After a long and hectic day at work, how difficult it is for a tired
person to stand on the prayer-mat and concentrate on his prayers to
Allah Almighty. Snuggled in a warm and cozy bed, how difficult it is to
get up at the call of Mu'adhdhin: "Come to prayer, come to success." The
famous doctor and philosopher Ibn Sina (Avicenna), recalls such a
moment in his life. Once cold and icy night, he and his slave were
resting in an inn in a remote part of Khurasan. During the night he felt
thirsty and shouted out to his slave to get him some water. The salve
had no desire to leave his warm bed, so he pretended not to hear
Avicenna's call. But finally after repeated calls he reluctantly got up
and went to fetch the water. A little while later, the melodious sound
of the Adhan filled the air. Avicenna began to think about the person
calling the believers to prayer. My slave Abdullah, he mused, has always
respected and admired me. He seizes any opportunity to lavish praise
and affection on me but tonight, he preferred his own comfort to my
needs. On the other hand, look at this Persian slave of Allah. He left
his warm bed to go out in the chilly night, he made ablution in the icy
water of the stream, and then he ascended the high minaret of the mosque
to glorify He Whom he truly serves.
"I bear witness that there is none to be worshipped except Allah." "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
Tonight, Avicenna records, I learned the essence of true love; that love which results in complete obedience. The love of Allah demands total and unconditional obedience.
Allah almighty says:
"Say (O Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to mankind): 'If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.' And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (3:31)
PRAYER: A CRY OF THE INNER SOUL
His arrogance and pride has often led man to behave as an oppressor and a tyrant. Some men have been so carried away by their own self-importance that they have even claimed divinity. Pharoah (Firaun), the ruler of Egypt, was among those who announced:
"I am your supreme lord."
With his sense of greatness and pride, Firaun subjugated the Israelites and made their lives wretched and miserable.
But is man really as strong and great as his ego tells him? The Quran tells us the reality of man's nature.
"Allah is He Who created you in (a state of) weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then after strength gave (you) weakness and gray hair. He creates what He wills. And it is He Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful (i.e. Able to do all things)." (30:54)
Weakness in the beginning and weakness in the end: this is the essence of man. He is so weak and helpless at birth that his entire existence depends on his parents and family. If he were to be abandoned in these crucial first years, he could not survive on his own. He needs a gentle and loving hand, not only in his infancy but in his childhood and even in the teenage years.
As this child enters the years of youth and independence, he begins to take control of his own life. He looks with pride at his strong physique, his handsome features and his many talents. He begins to despise those of lesser abilities, even scorning those parents who exhausted their own health to nurture him. He becomes unjust and cruel, using his strength and vigor to dominate others. He thinks he is a master, free to act as he wills. but does this youth, these good looks and this strength last forever? Only in a few decades he begins to lose his strength. His health begins to deteriorate, gray hair covers his head and slowly, his youth is replaced by old age. This transformation from young to old is slow, but it is there. The seconds of time are ticking away mercilessly, taking every young person towards their old age. The young dictator will one day be as feeble and weak as the day he was born. But this time there will be no parents to nurture him; if, as is often the case, he is rejected by his own family, his future will be a desolate one in some persons' home.
"Weakness in the beginning, weakness in the end." The message is clear: the real Master is Allah. He alone is Mighty, He Alone is Great.
He alone is never tired, never needs rest, is never dependent upon anyone.
Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest.
With this message clear in his mind, man realizes that he should show his humility to the Almighty Lord, the One Who created him. And what can be a better way to show one's humility than to stand like a slave before Him; to bow and prostrate to Him; to raise hands in supplication to Him.
Prayer is not a burden forced upon man but is the inner cry of every soul. A cry of each heart to recognize its Creator. It is but a small token of gratitude for all the innumerable bounties bestowed upon mankind by the Creator.
In our everyday lives, we smile and say a warm thank-you to the small acts of kindness which others do for us. so what about thanking Allah, Who in His infinite Mercy has provided for every single one of our needs. Just observe the beauty and perfection of the earth around you, and fall down in gratitude to you Lord.
PRAYER: THE ASCENSION FOR A BELIEVER
After Allah's Messenger Peace Be Upon Him was commissioned for Prophethood, the first thing he was commanded to do by Allah was to pray. The angel Jibrail (Gabriel) came to him, and a spring of water gushed out from the rocks in front of them. Jibrail then showed the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him how to do ablution. He then showed him how to offer prayers to Allah. The Messenger Peace Be Upon Him of Allah began to pray two Raka twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. He then went home and showed his wife Khadija what he had learned from angel Jibrail. Since that time, the Prophet never went through a day without praying. Just before his migration (Hijrah) to Al-Madinah, Allah's Messenger Peace Be Upon Him was taken by night to Jerusalem and then to the heavens (Miraj). during this journey, Allah almighty commanded him to pray five times a day. This prayer was a gift given to every believer to enable him to experience a spiritual ascension five times in every day. The Prophet Peace Be Upon Him explained that " The prayer is the Miraj of the believer." It gives every Muslim the opportunity to communicate with his Lord.
During each prayer, the worshipper recites Surah Al Fatiha. This recitation is not a dull monologue by the believer, but Allah promises that it is a conversation between Him and the worshipper. The Messenger Peace Be Upon Him reported that Allah Almighty says:
"When My slave says (in hi sprayer): 'All praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds', I say : 'My slave has praised Me.' when he says: ' the Merciful, the Compassionate, Master of the Day of Judgment', I say: 'My slave has praised and glorified Me'. When he says: ' You Alone we worship, and Your Aid we seek, ' I say: 'This is between My slave and Myself.' When he says: 'Show us the Straight Path, the path of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not of those who earned Your anger nor of those who went astray.' I say: 'This is for My slave, and I give My slave what he wants." (Hadith Qudsi)
The number of prayers in a day have been set at five by Allah almighty. The believer has no choice in the matter but to obey. To reduce the number of prayers would not only be disobedience, it would also lose the benefits of prayer.
For example, a room is only good for residence if it has four walls and a roof. If only one wall or the roof were to be removed, what use could it be? Similarly, the prayer will only achieve its purpose and be of use on the Day when nothing except one's deeds will be of use, if it is observed in the prescribed manner.
PRAYER: A PILLAR OF ISLAM
Allah's Messenger Peace Be Upon Him once said:
"Prayer is the pillar of religion." (Al-Baihaqi)
The Prophet Peace Be Upon Him also said:
"Islam is erected on five pillars: to testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger; to establish prayer; to pay Zakat; to perform Hajj to the Sacred House, and to fast in the month of Ramadan." (Bukhari, Muslim)
This Hadith makes the image very clear. Islam is like a building, supported by five columns. Remove just one column, and the entire building weakens.
If strong winds batter the town, the building which will certainly collapse is the one with a pillar missing. In the same way, when a person stops praying, his Faith becomes weak and the mildest of blows can cause it to crumble.
The prayer is of such vital importance that the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him said: "Verily, between man and between polytheism and unbelief is the negligence of prayer." (Muslim)
How true is this statement! If you look at people walking down the road, it may be difficult to distinguish Muslims from non-Muslims. Islam is not marked upon a believer's forehead, and neither is Kufr stamped on an infidel's face. But at the time of prayer, you can separate the two groups with ease. The believer will abandon his work, his business to join the rows of Muslims in prayer, while the disbeliever will carry on with his worldly affairs.
Surah Al-Muddathir narrates an interesting dialogue which will take place on the Day of Judgement. The believers will ask the people of Hell-fire:
"What has caused you to enter Hell?" They will say: "We were not of those who used to offer their prayers. Nor we used to feed the poor; and we used to talk falsehoods (all that which Allah hated) with vain talkers, and we used to belie the Day of Recompense. Until there came to use (the death) that is certain." (72:42-47)
The rejecters of truth are silent in this world, but in the next world they will themselves speak the truth.
"I bear witness that there is none to be worshipped except Allah." "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
Tonight, Avicenna records, I learned the essence of true love; that love which results in complete obedience. The love of Allah demands total and unconditional obedience.
Allah almighty says:
"Say (O Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to mankind): 'If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.' And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (3:31)
PRAYER: A CRY OF THE INNER SOUL
His arrogance and pride has often led man to behave as an oppressor and a tyrant. Some men have been so carried away by their own self-importance that they have even claimed divinity. Pharoah (Firaun), the ruler of Egypt, was among those who announced:
"I am your supreme lord."
With his sense of greatness and pride, Firaun subjugated the Israelites and made their lives wretched and miserable.
But is man really as strong and great as his ego tells him? The Quran tells us the reality of man's nature.
"Allah is He Who created you in (a state of) weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then after strength gave (you) weakness and gray hair. He creates what He wills. And it is He Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful (i.e. Able to do all things)." (30:54)
Weakness in the beginning and weakness in the end: this is the essence of man. He is so weak and helpless at birth that his entire existence depends on his parents and family. If he were to be abandoned in these crucial first years, he could not survive on his own. He needs a gentle and loving hand, not only in his infancy but in his childhood and even in the teenage years.
As this child enters the years of youth and independence, he begins to take control of his own life. He looks with pride at his strong physique, his handsome features and his many talents. He begins to despise those of lesser abilities, even scorning those parents who exhausted their own health to nurture him. He becomes unjust and cruel, using his strength and vigor to dominate others. He thinks he is a master, free to act as he wills. but does this youth, these good looks and this strength last forever? Only in a few decades he begins to lose his strength. His health begins to deteriorate, gray hair covers his head and slowly, his youth is replaced by old age. This transformation from young to old is slow, but it is there. The seconds of time are ticking away mercilessly, taking every young person towards their old age. The young dictator will one day be as feeble and weak as the day he was born. But this time there will be no parents to nurture him; if, as is often the case, he is rejected by his own family, his future will be a desolate one in some persons' home.
"Weakness in the beginning, weakness in the end." The message is clear: the real Master is Allah. He alone is Mighty, He Alone is Great.
He alone is never tired, never needs rest, is never dependent upon anyone.
Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest.
With this message clear in his mind, man realizes that he should show his humility to the Almighty Lord, the One Who created him. And what can be a better way to show one's humility than to stand like a slave before Him; to bow and prostrate to Him; to raise hands in supplication to Him.
Prayer is not a burden forced upon man but is the inner cry of every soul. A cry of each heart to recognize its Creator. It is but a small token of gratitude for all the innumerable bounties bestowed upon mankind by the Creator.
In our everyday lives, we smile and say a warm thank-you to the small acts of kindness which others do for us. so what about thanking Allah, Who in His infinite Mercy has provided for every single one of our needs. Just observe the beauty and perfection of the earth around you, and fall down in gratitude to you Lord.
PRAYER: THE ASCENSION FOR A BELIEVER
After Allah's Messenger Peace Be Upon Him was commissioned for Prophethood, the first thing he was commanded to do by Allah was to pray. The angel Jibrail (Gabriel) came to him, and a spring of water gushed out from the rocks in front of them. Jibrail then showed the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him how to do ablution. He then showed him how to offer prayers to Allah. The Messenger Peace Be Upon Him of Allah began to pray two Raka twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. He then went home and showed his wife Khadija what he had learned from angel Jibrail. Since that time, the Prophet never went through a day without praying. Just before his migration (Hijrah) to Al-Madinah, Allah's Messenger Peace Be Upon Him was taken by night to Jerusalem and then to the heavens (Miraj). during this journey, Allah almighty commanded him to pray five times a day. This prayer was a gift given to every believer to enable him to experience a spiritual ascension five times in every day. The Prophet Peace Be Upon Him explained that " The prayer is the Miraj of the believer." It gives every Muslim the opportunity to communicate with his Lord.
During each prayer, the worshipper recites Surah Al Fatiha. This recitation is not a dull monologue by the believer, but Allah promises that it is a conversation between Him and the worshipper. The Messenger Peace Be Upon Him reported that Allah Almighty says:
"When My slave says (in hi sprayer): 'All praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds', I say : 'My slave has praised Me.' when he says: ' the Merciful, the Compassionate, Master of the Day of Judgment', I say: 'My slave has praised and glorified Me'. When he says: ' You Alone we worship, and Your Aid we seek, ' I say: 'This is between My slave and Myself.' When he says: 'Show us the Straight Path, the path of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not of those who earned Your anger nor of those who went astray.' I say: 'This is for My slave, and I give My slave what he wants." (Hadith Qudsi)
The number of prayers in a day have been set at five by Allah almighty. The believer has no choice in the matter but to obey. To reduce the number of prayers would not only be disobedience, it would also lose the benefits of prayer.
For example, a room is only good for residence if it has four walls and a roof. If only one wall or the roof were to be removed, what use could it be? Similarly, the prayer will only achieve its purpose and be of use on the Day when nothing except one's deeds will be of use, if it is observed in the prescribed manner.
PRAYER: A PILLAR OF ISLAM
Allah's Messenger Peace Be Upon Him once said:
"Prayer is the pillar of religion." (Al-Baihaqi)
The Prophet Peace Be Upon Him also said:
"Islam is erected on five pillars: to testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger; to establish prayer; to pay Zakat; to perform Hajj to the Sacred House, and to fast in the month of Ramadan." (Bukhari, Muslim)
This Hadith makes the image very clear. Islam is like a building, supported by five columns. Remove just one column, and the entire building weakens.
If strong winds batter the town, the building which will certainly collapse is the one with a pillar missing. In the same way, when a person stops praying, his Faith becomes weak and the mildest of blows can cause it to crumble.
The prayer is of such vital importance that the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him said: "Verily, between man and between polytheism and unbelief is the negligence of prayer." (Muslim)
How true is this statement! If you look at people walking down the road, it may be difficult to distinguish Muslims from non-Muslims. Islam is not marked upon a believer's forehead, and neither is Kufr stamped on an infidel's face. But at the time of prayer, you can separate the two groups with ease. The believer will abandon his work, his business to join the rows of Muslims in prayer, while the disbeliever will carry on with his worldly affairs.
Surah Al-Muddathir narrates an interesting dialogue which will take place on the Day of Judgement. The believers will ask the people of Hell-fire:
"What has caused you to enter Hell?" They will say: "We were not of those who used to offer their prayers. Nor we used to feed the poor; and we used to talk falsehoods (all that which Allah hated) with vain talkers, and we used to belie the Day of Recompense. Until there came to use (the death) that is certain." (72:42-47)
The rejecters of truth are silent in this world, but in the next world they will themselves speak the truth.
0 comments:
Post a Comment