Page 385 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

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NEGLECTED ARABIA 15
j the praise is Allah’s. The meaning of 'the praise’ is that thanks belong
io Allah, since favours are all from Allah. Whoever thinks any favour
i j» from any other than Allah, or has in mind, by his thinking, some one
else besides Allah, not realizing that any other is a benefactor because
|IC is made subservient by Allah, is defective in his saying ‘In the name
1 of Allah’ and the Praise according tu the measure of his turning to
anyone besides Allah.”
This is the orthodox Muslim attitude, and it hinders any expression
of gratitude to one who has done a favor. It is therefore difficult tor an
Arab to say, "Ashkurukum” that is, “I thank you.” The most that
diould be expected is some such expression as, uNa‘m Allah bikum”
that is, “May Allah favor you,” or '*Ahsuntum ” that is, “You have done
tfell.” Indeed, even if there were no expression of gratitude, that
foukl not necessarily mean that there was no feeling of obligation at
ill. It might easily mean that the Muslim was merely being very strict
in the observance of his religious duty and coniining his sense of grati­
tude to the One who is the Source of all good. Under these circum-
Itances the Westerner would offend if he took offence at the Muslim’s
teeming ingratitude.

Bach Numbers Wanted

T arrival of the first missionaries of this Mission in Arabia in 1891.
JUS little journal of quarterly letters, known as “Neglected
Arabia,” has been issued without a break since the time of the
A periodical with such a unique appeal cannot be given up, even
though the merging of the Arabian Mission into the Board of Foreign
Missions makes it less necessary than in the early days of the pioneers.
It has always been in great demand with the result that some issues
hive been completely exhausted and our own files are not complete.
Readers who can supply us with copies of the numbers listed below will
confer a great favor upon us by sending them in.
Nos. 1 and 2, January, 1892.
No. 8, October, 1893.
No. 10, April, 1894.
Nos. 11 to 16 from July 1894, to July, 1895.
Nos. 18 to 31 from April, 1896, to April, 1899.
Nos. 33, 34, 35, January, April and July, 1900.
No. 40, October, 1901.
No. 42, April, 1902.
Nos. 106 and 107, July and October, 1918.
No. 116, January, 1921.