The Acceptable Prayer

Ibn 'Abbas reported the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to have narrated for his Lord this saying:

"Innama ataqabbalus - salata mimman tawada'a biha Ii 'azamati, wa lam yastatil 'ala khalqi, wa lam yabit musirran 'ala m'asiyati, wa qata'a naharahu fi dhikri, wa rahimal - miskina wabnas - Sabila wal - armalata , wa rahimal - musab. . . Dhalika nuruhu kanurish - shams akla'uhu bi'izzati, wa astahfizuhu bi mala'ikati. Ag'alu lahu Fizzulmati nuran wafil - Jahalati hilma." [Rawahul-Bazzar]

Translation:

“I certainly accept the prayer from him who is humble before my Greatness; not exalting himself above My Creation nor persisting in disobeying Me. It is indeed acceptable from him who spends the daytime in My remembrance, shows mercy to the poor, the wayfarer, the widow and the wounded.

Such a worshipper's light is as shining as the sunlight. Therefore I protect him with My Glory and preserve him with My angels. I provide him with light in darkness and with tolerance in anger.

In short, his likeness among My creation will be like Firdaws in Paradise.” [Reported by Al-Bazzar]

Comments on the Hadith:

The Hadith comprises three points:

a)      the importance of Prayer, because it is the Second Pillar of Islam . It can be described as the practical pillar in Islam; and whoever establishes it; establishes the Religion. At the same time it forbids abomination and wickedness.

b)      It Helps man to be modest and humble before his Lord and does not like to exalt himself above people. He places the most honourable part of his body, which is the forehead, on the ground in prostration.

c)       From prayer to prayer sins are erased; for in prayer man seeks God's forgiveness. God then declares His forgiveness to His worshippers as He says in another divine Hadith:

"When My Servant commits sin then seeks My forgiveness: God the Most High says: My servant knows that he has a Lord punishing for sins and forgives the sins. O My angels I Have forgiven him."

It should be noted that the remembrance mentioned in the hadith means that man keeps God always in his mind so as to, watch over him in everything he says and does. Whosoever remembers God, desisting from committing sins and instead, he shows mercy to those around him, God will provide him with the top degree of Paradise.