1. H e a r i n g
Wa ‘iza sa-’alaka ‘ibadi ‘ani fa-’inni qarib / ‘ujibu da’-watad-da-’i ‘iza da-’ani fal-yastajibu li walyu’-minu bi la-’allahum yar-shudu: “When My servants question you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them). I respond to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright.” (2.186)
Wa ‘iza quri-’al-Qur’anu fas-tami-’u lahu wa ‘ansitu la-’allakum turhamun: “When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it with attention, that you may obtain mercy.” (7.204)
2. C h a n t i n g
Fasabih bismi Rabbikal ‘Azim: “So chant the name of your Tremendous Lord.” (69.52)
Wa lil-lahil-’asma-’ul-husna fad-’uhu biha: “The most beautiful names belong to Allah. Invoke Him by them.” (7.180)
“(Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah), . . . those who praise Him.” (9.112)
Qulid-’ullaha ‘awid-’ur-Rahman / ‘ayama tad-’u fala-hul ‘asma-’ul-husna: “Say: Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman (Beneficent), by whatever name you call upon Him (it is well). For to Him belong the most beautiful names.” (17.110)
Wa sabi-hu lay-lan-tawila: “So glorify Him through the livelong night.” (76.26)
Sabihisma Rabbikal ‘Ala: “Chant the name of your Lord, the Most High.” (87.1)
Wa sabihuhu bukratan wa ‘asila: “And glorify Him morning and evening.” (33.42)
3. R e m e m b e r i n g
Alla-zina ‘amanu wa tatma-’innu qulu-buhum-bi-zik-rillah / ‘ala bi-zik-rillahi tatma-’innul-qulub: “Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. Indeed in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction!
(13.28)
Faz-kuruni ‘az-kurmun washkuru li wa la takfurun: “Therefore remember Me, I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and reject not Me.” (2.152)
Fa-’iza qa-’zaytun manasika kum faz-kurullaha kazikrikum ‘aba-’akum ‘aw ‘ashada zikra: “When you accomplished your rites, then remember Allah as you remember your fathers or with a more lively remembrance.” (2.200)
After the Pilgrimage, in Pagan times, the pilgrims used to gather in assemblies in which the praises of ancestors were sung. It was required from pilgrims to stay on two or three days after the Day of Sacrifice, but they must use them in prayer and praise to Allah.
Ya-’ayuhallazina ‘amanuz-kurullaha zikran-kasira: “O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance.” (33.41)
Waz-kurisma Rabbika bukratan-wa ‘asila: “Remember the name of your Lord morning and evening.” (76.25)
Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments:
“Three methods of Prayer and Devotion are mentioned: 1) to remember and celebrate the holy name of Allah always; 2) to spend a part of the night in humble prostration; and 3) to glorify Him in the long hours of a weary night of waiting and watching. So the tyro, who celebrates the holy name of Allah, hopes some day to see the Face of Allah and be blessed with the privilege of proximity to His Person.” (9, p. 1868)
Wazkur Rabbaka fi nafsika tazaru-’an-wa khifa-tan-wa dunal-jahri minal-qawli bil-guduwi wal-’asali wa la takum-minal-gafilin: “Do you (O Muhammad) bring your Lord to remembrance in your (very) soul with humility? And remember without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings. And be you not of those who are neglectful.” (7.205)
4. S e r v i n g
At-ta -’ibunal-’abidunal-hami-dunas: “(Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah), those who serve Him.” (9.112)
Allah ta’budu ‘illal-lah: “Serve none but Allah.” (11.2)
Shu’ayba qala ya-qawmi budul-laha: “He (Shu’aib) said: O my people! Serve Allah.” (11.84)
Wa ‘innallaha Rabbi wa Rabbukum fa’-buduh haza siratum-mustaqim: “Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. That is the right path.” (19.36)
Innal-lazina ‘inda Rabbika la yastak-biruna ‘an ‘iba-datihi wa yusabi-hunahu wa lahu yas-judun: “Those who are with your Lord are not too proud to do Him service, but they praise Him and adore Him.” (7.206)
5. W o r s h i p p i n g
Al-hamdu lillahi rabbi l’alamin.
…
Iyyaka nabudu waiyaka nastain:
“Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
…
You do we worship, and You we ask for help.” (1.1 … 4)
On realizing Allah’s love and care, His grace and mercy, His power and justice, we bow before Him in the act of worship, and see both our shortcomings and His all-sufficient power. The emphatic style in which the above verse has been constructed clearly shows that not only do we reach the position of worshipping Allah and enlisting His help, but we worship and seek aid from Him alone. Thus there is none worthier of our devotion than Allah Who alone is capable of lending us help.
Fa ‘budhu wa tawakkel ‘alayin: “So worship Him and put your trust in Him.” (11.123)
Ustad Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments:
“Worship implies many things: e. g., 1) trying to understand His nature and His Will; 2) realizing His goodness and glory, and His working in us; as a means to this end; 3) keeping Him in constant remembrance and celebrating His praise, to whom all praise is due; and 4) completely identifying our will with His, which means obedience to His Law, and service to Him and His creatures in all sincerity.” (9, p. 620)
Ya-’ayu-han-nasu’-budu Rabba: “O mankind! Worship your Lord.” (2.21)
Wa ‘aqimu-salata wa ‘atu-zakata warka-’u ma-’ar-raki-’in: “Establish worship, give zakat and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).” (2.43)
Zalikumul-lahu Rabbukum . . . fa’-buduh: “Such is Allah, your Lord! . . . So worship Him.” (6.103)
“(Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah), . . . those who fast, those who bow down, those who fall prostrate (in worship).” (9.112)
Qulillaha ‘a-budu mukh-lisal-lahu diini: “Say: It is Allah I worship, with my sincere (and exclusive) devotion.” (39.14)
Wa minal-lay-li fas-jud lahu: “And worship Him (a portion) of the night.” (76.26)
Wa aqimi ssalata tarafayi nnahari wa zulafam min ellayil: “Establish worship at the two ends of the day and in some watches of the night.” (11.114)
6. P r a y i n g
Wasta-’inu bi-sabri wa salah: “Seek help in patience and prayer.” (2.45)
Fed ‘uhu muhlisina lahu ddin / alhamdu lillahi rabbi l’alamin: “So pray unto Him, giving Him sincere devotion. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!” (40.65)
Ya ayyuha lladina amanu sta’inu bissabri wa ssala / inna llaha ma’a ssabirin: “O you who believe! Seek help in steadfastness and prayer. For Allah is with those who steadfast.” (2.153)
Ud-’u Rabbakum tazaru-’an wa khufyah: “Call on your Lord with humility and in private.” (7.55)
Wa la tajhar bi-salatika wa la tukhafit biha wabtagi bayna zalika sabila: “Neither speak the prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between.” (17.110)
7. O b e y i n g
Wataqullaha wa lamu ‘annallaha ma ‘al-mutaqin: “Observe your duty to Allah and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.” (2.194)
Tabi-’a Hudaya fala khawfun ‘alayhim wa la hum yahzanun: “Those who follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2.38)
Wataqullaha la-’allakum tufihun: “Observe your duty to Allah, that you may prosper.” (2.189)
Wa ‘ati-’ullaha wa rasula la-’allakum turhamun: “Obey Allah and the messenger, that you may obtain mercy.” (3.132)
Tilka hududullah / wa man yut ‘illaha wa rasulahu yudkhilhu jannatin-tajri: “There are the limits (imposed by) Allah. Those who obey Allah and His messenger, will be admitted to Gardens.” (4.13)
“(Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah), . . . those who enjoin the right and who forbid the wrong and observe the limits set by Allah.” (9.112)
Fas-bir li-hukmi Rabbika: “So submit patiently to your Lord’s command.” (76.24)
8. M a i n t a i n i n g – f r i e n d s h i p
Allahu waliy-yulazina ‘amanu yukhrijuhum-mina-zulumati ‘ilan-nur: “Allah is the Protecting Friend of those who believe. He brings them out of darkness into light.” (2.257)
Innama waliyu-kumullahu wa rasuluhu walazina ‘amanu-lazina yuqi-muna-salata wa yu’-tu-na-zakata wa hum raki-’un: “Your (real) friends are Allah, His messenger, and believers, – those who establish regular prayers and pay zakat and bow down humbly (in worship).” (5.55)
Wa man-yata-wal-al-laha wa rasulahu walazina ‘amanu fa-’inna hiz-ballahi humul-galibun: “Those who take Allah and His messenger and the believers for friends, – it is the party of Allah that must certainly triumph.” (5.56)
Lahum daru-salami ‘inda Rabbihim wa huwa Waliyu-hum-bima kanu ya’-malun: “For them will be the abode of peace with their Lord. He will be their Friend because they practiced (righteousness).” (6.127)
Watakhazallahu Ibrahima khalila: “Allah (Himself) chose Abraham for a friend.” (4.125)
Abraham is distinguished in Muslim theology with the title of “Friend of Allah”. (9, p. 255)
9. S u r r e n d e r i n g
Inne ddina ‘inda llahi lislam: “The Religion before Allah (is) the surrender (to His will and guidance).” (3.19)
Man ‘aslama wajhahu lillahi wa huwa muhsinun falahu ‘ajruhu ‘inda Rabbih: “Whoever surrenders his whole self to Allah while doing good, – he will get his reward with his Lord.” (2.112)
Id qala lahu rabbuhu aslim / qala aslemtu lirabbi l’alamin.
Wa awsa biha ibrahimu bnih / wa ya’gubu ya baniyya inna llaha stafa lakumu ddina fala tamutunna illa wa entum muslimun:
“When his Lord said to him: ‘Surrender!’ He (Abraham) said: ‘I have surrendered to the Lord of the worlds’.
Abraham enjoined the same upon his sons and so did Jacob (saying): ‘O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion; therefore die not but as men who have surrendered (to Him).” (2.131-132)
By sincerely engaging ones self in these nine processes of devotional service everyone can be relieved from the miseries of material existence and attain God’s abode.
