The Essence Of Worship
Many of us are aware of the difficulties we face in pursuing the legal system and government officials in time of need. There is a lot of red tapes involved, but unlike the kings and rulers of this world in the grand court of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala , everyone is allowed to carry his needs directly to His court. Everyone is a beggar in front of Allah. Allah listens to all his servants, and he is closer to everyone. وَ نَحْنُ اَقْرَبُ اِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيْدِ.( ق 16)
Translation: and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein. Allah loves the tears that flow from our eyes in asking His favors, more than the water of the seven seas. He fulfills the needs of all; muslim or non muslim alike. أَمَّنْ يُجِيْبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَ يَكْشِفُ السُّوْءَ. ( النمل 62 Translation: Or the One who responds to a helpless person when He prays to Him and removes distress.There is no one but Allah who can remove distress. Dua is a worship,rather it is the essence of worship as stated by our Holy Prophet ( peace be upon him) said: اَلدُّعَاءُ مُخُّ الْعِبَادَةِ ( ترمذ3371 Translation: Dua is the essence of worship. Dua has the power to bring a change in the society, revive the dead, prolong life etc. Dua is the wrath of God on the oppressors, the power that changes destiny. Hazrat Salman reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 2139 لَا يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ اِلَّا الدُّعَاءُ، وَلَا يَزِيْدُ فِي الْعُمُرِ اِلَّا الْبِرُّ.( ترمذي Translation:“Nothing repels the divine decree but supplication, and nothing increases life span but righteousness.” Also our Holy Prophet ( peace be upon him) said: لَيْسَ شَيْئٌ أَكْرَمَ عَلَي اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰي مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ. ( ترمذي 3370) Translation: Nothing is more reliable in the sight of Allah than dua. No dua is rejected. Every dua ( supplication) is accepted provided that it is made for a lawful thing. The dua is granted either by fulfilling the need that it was made for or by removing any inconvenience instead. Prophet ( peace be upon him) said: مَا أَحَدٌ يَدْعُوْ بِدُعَاءٍ اِلَّا آتَاهُ اللّٰهُ مَا سَأَلَ، اَوْ كَفَّ عَنْهُ مِنَ السُّوْءِ مِثْلَهُ مَا لَمْ يَدَعُ بِاِثْمٍ اَوْ بِقَطِيْعَةِ رَحِمٍ. ( مسند احمد 14879) Translation: No one prays but Allah gives him what he asks for or removes from him an equal amount of suffering while he does not ask for any sin or cut off of relationship.
We should be hopeful of Allah’s mercy while praying, and not despair because of our sins. Even though our sins are so many that they might fill the whole world. As Allah has forbade us not to despair in the Holy Quran:
لَا تَقْنَطُوْا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللّٰهِ.( الزمر 53) Translation: People, do not despair of God’s mercy.
Its only a matter of asking, and a man is cleansed from his sins. None returns from the court of Allah in despair, his treasures are never ending. We should pray to Allah almighty at all times, be it in times of happiness or suffering. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has taught a dua for every aspect of our life. So it is necessary to follow those prayers.
May Allah Almighty make us remember him at all times, and grant us the pleasure of supplication.