A Common Principle Between Science & Prayer — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 3

Introduction

In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding A Common Principle Between Science & Prayer.

Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: III – Concept of the Acceptance of Prayer in Islam
Pages: Book pp. 90–91 (PDF pp. 108–109)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Concept of Prayer Relates to Observation] | Next: [Concept of Prayer is a Constituent of Belief in the Existence of God] »

Historical Account

Moreover, if it is alleged that the discoveries of science are such that every individual who wishes to acquire their knowledge and employs the course which is specified for the acquisition of this knowledge and utilises the tools and means which are necessary in ascertaining those matters, then it is possible. Then the answer to this is, “O our misinformed brothers! May Allāh open your eyes!” Precisely so is the case in the matter of prayer, miracles and supernatural phenomena. In other words, the same eternal law is applicable to those things as well. An individual who is truly desirous of experiencing their verities and treads the path which is the path for the acquisition of this knowledge and employs the means which are specified for the discovery of its truth and in this endeavour one does not tread the wrong path and go astray; then it is impossible that he is deprived from reaching the true results, which are destined for every individual who works honestly and appropriately, whether it relates to the field of science or the field of spirituality. For the source of both is the being of God and both are subjected to a single, eternal rule. Alas! With relation to the knowledge of this world people believe that it cannot be acquired without true endeavour and without true effort and striving. For this reason, they remain engaged day and night and are faced with hundreds of failures due to their own mistakes. Even so, they do not tire. However, in the field of spirituality, by a mere desire of the heart or by a

few words which fly off the tongue, they wish to attain all ranks. However, in this manner, when their desire remains unfulfilled and their objective is not acquired, they become dismayed and say farewell to this desire all together. They begin to declare this objective as an imaginary thing. Verily, this is not the manner in which to acquire a significant objective. In the Holy Qur’ān, God the Exalted states:

وَ الَّذِينَ جَاهَدُ وا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا

“Those who fully and truly strive in our way, most definitely do we open our ways unto them.”

[Al-‘Ankabūt (29:70)]

Our readers should now reflect, have they fully and truly strived in this regard? Have they at least strived in this regard to the extent of their worldly objectives? If they have not and verily they have not, justice demands that they restrain their tongue and their pen. They should pass a favourable judgement to the testimony of those people who have devoted their lives in this field, and the life accounts of whom are at least a guarantee to the fact that they were not fabricators or mad.

Concept of Prayer is a Constituent of Belief in the

Existence of God The real question is whether there is a God of this world at all, Who has created it and is running the system of the universe by His hand of Omnipotence. If there is such a God and after creating the world He has not been deposed from His Divine Throne, nor have His powers suspended, then the concept of prayer cannot be worthy of objection by any wise individual. The only question which remains is if a specific prayer has practically reached a level of acceptance or not and whether a particular result has ever come about therefrom or not. As this relates to the field of observation, in which rational argument is not very significant, I am compelled to move away from my actual topic, otherwise,

Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Section: III – Concept of the Acceptance of Prayer in Islam | Navigation: « Previous: [Concept of Prayer Relates to Observation] | Next: [Concept of Prayer is a Constituent of Belief in the Existence of God] »