“O my Lord, make my entry a good entry,
and make me go forth a
good going forth. And grant me from Yourself a helping power.”
---(Al-Isra, 17: 81).
This
prayer was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) before his migration
from Mecca to Medina. Within it lies a prophecy about his eventual return as
well as his migration. It also contains a much wider meaning. The Holy Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) was persecuted for thirteen years in Mecca and it was for this
reason that he migrated to Medina. He would depart with the truth and return
with the truth.
The
question arises as to why his return has been mentioned before his departure.
God in His wisdom, did not want the Holy Prophet (pbuh) to suffer for a moment
the thought that he might have to leave Mecca permanently. His re-entry has
been mentioned first to make it more definite and to assure him that he would
return and so have no reason to grieve and worry. This prayer also reveals the
circumstances under which the Holy Prophet (pbuh) would have to leave Mecca.
His opponents had branded him as a liar, fabricator and a false prophet. The
welcome he received in Medina bore witness to his truth. With reference to Medina
the verse implies that the people would bear witness to his truth and so would
the people of Mecca on his return. This would result from his prayers and the
exclusive help of God. 
This prayer should also be offered with regard to all
journeys. The Quranic prayers have a wide meaning and may be offered in
connection with various matters. Whatever prayer the Quran relates, a particular
event or situation may also be applied to more or less similar kinds of
situations which occur in daily life. This was the practice of the Holy Prophet
and his companions.
Another
aspect of this prayer relates to the continuing changing conditions in a
person's life. These changes can move from bad to good or vice-versa. Also in
the previous verses God has revealed prayerful guidance by which means the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) may rise to great spiritual height:
“Establish regular prayers -
at the decline of the sun till the darkness of the night,
and the morning prayer and reading:
for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony.
And pray in the small watches of the morning:
(it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for you:
soon will your Lord raise you to a Station of Praise and Glory!”
----(Al-Isra 17: 79-80).
“Establish regular prayers -
at the decline of the sun till the darkness of the night,
and the morning prayer and reading:
for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony.
And pray in the small watches of the morning:
(it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for you:
soon will your Lord raise you to a Station of Praise and Glory!”
----(Al-Isra 17: 79-80).
Everyone
who wants to fly high spiritually should offer the prayer regularly and
understand its meaning properly otherwise he would be liable to go astray as
was the case with Balam son of Baura who was a righteous man and who was lured
away from piety by worldly attractions and subsequently suffered disgrace.
“Relate to them the story of the man to whom We gave Our
revelations, but he stripped himself out of them: so Satan followed him up, and
he became of the misguided. And had We willed We could have raised him
therewith, but he clung to the earth and followed his own lust. So the likeness
of him is like the likeness of a dog: if you attack him he lolls out his
tongue; and if you leave him alone he lolls out his tongue; this is the parable
of the people who reject Our revelations. So relate the stories that they may
reflect.” (Al-Araf 7: 176-177).
Often
a person desires to attain a spiritual rank based on selfish motives for
recognition in the eyes of the world. They may even have experiences similar to
spiritual experiences which they think have come from God whereas they were
from Satan.
I
urge all my disciples, truth seekers, Muslims and all mankind to advance
constantly along the righteous path and seek help from God. The prayer which is
perfect and comprehensive has deep meanings pertaining to various conditions
and situations. It covers both spiritual and physical journeys.
One
should never lose hope under trials and afflictions. If one submits oneself to
God with patience He will remove one's distress and replace it with the reward
of His pleasure.
May
Allah count you among those who forebear and obtain His pleasure. Be it in good
and bad times, always surrender your will to that of Allah. You shall never be
a loser. All that which you apparently “lose” in world for the pleasure of
Allah, the eternal reward which Allah has kept hidden from you for the moment
shall be of extraordinary dimension and taste. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon on 13 January 2017(13 Rabi'ul Aakhir 1438 AH) delivered by Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.