Imploring GOD

[40:60] Your Lord says, “Implore Me, and I will respond to you. Surely, those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Gehenna, forcibly.”

The first part of the verse says, “Your Lord says.” My research showed that the translation of these words, in this order, only occurs in this verse. The way this verse begins is setting up the rest of the verse as the truth and a command for us.

The next part of the verse is “Implore Me.” This is a command from our Lord.
The rest of this sentence contains a truthful fact: “And I will respond to you.” So God is teaching us how to ask for responses from Him. This creates a cause and effect scenario. Imploring God leads to Him responding to us. So if you want God to respond to you, implore Him.

The next part of the verse defines the opposite cause and effect of [not] imploring: “Surely, those who are too arrogant to worship Me…”

“Arrogance” is defined (from Google) as: “having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities.” By thinking that what you do, say or think is because of your own skills—this is arrogance. So I can say:  “I went to college, I got a degree, and therefore I’m well educated.

This enables me to have the ability to read and write well. I got a sales manager’s position because of my degree and had to run meetings six days a week, which created my ability to speak well in front of people. I use my education to study topics in the Quran and write a sermon. I then use my speaking ability to perform a khutba.”

This statement would be arrogant and not being aware of and worshiping God. Here’s how I can correct the statement: “God allowed me to attend college and He gave me the ability to read and write well. By His grace, I got a sales manager’s position and He supported me in meetings, giving me the ability to speak well. He guides me to study Quran and write a sermon, and then gives me the words and the ability to deliver it. Praise God.”

We don’t want to be arrogant, because by the definition of “arrogance” in Google, we will not be worshiping God when we are arrogant.

The final part of verse 40:60 shows the effect of being too arrogant to worship God: “…will enter Gehenna, forcibly.” So, the effect of not worshiping God will cause you to enter Hell.

Webster’s Dictionary defines “implore” as: “to make a very serious or emotional request to (someone);

to say (something) as a serious or emotional request; to ask or beg for (something) in a very serious or emotional way.”

God defines imploring Him as the only legitimate supplication. [13:14] Imploring Him is the only legitimate supplication, while the idols they implore beside Him, cannot ever respond. Thus, they are like those who stretch their hands to the water, but nothing reaches their mouths. The supplications of the disbelievers are in vain.

What are some ways to implore God?

· We can implore God with our Contact Prayers. We are acknowledging His greatness. But we must take the meaning of what we’re saying, while we’re saying it.

· You can implore God with your heart, mind, soul and regular words, e.g., “God help me say this khutba so it pleases You.”

· You can implore Him when starting your car (43:13), when cooking, reading, or eating (6:119, 121)

· You can implore Him in your mind or out loud, by yourself or in a group.

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