A Mother's Reflection on Prayer

Allah subhanahu wa taala is always telling us in the Qur’an to reflect on the nature around us, our own selves, and his commandments – including Prayer. So let us reflect on prayer from the point of view of a mother. Why did Allah command us to pray? If we think about the relationship between a mother and her child, we can come to understand our relationship with Allah.

There are five things that bring us happiness as mothers, from our children. The first thing that gives true joy and satisfaction to a mother is when we ask our child to do something and she does it. By praying, we are obeying Allah so he will be pleased on seeing us leave whatever we were doing and go to pray.

 “Their reward is with God: gardens of perpetual bliss, through which running waters flow, therein to abide beyond the count of time; well-pleased is God with them, and well-pleased are they with Him: all this awaits him who of his Sustainer stands in awe!.” (98:8)

Secondly, do you remember how happy you felt when your child started talking? All that time he had been listening to your words and trying to imitate a few words here and there and now finally he can put a sentence together and repeat what he learned. From this, you can see why Allah wants us to memorize Qur’an and recite Qur’an in our prayers. He wants to see what we have learned of His words and is pleased on hearing us recite the Qur’an.

“And when you recite the Qu'ran We place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a hidden barrier.” (17:45)

Thirdly, our hearts rejoice when we hear our child says ‘I love you Mommy’ with a hug and kiss, or when she says ‘Thank You’. So imagine how pleased Allah is when we supplicate to Him. In Ruku’ we say ‘Subhana Rabial ‘Atheem which means ‘Glory be to Allah, the Greatest’. In Sujud we say ‘Subhana Rabial A’la which means ‘Glory be to Allah, the Most High’. That is why we get so many blessings from supplication and are advised to do it after the prayer, throughout the day, and before sleep.

“Partake of all the lawful, good things which God has provided for you as sustenance, and render thanks unto God for His blessings, if it is [truly] Him that you worship.” (16:114)

Fourthly, let’s not forget the relief a mother feels when her child says ‘I’m sorry’, especially when it’s sincere. Ah, now we can realize the importance of sincerity in prayer and du’a. When your child says sorry only because you told them to say that or they say it in an uncaring way, it only helps a little in soothing your anger. But when they say sorry on their own in that sad voice, then your anger magically disappears. In our prayers when we come up from the first sujud (prostration) we make the du’a ‘Rabbi Ighfirli wa liwalidayyi’ which means ‘O Allah forgive me and forgive my parents’. Allah is giving us a chance to ask for forgiveness in our prayers. We benefit by getting our sins forgiven, and he becomes more pleased with us from our repentance, if it was sincere.

“And ask forgiveness for your sins, and extol thy Sustainer’s glory and praise by night and by day.” (40:55)

Lastly, a mother is happy to hear her child ask for help when they’re frustrated instead of crying and having a tantrum. A mother loves to help her children. The same can be said of the du’a you can say during and after your prayers. Here, Allah is giving us a chance to ask for His help, because He loves to help us. During your prayer the most powerful position to make du’a in is in the last Sujud (prostration). Here you are prostrated in the most humble position before your Lord who created you and blessed you with many things, so it is most conducive to sincerity.

“Behold, your only helper shall be God, and His Apostle, and those who have attained to faith - those that are constant in prayer and charity, and bow down humbly [before God]” (5:55)

(written in 2006)