INFINITE MIND, FINITE WORLD

Moses’ prayer was not mere lip service; he wasn’t just speaking words; his whole being was absorbed in it. There are many prayers of the Prophet Muhammad. People memorize these prayers in the name of ‘masnun (prophetic) prayers’ and believe they are making supplication, but this is not true prayer. True prayer comes from the depths of the heart. During their migration, the Prophet and Abu Bakr sought shelter in the Cave of Thaur. When the enemy, armed with swords, approached them, they were completely helpless. No army or support was available; they were just the two of them. Abu Bakr looked from inside and said, “They have reached here too.” In that moment, the Prophet spoke these historic words: “O Abu Bakr! What do you think of the two (us) with whom the third is God?” This demonstrates the closeness to God. Now, I will discuss remembrance (Dhikr) and prayer (Dua). However, before that, I want to emphasize the importance of true prayer. The criterion for recognizing true prayer is not whether it has been accepted or not. A true prayer comes from the heart, and even if it hasn’t been accepted as per our understanding, it still remains a true prayer. Never think that if your prayer isn’t accepted as you wish, it isn’t powerful or meaningful. I will share an anecdote here. I began my mission of introducing the peaceful message of Islam after India gained independence in 1947. The journey was long, but the madrasa (seminary) where I studied and stayed at, the society I was raised in, and the books I read all shaped my mindset to be Muslim-oriented. The environment I grew up in conditioned me in such a way that my thinking became Muslim-oriented. I began my work in this manner, and I gained immense popularity, not only in India but also in foreign countries. Wherever I went, crowds would gather to listen to me. However, a time came when people abandoned me, becoming angry. This was particularly evident on December 6, 1996, when the Babri Masjid was demolished. I advised Muslims not to protest, not to gather on the streets, and not to turn this issue into rallies or marches. This angered many people. I endured a difficult period Make prayer a part of your life, but never think or believe that if your prayer is fulfilled in the way you understand it, then it was a real prayer, and if it is not, then the prayer was wasted.