Growing Closer to the Creator
Posted on January 05, 2014
Assalaam Alaykum dear brothers and sisters, we pray that you are in the best of Imaan, Ihsaan and Health.
We are now entering the fourth month of the Islamic calendar- Rabi’ul Thaani- a month which according to the Qur’an and Sunnah prescribes no specific worship or function. Does this mean the month should be one of rest? Surely not! We can utilise this extended FREE time to increase our closeness with Allah (Glorified and Exalted) and close the gap between us and our creator. The all important question - “How is your heart with Allah (Glorified and Exalted) today”?
"When my servants ask thee concerning me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me: let them also, with a will, listen to my call, and believe in me: that they may walk in the right way." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2, verse 186)
Within the above quote, Allah (Glorified and Exalted) reiterates that HE is close to ALL of his servants, and that we ought to repay this favour by increasing our closeness to HIM also. Allah (Glorified and Exalted), knows his whole creation, HE is aware of everyone and everything, HE knows the believers and the non-believers, HE knows the truthful, honest, sincere, righteous and also those who are sinners and wrongdoers- BUT becoming close to Him is a special honour that HE only grants to special people. So, who are those “special” people and how do they become closer to Allah (Glorified and Exalted), what benefit do they draw when Allah (Glorified and Exalted) comes closer to them?
The people who become closer to Allah (Glorified and Exalted) are those who have love for HIM and wish day and night to be closer to Him. Those “special” individuals make an effort to come closer to Allah (Glorified and Exalted) through constant prayer and dhikr. Becoming closer to Allah (Glorified and Exalted) or drawing near to HIM is a very important Islamic value and one which we need to work and contemplate on.
We should all try to become closer to Allah (Glorified and Exalted) through extended worship, for when this happens, Allah (Glorified and Exalted), will become even closer to us all. It is possible for EVERY person to draw near to Allah (Glorified and Exalted), but we have to make an effort. Is it easier said than done? How do we make this effort? The Qur'an and Hadith have prescribed various ways and methods to come closer to the one creator. We should try all these methods and try to excel in one or the other- the possibilities are immense and the rewards are many.
The following are 10 steps will help you to grow closer to Allah (Glorified and Exalted) Insha’Allah:
- Fulfilling obligatory duties and abstaining from prohibited matters
- Nawafil prayers (voluntary prayers)
- Dhikr (remembrance) and glorification of Allah (Glorified and Exalted)
- Calling upon Allah (Glorified and Exalted) in Du’a (supplication)
- Building a close relationship with the Qur’an
- Keeping good company
- Having fear and hope in Allah (Glorified and Exalted)
- Voluntary fasting for the pleasure of Allah (Glorified and Exalted)
- Sincerely repenting to Allah (Glorified and Exalted)
- Having good manners, character and being humble
We pray you have a successful month ahead and our thoughts go out to all those suffering across the world-May Allah (Glorified and Exalted) alleviate the difficulties and bring peace, guidance, prosperity to all humankind.