 | Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org |
***image1:left***QUESTION: Who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…the Saints?
ANSWER: This is a one million dollar question; because if we answer it correctly, then we are on the right track; but if not, then all of our efforts are gone for nothing. The first and foremost duty in Islam, after faith has been planted in the heart, is the regular prayer. It is the most special act of worship, which a Muslim can do for God. Prayer in Islam is the foundation of the faith. In fact, the Blessed Prophet Mohammad once remarked that you can't get any closer to God than in bowing to Him. So, who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…The Saints?
If we would ask, who created us…who is providing us…who is protecting us…who do we seek refuge to…who…who…who? We would say God. Therefore, He is the Master of all Masters. He is the Lord of all Lords. He is the King of all Kings. He is the only worthy of worship.
Then why do others pray to Jesus, Mary, God(s), Holy Spirit, Fire, Cow, Man, Idols, Wind, etc.? Unfortunately, for a long time Man has fallen in the trap of old tale of associating other partners with God. If we would examine the life of our Messengers/Prophets and ask, who did they worship…who did they pray to? The Holy Qur'an clearly answers these questions quoting God speaks to Moses, "Verily, I am God (Allah) none has the right to be worshiped but I, so worship Me, and perform prayers for My Remembrance." Another verse illustrates another fact on the tongue of Jacob, "Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob? When he said unto his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We shall worship your God - Allah the God - AIlah of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, One God, and to Him we submit".
Even Jesus has said the following to the people of Israel as stated in The Holy Qur'an, "But the Messiah (Jesus) said: "O Children of Israel, Worship God, my Lord and your Lord" 'Verily whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with God, then God has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the polytheists and wrong-doers there are no helpers".
The United States of America has one president. Each state has one governor. Each city has one mayor, and each company has one CEO. Why does man tend to confuse himself through praying to too many Gods and insist on associating partners with the creator of all creatures?
Islam still follows the original teaching of Abraham, Moses and Jesus; worshiping and praying to only One God and associating no partners with Him.