14 Ways on How Does Praying Help in Islam
Prayer is a weapon and shield for Moslems. In Islam, prayer is very important. It is not only used to ask needs, but it can be a medium of interaction with Allah Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala. As a hadith that is narrated by Hakim, “Prayer is a weapon for a believer, a pillar for religion and shine from the sky.”
Etymologically, prayer may have reference to beg, ask someone to take something, need, like, search goodness, invite and push someone to do something. But, the definition of prayer from Ulama, prayer is a demand of behavior (command) from the low degree to the high degree. Because of that, prayer is one of worships. It is a recognition from a servant to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala said,
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُواْ لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُواْ بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
“And when My servant ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” (Q.S. Al-Baqarah : 186)
Every prayer will be granted by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, but we should know how does praying help in Islam, such as :
- Pray only to Allah Azza Wa Jalla
The Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said to Ibn Abbas, “If you ask, then ask of Allah. If you ask help, ask help of Allah.” (It is shaheeh by Albani in Shahih Al-Jami’, number 2516. It is narrated by Tirmizi)
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala said,
وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلا تَدْعُو مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَداً (سورة الجـن: 18(
“And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone.” (Q.S. Jin : 18)
It is the noblest requirement of prayer. Without it, prayer will be not accepted by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.
- Start with Dhikr
If you want to pray, you should start with dhikr (say His names) and do not ask directly. Rasulullah saw said, “If you ask of Allah azza wa jalla a need then start with shalawat upon me …. “ (Narrated by Abu Thalib al Makkiy)
See also : Importance of dhikr
- Eat halal food
From Abu Hurairah r.a., that Rasulullah saw mentioned, “A ragged and dirty man who has gone for a long time lifted high his hand to the sky and prayed, ‘O Rabb, O Rabb’ while his food is haram, his drink is haram, his cloth is haram and his flesh grew from haram thing, then how is his prayer granted?” (Narrated by Muslim)
For that, if we want our prayer to be granted by Allah SWT, we should take care ourselves from haram things and go far away from His prohibitions.
See also : Importance of foods in Islam
- Pray in the best time (Mustajabah times)
There are some good times to pray where our prayers will be granted by Allah Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala, such as :
- Every third last night
- When you prostate.
- Between adhan and iqamat.
- When a musafir do traveling
- On Friday
See also : Best time to make dua
- Face the qiblah and lift hands
When you pray, you should face the qiblah and lift hands.
It is based on the hadith of Anas that The Prophet Muhammad saw lifted his hands, so his armpits were looked white when he prayed and he did not give a sign with his fingers.
- Must believe that your prayers will be granted
A prayer will be granted if we have a strong conviction. Rasulullah saw said, “Pray to Allah and you believe upon its grant. Know that Allah Azza Wa Jalla does not grant prayer from a careless heart.” (Narrated by Ahmad, Thabrani)
- Repeat prayer three times
Ibn Mas’ud said that “if the Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam prayed, then he prayed three times and if he asked, then he asked three times.” (Narrated by Muslim)
- Do not be hurry
If you do prayer, do not be hurry. Because it can hinder your prayer to be granted by Allah Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala. It is mentioned in a hadith, which reads,
يُسْتَجَابُ لِأَحَدِكُمْ مَا لَمْ يَعْجَلْ يَقُولُ: قَدْ دَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ، فَلَمْ يَسْتَجِبْ لِي (رواه البخاري، رقم 6340 ومسلم، رقم 2735(
“Be granted a prayer from one of you while he is not hurry. As he said, ‘I have prayed and it has been not granted for me.” (Narrated by Bukhari, number 6340 and Muslim number 2735)
- Pray with a low voice, solemn and humble
You have to avoid prayer that beyond the limit. Allah Ta’ala does not like an action that beyond the limit. He said,
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعاً وَخُفْيَةً إِنَّهُ لا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ (سورة الأعراف: 55)
“Call upon your Lord in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors.” (Q.S. Al-A’raf : 55)
10.Assume good faith to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala
Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “Allah Ta’ala said, ‘I depend on My servant’s prejudice to Me.” (Narrated by Bukhari, number 7405, Muslim number 4675)
Whose assumes good faith to Allah Ta’la, then He will reply with many goodness and spread His blessings to him.
See also : Importance of humble in Islam
- Do not be busy prayer and forget our obligations
If we ask something to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, we should not forget to do our obligations, too. For example, if our parents call us, we should come to them, do not abandon them. Because Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala does not like those who leave their obligations.
- Be patience
Allah Ta’ala said,
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Q.S. Al-Baqarah : 153)
Allah Ta’ala explains that the best way to get His help is patience and doing prayer. Insha Allah, He will help you through your troubles.
See also : How to be patience in Islam
- Pray to ask help that is not related with bad deeds
If we pray to ask help Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, we shoul not ask something that is related with bad deeds. As a hadith below,
لَا يَزَالُ يُسْتَجَابُ لِلْعَبْدِ مَا لَمْ يَدْعُ بِإِثْمٍ أَوْ قَطِيعَةِ رَحِمٍ , مَا لَمْ يَسْتَعْجِلْ “، قِيلَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ مَا الِاسْتِعْجَالُ؟، قَالَ: ” يَقُولُ: قَدْ دَعَوْتُ وَقَدْ دَعَوْتُ , فَلَمْ أَرَ يَسْتَجِيبُ لِي , فَيَسْتَحْسِرُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ وَيَدَعُ الدُّعَاءَ “
“A prayer of servant is always granted, while he does not pray for sin, cut off hospitality and slow down.” There was someone who asked, “O Rasulullah, what is hurry?” He answered, “He said, I have prayed, I have prayed but I do not see that my prayer is granted. So, he was disappointed about that, then he left prayer.” (Narrated by Muslim, number 2736, It is shaheeh)
- Just believe in Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, not others
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala said,
إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّي مُمِدُّكُم بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلآئِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ
“[Remember] when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, ‘Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.” (Q.S. Al-Anfal : 9)
Thus the article about 1 4how does praying help in Islam. By following these ways, insha Allah, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala will be granted our prayers. Amen.