Through Force or Faith? — Page 305
Chapter 7 — Novelty in the Teachings of Muhammad 305 Prayer and Worship What are the methods to win God’s nearness and to reach that special status? All religions claim that good deeds and obeying His commandments bring a man close to God but along with this it is said that man is weak. Jesus also said: ‘The spirit is indeed will- ing, but the flesh is weak’ (Mark 14:38). As such, how should one act upon commandments of God and make the spiritual advance- ment so as establish a perfect communion with God? To this, no answer is given by Jesus or anyone else. Islam was the first to explain this process; and began the Quran with it that the source of all bounties is God; to purify from sinfulness, and to fill the heart up with His love, is the work of the Powerful and Almighty God; so beg of Him alone. It teaches this prayer: ‘Guide us in the right path—the path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings’ ( S u rah al-Fāti h ah, 1:6). As a result, God Himself will grant you that strength with which you shall be able to act upon His commandments; and He Himself shall remove all your weak- nesses and shortcomings. A detailed account of this subject as contained in this S u rah has been given above and has been com- pared with the teachings contained in the Bible. The Holy Prophet Muhammad s as brought vast and all-inclu- sive teachings about prayer. Not only did he insist to pray at every occasion and in every matter, he also informed in detail how to make supplications and what to say during prayers. He taught how to supplicate when mounting a ride, how to supplicate when about to fall asleep, how to supplicate on waking up, how to sup- plicate on seeing the new moon, how to supplicate when start- ing a task. It is so elaborate that there is no occasion in life for