ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Salat (Prayer): The Mode of Divine Proximity and Recognition Invocation in Prayers Previously, we have quoted on the authority of Amir al Mu’minin (‘a) that Salat is the occasion of fulfilling the desires and achieving one’s aims. The qunoot in Salat has been ordained to enable the worshipper to place his desires and needs in front of his Lord. Also, for prostration, specific supplications have been recommended.

Moreover, after the prayers, great emphasis has been laid to invoke and express our needs in front of the Almighty. Imam As-Sadiq (‘a) exhorts, عَلَيْكُمْ بِالدُّعاءِ فِي أدْبارِ الصَّلاةِ. فَإِنَّهُ مُسْتَجَابٌ.

“It is obligatory for you to supplicate after Salat, for such supplications are answered.”[^1] Therefore, invocation is the expression of the need and paucity of our own selves as well as of others along with the confession of the self-sufficiency, generosity, honour, grace, affection and benevolence of the Almighty. Anyone who desires something from others, turns and pays attention towards him.

As he finds himself in need and impoverished, he strives to present his wants through pleas and persistence, thereby attempting to attract the attention of the invoked one. Traditions have stated that Allah loves importunity and persistence in invocations. Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a) assures, وَاللهِ لا يُلِحُّ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ عَلى اللهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي حاجَتِهِ إلاّ قَضَاهَا لَهُ.

“By Allah, no believer persists with Allah (Mighty and Glorified be He) in his needs but that He fulfils it.”[^2] Imam As-Sadiq (‘a) informs, إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ كَرِهَ إِلْحَاحَ النّاسِ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلى بَعْضٍ فِي الْمَسْأَلَةِ، وَأَحَبَّ ذلِكَ لِنَفْسِهِ. إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ وَ يُطْلَبَ مَا عِنْدَهُ.

“Surely Allah (Mighty and Glorified be He) detests that people should be importune and persistent while asking each other for some need but loves the same for Himself. Certainly Allah (Mighty and Glorified be He) likes that He is asked and sought for what is with Him.”[^3] On the other hand, anyone who refuses to invoke Allah or express his needs before Him, subjects himself to His wrath. For, he has considered himself to be needless, great and haughty.

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