A Simple Introduction to Islam

PRAYERS REFRESH THE FAITH OF THE BELIEVER

A Simple Introduction to Islam — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Badges mark quoted or attributed material (Qur'an, hadith, another author, an opposing view). Unbadged passages are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's own words.

Contents (51 chapters)
  1. Foreword
  2. TAWHEED:Oneness of God
  3. WHO ARE ANGELS?
  4. WHO ARE THE PROPHETS?
  5. PROPHET MUHAMMAD
  6. LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD
  7. THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET
  8. QURAN: Word of God
  9. HADITH: Traditions of Prophet Muhammad
  10. ISLAM: Submission to God
  11. IMAN: Belief in God
  12. THE TRIAL OF MAN
  13. CREATION PLAN OF GOD
  14. ACTIONS DEPEND UPON INTENTION
  15. CONCEPT OF HEREAFTER
  16. PARADISE AND HELL
  17. RABBANIYAT: Islamic Spirituality
  18. TAQWA: God-Consciousness
  19. SHUKR: Gratitude to God
  20. ZIKR: Remembrance of God
  21. SALAT: Prayer Instills Modesty in a Worshipper
  22. SAWM: Fasting Teaches Restraint
  23. ZAKAT: The Law of Almsgiving
  24. CHARITY: Well-Wishing of Others
  25. HAJJ: Piligrimage to Makkah
  26. THE SIMPLE PRINCIPLE OF MORALITY
  27. SABR (PATIENCE): The Superior Solution
  28. SPEAKING THE TRUTH
  29. FULFILLING PROMISES
  30. THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEANLINESS
  31. TOLERANCE LEADS TO RESPECTING DIFFERENCES
  32. JIHAD IN ISLAM
  33. AVOIDANCE OF CLASH
  34. AT THE TIME OF DIFFERENCES
  35. A GOOD NEIGHBOUR IS A GOOD HUMAN BEING
  36. A BELIEVER’S DUTIES TOWARD HUMANITY
  37. SERVING HUMANITY
  38. ISLAM AND HUMAN EQUALITY
  39. HUMAN BROTHERHOOD
  40. GOD-ORIENTED LIFE
  41. PRAYER: Expression of Heartfelt Attachment to God
  42. PRAYERS REFRESH THE FAITH OF THE BELIEVER
  43. MORNINGS AND EVENINGS IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER
  44. TAWASSUM: Spiritual Nourishment From Everyday Events
  45. HOW SHOULD ONE LIVE IN THE FAMILY?
  46. BEAUTY IN SIMPLICITY
  47. DIVINE WAY: MOVE WITHIN YOUR SPHERE
  48. THE PURPOSE OF WEALTH
  49. LOSS AND GAIN
  50. CONCEPT OF SALVATION
  51. CONCLUSION

PRAYERS REFRESH THE FAITH OF THE BELIEVER

Prayers come to the lips of a believer on all occasions. They continually refresh the faith of a believer, until finally he leaves this world to meet his Maker.

Islam has given us a number of prayers amongst its others teachings. Many of these prayers have been recorded in the books of Hadith. These prayers tell us what kind of words of invocation should fall from the lips of the believers on different occasions. For instance, when someone meets another person he should greet him by saying, ‘Peace be upon you’ (Assalamualaykum). Similarly, when a believer is about to eat food, he should begin by saying, ‘In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,’ and when he finishes his food the he should say Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God). He should utter the words appropriate to each occasion.

This means that the believer begins his eating and drinking in the name of God and ends his eating and drinking in the name of God. It is his way of thanking God and acknowledging His blessings.

When some evil idea creeps in a believer’s mind, he seeks refuge in God by saying, Allahumma inni aauzubika minash shaitan nir rajim, ‘I seek refuge in God from Satan, the accursed.’ (Musnad Ahmad, 16740) When he is faced with some problem, he spontaneously says, Allah humma alaika tawakkalna, ‘O God, in You we have placed our trust.’ (60:4) In a similar way, when he receives some wealth, he says, Allah humma barik lana fi amwalina, that is, ‘O God, bless us in our wealth.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1037). When a believer undertakes some journey, he has these words on his lips: ‘O God, You are my Companion during the journey and the Guardian of my family.’ (Sahih Muslim, 1342)

When he hears of someone’s death he says, Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun, ‘We belong to God and to Him we shall return.’ (2:156) In this way, at every juncture of life and at every stage, Islam gives us some prayer to say. These prayers are meant to refresh the faith of the believer. This transforms every happening in this present world into a godly experience. In this way, a believer leads his life in God’s remembrance and prayer, until finally he leaves this world to meet his Maker.