Pathway to Paradise — Page 8
PATHWAY TO P ARADISE 8 reciting: “Ash - hado an - la ilaha ilAllaho wa ash - hado anna Muhammadan abdohu wa rasoolohu” I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger. 2. Prayer Prayer is the basic and most important means by which man communicates with Allah and draws near Him. Its importance cannot be emphasized enough. The Islamic concept of prayer is a direct pouring forth of the soul by the supplicant before the Divine Majest y. There is no need for, nor does Islam tolerate an intermediary between God and man. Prayer brings solace and comfort to the human mind and soul, lifting them up from a lowly state to unsurpassed heights. Islam also assures the believer that his prayers a re heard. The Holy Qur’an says: “When My servants ask thee concerning Me, say: I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. So they should hearken to Me and have believe in Me, that they may follow the right way. ” (2:187) Prayer also rids the believer of the bondage of sin and purifies the heart. The Holy Qur’an says: “Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book and observe Prayer. Surely, Prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil, and certainly the