Islam is the system of guidance for the success of all mankind. It was sent by the One Creator and Originator of the universe and all it’s Laws and it is this guidance system that will bring peace and serenity to every individual on the planet that follows this guidance regardless of one’s circumstances.
The individual that follows this guidance is termed a Muslim and the guidance is attained and implemented via Salat (prayers) offered five times daily.
It is in worship that we acknowledge our own existence, limitations, dependency and need. We seek the guidance of the Creator of all things, for it is only the Creatorﷻ that can provide us with true guidance.
Salat is worship – designed for man, the created, by the Creatorﷻ . It is complete guidance and is therefore a means and a guide to attaining total self-fulfilment and success in this world, the duniya.
We are entirely dependent on salat and it is self-evident that we attain the benefit through correct practice.
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help!
Ibn Taymiyyah stated that Allahﷻ , revealed 104 heavenly books. The meanings of all of these books are found in the Qur’an. All of the meanings of the Qur’an can be found in Surah Al-Fatiha.
Eminently, all of Surah Al-Fatiha can be found in the following verse:
Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’een
You alone we worship, and you alone we ask for help
‘You alone we worship’
Submission of the nafs (ego) occurs in worship.
Survival and the Human Instincts
1 Survival Instinct – Shelter, clothing, transport & to avert vs rolex datejust rolex calibre 2836 2813 mens m126300 0016 15mm white dial danger
2 Sanctification Instinct- Worship
3 Sustenance Instinct – Food and water
4 Reproductive Instinct- sexual attraction
These instincts exist innately in all human beings, it is part of our make-up. Neuroscientists have mapped the human brain, recognising zones that appear to be the areas of brain function that match these instincts. The instincts are the basis of the urges that all human beings experience. However the response to how one satisfies these urges is a matter of choice.
The nafs is in a continual ‘battle’ of desires and survival, as it attempts to fulfil on these primordial instincts. With salat the nafs (ego) is surrendered five times daily. This action in itself brings respite and peace.
Linguistically, ‘ibadah’ means subdued. It is the ego (nafs) that is subdued in true worship. One ceases allowing the ego to resist and instead submits entirely to the truth. In doing so, submission replaces resistance; the result is that confusion and anxiety are replaced by peace and tranquillity in one’s mind. ‘Ibadah’ implies the utmost love, humility and fear.
‘You alone we ask for help’
The created is in awe of the Creator and is absolutely reliant upon Himﷻ. One seeks the guidance of Allah aloneﷻ for help as we, the created are:
Absolutely dependent on Allahﷻ ,the Sustainer-Cherisher, for food air, water, health
Absolutely dependent on Allahﷻ for a favourable outcome and success in all matters
Absolutely dependent on Allahﷻ and his Guidance alone to attain peace of mind, tranquillity and true fulfilment in one’s life and with all one’s relationships to others, for it is Allahﷻ that is greater than all matters, Allah o Akbar
One is reliant on Allahﷻ the Most Powerful and Always Present
With this reliance and belief one is entirely assured of a successful outcome in the knowledge that all things happen only for one’s benefit; all outcomes are always for the best of creation. The Muslim strives to live his/her life with complete trust in Allahﷻ , never giving up hope and not despairing.
Surah 1 Al-Fatiha Ayat 4
Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’een
You alone we worship, and you alone we ask for help