Al-Azhar: The True Muslim Remains Connected to God in Good and Hard Times
Al-Azhar’s Fatwa Center affirmed that a true believer always stays connected to God, praising Him in ease and seeking His mercy in hardship, emphasizing that prayer and supplication are the essence of faith.
The Al-Azhar Global Fatwa Center stated that a sincere Muslim maintains a constant connection with God Almighty — expressing gratitude in times of ease and turning to Him in times of distress. The Center cited the Qur’anic verse: “Say, what would my Lord care for you if not for your supplication?” and the Prophet’s saying ﷺ: “Indeed, Allah is shy and generous; He is shy when a man raises his hands to Him to return them empty.”
The Center explained that supplication reflects complete faith in God’s power and mercy, as it can change fate from hardship to relief. God, the Most Merciful, knows His servants’ needs and answers their prayers with compassion.
Among the ways to draw closer to God, the Center listed maintaining prayers on time, performing voluntary prayers, honoring parents, reading the Qur’an, repentance, fasting, and keeping righteous company that encourages piety.
It added that the paths of nearness to God begin with sincere faith and fulfilling obligatory acts of worship, followed by voluntary deeds that earn God’s love and satisfaction, secret worships like night prayers and hidden charity, and continuous remembrance of God.
The statement concluded with the verse: “When My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me,” affirming that true peace and happiness come only through closeness to the Almighty and adherence to His guidance.
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