The Ninth Word

The time of AsrThe afternoon prayer, the third of the five daily prayers in Islam. reminds man of the melancholy season of autumn, the sorrowful state of old age, and the sombre period of the end of time. It is the time when the day's work reaches its conclusion. It recalls the blessings of Allah—such as health, well-being, and beneficial opportunities—which have accumulated throughout the day into a great total. Moreover, as the sun begins to set, it announces that man is a guest entrusted with responsibilities in this world and that everything is transient and unstable.

Indeed, man naturally longs for eternity, was created for eternity, gives thanks for blessings, and suffers anguish at separation from those he loves. By performing wudūThe minor ritual ablution performed by washing specific parts of the body. and praying AsrThe afternoon prayer, the third of the five daily prayers in Islam., he presents his supplication before the court of As-SamadAllah, Who is in need of nothing and no one, while everyone and everything is in need of Him., Who is Qadīm-i BāqīAllah, Whose existence has no beginning and is eternal. and Qayyūm-i SarmadīAllah, Who sustains all creation in existence and Whose existence is eternal.. He seeks refuge in His infinite and boundless mercy, expresses gratitude for His countless blessings, bows humbly in rukūThe bowing position in Islamic prayer, with the hands resting on the knees. before His majestic rubūbiyyaAllah’s lordship over all creation and His provision for all their needs., and prostrates in utter humility in sujūdA posture of prostration in which the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes all touch the ground. before His eternal ulūhiyyahThe divinity of Allah and His sole right to be worshipped.. Thus he finds true tranquillity in his heart and peace in his soul. Truly, every thoughtful person can understand what an exalted duty, what a fitting service, what a natural obligation, and what a delightful means of attaining happiness it is to perform the AsrThe afternoon prayer, the third of the five daily prayers in Islam. prayer.

The time of MaghribThe sunset prayer, performed just after the sun has set. reminds man of the beginning of winter, when the delicate and beautiful creatures of summer and autumn disappear amid sorrowful farewells. It reminds him of the moment when he himself will die, part from all his loved ones in painful separation, and enter the grave. It also recalls the destruction of the world, when all its inhabitants will depart for the Hereafter and the trial of this world will come to an end. It is a time that strongly warns those who worship transient things.

Indeed, the human soul, which by nature yearns for the eternal beauty of Qadīm-i Lam YazalAllah, Whose existence is beginningless and everlasting. and Bāqī-i Lā YazālAllah, Whose existence is everlasting and never comes to an end., turns in the MaghribThe sunset prayer, performed just after the sun has set. prayer toward the majesty and grandeur of the One Who performs these mighty acts and governs these vast worlds.

Beginning with Allāhu AkbarAllah is the Greatest., man turns away from all that is transient. Folding one hand over the other, he proclaims his servanthood to Dāim-i BāqīAllah, Whose existence is everlasting and eternal. and stands in His presence. Then he begins Sūrah al-FātihaThe Opening Chapter of the Qur’an. with AlhamdulillāhAll praise belongs to Allah., offering praise for His flawless perfection, incomparable beauty, and boundless mercy. After this he recites:

اِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَاِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعٖينُYou alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. — The Quran 1:5

and proclaims his servanthood and neediness before the One Who is independent in His actions, Who has no partners in His ulūhiyyahThe divinity of Allah and His sole right to be worshipped. and no assistants in His sovereignty.

Then, before the infinite majesty and boundless power of Rabb-i AzīmAllah, the Magnificent Lord Whose greatness and majesty are boundless., he bows in rukūThe bowing position in Islamic prayer, with the hands resting on the knees., declaring both his own weakness, helplessness, poverty, and insignificance, and those of all creation. He glorifies Him with:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّىَ الْعَظٖيمِGlory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.