Part 12 : “How to Taste the True Beauty of Salah”

Part 12 : “How to Taste the True Beauty of Salah”

Surat Al-Fatiha :

Today we will bid farewell to Surat Al-Fatiha as we conclude with its last remaining verses. We talked about the Siraat and how we must strive, with Allah’s help and guidance, to remain steadfast on this path in order to succeed in this life and the next. And since the right company makes all the difference in providing the support, reinforcement and good example to staying firm in faith and conduct, we specify that Allah guide us to "the path of those on whom You bestowed Your Grace/blessings..” (Siraat-al-latheena an’amta alaihim)

This is a reminder of all the good men/women that have succeeded before us. These are the prophets, the righteous, the companions, and foremost- our Prophet Muhammad pbuh. We are consoled when we remember them and the hardships they endured. It makes our trials bearable and we are relieved and comforted that insha’Allah we will be of their company in our next eternal life. “Ghair-il-maghdhoobi alaihim” (not of those whom upon them is wrath). These are the people, who know very well the truth and what is right, but deliberately reject it and refuse to abide by it. So they have the knowledge but refuse to conform. Example: Those who know they must pray, but choose not to. “ Waladhaalleen” (nor of those who go astray). These are the people who lack the knowledge of the truth and don’t search for it, so they conform but to the wrong path.

Example: Those who pray, but in an unacceptable way. Did you notice that the words relating to Grace/Blessings are specific to Allah (“ an’amta”- “You bestowed”), while the words relating to wrath are not specific to Allah alone? This is because when it comes to granting favors and blessings, Allah is the sole provider of it all! But when evil is committed, this evokes the wrath of not only Allah, but the wrath of creation as well- The angels, the prophets, the righteous, etc...

And finally, “ Aaameen”. Ameen means “My Lord, grant/answer (my prayers).” With Aameen, we are pleading to the One whose in His hands is our guidance, success and salvation. So express wholeheartedly, your need for Allah, just as if you have been sentenced to death and are pleading with the victim’s family for pardon. There would be a desperation and passion to the tone of your voice, as your heart begs for their forgiveness. And here’s another great reason for a wholehearted “ Aameen!” The Prophet pbuh tells us that if our “ Aameen” coincides with the “Aameen” of the angels above, Allah will forgive all of our previous sins!. However, make yourself calm while praying and begging Allah with low voices during Salah. So this is no time to be drifting in our Salah, this is too good to miss! Our heart needs to be present and
alive!
As we mentioned earlier, Al-Fatiha is the heart of Salah and is one of its major pillars. The Prophet tells us, “ He has not prayed, the one who has not recited The Opening Chapter (Al-Fatiha).” As we have seen, it is the greatest Sura.

In it we talk directly to Allah and He answers back to us at every verse. What does He say to us? Listen to this: Allah said, “I have divided the prayer (Al-Fatihah) into two halves between Myself and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.” - If he says, “All praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds”, Allah says, “ My servant has praised Me.” - When the servant says, “The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”, Allah says, “ My servant has glorified Me.” - When he says, “The Master of the Day of Judgment”, Allah says, “ My servant has glorified Me ” or “My servant has related all matters to Me.” - When he says, “You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help”,
Allah says, “ This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall be granted what he sought ”. When he says, “Guide us to the straight path. The way of those on whom You have granted Your grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray”, Allah says, “ This is for My servant, and My servant shall be granted what he asked for. ''

So the next time you are in prayer reciting Al- Fatiha, remember to pause momentarily as the Prophet did after every verse, because His Majesty- with His beautiful face to yours, is responding to you… Feel it! What an honor it is to be His servant!