فَٱسْتَبِقُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِۚ

Allah says: Strive, then, to excel each other in good deeds. [Baqarah 2: 148]

The expression “strive to excel” indicates that one should hasten to perform a good deed (whether it be Salaah (prayers) or Sawm (fasting) or the Hajj (pilgrimage) or Zakaah (giving of alms), etc.) as soon as one gets the opportunity to do so. For, the ability to do a good deed is a favour from Allah, and negligence in performing it amounts to ungratefulness and disrespect towards Allah. Hence, it is to be feared that procrastination in this matter may be punished with a withdrawal of the divine favour, and that the culprit may altogether lose the ability to perform good deeds.

From this very expression – “strive, then, to excel in good deeds” – some of the fuqaha’ (Muslim jurists) have drawn the conclusion that it is more meritorious to offer each of the five daily prayers as soon as the appointed time for it begins, or as early as possible, and have even cited the Ahadith of the Holy Prophet ﷺ in support of this view, which is shared by Imam Shafi R. On the other hand, the great Imam Abu Hanifah R and Imam Malik R specify that it is more meritorious to offer certain prayers a bit late, as has been indicated by the Holy Prophet ﷺ himself through his speech or action, while the rest of the prayers should, of course, be offered as early as possible, within the time prescribed.

Supplicating and Duaa

Allah love his bondsmen to supplicate and to cry and beg from Him. If a man, however munificent (characterized by or displaying great generosity) he may be, is again and again asked for anything, he sooner or later loses his patience and becomes angry. But Allah, on the contrary, is pleased the more his bondsmen ask from him.

The Noble Hadith tells as that Allah is displeased with one who does not ask him for anything in prayer.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّهُ مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلِ اللَّهَ يَغْضَبْ عَلَيْهِ

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever never asks from Allah, He will be angry with him.” [Tirmidhi]

Praying is not only a means of realizing one’s purposes but is, in itself, an act or worship. In other words praying even for one’s personal ends and worldly needs is counted among acts of worship and earns merit. The more one prays the closer one gets to Allah. It is not necessary to pray only in times of need or of stress: rather, praying in times of pleasure and plenty is also necessary. A Hadith tells us that one who desires his prayers in the times of sorrow and distress to be answered, should pray in times of happiness and plenty.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَسْتَجِيبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عِنْدَ الشَّدَائِدِ وَالْكَرْبِ فَلْيُكْثِرْ الدُّعَاءَ فِي الرَّخَاءِ

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever would be pleased for Allah to answer him during times of hardship and difficulty, let him supplicate often during times of ease.” [Tirmidhi]

Although the correct method of supplicating is to face the Qiblah and raise one’s hands and pray with tongue, prefacing the prayer with praise of Allah and Darud, but one can also supplicate without these preliminaries too. Thus Allah has made the act of supplicating so easy that one can also supplicate almost anywhere and at any time; one can pray while engaged in any activity and if one cannot intone the prayer as e.g. in lavatory, one can think his prayer.

Also it is not necessary to pray for big or important things; one should pray to Allah asking him to fulfil all one’s wants, big or small; hadith tells us to pray even when one needs a shoelace (Tirmidhi).

Consequently one should develop the habit of asking Allah to fulfil even the smallest need, to seek Divine amelioration (improvement) of the most ordinary trouble. Just like how a child calls his mother for everything, big or small, one should call and go on calling Allah. No matter what work one may be engaged in, one should always ask Allah for something or the other. Cultivate this habit and see how quickly you rise.