M6:2343 — ای اخی دست از دعا کردن مدار / با اجابت یا رد اویت چه کار

Translation: O brother, do not cease from supplicating; / What concern have you with its acceptance or rejection? Meaning: This verse underscores the intrinsic value of continuous prayer and supplication, advocating for persistence regardless of whether one's specific request is granted or denied, as the act of prayer itself is inherently desirable.

This verse offers a profound lesson on the very nature of supplication. Mowlana here asserts, unequivocally, that one must never cease from prayer, nor should one be preoccupied with whether that prayer is answered or rejected. Why? Because the very act of prayer carries an inherent value; that is, the act of conversing with God, of supplicating before Him, and of opening one's heart to Him, is the ultimate goal of this practice. The granting of a request is a secondary objective, and if it is not achieved, the primary objective must not be abandoned. I have consistently emphasized that prayer manifests in three forms: worshipful prayer (pure adoration and praise), laudatory prayer (glorifying and extolling God), and supplicatory prayer (petitioning for needs). Unfortunately, in the minds of many, prayer has been reduced solely to the act of asking for things, even though God Himself has enjoined us to petition, and there is nothing wrong with it. Yet, we must not forget that true prayer is, in essence, about maintaining a continuous connection with God, always remembering Him, and conversing with Him—much like an intimate friend with whom we share our innermost thoughts. Even expressing dissent or protest is permissible and appropriate within this relationship, as even Abraham, the Friend of God, contended with his Lord. Therefore, one must cultivate intimacy with God in all ways and never abandon this communion. The higher one ascends in spiritual stations, the more desirable this intimacy becomes. Hafiz echoes a similar sentiment when he says: "Hafiz, your duty is but to supplicate / Do not be concerned whether He heard or not." You must pray, you must speak your mind, you must knock on His door tirelessly, persistently, and never lose your bond with Him. This point can be clarified through everyday analogies: an athlete trains to win a medal. Well, even if no medal is won, they have at least gained fitness. Or a student who studies to come first. Even if they don't achieve first place, they have studied and gained knowledge. The very act, in some instances, is its own end; the product of the action is the action itself. The action possesses intrinsic desirability, even if other objectives attached to it are not realized. Following this verse, Mowlana introduces a crucial point intimately connected to the quality of prayer and supplication. He states: "If bread became a barrier to this water [of tears], / One must quickly wash one's hands of that bread." And then: "Make yourself harmonious, agile, and firm, / And bake your bread with the water of your eyes." If any morsel or sustenance we consume hinders our tears or softens our heart, we must immediately abandon that sustenance. This alludes to the paramount importance of pure and lawful livelihood. It is lawful sustenance that renders the heart tender, facilitating tears and compassion, in stark contrast to unlawful sustenance which hardens the heart and obstructs sincere prayer and fervent tears. Mowlana teaches us that to achieve purity in prayer and the sacrifice of tears, one must seek a lawful livelihood and unblemished divine blessings. This is an extraordinarily significant religious and ethical teaching, linking the quality of our worldly existence to the depth of our spiritual devotions.

Key takeaways

• The essence of prayer is the act of connection and dialogue with God, not merely petitioning for needs.
• Persistence in prayer is an intrinsic good, regardless of its acceptance or rejection.
• Prayer has three forms: worshipful, laudatory, and supplicatory; it should not be reduced to just one.
• Intimacy with God and the opening of one's heart, even in protest, is the primary goal of supplication.
• The purity and lawfulness of one's livelihood (halal bread) directly impacts the quality of prayer and the ability to shed devotional tears.