PRAYER

PRAYER

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

You to whom the Reminder was revealed! We have sent forth Messengers before you to the older nations. We hold the store of every blessing, and send it down in appropriate measure — We are Allah’s Helpers! Why do you not prostrate yourself? Do not be alarmed! We have made known to you ‘the Truth.’ We bring you ‘good news’ of that concerning which they are disputing — they were blundering in madness!

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We have seen you turning your face to Heaven — fear not the reproach of men! The Lord’s Throne is in Heaven, and His Countenance does behold ‘the upright!’ Allah has brought you forth ‘from the earth’ like a plant, and to this He shall bear Witness! Stand upright upon your feet, lift up your eyes, and look now toward Heaven — that so all men may know to seek Him ‘above all.’ That is the way — have courage and do not fear!

Verily, We gave the Book to Moses! Does it not teach them a lesson? ….. “Thou shall have no other gods before Me, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath. Thou shall ‘not bow down’ thyself to them, nor serve them!” ….. Turn not from Allah, before the face of the vain — who obeyed not Allah’s commands, but took counsel with their own will. We shall gather them all on the Day of Resurrection, ‘prostrate upon their faces’ — deaf, dumb, and blind! Hell shall be their Home!

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Look unto Abraham, your father! Lift up your eyes to Heaven, and if you shall ‘offer aright’ you will find your brothers praying with you. Will they not teach you and tell you, and utter words out of their understanding? Behold! ….. “You are well come, We are waiting for you. Fear not! We lifted Our eyes to Heaven, lifting up chaste and undefiled hands, unto Him to Whom be glory forever! The Lord is ‘high above all nations’ and His Glory ‘above the heavens!’ He that goes to Prayer without consideration — mocks Allah! He turns his back to Allah, and his face to Satan!

‘Stand up’ — for the enemy has magnified himself! Behold, you see them bowing down and falling prostrate — he has brought them to the ground! The Lord does not approve! Rather than follow such as ‘through pride and sedition’ have made themselves ringleaders of a ‘detestable emulation’ — ‘stand up with all devotion’ before Allah, as He taught you that which you did not know! Abraham is Our father, ask him!” …..

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….. “My son, indeed this is the order, and you are highly favored! Let Us pray with your brothers, who are my sons. We, all the Apostles, ask you, ‘Chief of the Apostles’ — therefore stand in front of me to pray. You now have more right than We to lead in the Prayer! Peace be with you, ‘Favored One’ and my peace shall be with you forever! No blame will be attached to you for any course that they may deem fit to pursue — who have said to your soul: “Bow down!” ….. They are full of the Fury of the Lord! Surely Allah is Merciful to Mankind, but most men do not give thanks!”