Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 171
171 can never be certain what may be to our benefit and what may in the end do us harm. At times the literal acceptance of prayer may even not be the manifestation of God’s Mercy and Grace, but the reverse. But all sincere prayer brings us nearer to God, which is the ultimate object, and there is an answer, though the answer may not, in God’s Wisdom and Mercy, be manifested as we, in our haste and ignorance or in the stress of grief or emotion, may desire. God alone is worthy that prayer be addressed to Him. There is no other being beside God to whom prayer may be addressed or who can answer prayer. Indeed, that is the principal reason for the rejection of all claims to divinity, complete or partial, that may be advanced on behalf of any other being. “Unto Him is the true prayer. Those on whom they call beside Him answer them not at all, except as he is answered who stretches forth his two hands toward water that it may reach his mouth, but it reaches it not. The Prayer of those who do not believe is but a thing wasted” (13:15). The Quran offers the acceptance of prayer as a decisive proof of Divine power. Prayer may be addressed only to God Who alone has power to answer. All others are powerless to answer it. “Surely those whom you call on beside Allah are mere