Understanding Salat — Page 159
Jilsah 159 discipline. When we say ‘guide me’ ( ْ اهْدِنِي ), we can pray that after being shown the right path, that we be taken to it, and we act on it. The second meaning of ‘guide me’ ( ْ اهْدِنِي ) is to be taken to the guidance. Thirdly, the fact that we have been taken to the right path does not mean that we will stay on it. That is why we have been taught the prayer, “Our Lord, let not our hearts become perverse after You have guided ( هَدَى ) us;” (3:9). Being shown and taken to the right path does not guarantee that we will stay on it and reach our destination. If we became observant of S al ā t but then ended up giving up on it, then we failed to truly benefit from it and ended up falling off the path of guidance. When we say ‘guide me’ ( ْ اهْدِنِي ), we can pray that Allah Almighty keep us on the right path and lead us to our destination. The third meaning of ‘guide me’ ( ْ اهْدِنِي ) is to be led along the path of guidance. ________ O _________ ْ وَعَافِنِي and grant me health The word ‘ Ā fiyah means, ‘health, or soundness, and safety, or security…[or, as it may be best rendered, health and safety,