Page 22 - Prayer in the Qur'an

20 PRAYER IN THE QUR'AN

proper to prayer as described in the Qur'an. In fact, a careful
scrutiny of the Qur'an reveals the vital importance these two con-
cepts represent for all forms of worship and in every instant of one's

life.
We must remember that prayer is both an important duty to-
wards Allah and a means that will help us attain our next lives, for
in the Qur'an Allah states that the end of those who fail to offer
prayers to Allah will be the eternal torment in Hell.
Your Lord says, "Call on Me and I will answer you. Those who
are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell abject." (Surah
Ghafir: 60)

Remembering the Names of Allah While Praying

It is Allah's names that introduce Him to us. Allah is ar-Rahim,
All-Merciful. He is al-Haqim, the One Who holds everything under
His control. He is al-Razzaq, the One Who provides for people…
Human beings acknowledge better Allah's greatness, nearness and
might, by addressing Him by these names. For instance, when ask-
ing for provision, one can address Allah by His name al-Razzaq.
Indeed, in the Qur'an, Allah states that we can pray to Him by any
of His names:

Say: "Call on Allah or call on the All-Merciful, whichever you
call upon, the Most Beautiful Names are His." (Surat al-Isra:
110)
To Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call on Him by
them and abandon those who desecrate His Names. They will
be repaid for what they did. (Surat al-A'raf: 180)

A person who is knowledgeable about Allah's attributes does not