Understanding Salat — Page 58
Understanding S al A t 58 sees that Allah Almighty has provided for all of man’s neces- sities without any effort on his part, then he spontaneously says that his greatest need is finding Allah, his spiritual neces- sity, and he begs to be provided with the means to achieve it. The name ‘The Merciful’ correlates to the prayer ‘The path of those on whom You have bestowed Your blessings’. The mercy of Allah does not allow any effort of man to go to waste, and man prays to be guided along the right path until he reaches the rewards that previous people have received. The name ‘Master of the Day of Judgement’ correlates to the prayer, ‘those who have not incurred displeasure, and those who have not gone astray. ’ When man knows that he will be accountable for his actions, then the fear of failure arises in his heart and he prays to be saved from the displeasure of Allah Almighty. ( Tafs ī r-e-Kab ī r, vol. 1, pp. 47) One wisdom of this approach is that when we reflect on the attribute relevant to our prayer, we will think of all of the ways Allah Almighty has manifested His glory through that attribute. When the Holy Prophet sas would visit someone who was sick, he would pray, O Allah! The Lord of the people, the Remover of trouble! (Please) cure (this patient), for You are the Healer. None brings about healing but You; a healing