Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

"You alone we ask for help." (Quran 1:5) We say that at least 17 times every day in our Contact Prayers (Salat). We need to stop and think about what that really means. God is the only One we go to for help in every situation. Believing anything besides God can help us is idolatry (Quran 4:116). That doesn't mean that we can't visit the doctor or consult with a lawyer or ask a neighbor to drive us. God has provided us all those things. He's given the doctor the skill to diagnose and treat illnesses. He's given the lawyer the knowledge to understand the laws. He's provided us with neighbors and friends. What it means is that we understand that any good advice or help from a doctor, lawyer, or friend all come from God, and the assistance they give us is provided by God. We can thank the doctor, but first, last and in between, we thank God. We ask God to heal us when we take medicine, knowing that it's not the pill that cures; it is God. He has provided humans with science and knowledge and we should be appreciative of that knowing it is not the medicine but God who has all power.


     God Answers the Prayers of "His Servants"
[Quran 2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.


References:
Implore God With the Best Prayers, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/1996/jan/page3.html
The First Pillar of Islam (Submission), http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix13.html
What is Idolatry?, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2013/dec/page3.html

Peace.