My Journey to Islam –

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Enliven our Salat

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Salat is one of the greatest gifts from Allah for His servants. It is also an obligation for all Muslims to perform salat. The distinction between a Muslim and a non Muslim can also be seen through salat. Salat is the first deed that will be checked in the hereafter, we will not only be asked regarding conditions , principles, the validity and invalidity of our salat, but rather we will also be questioned about our conscientiousness and devotion, whether we perform it in a jemaah, according to the time and whether we relate salat to our daily life. Some of us perform salat reluctantly and do not consider the importance of salat. In fact, it is sad to see some people just ignore salat. Only a few people appreciate the true meanings of salat and perform it in full conscientiousness and devotion to the Al Mighty Allah. May Allah place us in this group of few people because if our salat is incomplete, all our other deeds will not be valued by Allah.

Salat is a form of worship which establishes a direct link between man and his Creator. If we can feel the roh of salat we will enjoy the full blessings and benefits. When a person faces the direction of Ka’ba, he opens by saying "Allah Akbar", God is Greater (than all else), he is addressing and showing a sense of respect to the Al Mighty Allah, and considering himself as a humble servant of Allah. One of the constant readings during prayer is the Opening Chapter of the Quran that reads

"In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.
Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.
Guide us in the right path;
the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have
deserved wrath, nor of the strayers. " (Translation of Surah Al Fatihah:1-7)

We begin in the name of Allah, praising Him as Lord of the universe, accepting Him as Most Gracious and Most Merciful. We confess to Allah that we only worship him and we depend on Him solely. We seek His guide to be in the right path of those whom Allah blessed. We ask Allah to abstain us from the path of neither those who deserve wrath nor those who are astray. Sometimes we forget and still lean on to the principles of those who have drifted away from Allah. We follow their lifestyle without realizing that we have ignored our pledge to Allah to be in the right path. When we are bowing down and prostrating ourselves to Allah, we honour Allah has the Al Mighty, admit we are the servants of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, we are the humble ones. We will have a strong relationship with Allah, and the essence of salat will flow into our daily activities. We accept trails as Allah’s way to teach us to have patience. We will not feel hurt when someone hurts us, as we know that in hakikat everything is from Allah. We will not feel overwhelm when someone praise us, as in hakikat all praises should be for Allah.

When we observe salat in sincerity, we can nourish our soul, attain righteousness and be closer to the Al Mighty Allah. Through salat, we can attain our certainty and enrich our belief. “So glorify and praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him, And worship your Lord until you attain certainty."(Translation of Surah Al-Hijr:98-99). Furthermore, observing salat, we can abstain from evilness and protect us from sins. ,"Recite (O Muhammad) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Quran), and perform Salat, Verily Salat prevents from Al Fahsha’ and Al Munkar and the remembering of Allah is greater indeed of Allah in prayers, And Allah knows what you do." (Translation of Surah Al-Ankabut:45). Besides that, salat with charity is the best investment in the hereafter. ."Surely, those who recite the book of God, observe the Contact Prayers and are charitable both discreetly and openly can hope for an investment that never loses. He will recompense them generously and will multiply His blessings upon them. He is Forgiving, Appreciative." (Translation of Surah Fatir:29-30). Salat can also affirm our awareness of the presence of Allah in our life. Thus, salat is to commemorate Allah."Verily!I am Allah, there is no other God but Me, so worship Me and perform the Salat (Contact Prayers) for My Rememberance." (Translation of Surah 20:14

By performing salat in a well mannered way, observing the rules and regulations, reciting the Surah Fateha from our heart, we can feel the spirit of salat within us. Each moment in our daily life, we live for Allah, all our activities we do for Allah, trials and obstacles along our way, we consider as Allah’s way to give us will power, potential and strength. When people praises us, we return the praise to Allah, as He is The One who deserves all praises, when people curse us, we accept it as a way Allah wants to educate us to be more humble, forgiving, patient, and to strengthen our iman. Hence, salat is a matchless and unprecedented formula of intellectual meditation and genuine spiritual devotion which contacts our Great creator with our humble selves. “May Allah place us in the group of people who enliven salat consistently and experience the sweetness of worship to Allah.” Ameen.

‘And He is Allaah, none has the right to be worshipped besides Him. To Him belongs all praise in the beginning (i.e. this world) and in the end (i.e. the Hereafter) And for Him is the Decision, and to Him shall you be returned.’ (Translation of Surah Al-Qasas:70).

“Say (Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): “Verily, my Salat, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Alamin.” (Translation of Surah Al Anam:162)

~written by: nur sakinah thomas~

Whispers of the Night

I pounded on the door of mercy as the world slept

And humbling myself before my Creator I wept

Hands raised high and head bowed I knelt

And dejectedly began to lament what I felt

With a torn heart I gave a tongue to my woes and fears

And in great anguish and sorrow I let flow my tears

With poignant emotions raging in me so fierce

I hoped that my prayers would the heavens pierce

Oh Maker of my destiny, Master of my fate I cried

Thou art the only refuge and succour for one so tried

'Tis before Thee alone that I bemoan

Sufferings of mine only to Thee known

Pains and torments that I can no longer bear

Hopes and wishes I can entrust only to Thy care

For 'Tis only the ocean of Thine infinite bounty that sustains all

And only Thy forgiveness that restores those that fall

'Tis to Thee alone Oh Benevolent that I extend my hands in plea

To whom besides Thee can this wretched soul flee

Forgive my sins and grant me my desires Oh Almighty

Reject me not, for nothing can redeem me save Thy mercy

Author: Sh. Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq