In the book Al-Du'â al-Ma'tsur wa Adâbuhu wa mâ Yajibu 'alâ al Da'î Ittibâ'uhu wa Ijtinâbuhu work Abû Bakr al-Thurthûsyî al-Andalusî (450-520 AD). He is known as preacher the pious. According to his book, said prayer (Du'a) is a general term. Its meaning can vary. Prayer can mean worship of Allah, or it can also mean supplication, requesting help, and so on. Here's a look at the details.
Say prayer in this sense, for example, it is found in the words of Allah, "Indeed, mosques are for Allah. Do not worship them (tad'û) anything (in it) other than Allah”. [QS. Al-Jinn, verse 18]. The meaning of the Oneness of Allah here is Tawhid.
Do'â in connotation 'worship' it is also found in the verse, "Indeed they are the idols that you call upon (tad'ûna) besides Allah are weak creatures just like you. they just call out (fad'ûhum), then try to let them grant your request”. [QS. Al-'Araf, verse 194].
There are 2 (two) words do'â in the verse above, First say (tad'ûna) refers to the calling of idols as gods. Second say (fad'ûhum), refers to a request to an idol for benefits and protection from harm. The meaning of these two words is explained with their respective meanings and purposes, using different words.
Then, prayer also means "request for help" (isti'ânah) [QS. Al-Baqarah verse 23]. Prayer also means devotion (worship) as in the verse. “I will distance myself from you and from what you deify (tad'un) besides Allah”. [QS. Maryam, verse 48]. In the letter [Al-Ghafir verse, 60] “Pray to Me (ud'ûnî), surely I will allow it for you." The word prayer here it means "begging and requesting"
And there are many more meanings and definitions of prayer in the Quran in different languages. For example, prayer means calling/appeal. “yad'ûkum” [QS. Al-Isra' verse 52] and “ud'û [QS. Al Isra' verse 110]. The word “tad'û in [QS. Yunus verse 106], the next word “nad'û” in [QS. Al-An'am, verse 71]. And other forms mentioned in the Qur'anul karim.
According to Abû Bakr al-Thurthûsyî al-Andalusî, If you pray to Allah so that your needs in this world and the hereafter are met, then you are a requester. If you pray to Allah to have your sins forgiven, it means you are a petitioner for forgiveness. It all goes deep prayer.
In another explanation, al-Thurthûsyî, explains that, like prayer, "giving" has various meanings. If what is given is a tangible object, it is called charity or a grant. If what is given is a benefit, it is called a service. If what is given is labor, it is called labor assistance. If what is given is an item that must be returned at a later date, it is called a loan.
Allah commands us to pray and ask for what He has. He promises to grant our prayers as a blessing from Him, bestowed upon whomever He wills. Didn't every prophet and messenger who prayed to Allah desire that their needs and requirements be met? And the Quran also tells of their requests being granted.
Allah said to Moses and Aaron "Your request has indeed been granted." [QS. Yunus, verse 89]. Likewise with the Prophet Zakaria who asked Allah to give him a child. [QS. Al- Anbiya' verse 89] then Allah answered his request. "So We answered his prayer and We bestowed upon him Yahya" [QS. Al-Anbiya' verse 90].
If prayer did not include a request, then why would a prayer-taker mention his request? Why would there be a term "answered" if his request is granted? The Qur'an states that Allah bears the name al-Mujîb (who answers). While the person who prays is called al-Mujâb (which his request was granted).
A servant must always pray to Allah, because prayer is the weapon of a Muslim. Everything needed in life, both in this world and the hereafter, must be sought from Allah for guidance and direction. Don't be like the people. Qadariyah who believes that every servant 'create' his own actions without God's intervention.
A form of talkative belief, what they believe is too degrading of God's power. God created them and gave them spirit and soul to live. We seek refuge in Allah, may we be kept away from the thoughts of the Qadariyah.
Praying is the same as we worship Allah. Worship is solely to achieve His approval.
Let's say our best prayers. Allah is All-Hearing and All-Answering. And rest assured, our prayers will be answered. If they are not answered in this world, then Allah will delay their answer until the afterlife. And may Allah SWT grant our wishes.
That's the meaning prayer and the purpose of the application submitted by Abû Bakr al-Thurthûsyî al-Andalusî in book him. Hopefully it will increase understanding and knowledge for all of us. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds..
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And Allah knows best.
1 comment
Prayer, as a means of asking God, has many interesting dimensions worth discussing. What are your thoughts on how our understanding of prayer can influence the way we worship and draw closer to God?