Ramadhan, the Month of God (3)

Welcome to the 3rd episode of our daily programme “Ramadhan, the Month of God”.

We start with the special supplication of day:

“O Allah, grant me this day mental acumen and alertness, and keep me away from foolishness and dissemblance. Appoint me a share of every good that You send down in it with Your generosity, O Most Generous of the generous!”

Ramadhan has come and the sweet sound of prayers and supplications can be heard here and there as the faithful try to be in communion with God and call him in different moments of this blessed month, especially at midnight and in the end of the daily ritual prayers. They remember God's words in ayah 60 of surah Ghafer, "Your Lord said, 'Call Me, I will answer you'."

Throughout history, mankind has been familiar with prayers and supplications in the Divine Court. This is not restricted to Muslims. The human being, whatever his religion, links himself with the Infinite Source of creation through prayers and supplications. This inspires him to resist against and overcome obstacles in order to resolve problems with a strong spirit. The stronger the sense of need, the firmer the bond between mankind and the Lord Most High. This has been confirmed by psychology. It suffices for the human being to understand his absolute need and paucity before God. Then he will know that there is a Being who will answer his requests and will fulfill his demands. This has been beautifully stated in ayah 186 of surah Baqara where God tells His Last and Greatest Messenger, Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny):

"And when My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near. I answer the supplicant's call when he calls Me. So they should answer Me and they should have faith in Me so that they may fare rightly."

The acclaimed philosopher and poet of the Subcontinent, Mohammad Iqbal Lahori, writes, "Supplication, whether individually or collectively, is the manifestation of man's internal enthusiasm to receive a response in silence."

There are many people who claim to have no faith; yet, even these people raise their internal needs in the form of prayer and supplication. They are invoking a Source of power and love even though they may deny it. Therefore, if we want to give a better definition of prayer, we can say that prayer is the manifestation of the love of God to achieve perfection and meet the needs.

Prayers and supplications are a springboard toward perfection and sublimity. French surgeon and biologist, Alexis Carrel, says: "Supplication, in the upper level, goes beyond demanding and speaking about one's state; human being shows that he loves the God of universe, thanks Him for His bounties and is ready to do his commands, whatever they are. Here, supplication turns into a spiritual journey and an inward cognizance."

As taught by the Prophets of God and the Imams, prayers and supplications are part of worship; and paying attention to God through these mediums is higher than in other acts of worship. The Prophet of Islam said, "Prayer is the core of worship."

Worship of God is part of the innate nature of human beings. That's why the grounds for worship exist in every human being. Yet, some people activate it and humble themselves before God while others neglect it. The Prophet of Islam’s First Infallible Heir, Imam Ali (AS) has said in this regard: “Worship is the fruit of knowledge."

Worship brings humbleness. This will be evident when man understands the greatness and wisdom of the Almighty Creator. Thus, obedience and servitude stem from proper cognizance of God and one's own self. The stronger the sense of cognition, the deeper his worship and prayer will be. The Messenger of Mercy told Imam Ali (AS), "Two rak'ats of prayer by a scholar are superior to 70 rak'ats of an ascetic."

Here, the Prophet of Islam means to say that the prayer that is performed by a knowledgeable scholar excels in value to the prayer performed by an ascetic who is not aware of what he is saying and whom he is in communion with.

One of the ills on the way of man's guidance and perfection is the sense of needlessness of God. This sense deprives man of the divine guidance and ultimately results in arrogance and rebellion against God. God says in ayahs 6 and 7 of surah al-'Alaq, "Indeed, man becomes rebellious when he considers himself without need."

 In ayah 15 of surah Fatir, also, God says, "O mankind! You are in need of Allah, and Allah- He is the Sufficient, the Laudable."

Being in need of and dependent on God is not enough. There should rather be the realization of these two which stimulate the sense of prayer. The Prophet of Islam stated, "Whenever you feel a softness in your heart, take that time for prayer as it is the mercy of God."

The midnights of Ramadhan, especially the time before dawn, are the best moments for prayer. The Prophet said, "Indeed, God calls in the last third of night till dawn, 'Is there any requester so that I grant his demand? Is there any seeker of forgiveness whom I forgive? Is there any hopeful so that I give his hope? Is there any wishful so that I realize his wish?"

There are special prayers and supplications for midnights of Ramadhan like Dua-e Sahar from the Prophet’s 5th Infallible Successor Imam Mohammad Baqer (AS) and also Dua Abu Hamza Thamali, which was related by a companion of Imam Baqer (AS).