Past Commander Mulzim R. Fidai, PR MAVA National Peer Recovery Support Specialist Member Martinsburg V. A. Mental Health Advocacy Counsel For Those, Struggling With The Symptoms of Combat PTSD And Other Psychological and Emotional Discomfort 1213/2014 Part III Adapted from Prayer by Imam W. Deen Mohammed: “Imam Mohammed stated: If you become an independent thinker, you can make major contributions.” “Once a man was asked, ‘what did you gain by regularly praying to God?” The man replied, ‘nothing…but let me tell you what I lost: I lost Anger, Ego, greed, depression, insecurity, and the fear of death. Sometimes, the answer to your prayers is not gaining but losing; which ultimately is the gain.” (Unknown) Prayer is a manifestation of faith, and an outer expression of the inner condition of belief and trust. It cleanses your inner being, giving you a fresh outlook on life and release from self-exception and conceit. It is up to every believer to find the strength necessary to carry out his or her obligatory duties. You cannot expect to strengthen yourself when you neglect a fundamental duty such as prayer. Most people who lose the strength to stand up to the evil influences of this world have neglected their spiritual and moral makeup. If you maintain and pursue your spiritual development, you will have the necessary strength to resist evil forces and influences. You can only develop the strength you need by applying your spiritual and moral muscles. You cannot become strong believers if you fail to exercise this spiritual muscle. Do you remember Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of his time? How do you think he became the greatest boxer of his time, a superman in the ring? Do you think that he sat around and waited for his muscles to develop? No! That man had to run for miles. He had to sweat and train in the gym for many hours. It is through that type of training and the discipline he and many others used to become great in their athletic professions. In the religion of Al-Islam Allah (God) has prescribed a way for believers to train every muscle in your being, be it mental, moral or spiritual. You cannot expect to develop your moral and spiritual muscles without the discipline of prayer. Salvation in Al-Islam can be achieved only through your willingness and conscious obedience to the Commands of Allah. A follower of Al-Islam views religion as more than a set of guiding principles; for them it is a complete way of life. Being Muslim involves serious study, strict discipline and true faith in Allah. Mere verbal adherence to the creed of Al-Islam is not enough. When one initially makes their declaration of faith by accepting Al-Islam, they make the statement: “I bear witness there is no divine (god) except Allah (God), and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” This only signifies that you are announcing your candidacy for entering the service of Allah. It is a mandated contractual agreement that you are making with the Lord of all worlds; known and unknown. Once you make that declaration youre placed under a strict code of discipline that is designed to prepare you to follow the Islamic way of life. Prayer, which has been prescribed five times daily, is one of the disciplines that help you in this training. Regular observance of prayer is excellent training for the obedient servant’s of Allah because it is particularly difficult for those who are insincere in their allegiance to Al-Islam. It is a test of a Believer’s dedication to Allah and His Commandments. Anyone who feels burdened by the obligation of prayer must realize that the secular society has poisoned your nature, which was created upright by Allah. If there is no willingness to struggle to meet this obligation, you are not ready to submit yourself entirely to the Will of Allah. Though you may read the Holy Qur’an daily, you will not find its true message. For those who willingly and enthusiastically follow the Commandments of Allah, the Holy Qur’an provides Divine Guidance. It says: “ This is the Book. In it is guidance assured, without doubt to those who reverence Allah, and who believes in the unseen, and are steadfast in prayer and spend out of what We have provided for them” 16. Prayer is a form of remembering Allah, and anyone who prayers all of the time while neglecting his other obligations is falling short of their duty as Muslim. The Holy Qur’an warns us: “O you who believe! Fulfill [all] obligations.” 17 16 Holy Qur’an 2:45, The heifer. 17 Holy Qur’an 5:1, The heifer If you are sincere in your prayers, and if you really give recognition to Allah, The Creator of the heavens and the earth, your prayers will help make you conscious of the things you are neglecting in your life. You may be neglecting your wife, your children, your community or whatever, but if you remember to turn to Allah in prayer with your heart and mind, Allah will help you to meet all of your obligations. Prayer is never to be neglected under any circumstances. It sometimes seems hard to be consistent in prayer when one is faced with exceptional hardships or challenges. However, it is exactly during these times that the spiritual insight and reassurance, which comes from prayers, that are most beneficial. During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and up until this day, the followers of Al-Islam have been instructed to continue their observance of prayer without any exception, even when facing their enemies in battle. In the Holy Qur’an Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is told: When you travel through the earth, there is no blame on you if you shorten your prayer if you fear the unbelievers may attack you, for the unbelievers are unto you open enemies. When you [O prophet] are with them and stand to lead them in prayer, let one party of them stand up [in prayer] with you, taking their arms with them. When they finish their prostrations, let them take their position in the rear and let the other party come up which has not yet prayed. And let them pray with you taking all precautions, bearing arms…but when you are free from danger, establish regular prayers, for such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.” 18 Regardless of the obstacles you may face, you have to fulfill your obligation to pray. If you are too weak physically to stand, offer your prayers in a sitting position. If you cannot sit, offer it in a lying position. And if you can’t move your arms and legs, offer it by moving your eyes in conformance with what is ordered for you. Only the mentally helpless are excused from the required practices of prayer in Al-Islam. Minors are not forced to pray, but they are expected to accept the invitation to prayer demonstrated in the exemplary conduce of their parent, and older associates. Prayer becomes obligatory for every individual, man or woman at the age of puberty. When Allah and His Messenger say to do a thing, you are to do it. You are not to your compromise religion. You should not make excuses. If we are not living up to our prayer obligations we must say sincerely: “I am not one who prays five times a day, but I wish I were. I pray that Allah will ease the obstacles in my life so it will be less difficult for me to pray five times a day.” It hurts a believer to know he or she is not doing all that Allah asks of them. Never give in to the wrong. 18 Holy Qur’an 4:101-103 The Women. To Be Continued
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 18:17:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015