing to piety. _Traditions_. He who forgiveth others, God forgiveth him. Be merciful, and you will have mercy; forgive and you will be forgiven. _Sayings and Proverbs_. Of all things God loveth best forgiveness when one is able to inflict harm, and forbearance when one is angry. The pleasure of forgiving is sweeter than the pleasure of revenge.