Why does man need to pray?
After a long and hectic day at work, how difficult it is for a tired person to stand on the prayer-mat and concentrate on his prayers to Allah Almighty. Snuggled in a warm and cosy bed, how difficult it is to get up at the call of Mu’adhdhin: “Come to prayer, come to success.” The famous doctor and philospher Ibn Sina (Avicenna), recalls such a moment in his life. One cold and icy night, he and his slave were resting in an inn in a remote part of Khurasan. During the night he felt thirsty and shouted out to his slave to get him some water. The slave had no desire to leave his warm bed, so he pretended not to hear Avicenna’s call. But finally after repeated calls he reluctantly got up and went to fetch the water. A little while later, the melodious sound of the Adhân filled the air. Avicenna began to think about the person calling the believers to prayer. My slave Abdullah, he mused, has always respected and admired me. He seizes any opportunity to lavish praise and affection on me but tonight, he preferred his own comfort to my needs. On the other hand, look at this Persian slave of Allah. He left his warm bed to go out in the chilly night, he made ablution in the icy water of the stream, and then he ascended the high minaret of the mosque to glorify He Whom he truly serves.
اشهد ان لا اله الا الله
“I bear witness that there is none to be worshipped except Allah.”
اشهد ان محمد رسول الله
“I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
Tonight, Avicenna records, I learned the essence of true love; that love which results in complete obedience.
The love of Allah demands total and unconditional obedience.
Allah Almighty says:
“Say (O Muhammad (peace be upon him) to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ân and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.’ And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (3:31)
