Importance of prayer Sunday, 07 August 2011 02:06

By Ramzi Al Saeed

The holy month of Ramadan is the month of fasting and the month of prayer. In this month the gates of paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and God accepts from his servant their works. God responds to the prayers and gives every seeker according to their demands, that is why Almighty God ordered us to pray him and to ask him. Allah says “you ask me, I will give you”. The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) informed us that people ask God -He is close to him - and Almighty gives response to the caller when he calls. Every Muslim should know that Allah is merciful and guides to the right path those who seek. So, he must concentrate on the remembrance of Allah, his prayers and in seeking the mercy of God in these holy days. Also, Allah has chained Shaitan (devil) in this month. Only those persons fall in that epidemic who are not able to resist, and the healthy and straightforward persons survive by the remembrance of Allah.

Shaitan (the devil) descends only on a sinful imposter. The Creator ordered us to resort to Him alone and no one else, to call Him to protect us from the evils of creatures and to save us from the harm of His creatures and from their dark hearts and He protects us from the evil of night when it darkens and spreads, from the mischief of  those who blow on knots, the group of backbiters who cut the ties of intimacy and affection relationship by their efforts, their plots and their backbiting, and from the mischief of the envious whom the envy has eaten and made them blind from seeking recourse in Allah and they wished what God gave others from boon, respect, peace and good.

In fact the prayer is the medium which mellows a believer’s desires and their feelings and removes uncertainty and makes his heart submissive.

Al-Bukhaari and Muslim) narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said – and in the hadeeth of Bakr it is narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allah say – “What do you think if there was a river by the door of any one of you and he bathed in it five times a day, would there be any trace of dirt left on him?” They said, “No trace of dirt would be left on him.” He said, “That is like the five daily prayers, by means of which Allaah erases sin.”  

Seeking forgiveness

Do you want to have peace of mind, reassurance, and joy?

You should ask for the forgiveness of Allah The Almighty. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And [saying], “Seek Forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He Will Let you enjoy a good provision}[Quran 11: 3]

Do you want to have a strong body and be healthy; free of diseases and disabilities? You should ask for the forgiveness of Allah. Allah says (what means): {Ask Forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and Increase you in strength [added] to your strength.} [Quran 11: 52]

Do you want to drive disasters and accidents away and be safe from Fitnah (trials) and dilemma? You should ask for the forgiveness of Allah. Allah Says (what means): {But Allah would not punish them while you, [O Muhammad], are among them, and Allaah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.} [Quran 8: 33]

Do you want rain in continuing showers, righteous children, lawful money, and expanded sustenance? Then you should ask for the forgiveness of Allah. Allah Says (what means): {And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He Is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.} [Quran 71: 10- 12]

Do you want your sins to be forgiven, your rewards to be increased, and your rank to be elevated? You should ask for the forgiveness of Allah. Allah says (what means): {And say, ‘Relieve us of our burdens.’ We will [then] forgive your sins for you, and We will Increase the doers of good [in goodness and reward].”} [Quran 2: 58] Asking for forgiveness is the successful remedy for getting rid of sins. The Prophet said: “O people! Ask for the forgiveness of Allaah and repent to Him as I ask for the forgiveness of Allaah and repent to Him one hundred times a day.”

The Peninsula