Signs & Science: Prayers - The Need for Allah's Help

… Legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.[12:40]

And when I am ill, then He cures me, [Al-Quran 26:80]

Mission of the Messengers-XXXVII

Disease & Cure - XI

Glad Tidings: The Help of Allah

Abstract

We need Allah at all times. Prayers are essential to our well-being, and of the planet we live in.

Establishing prayers and remembering Allah helps deter evil. It is critical for believers to keep up prayers and keep turning back to Allah for help and guidance, and for Allah's Protection.

Negligence of prayer was linked to the ascendancy of the Jasad on the Throne of Solomon.

When evil rises, the Believers must seek help through prayers and patience.

Surah al-Fath cites a practical example of the sanctity of the life of the Believers, explaining why Makkah was secured by Messenger Muhammad and his companions without any bloodshed.

Full Text

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَىٰ فِي خَرَابِهَا أُولَٰئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلَّا خَائِفِينَ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

وَلِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

And who (is) more unjust than (one) who prevents (the) masajid (of) Allah to be mentioned in them His name, and strives for their destruction? Those! Not it is for them that they enter them except (like) those in fear. For them in the world (is) disgrace and for them in the Hereafter (is) a punishment great.

And for Allah (is) the east and the west, so wherever you turn [so] there (is the) face (of) Allah. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.

[Al-Quran 2:114-115]

We need Allah at all times. Prayers are essential to our well-being, and of the planet we live in.

The Remembrance of Allah deters Evil

اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.

[Al-Quran 29:45, Translator: Sahih International]

Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, ˹genuine˺ prayer should deter ˹one˺ from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is ˹an˺ even greater ˹deterrent˺. And Allah ˹fully˺ knows what you ˹all˺ do.

[Al-Quran 29:45, Translator: Dr Mustafa Khattab]

Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and pray. Prayer restrains indecency and wrongdoing, and enhances the remembrance of God. God knows all that you do.

[Al-Quran 29:45, Translator: Safi Kaskas]

In this world we have to constantly struggle with evil temptations, and restrain ourselves from committing sins. Establishing prayers and remembering Allah helps deter evil.

The Hour

When God spoke with Moses, He told him:

إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي

إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ آتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيهَا لِتُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا تَسْعَىٰ

Indeed, [I] I Am Allah. (There is) no god but I, so worship Me and establish the prayer for My remembrance.

Indeed, the Hour (will be) coming. I almost [I] hide it that may be recompensed every NAFS for what it strives.

[Al-Quran 20:14-15]

The Critical Need to Keep Up Prayers

When Moses and Aaron were ordered to go to the Pharaoh as God’s messengers, they were told:

اذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَأَخُوكَ بِآيَاتِي وَلَا تَنِيَا فِي ذِكْرِي

Go, you and your brother with My Signs, and (do) not slacken in My remembrance.

[Al-Quran 20:42]

Prayer was enjoined and exhorted to Moses and Aaron in their mission to the mighty Pharaoh.

Solomon's Negligence of Prayer & The Jasad on The Throne of Solomon

وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ ۚ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِيِّ الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ

فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ

رُدُّوهَا عَلَيَّ ۖ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالْأَعْنَاقِ

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلَىٰ كُرْسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ

قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ الرِّيحَ تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ رُخَاءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَ

وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ

وَآخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ

هَـٰذَا عَطَاؤُنَا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ

And We gave to Dawood Sulaiman, an excellent slave. Indeed, he (was) one who repeatedly turned
When were displayed to him in the ~~afternoon~~ late evening excellent bred steeds.

And he said, "Indeed, I [I] preferred (the) love (of) the good over (the) remembrance (of) my Lord." Until they were hidden in the veil;

"Return them to me." Then he began (to) pass (his hand) over the legs and the necks.

And certainly We tried Sulaiman, and We placed on his throne a body; then he turned.

He said, "O my Lord! Forgive me and grant me a kingdom, not (will) belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You [You] (are) the Bestower."

Then We subjected to him the wind to flow by his command, gently, wherever he directed,

And the devils, every builder and diver,

And others bound in chains.

"This (is) Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."

And indeed, for him with Us surely is a near access and a good place of return.

[Al-Quran 38:30-40; typos edited]

Negligence of prayer was linked to the ascendancy of the Jasad on the Throne of Solomon. When he understood and repented, Solomon prayed that Allah not grant anybody his kingdom after him. Evil is supposed to rise before end times. It is critical for believers to keep up prayers and keep turning back to Allah for help and guidance, and for Allah's Protection.

Appearance of Corruption

The Quran is a divine revelation, and so are the scriptures revealed before it. They contain guidance for those who wish to keep their duty. Among the qualities of such people is their believe in all the scriptures. The Quran begins with a prayer for guidance, a description of the believers and the rejectors, and then attention is drawn to the corrupters:

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ

أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ

When they are told, "Do not cause corruption in the land," they say, "But we are reformers!"
They are truly corrupters and do not realize it.

[Al-Quran 2:11-12, Translation: Safi Kaskas]

Places of Worship

الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِن دِيَارِهِم بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّا أَن يَقُولُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا ۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

الَّذِينَ إِن مَّكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ

Those who have been evicted from their homes without right except that they said, "Our Lord (is) Allah." And if not Allah checks the people, some of them by others surely (would) have been demolished monasteries and churches and synagogues and masajid - is mentioned in it (the) name of Allah much. And surely Allah will help (those) who help Him. Indeed, Allah (is) surely All-Strong, All-Mighty.

Those who, if We establish them in the land they establish the prayer and they give the zakah and they enjoin the right and forbid from the wrong. And for Allah (is the) end (of) the matters.

[Al-Quran 22:40-41]

Perfecting Allah's Light

يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ

They want to extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His Light even if the disbelievers dislike (it).

He (is) the One Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion (of) [the] truth, to manifest it over all religions. Even if dislike (it) the polytheists.

[Al-Quran 9:32-33]

When Allah Comes

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

فَإِن زَلَلْتُم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْكُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ ۚ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ

O you who believe[d]! Enter in submission/Islam completely, and (do) not follow footsteps (of) the Shaitaan. Indeed, he (is) for you an enemy open.

Then if you slip from after [what] came to you (from) the clear proofs, then know that Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise.

Are they waiting [except] that comes to them Allah in (the) shadows of [the] clouds, and the Angels, and is decreed the matter? And to Allah return (all) the matters.

[Al-Quran 2:208-210]

Surah al-Fath on the Sanctity of Life of Believers

وَهُوَ الَّذِي كَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ عَنْهُم بِبَطْنِ مَكَّةَ مِن بَعْدِ أَنْ أَظْفَرَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرًا

هُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَالْهَدْيَ مَعْكُوفًا أَن يَبْلُغَ مَحِلَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْلَا رِجَالٌ مُّؤْمِنُونَ وَنِسَاءٌ مُّؤْمِنَاتٌ لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوهُمْ أَن تَطَئُوهُمْ فَتُصِيبَكُم مِّنْهُم مَّعَرَّةٌ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۖ لِّيُدْخِلَ اللَّهُ فِي رَحْمَتِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ لَوْ تَزَيَّلُوا لَعَذَّبْنَا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

And He (is) the One Who withheld their hands from you and your hands from them within Makkah, after that He gave you victory over them. And is Allah of what you do All-Seer.

They (are) those who disbelieved and hindered you from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam while the offering (was) prevented from reaching its place (of sacrifice). And if not (for) men believing and women believing not you knew them that you may trample them and would befall you from them any harm without knowledge. That Allah may admit to His Mercy whom He wills. If they had been apart surely, We would have punished those who disbelieved among them (with) a punishment painful.

[Al-Quran 48:24-25]

Surah al-Fath cites a practical example of the sanctity of the life of the Believers, explaining why Makkah was secured by Messenger Muhammad and his companions without any bloodshed.

The Help of Allah is Near

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ

Or (do) you think that you will enter Paradise while not (has) come to you like (came to) those who passed away from before you? Touched them [the] adversity and [the] hardship, and they were shaken until said the Messenger and those who believed with him, "When [will] (the) help (of) Allah (come) Unquestionably, [Indeed] help (of) Allah (is) near.

[Al-Quran 2:214]

When evil rises, the Believers must seek help through prayers and patience.