The Importance of Remembering Allah
Finally, Let’s learn about the only Real Name of Allah.
Going to Makkah (Hajj) and paying zakat (charity for the poor) over your wealth are pillars of Islam. The first pillar is the testimony of faith (shahaada) which means believing in the existence and Oneness of Allah ‘azza wa jall and that Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is the last Messenger. This faith – emaan- includes faith in Allah’s Angels, His Revealed Books,
Messengers, the Afterlife and belief pre-destination. Daily renew your faith by saying laa ilaaha illAllah.
Say and feel laa ilaaha illAllah.
Do you truly feel it when you say laa ilaaha illAllah? This statement brought you into the safe threshold of Islam and your Creator chose you to be of those who are willing to utter it, unlike many others on this earth. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: The best dhikr (remembering Allah) is laa ilaaha illAllah and the best supplication is al-hamdulillah [At-Tirmidhee, An-Nasaa’i, Ibn Maajah]. Each time you say there is no god but Allah – laa ilaaha illAllah- in prayer, as remembrance outside prayer etc, think about the real meaning of these words, increase in using this invocation and say it from your core!
Say bismillah.
The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Any significant act that does not begin ‘in the name of Allah’ is severed (of blessings) [An-Nasaa’i] When you say bismillah before beginning something, it means you are seeking Allah’s blessings and help in what you are going to do next. Make it a habit and teach it to your children, if they say the basmalah throughout their lives and all their offspring until the Day of Judgement, it will an ongoing reward for you. This practice also helps you to tend to refrain from a sinful deed, as how can you start something wrong in the name of Allah? So say the basmalah when you eat, drink, undress, trip etc and make it your most productive habit.
Turn to Him.
Allah ‘azza wa jall describes the beautiful and direct relationship between Himself and the believer in a hadith qudsi: O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me, and hope in Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds in the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I shall forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with an earthful of sins and were you then to face Me, without having associated anything with Me, I shall grant you an earthful of pardon
[At-Tirmidhee] Turn to Him in times of ease and hardship and you will find happiness and tranquillity which cannot be found in anything else than Him.
Allah Himself says: “Allah! there is no god but He. To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.” [Quran, 20:8]
Ya Allah, Guide us to firm belief in you and aid us in acting upon this belief by doing deeds that will lead to your Pleasure. Make us of those who remember You often and make us turn to You at all times. Bless us with faith in You until our last moment and make us of those who will gaze at your beautiful Countenance in Paradise.
Aameen.