Among all religious practices, Salah (prayer) is the most profound experience, an unparalleled means of establishing a connection between a believer and his Creator.
Throughout the ages, humankind has found a path to Allah through Salah (prayer). This path has always been open to those who seek Allah. Before Islam was established as the perfected religion of Allah, Salah (prayer) was performed in various forms, but what was common in each Salah (prayer) was bowing and prostrating before Allah. For example, the original Salah (prayer) of the Jews before Islam was almost similar to how Muslims perform Salah (prayer) today. However, with the establishment of Islam as a Way of Life and Faith, the Jews changed their way of praying to differentiate themselves from Muslims.
This example highlights the true value of Salah (prayer) in the life of a true believer. When a believer stands, bows, and prostrates before his Creator with sincerity and humility of heart (Khushu), his Salah (prayer) brings tranquillity and comfort to his soul, body, and spirit. This Salah (prayer) provides true solace to a troubled mind, elevating the believer from a miserable state to one of peace and extraordinary tranquillity. Through Salat (prayers), one can attain high spiritual levels in the eyes of Allah, levels not experienced by those who lack this true connection with their Creator. Therefore, a believer who perfects his Salat (prayers) can achieve a higher spiritual status than other Muslims who have not unlocked the true potential of Salah (prayer).
In the Holy Quran,
Allah mentions [performing] Salat (prayers) as a quality of a true
believer. Allah says: “This is the Book about
which there is no doubt, a guidance for those are in awe of Allah, who believe
in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for
them.” (Al-Baqara, 2:3-4)
Prayer (Salah)
is indeed a divine prescription and guarantee from Allah Himself for the purity
of heart and soul. Through prayer, we can establish a living communion with
Allah.
Remember, Salah
(prayer) is the highest level of connection with Allah. If one does not
establish a solid connection with Allah through Salah (prayer), the rest
of his acts of worship (Ibaadat) will lack true meaning or essence and will thus
not grant the believer the secret code to reach Allah. It is important for a
believer to first consolidate his connection with Allah through Salat
(prayers), and then all other acts of worship, such as Duahs
(invocations), Zikr (remembrance of Allah), Tilawat-i-Quran
(recitation of the Quran), etc., will open the way to Allah. But it is
essential to perform the obligatory Salat (prayers), as they are a
responsibility and trust (Amaanat) placed upon us by Allah, Who wishes
for His servants to find Him, know Him, and stay connected with Him.
Among acts of worship,
there is also the distribution of Zakaat (the purification tax) and
other Sadaqaat (charitable acts or donations for Allah’s cause or to
help the poor and needy).
Allah says in the
Quran: “Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and
spend out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, can expect a
transaction that will never perish - That He may give them in full their
rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and
Appreciative.” (Fatir, 35:30-31)
According to the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Salah (prayer) is the Mi’raj (ascension)
of a believer. This ascension allows sincere believers to access Allah, where
He opens their path to Him. These believers receive a special favour, as Allah
opens the path to the unseen (Ghayb) for them. They find the doors of
heaven open for them. This is the highest form of worship of Allah.
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh)
also said: “Prayer (Salah) brings a believer closer to his Creator.”
Remember that no Salah
(Prayer) or Duah (Invocation) performed with full sincerity goes
unanswered. Due to our limited reasoning and short-sightedness as humans filled
with weaknesses, some people may sometimes doubt (have much uncertainty in) their
prayers; they may lack the confidence needed. They do not know what awaits them
in the future. They live in uncertainty, and uncertainty is the opposite of certainty
(Yaqeen). Uncertainty kills Yaqeen (certainty), and thus a
believer is deprived of the blessings of his Salat (prayers) and Duahs
(invocations).
It is crucial to have Yaqeen
(certainty/ full trust) in Allah, to have the certainty that Allah will answer
your Duahs (invocations), elevate your spiritual rank, and bring you
closer to Him. Keep in mind that a true servant of Allah seeks only Allah. He
(or she) understands that this world is temporary. Everything he loves on this
earth will eventually perish, except Allah, except His Blessed Being. This
believer competes to attain Allah, not other people, not material things that
will perish one day, not limited comforts. A true lover of Allah seeks Allah,
and when Allah says: “I am with you. It is I who
will stand by you,” then this believer, this servant of Allah, must
never despair.
Let me tell you that
the highest rank is not to become a prophet or messenger of Allah, although
that is one of the greatest honours and spiritual elevations that Allah bestows
upon His chosen ones. Here, with the command to submit to Allah through Salat
(prayers), Allah guides humanity, especially those endowed with intelligence,
that the Mi’raj (ascension) they anticipate and strive for will lead
them to Allah, but it is through Salah (prayer) itself. Salah
(prayer) is the connection of the soul with Allah. It is not just physical
actions but the connection of the soul with its Creator. It is a spiritual
state, a spiritual rendezvous (meeting) where Allah allows His servants to
connect with Him. Very few succeed in truly connecting with Allah through Salat,
Duahs, and Zikrullah. The moment you remember Allah, Allah
remembers you. When you keep Allah alive, present at all moments of your
existence, Allah automatically keeps you close to Him as well. If you distance
yourselves, He distances Himself. But He does not distance Himself from those
whom He has decreed to receive His love and proximity. He strives to keep such
servants of His close to Him and keeps their tongue immersed in the remembrance
of Allah (Zikrullah).
As I was saying, the
status of a Prophet and Messenger does not mean there is no higher spiritual
rank beyond that. Consider the Hadith where Hazrat Musa (as) believed that
since he was a prophet and messenger of Allah, he was the most knowledgeable
among all humanity of his time. But Allah reprimanded him and indicated to him
one of His servants had more knowledge than him, a servant and prophet whom
Allah loved and enriched with His knowledge.
So, although people do
not know Al-Khidr as a prophet, he was a prophet of Allah nonetheless, and
although he did not bring any new Law, unlike Musa (as), but Allah showed that
rank, status, and honour are given by none but Him (Allah). Subsequently, after
Hazrat Musa (as), Allah elevated other prophets like Dawud (as), Suleiman (as),
Isa (as), etc., before elevating the greatest of all His prophets and
messengers, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). What is surprising and proves that the
Quran will remain a guide for all humanity until the Day of Judgement is that
for all His prophets and messengers, He mentioned them by name, whereas for
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), He says: “O Messenger of Allah!”
Here, we see how Allah
intends to keep the Quran alive and keep Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) alive through
his various manifestations that will appear until the Day of Judgement, and
even until the end of times to be more precise. The Ummah has received the key
to this blessing through Salah (prayer) itself. When the world is
enveloped in darkness, He certainly prepares one of His servants to fulfil the
role of a prophet and messenger. This person is not just a prophet but also a
messenger, and although no new Law is revealed through such types of prophets
and messengers but they receive the blessings of the Quran itself being
re-revealed upon them and where not just the Quran is revealed, but also its
interpretation for their time.
Thus, fortunate are
those living in this era who have witnessed a new manifestation of Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) on this earth and have believed in him (that is, this humble
servant standing before you today) and are supporting the cause of Allah under
his command. Blessed are those who elevate their Salat (prayers) to such
a level that Allah is pleased with them and has granted them faith in His
Khalifatullah (Caliph of Allah), Nabiullah (Prophet of Allah), and Rassullullah
(Messenger of Allah) of this era. But unlike Hazrat Musa (as), who believed
that being a prophet and messenger meant possessing all knowledge, I do not
claim this. No! Allah bestows His knowledge upon whomever He pleases. I am
happy today not only because He has raised me as His beloved, but also because
He is inspiring the hearts of those He loves to recognize His truth and the
truth of His Khalifa (Khalifatullah) al-Mahdi of this era.
All thanks to Allah,
who through our connection with Him has elevated us, His believing servants in
the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, to a higher rank than the rest of humanity. It is
my prayer that Allah inspires other hearts to recognize this light of truth and
join our ranks for the final victory of Islam. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 10 January 2025~ 09 Rajab 1446 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.