by Umm Isam – Hiba magazine Content Writer
When the Sahabah asked Prophet Muhammad (sa), “Is Allah (swt) close to us?” Allah (swt) addressed them directly in the famous Quranic verse as: “And when My servants ask you, (O Muhammad) concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when He calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience) and believe in Me that they may be rightly guided.” (Al Baqarah 2:186)
Al-Qareeb, is one of Allah’s (swt) beautiful names mentioned thrice in the Quran. The divine attribute introduces our Creator to us. Had Allah (swt) not guided us, we would not have known that in spite of being physically unseen how truly near Allah (swt) is to us.
Who is Al-Qareeb?
He is the Ever Near. Allah Al-Qareeb is close to everyone because of His immense knowledge, constant observation and awareness. He is also exclusively near to those of His slaves who worship Him, invoke Him and love Him. He grants them the assistance and support they need and answers their prayers.
Qurb-e-Aam (Closeness for all creation)
The word ‘Qareeb’ is derived from the word ‘Qurb’ which means closeness. It is the opposite of ‘being distant’. Though Allah Al-Qareeb is upon His throne above the seven heavens, He encompasses His entire creation through His power, sight, hearing and knowledge. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Hence Allah Al-Qareeb is attending to the affairs of the entire universe as per its need. From individuals to nations, He does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, etc. and responds to the pleas of His creation.
Some technologically advanced nations impress us today with their satellites, constant vigilance and tracking systems. But can anyone claim that his scrutiny is perfect and comprehensive to manage everything? Absolutely not. Because it is impossible. Besides, what they have achieved was only decreed for them by Allah (swt).
The creation can never share any resemblance to the Creator. Similarly there can never be partners ascribed to Allah Al-Qareeb, as no one else possesses the same attributes as He does.
Before man utters from his tongue, a thought even enters his mind, an intention is even made in his heart, Allah Al-Qareeb knows. Whether a matter is never discussed or broadcasted round the clock He knows.
Allah Al-Qareeb is closer to us than other creations. However people have limitations and weaknesses. In life, the greatest relationship breaker is our expectation of others to understand us and respond to us. When they fail to do so, we are grieved and disappointed. We need to be realistic and come to terms with the fact that others cannot fulfill this need of ours always and neither can we.
We will feel lonely, misunderstood and abandoned at some point in our life. Only Allah Al-Qareeb is with us in solitude or in a crowd. Only He is a witness to our deep emotions and incidents in life, hence we must only make Dua to Him and respond to Him with our obedience. In response Allah Al Qareeb promises to respond to us in the most appropriate, just and wise manner.
How close is Allah Al-Qareeb to us? When a human is dying, his soul leaves the body, his relatives in spite of their love and care cannot be with the dead. They are helpless to offer anything to him anymore. At that moment Allah Al-Qareeb is with His slave.
“And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein.” (Q 50:16)
Qurb-e-Khaas (Closeness for His exclusive believers)
This closeness of Allah Al-Qareeb is for the friends of Allah who are worshippers, obedient and staunch believers of His Kalaam. They are not near Allah physically but receive guidance from Him whenever they are in need and have to make life choices.
Their work is eased, they receive answers to their problems because they are willing to seek them from Allah Al-Qareeb and trust Him to follow what He commands instead of relying on their own intellect and popular trends.
Allah Al-Qareeb helps them with resources, without resources and at times reversing the impact of His physical creations as He cooled the fire for Prophet Ibrahim (as).
The believer is closest to Allah Al-Qareeb in the state of Sajdah, when the doors to all seven heavens are opened up for his Dua. Similarly Allah Al-Qareeb descends daily from His throne to come to the first heaven offering His slaves to ask Him for anything at the time of Tahajjud. Can any Lord love us more?
Allah Al-Qareeb draws some of His angels close to Him too such as Angel Jibrail. He drew Prophet Musa (as) close to Him when He conversed with him. Allah Al-Qareeb drew Prophet Muhammad (sa) close to Him by meeting him behind a veil during his blessed journey of Al Isra wal Mairaj.
When we are in prayer, the highest station is to believe and feel that we are standing before Allah and watching Him. This is Ehsan. And if we cannot feel this, we must know and believe that He is watching us pray.
How to respond to Allah Al-Qareeb?
- Perform good deeds constantly and continuously to seek Allah Al-Qareeb’s closeness. He promises a noble end for such believers in the Quran: “Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and rivers. In a seat of honour near a Sovereign Perfect in ability.” (Al Qamar 54: 54-55)
- Talk to Him. When a believer recognizes the closeness of Allah, he invokes Him silently, talks to Him privately, perfects his worship, thinks positively and highly of Allah Al-Qareeb. Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “He Whom you are supplicating is nearer to every one of you than the neck of his camel.”
- Let your heart prostrate along with your limbs. Every Sajdah raises the ranks of the believer and draws him closer to Allah Al-Qareeb. Allah commands: “…Wasjud Waqtarib” “… But prostrate and draw near (to Allah)” (Al Alaq 96:19)
- Be easy, kind and forgiving with Allah’s (swt) creation to attain His closeness.
- Make Istaghfaar to Allah (swt) and draw closer to Him.
- Give Sadaqah to come closer to Allah Al-Qareeb.
- Offer Dawah. Imam Ibn ul Jawzi said: “Do you not want to draw closer to Allah (swt)? Occupy yourself in connecting His slaves to Allah (swt).”
- Check your company and past times.
- Realize that in your down time, you might feel invisible and unheard but Allah Al-Qareeb is with you.
- Whoever wants to attain Allah’s (swt) closeness should start fulfilling the needs of His slaves. Become accessible, inviting and approachable. Jahannum will be forbidden for you.
Make Dua: “Allahumma ja alna minal muqarrabeen” “O Allah make me among your closest ones.”
Understand that one sky cannot cover the other sky from Allah, neither can a huge mountain hide anything within, nor can a deep ocean bury something in its depth, nor can a piece of land conceal another from Allah Al-Qareeb.
This attribute of Al-Qareeb help us understand other attributes of Allah (swt) also. It places a sense of wonder and amazement in our hearts.
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