Islam in Essence

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Habib ‘Ali Zayn al-‘Abidin ibn ‘Abd ar-Rahman al-Jifri said that the essence of our transaction with Allah (s.w.t.) is qurb, closeness.  We realise this when we reflect upon the Qur’an.  The essence of acts of worship is closeness: 

سُوۡرَةُ العَلق

… وَٱسۡجُدۡ وَٱقۡتَرِب ۩ (١٩)

 

… but prostrate in adoration, and bring yourself the closer (to Allah)! (Surah al-‘Alaq:19) 

The essence of muraqabah, vigilance, is closeness: 

سُوۡرَةُ قٓ

… وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنۡ حَبۡلِ ٱلۡوَرِيدِ (١٦) 

… for We are Nearer to him than (his) jugular vein. (Surah Qaf:16) 

The essence of ihsan, excellence, is closeness: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف

… إِنَّ رَحۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ (٥٦) 

… for the Mercy of Allah is (always) Near to the people of excellence. (Surah al-A’araf:56) 

The essence of tawbah, repentance, is closeness: 

سُوۡرَةُ هُود

… فَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى قَرِيبٌ۬ مُّجِيبٌ۬ (٦١) 

… then ask Forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance): for my Lord is (always) Near, Ready to Answer." (Surah Hud:61) 

The essence of hidayah, guidance, is closeness: 

سُوۡرَةُ سَبَإ

… وَإِنِ ٱهۡتَدَيۡتُ فَبِمَا يُوحِىٓ إِلَىَّ رَبِّىٓۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ سَمِيعٌ۬ قَرِيبٌ۬ (٥٠) 

“… but if I receive Guidance, it is because of the Inspiration of my Lord to me: it is He Who Hears all things, and is (ever) Near.” (Surah Saba’:50) 

The essence of du’a, supplication, is closeness: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ‌ۖ … (١٨٦) 

When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed Close (to them) ... (Surah al-Baqarah:186) 

Allah (s.w.t.) is Closest at the last moment before we meet Him: 

سُوۡرَةُ الواقِعَة

وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنكُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُبۡصِرُونَ (٨٥) 

But We are Nearer to him than you, and yet see not. (Surah al-Waqi’ah:85) 

Allah (s.w.t.) is the al-Qarib, Close One.  We du’a, “O Allah, Make us among those who You Love and those who You have Singled out to receive Your Closeness, for You are the Close One.  Amin.”