Contact Prayers

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He is the only One who allows us to be successful in this world. It all comes from God alone.

[22:15] If anyone thinks that GOD cannot support him in this life and in the Hereafter, let him turn completely to (his Creator in) heaven, and sever (his dependence on anyone else). He will then see that this plan eliminates anything that bothers him.

[8:17] It was not you who killed them; GOD is the One who killed them. It was not you who threw when you threw; GOD is the One who threw. But He thus gives the believers a chance to earn a lot of credit. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

[57:22-3] Anything that happens on earth, or to you, has already been recorded, even before the creation. This is easy for GOD to do. Thus, you should not grieve over anything you miss, nor be proud of anything He has bestowed upon you. GOD does not love those who are boastful, proud.

And finally we implore God to guide us, to keep us on the right path in the company of other righteous worshipers and to protect us from the evils of this world, from those who would mislead us, from those who would tempt us to turn away from God.

[6:71] Say, “Shall we implore, beside GOD, what possesses no power to benefit us or hurt us, and turn back on our heels after GOD has guided us? In that case, we would join those possessed by the devils, and rendered utterly confused, while their friends try to save them: ‘Stay with us on the right path.’” Say, “GOD’s guidance is the right guidance. We are commanded to submit to the Lord of the universe.”

The Contact Prayer then goes beyond those words. There are specific movements we are taught that continue to focus our attention on God—how great He is and how small we are. We bow respectfully, while reciting several times an Arabic phrase that means, glory be to my Lord, the Great.

And as we come up from this bow, we remind ourselves that God, in His mercy, responds to those who pray to Him.

Next, we prostrate on the ground. Not just on our knees, but with our foreheads on the floor. And in this most humble position we glorify God again, saying He is the Most High. I thank God for allowing me to be able to prostrate — physically, mentally and spiritually — before His Majesty.

To be able to prostrate shows willingness to submit totally to God’s will. We are acknowledging that we are as nothing compared to God. He fully controls everything in us and everything around us. He has told us that when we come before Him on the Day of Judgment, everyone will be required to prostrate before Him. Those who haven’t nurtured their souls and submitted willingly to God during their lives, those who chose not to prostrate here and now, will be unable to prostrate on that Day. It takes practice, enthusiasm and preparedness. It must be something willingly done during our life on earth.

[7:206] Those at your Lord are never too proud to worship Him; they glorify Him and fall prostrate before Him.

[22:77] O you who believe, you shall bow, prostrate, worship your Lord, and work righteousness, that you may succeed.

[68:42-3] The day will come when they will be exposed, and they will be required to fall prostrate, but they will be unable to. With their eyes subdued, humiliation will cover them. They were invited to fall prostrate when they were whole and able.

Between these movements, we recite the well-known phrase “Allahu Akbar” which simply means God is Great. How can anyone deny that the One who created the heavens and the earth, the One who controls our life and our death, the One who provides for us and protects us, how can you deny that He is Great.

And to finish, while still on our knees, we say to God that we bear witness that He is the One and only God and that He has no partners.

There is no one who equals God, no one who can stand beside Him, no one who can intercede for us.

[112:4] “None equals Him.”

[39:44] Say, “All intercession belongs to GOD.” To Him belongs all sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, then to Him you will be returned.

[2:48] Beware of the day when no soul can avail another soul, no intercession will be accepted, no ransom can be paid, nor can anyone be helped. When I recite my Contact Prayer, this is what I try to concentrate on. May God accept from me my worship and keep me on the right path.

Al-Fãtehah

[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[1:2] Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe. 

[1:3] Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

[1:4] Master of the Day of Judgment.

[1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.

[1:6] Guide us in the right path;

[1:7] the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.

Lydia