'Duah': A Prayer

 

O Lord of all the worlds!

It is beyond me to offer You gratitude for all Your favours.

You are most Merciful and Compassionate,

and the bounties that You have conferred upon me are countless.

 

Forgive me my sins, lest I am ruined.

Fill my heart with sincere love for You,

so that I may receive life.

Make the Good Choice!

  

Human beings, as Allah created them, are driven by a desire that constantly urges them to move forward, make progress, rise higher on the social ladder, and acquire worldly and material wealth. Whether in abundance or in need – poverty – they always desire to have more.

 

Those who enjoy financial ease (be they at the top of the ladder or among the middle class) always wish to gain more; they aspire to become millionaires, even billionaires. Those who suffer in poverty dream of a comfortable home and sufficient means to meet the needs of their household and close family with dignity. Even those in the middle class long for a better life, especially to ensure a stable future for their families; so they aim not only for the immediate comfort of their household, but also make provision for their future.

Islam & Health

  

In Islam, health is an invaluable blessing – a favour from Allah for which believers must remain constantly grateful. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “There are two blessings which many people fail to make the most of: good health and free time.” (Bukhari)

Health encompasses the body, the mind, and the soul. It forms the essential foundation of worship, because without it, practices such as fasting (Roza), prayer (Salat), and other virtuous acts become difficult to perform. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “Do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands.” (Al-Baqara 2: 196)

 

This verse establishes a fundamental principle: safeguarding one’s health is not only a personal responsibility but also a spiritual obligation.

Man & His Path

  

The journey of man begins with a miracle in his creation, guided by the wisdom of Allah. The Holy Qur’an says:

 

“And indeed We created man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a drop of sperm in a firm resting place. Then We fashioned the drop into a clinging clot, and We fashioned the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We fashioned the lump into bones; then We clothed the bones with flesh. Then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.” (Al-Mu’minun, 23: 13-15)

 

Man receives life when he is formed in his mother’s womb, and he is sent to Earth with a gift from Allah called the soul, which grants him an eternal connection with his Creator. The Holy Qur’an says:

 

“Then He (Allah) proportioned him and breathed into him of His spirit; and He gave you (humans) hearing and sight and hearts. Little are you grateful!” (As-Sajda 32: 10)