How to direct acts of ‘Ibaadah to Allah Alone – Abdulgiyath Salman

In Islam, ‘Ibaadah means an act of worship. The acceptance of one’s act of worship depends on intention; a proper understanding of the Qur’an and Sunnah aids the Muslims in proper practice of ‘Ibaadat and directing his acts of worship to Allah alone.

HOW TO DIRECT SOME ASPECTS OF IBADAH TO ALLAH ALONE

 Making Du’aa

It has to be done to ALLAAH alone, not to any, other than HIM, whether Shehu or any dead or living being. Calling on a dead person for succour is from directing what should be directed to ALLAAH to what HE created. If this is not Shirk, then what is?! Stay away from this menace, it takes you away from Islaam gradually. Call on ALLAAH. Isn’t ALLAAH The Great, that will answer your prayer? Those things been called beside ALLAAH – in fact – need the assistance of ALLAAH just like you. They need help. ALLAAH said:

{{Say: Have you considered what you call upon besides ALLAAH? Show me what part of the earth they have created, or have they a share in the heavens? Bring me a book before this or traces of knowledge, if you are truthful}} Al-Ahqaaf, verse 4.

He said:

{{And should you ask them, Who created the heavens and the earth? They would most certainly say: ALLAAH. Say: Have you then considered that what you call upon besides ALLAAH, would they, if ALLAAH desire to afflict me with harm, be the removers of His harm, or (would they), if ALLAAH desires to show me mercy, be the withholders of His mercy? Say: ALLAAH is sufficient for me; on HIM do the reliant rely}} Az-Zumar, verse 38.

He also said;

{{ people! a parable is set forth, therefore listen to it: surely those whom you call upon besides ALLAAH can never create fly, even though they should all gather for it. And should the fly snatch away anything from them, they could not take it back from it; weak are the invoker and the invoked}} Al-Hajj, verse 73.

Again ALLAAH said:

{{Surely those whom you call on besides ALLAAH are slaves (to HIM) like yourselves; therefore call on them, then let them answer you if you are truthful# Have they feet with which they walk, or have they hands with which they hold, or have they eyes with which they see, or have they ears with which they hear? Say: Call your associates, then make a struggle (to prevail) against Me and give me no respite}}. Al-A’raaf, verse 194 & 195. Also see Al-Baqarah verse 186.

Istighaathah

This means seeking غيث – ghayth (aid, help, relief, succor and rainfall). When The Prophet saw the number of unbelievers were more than the believers in the battle of Badr, he called on ALLAAH seeking HIS ghayth, until his robe fell from his shoulder. ALLAAH then revealed verse 9 of suuratul Anfaal (Q. 8);

{{When you sought aid from your Lord, so HE answered you (saying): I will assist you with a thousand of the angels following one another}}.

So, this help in times of needs should come from ALLAAH absolutely. A man may be a means to which ALLAAH uses to help another man. But call on ALLAAH to aid you.

 Isti’aadhah

In simple terms, it means seeking protection from ALLAAH. Who else can protect you other than ALLAAH? When you seek protection against shaytaan, is it not from ALLAAH you seek it? So, other than ALLAAH needs protection of ALLAAH. Even The Prophets and Angels – none exempted – need ALLAAH’s protections. HE said:

{{And if an interference of the shaytaan should cause you mischief, seek refuge in ALLAAH; surely HE is the Hearing, the Knowing}} Fussilat, 36. Same message in Q7:200, Q16:98, Q41:36 and others.

 Isti’aanah

Seeking the help of ALLAAH in a manner you confess to HIM that you are weak and only HIM can render help, in any affair, of the world or hereafter. It means you are surrendering to ALLAAH that you can do little or nothing in a situation.

In his counsel to Ibn Abbaas, The Prophet said; “when you seek assistance (إذا استعنتَ), seek it from ALLAAH”. Absolute assistance, like salvage from poverty, help against illness and or oppression, and so on, those non but ALLAAH can render them,  you seek them from ALLAAH alone, even the jalabis and baba-lawos need HIS help and they seek it. ALLAAH said of a believer and what he should say and believe:

{{Only You (ALLAAH) we shall worship, and only You (ALLAAH) we shall seek absolute help from}}. Al-Faatihah, 1.

So, when you are facing a challenge, don’t go to that Baba that requests you to slaughter a chicken and drop at a junction, or to cook food or prepare something and drop in a junction along lone paths. He too cannot help himself. Look at his children, how fine are they? How organised is his home? And this is the one you want help from? No, he cannot help himself. ضَعُفَ الطَّالبُ و المَطلُوبُ, the one seeking and the one been asked for help are weak. Ask ALLAAH alone, HE shall answer you.

May ALLAAH safeguard our eemaan. Aameen