The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 99
III - Concept of the Acceptance of Prayer in Islām 99 accept or reject a prayer. Why then should man permit a state of doubt to enter his heart and waver from that status of determination, concentration and engrossment, which is necessary in producing the magnetism and attraction needed in pleading. Always Think Well of God The Holy Prophet sa further expounded this principle at another point in the following words: ْ اَنَا عِنْد َ ظَن ِّ عَبْدِی ْ بِی “God states that, ‘I deal with My servant in accordance to the belief he holds of Me. ’” 1 This point is also a key to infinite prosperity but it is unfortunate that most people are unaware of this truth. In any case, a state of determination and belief is necessary in prayer and in normal circumstances it is unlawful to pray in doubtful words. However, this prohibition is only in the case when the supplicant employs such a method due to a lack of belief or attention. However, in special circumstances, if the supplicant stands upon a level of concentration and belief and then leaves the final decision of his matter to God, and due to this a state of distrust, inattention or a lack of belief is not developed, rather, a state of trust in Allāh and handing over the matter to Allāh is attained; in such a case, to pray in this manner would not be unlawful. Summary of the Islāmic Teaching on Prayer From the above-mentioned verses and Aḥādīth the following fundamental points are proven with relevance to the concept of prayer: It is the obligation of every Muslim that he continues praying to God, whether he is confronted with a state of fear or hope, whether he is in a state of difficulty or ease, whether he desires to gain safety from an affliction or desires to acquire beneficence. 1 * Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābudh-Dhikri Wad-Du‘ā’i. . . , Bābul-Haththi ‘Alā Dhikrillāhi Ta‘ālā, Ḥadīth No. 6805 * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābut-Tauḥīd, Bābu Qaulillāhi Ta‘ālā Yurīdūna Aiń-Yubaddilū Kalāmallāhi, Ḥadīth No. 7505