Qurb means nearness of one thing to another in time and
space. Another common usage of the word “Qurb” means the center of attention of
someone or to hold a special place near them. In the physical world, when we
say that A is near B but both should be material. In case of Allah (s.w.t.), He
is unlimited and we cannot point out towards Him.
Allah (s.w.t.) says in Holy Qur’an: “….I certainly am near;
I answer the prayers of those who pray.” (2:186). “We are closer to him than
you, but you cannot see.” (56:85). “We swear that We have created the human
being and We know what his soul whispers to him. We are closer to him than even
his jugular vein.” (50:16) “Believers, listen to Allah and the Messengers when they call
you to that which gives you life. Know that Allah is between a man and his
heart….” (8:24)
This journey of nearness takes place in the man himself by
traveling from material intellect to active intellect, he communicates with the
Names and Attributes of Allah (s.w.t.). The depth and faculties of his
existence are strengthened and he becomes one of Allah (s.w.t.)’s great signs
and manifestations. This spiritual state can be called “nearness to Allah
(s.w.t.). Let me explain material and active intellect.
Material Intellect:
Is a potential state of understanding. This is the basic intellect.
Active Intellect:
It understands concepts and judgments needing speculative reasoning through
self-evident concepts and judgments.
Allah (s.w.t.) is Merciful and loves His creatures, there is
no one who loves the human beings more and cares for his needs than his
Creator. One day, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was walking with his companions
when he saw a mother bird with her babies in the nest. She was feeding her
babies with utmost tenderness. The companions were awe-stricken. The Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “Let me inform you that Allah (s.w.t.) loves His human
beings 70 times more than this mother bird.” Allah’s blessings are countless. In His
infinite Mercy, Allah (s.w.t.) has promised to multiply the rewards of good
deeds by 10 times, while the punishment of a sin will only be one time. He has
ordered his angels to record a good deed as soon as the intention is made,
while a sin is recorded only after it is done. A sin can be erased through
seeking forgiveness. When someone loves us, we are naturally drawn to him and
would like to be closer to him. Knowing that one is loved brings peace and joy
to the human heart. What more could the human being asked for than to be loved
by the Supreme Power of the universe. Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “Allah (s.w.t.) is
more Merciful on you than you are to yourselves.”
Man has always been in pursuit of happiness for which he
tries every thing. There is a difference between pleasure and happiness. Pleasure
relates to the body while happiness is related to heart. Happiness could be
achieved by serving the servants of Allah (s.w.t.). So the true happiness is
achieved from faith and love for the Creator. Allah says in Holy Qur’an:
“Surely, by the remembrance of Allah are hearts set at rest.” (13:28 )
From Islamic point of view as Allah encompasses all things,
it does not make sense that He be distant from something. Hence, a Muslim
should strive to achieve nearness by performing virtuous deeds and be obedient
to Him. This is also confirmed by Imam Baqir (a.s.). It has been related that
prayer and zakaat are the means of nearness to Allah.
When this nearness is achieved, man becomes Allah (s.w.t.)’s
friend and Allah (s.w.t.) becomes man’s friend. Holy Qur’an says: “(Muhammad),
tell them, “If you love Allah, follow me. Allah (s.w.t.) will love you and
forgive your sins. Allah is All-forgiving and All-merciful” (3:31 ).
In order to get the best results, the prayer and zakaat must
be performed sincerely and with proper intentions.
Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “Amongst the things Allah (s.w.t.) revealed
to Prophet Dawud was ‘O Dawud, just a humble people are the nearest people to
Allah, the proud ones are the farthest people from Allah’.”
It is clear that humility and good morals or kindness are
secondary acts in obtaining nearness to Allah (s.w.t.) whereas the primary
principle remains understanding and the worship of Allah (s.w.t.). The Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “O Abu Dharr, worship Allah as if you see Him, for if
you do not see him, He sees you.”
In reply to a question, Ayatullah Bahjat said: “If the
seeker is truthful, abandoning sins suffices for one’s lifetime even if it is a
thousand years. You have to act upon what you learn and be persistent on it.
Obey Allah, His Messenger, and the Imams as well as abandoning sins, in belief
and in action.”
Aayatullah Muhsin Qara’ati defines nearness to Allah as:
“Exaltation of the spirit through the ladder of existence whose consequence is
the acquisition of influence in the creation. That is proximity to the
Fountainhead of Creation and finding Him in one’s heart.”
As per Tradition in Bihar-ul-Anwar: “Man can always get
nearer to Allah (s.w.t.) through recommended prayers”
Intention is very important. Let us examine the following
Ayaats of the Holy Qur’an:
“Fight for the cause
of Allah, those who fight you, but do not transgress, for Allah does not
love transgressors.” (2:190). “There are those among people who give their
lives to seek Allah’s pleasure. Allah is Affectionate to His servants.”
(2:207) “We only feed you for the sake
of Allah and we do not want any reward or thanks from you.” (76:9)
The phrases in bold letters are an indication of how much
importance Allah attaches to the intention for nearness to Him. Bilal-e-Habashi,
the caller of prayers for the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had a defect in
pronunciation. He would call “shin” as “sin”. People criticized him, but the
Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “The ‘sin’ of Bilal is ‘shin’ for Allah.” Although
outwardly his work was defective, since he had motive for nearness and good
intentions, hence he got the reward.
In order to attain nearness to Allah (s.w.t.), any act must
be done for the sake of Allah (s.w.t.) regardless of its resultant joy or pain.
The servant of Allah is nearest to Him during prostration.
If one weeps in prostration, it is even better.
The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) says in
Sermon 109 of Nahjul Balagha: “The best means by which the seekers of nearness
to Allah, The Glorified, The Exalted, seek nearness, is belief in Him, and His
Prophet, fighting in His cause, for it is the high pinnacle of Islam, and to
believe in kalimatul ikhlas
(the expression of Divine Purification) for it is just nature and the
establishment of prayer for it is (the basis of) community, payment of zakaat
(Islamic tax) for it is a compulsory obligation, fasting for the month of
Ramazaan for it is the shield against chastisements, the performance of Hajj of
the House of Allah (s.w.t.) and its Umrah (other than annual visit) for these
two acts banish poverty and wash away sins, regard for kinship for it increases
wealth and length of life, to giving alms secretly for it covers shortcomings,
giving alms openly for it protects against a bad death and extending benefits
(to people) for it saves from position of disgrace.”
In order to seek nearness to Allah (s.w.t.), we should:
- Recite and understand the Holy Qur’an and practice its commands.
- Remember Allah (s.w.t.) through supplications and prayers.
- Seek His forgiveness.
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