PRAYER

In the name of ALLAH. Most Gracious Most Merciful

1.	What is a prayer to a man? Prayer is a tool to avert the calamities. Prayer is a tool to convert misfortunes into fortunes, impossible into possible. Prayer can do most unimaginable feats. Prayer is a silent power. Prayer is the transformer of destinies. Prayer can override all natural laws of nature.

2.	Prayer is a bridge between man and his Creator, between a slave and the Master Supreme. Prayer is contemplation. It is meditation. Prayer is the adoration of the Creator, the Sustainer. Prayer is man’s acceptance and acknowledgment of ALLAH’s Power and HIS Magnificence. Prayer is a direct communion of a slave with his Master. Prayer is imploring, it is begging piteously. Prayer is surrender. It is an expression of man’s humility to his Creator.

3.	Prayer is an expression of one’s helplessness. It is a submission and a surrender of self to HIS Creator and Preserver. Prayer is an expression of man’s indebtedness to ALLAH. It is the crystallization and re-affirmation of one’s faith in ALLAH . It is a declaration of bond and a covenant between man and his Creator.

4.	In prayer there is thanks-giving, hope for mercy and a demand for a thousand things. In prayer man repents and remorses for his sins, frailties and failures. He bemoans over his guilt and expresses regrets and sorrow. lie begs for forgiveness, help and purification. Man begs and implores for spiritual light and guidance. He prays to ALLAH so that he can walk on a Straight Path. True penitence, repentance and atonement can expiate the sins.

5.	There is nothing more acceptable to ALLAH than man’s humble prayer to HIM begging and imploring HIM. Man’s prayers and his supplications to his Creator are the surest indication of one’s surrender and submission to HIM.

6.	While one is in prayer, his hands are outstretched and his eyes are tearful in total expectation. His heart gets overwhelmed and he himself gets inundated by Divine Power. In total helplessness and surrender he undergoes an experience well beyond his mental capacity to understand. In prayer man is closest to ALLAH.

7.	In prayer man puts a thousand petitions and requests to ALLAH. Man pours out his heart’s desires, longings, aspirations and demands both of secular as well as of spiritual nature. Man begs for himself and he begs for those whom he loves.

8.	Man intensely desires ALLAH’s grace and help. Man desires ALLAH’s acceptance of him as a righteous person. In prayer, man while feeling helpless, exhausted, weary and without a mooring throws all his heart’s burdens and weight on ALLAH to sort them out for him. In prayer man solicits ALLAH’s help to set his things and problem aright for him. By himself he expresses his helplessness and weakness. Man prays humbly and silently to lighten his burden. In prayer, man protests to ALLAH for the injustices of the cruel world and seeks relief. In desperation, man cries for assistance, help and succor because by himself he can do nothing without ALLAH’s help. With prayer man wants refuge in the Mighty preserve of ALLAH.

9.	Prayer exerts pressure, influence and weight. Prayer is a compelling power and a spiritual force. Prayer is mighty, mystical, metaphysical and supernatural energy. It has its own dynamics. Influence of prayer is beyond human calculation and imagination. It is beyond his understanding.

10.	ALLAH is Almighty and All Powerful. Prayer can accomplish any result whatsoever! With prayer and with ALLAH on your side, nothing is impossible. With prayer even miracles can take place. It is in ALLAH’s nature to accept the humble prayers of his devotees. HE accepts them. HE grants them. Pray, always pray to ALLAH.

11.	But remember, ALLAH too has certain expectations from his devotees. So next time you raise your hands in prayer to HIM, do not forget to do HIS biddings.

“Wa maa ‘alainaaa ii lal balaa ghul mubeen”

(And our duty is only to deliver the clear message)
(Surah Yaa Seeeen 36:17)

Abdul Waheed Khan
36/A South Central Av.	
D.H.A.	Karachi—75500