The Essence of Worship: Accepted Prayer and the Secrets of Response in Worship
In Islam, prayer (dua) is considered one of the most important and impactful forms of worship. Allah Almighty has highlighted it in the Holy Quran and the Prophet ﷺ has emphasized its significance in his noble sayings. As the Prophet ﷺ said, “Dua is the essence of worship,” and this saying holds many spiritual and practical aspects that scholars and experts discuss. In this article, we explore the meaning of prayer, what is meant by “the essence of worship” as mentioned in the Prophet’s ﷺ hadith, and how this prayer differs from the usual prayer in the lives of Muslims.
The Meaning of Prayer in Language and Terminology
In language, prayer means seeking God’s help through words. In jurisprudential terminology, prayer is considered a request and desire for what is with Allah from goodness, and it expresses the request for assistance and help with humility. Prayer is a fundamental tool for getting closer to Allah, showing the servant’s need for Allah, and aligning with the meanings of praise for Allah.
The Essence of Worship in Prayer
The word “essence” refers to the core or the essential part. When it is said that “prayer is the essence of worship,” it means that prayer is the core that encompasses the heart of worship. But what is the difference between prayer as “the essence of worship” and the regular prayer? The prayer described by the Prophet ﷺ as the essence is the prayer that is answered directly, and it occurs as a result of righteous actions and complete faith. This prayer brings the servant to a level of belief that touches the divine truth. As for regular prayer, it is the prayer made in times of need and soul’s pleading, which is partially answered based on Allah’s timing.
Accepted Prayer: The Fruit of Worship
Through the accepted prayers of prophets and saints, Allah reveals His power to fulfill His servants’ desires and respond to their supplications. This accepted prayer is the fruit and perfection of worship. When the accepted prayer is realized, the servant reaches a stage where they feel the direct presence of Allah, which is considered the ultimate goal of worship.
The Purpose of Accepted Prayer
The goal of accepted prayer is not merely the fulfillment of worldly desires, but to reach a realized faith in the existence of Allah, where the believer is fully certain of Allah’s presence and power. This transition from conventional faith to heartfelt faith is known as contentment (itminan), and it is what every true believer strives for in sincere worship.
Accepted Prayer and the Stages of Calling
The call to Allah can only happen with His permission, and those who are the true callers are the ones whose prayers Allah responds to and their desires are fulfilled. In His words, Allah describes how He responds to the call of the one who calls to the truth by His permission: “And calling to Allah by His permission, and a shining lamp.” Here, the Quran speaks about the person who carries the responsibility of guiding others, whose invitation is accepted and answered.
The true calling lies in the caller who possesses wisdom and believes in Allah’s ability to perform miracles, and whose prayers are answered in real life. The believer who follows this path also becomes one whose prayers are accepted, moving to a stage of spiritual and intellectual realization.
The Essence of Worship: Miracles and Spiritual Acts
In the Ksanzi Method, the accepted prayer is considered “the essence of worship.” This prayer demonstrates the sincerity of the worshipper and serves as a tangible proof of Allah’s existence. In this method, spiritual guides perform religious acts called “striking,” where the natural laws are suspended by Allah’s permission. Through these acts, spiritual communication between the servant and their Lord is achieved, and tangible results occur such as healing wounds, withstanding harm, or closing wounds.
Response to Prayer: Unlocking Spiritual Truths
Responding to prayer is the key element to reaching spiritual truth. In the Ksanzi Method, these acts allow people to discover the true calling to Allah, opening new horizons of full belief in knowing Allah, and achieving a full understanding of worship and spiritual truths.
Conclusion
The accepted prayer, which is considered “the essence of worship,” is not just a request for goodness from Allah, but it is a tool for raising the human being to high spiritual ranks. It is the prayer that makes the servant feel the presence of Allah at all times and re-shapes faith to a level of true conviction, leading the servant to a life filled with peace and true knowledge of Allah.