Must All Prayers Be Accepted? — Essence of Islam Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon Must All Prayers Be Accepted?, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.
Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 5: Prayer
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: Physical and Spiritual Means Are Not Outside Determination | Next: Conditions of Acceptance of Prayer »
Sayyed Sahib says that in the Holy Qur’an God Almighty has promised acceptance of all prayers while the fact is that some prayers are not accepted. This is a misunderstanding on his part and the verse:
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدۡعُونِيٓ أَسۡتَجِبۡ لَكُمۡ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدۡخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ
“And your Lord says: ‘Pray unto Me; I will answer your prayer. But those who are too proud to worship Me will surely enter Hell, despised.’” (Surah ‘Pray unto Me, 40:61)
54 ‘Pray unto Me, I will answer your prayer.’—Al-Mu’min, 40:61 [Publisher]
قَالَ يَٰنُوحُ إِنَّهُۥ لَيۡسَ مِنۡ أَهۡلِكَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَمَلٌ غَيۡرُ صَٰلِحٖ ۖ فَلَا تَسۡـَٔلۡنِ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌ ۖ إِنِّيٓ أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ
“He said: ‘O Noah, he is surely not of thy family; he is indeed a man of unrighteous conduct. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge. I advise thee lest thou become one of the ignorant.’” (Surah ‘I advise thee lest thou become one of the ignorant.’—Hud, 11:47)
is an instance. This shows that if every prayer had been worship Noah would not have been rebuked about his prayer. In some situations, Prophets and saints have considered it disrespectful to supplicate and the righteous have followed the dictate of their hearts in respect of such prayers; that is to say, if at a time of distress the heart suggested prayer they turned to prayer and if the heart suggested steadfastness, they were steadfast and turned away from prayer. Besides, God has not promised acceptance of prayer in all cases, but has clearly said that He would accept if He so wills and would reject if He so wills. This is clearly indicated in the verse: 56
(Surah An‘am, Part Number 7) 55 ‘I advise thee lest thou become one of the ignorant.’—Hud, 11:47 [Publisher]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2]
56 ‘Nay, but on Him alone will you call; then will He remove that which you call on Him to remove, if He please….’—Al-An‘am, 6:42 [Publisher]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2, p. 195]
Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 5: Prayer
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: Physical and Spiritual Means Are Not Outside Determination | Next: Conditions of Acceptance of Prayer »