by: Roqkel Nazar (CIDE Youth)

Can we have a relationship with Allah SWT? What does it mean to have a relationship with Allah? What does it look like?

All of us have a deep longing for meaningful relationships. Allah SWT made us that way. A relationship with Allah SWT is the best relationship we could ever have in our lives. Stop and think for a moment of the happiest time in your life. What about it memorable? Most, if not all of us, will likely remember a time when we were around people that we love. Can you imagine being with Allah SWT, spending time with Him and talking to Him? The relationship with Allah is the best relationship you can ever have! But how do you do that?

There are many ways in which you can develop your relationship with Allah SWT.

Firstly, to develop a relationship with Allah is by talking to Him and listening to Him. When you are in Salah you are actually talking to Him and when you are reading the Quran you are listening to His words. Spend time reciting and understanding the Quran. When you read the Quran you will feel that Allah is telling you something. Stop and ponder over the meanings. Pray and ask Allah to show you the guidance and ask for his help and his love.

Secondly, you can offer the five obligatory prayers promptly. A hadith once mentioned that prayer is dearer to Allah than both serving your parents and engaging in jihad. So we have to make sure to salah on the right time and not before its adzan for the next prayer. Also, pray the 12 Sunnah prayers. There are 2 before Fajr, 4 before and 2 after Dzuhur, 2 before Asar, 2 after Maghrib and 2 after Isha. Inshaallah a mansion will be built for those who pray the Sunnah prayer. Everyone would love to have their own mansion built for them in Heaven. Wouldn’t that be lovely to have?

Thirdly, praying tahajjud prayer. A hadith states that Allah is nearest to the believer in the later half of the night, so if it is possible for you to be of the believer who mentioned Allah at that hour then is of them. Pray tahajjud prayer, to be those who are amongst the nearest to Allah SWT. “When one third of the night remains, every night, Our Lord, Allah, the All-Mighty says as follows till the dawn to break: ‘Whoever wants me something, I shall give. Whoever supplicates to me, I shall accept his/her pray. Whoever repents, I shall forgive him/her.’ (narrated by Abu Hurairah)

Making dhikr constantly is another way we can maintain our relationship with Allah. Whether it’s while you’re on public transport waiting for your stop or you’re at the doctors waiting to be called, make dhikr in the time being. Make dhikr when you’re in bed and you’re about to sleep, so you fall asleep uttering Allah’s name and remembering Him. For example, when one says Subhan Allahi wa bihamdi hi 100 times a day, all his sins will be forgiven. Mashaallah, this shows how merciful Allah is, for He is the Most Merciful. While dhikr is the most excellent and dearest of all deeds, we must bear in mind that prayer, recital of the Quran are also beneficial.

Lastly, seeking forgiveness 100 times a day is another way to maintain your relationship with Allah. If anyone is to seek Allah’s forgiveness then Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relieved from every anxiety and will provide for him from where he did not expect. Allah is pleased with anyone’s tawbah and istighfar. So seek for forgiveness even if you’ve committed the smallest of sins, ask for forgiveness and Allah shall forgive you.

Strive to maintain the relationship you have with Allah, remember Him always and He shall remember you. (edit : nf)