A Point of Reference

The greatest prayer (dua) is one which is said with a point of reference, that is to say on the basis of an experience which causes you to remember God. At that moment, a spiritual storm is brought about within you, and with this, some words of prayer (dua) come to your lips. This prayer to God has great significance and as such is very important. This is the prayer which is described in the Hadith as being said in the great name of God.

For instance, on a very hot day in summer, you visit someone’s house. When you arrive, he ushers you into his home with honour and brings cold water in a glass. You drink the water, then your parched throat is moistened, and your thirst is quenched.

After this experience you have another spiritual storm within you. You exclaim, “O God! Similarly, one day I have to come to You. When I met a person (in the world) created by You he offered me a glass of cold water. Then would You, the Creator, ask Your angel to bring boiling water for me to drink (in the Hereafter)?”

          The genuine prayer is not a mere repetition of certain words. In a real prayer the words are only symbolic. The real prayer is one which is said with God-realization. The real prayer is one in which the words come to your lips after a discovery of God. This real prayer is a superior form of worship.

The real prayer is one which brings God’s servant closer to his Creator. The servant’s whole existence finds expression in the words of his prayer.