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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Supplication In the Eyes of the (as) Obstacles and Hindrances What are the obstacles and impediments which prevent a prayer from ascending to Allah? This is the question we will attempt to answer in this part of the book. Supplication, as they say, is the ascending qur’an ( al-qur’an as-Sa’id ) vis-à-vis the descending Qur’an ( al-qur’an an-nazil ) from Allah, the Exalted.

The descending Qur’an calls toward the servanthood ( ‘ubudiyyah ) of Allah, turning ( iqbal ) toward Him, taking shelter ( luju’ ) in Him and attaining total absorption in Him; whilst the ascending qur’an involves a response ( talbiyah ) to that call. The invitation is from Allah to His servants, while the response is from the servants to Allah. However, there are a number of obstacles and hindrances which impede a prayer from ascending to Allah.

Among the most important of these obstacles is wrongdoing and disobedience to Allah. A phrase in the supplication of kumayl reads, “O Allah, forgive those of my sins which withhold the prayers.” Again in another phrase it says: “I beseech You -by Your might- that my wrongdoings should not veil my prayer from You.” In the coming pages we will try to analyse these impediments.

The Role of Sins in Veiling Man from Allah Bad deeds play two roles in man’s life: The first role is that they take man away from Allah, and cut him off from Him. As a result, he is unable to attain the state of turning to Allah and being mindful of Him; as the reality of supplication is turning toward Allah. If a sinner is veiled from Allah by his sins, then he will surely be veiled by them from supplication. The second role of the sins is that they prevent the prayer from ascending to Allah.

If a prayer reaches Allah, then the response from Him would certainly be accomplished; for He is neither incapable nor miser. But here the supplication lacks the ability to reach Allah. Therefore, sometimes sins stop a person from supplicating, and at other times they withhold the ascent of a prayer to Allah. This cursory look at the effect of sins needs more explanation.

The Twofold Role of the Soul in Receiving and Giving The soul ( qalb ) is a connecting device which, on the one hand, receives from Allah, and on the other hand, it gives out; similar to the twofold function of the physical heart in pumping blood in and out through the veins and arteries.