God give me strength!
INsights 053, Friday 23rd August 2024
God give me strength!
INsights 053, Friday 23rd August 2024
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Just a quick reminder on the overall context of this piece.
We’ve embarked on a mini-series on the topic of language and how we might improve our linguistic perception and practice as believers, both in private and in public.
Remember the point of this discussion: it’s to see how we can act and present ourselves in ways that make access to, and staying on, the straight path as easy as possible.
It’s to offer a pathway that is rooted deeply in our specific context whilst remaining completely authentic to divine revelation and prophetic practice.
Today I conclude on the topic of du’a with three short reflections.
The third one presents you with a little challenge to see whether you can bring du’a to life in your day-to-day interactions with those who don’t yet share your faith or worldview.
Do read until the end!
“What’s the best du’a for xyz?”
This is a hugely common question and concern.
I started to search this phrase online and it brought up a whole list of common search terms with people’s everyday worries.
You experience a particular problem, you want to call upon your Lord, but instead of just doing so, you hold yourself back until you’ve found out the so-called “best” wording with which to do so.
What you don’t realise is that the best words to use are those that you believe most effectively carry the substance of what you want to say to your Lord.
Essentially, you already have the answer to your own question.
So just crack on.
What’s wrong with…
“My Lord, as you know I’ve been unmarried for a while now. It’s a real struggle for me. Please help me discover a special relationship through which both my spouse and I can bring each other faith, comfort and happiness.”
“God, these exams are giving me a headache! Help me through them and give me the results that will lead to the best outcomes for me in this life and the next.”
“O Allah, I feel my faith has been weak of late and I’ve been struggling with my prayers. Please help me get back on track and become consistent and focused again. I don’t want to disappoint You. Please reconnect me to You again.”
There is no need to search for “best du’a to get married” or “best du’a for exams” or “best du’a to improve salat” or anything like that.
The magic formula for which you’re searching is already etched in your heart.
Just be natural.
What’s also powerful is to pepper your day with short requests that reflect the way in which you’re always conscious and mindful of your Lord’s presence, as you deal with your regular situations and emotions.
“God help me.”
“God please guide me.”
“God I need you right now. Take care of this for me.”
Or, as DCI Hastings from the BBC’s Line of Duty series often exclaims in his wonderful Scottish accent during tense and often frustrating interactions with his colleagues at work:
“God give me strength!”
How God wants us to call on Him
Note these verses that show what our Lord is expecting from us when we call upon Him:
He is the Living One and there is no god but Him, so call on Him whilst sincerely dedicating your way of life entirely to Him. Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds. (40:65)
Call on your Lord humbly and privately – He does not like those who transgress His bounds: do not corrupt the earth after it has been set right – call on Him fearing and hoping. The mercy of God is close to those who do good. (7:55-6)
Their sides shun their beds in order to call upon their Lord in fear and hope; they give to others some of what We have given them. (32:16)
We answered him (Zachariah) – We gave him John, and cured his wife of barrenness – they were always keen to do good deeds. They called upon Us out of longing and awe, and humbled themselves before Us. (21:90)
Clearly what matters is an emotional connection above all else.
Nowhere are we instructed to speak to Him in one language over the other. As I highlighted last week, all prophets spoke to God in the same language they used to speak to their people. It’s not just okay for us to do the same… it’s better!
To be clear, I’m not saying that for you to use the specific Arabic wordings from revelation or prophetic reports to call upon your Lord is wrong. Not at all.
Just don’t think that it’s inherently preferable if it ends up resulting in less heartfelt and humble requests.
Don’t unnecessarily limit your creativity and spontaneity in your usage of language when talking to your Lord.
It’s supposed to be a dynamic relationship, your best relationship. As with any relationship, meaningful communication is vital. What comes straight from your heart has the best chance of landing.
Steps towards a universal approach
Wouldn’t it be something if the people around us who don’t yet believe regularly experienced us praying for them or encouraging them to turn to God in prayer?
In this context, I’m using “prayer” as one translation of du’a. Normally I avoid this so it’s not confused with salat.
You finish checking out at the grocery store and you thank the cashier but also add, “God bless you Mary.”
Your work colleague is struggling with a deadline and, in addition to offering your assistance, you add, “God help you with it John.”
Or a neighbour shares their troubles with you and you say to them, “I’m going to remember you in my prayers Rahul,” perhaps adding, “Have you tried talking to God about what you’re going through and asking Him for help?” That could be an interesting conversation starter.
Then, in addition to these kinds of interactions, when you're alone with your Lord, you pray for the guidance of all those around you because you know that it’s what everyone so urgently needs.
The point is, if this practice of du’a is so essential to the way in which we experience life, why isn’t it naturally weaved into our personal interactions and institutional communications in the public realm?
Before next week, see if you can incorporate something like the above in your interactions.
See if, directly or indirectly, you can involve at least one unbeliever in your calling upon your Lord - your du’a - in a way that is sincere and instructive for them.
If it feels uncomfortable, push through. Don’t be shy.
Because you know that, in principle, you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable or shy about any of this at all.
God willing, you can do it.
Speaking of which, that’s where the next edition will begin: an analysis of how we do and don’t, should and shouldn’t, use the phrase insha’Allah.
Until then!
Peace.
Iqbal
~~~
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