We need to talk to God more. Our five daily salaat provide us with the perfect launch-pad to improve and develop our relationship with the Almighty.

One beautiful way of connecting to the Creator is through constant remembrance. Zhikrullah is considered as one of the greatest qualities of our Infallibles. Through it, one can achieve close proximity to God, as well as an increase in spiritual satisfaction.  

If salaat is dial-up connection, then zhikr is wireless.

You don’t need to be in the state of whudu, nor do you have to be facing a certain direction. Anytime and anywhere can be a time or place for you to soar to the Beloved. Reaffirm your allegiance to Him by constantly praising Him, and reminding yourself of His sheer magnanimousness.

Salaat is special because it epitomizes the best things about worship: total and absolute submission to the King of all Kings.

Apart from zhikr, we should also make it a point to consult with God in matters than may even seem trivial. Converse with Him while you’re driving to work, or while you’re waiting for a job interview, or even just chilling with friends.  

Speak to Him, tell Him your problems. Allah says in the Holy Quran, “Call unto me, and I will respond.” Walk into a restaurant and ask Him if the food you are about to devour is halaal or not. Ask Him for an equalizer when you’re down by one and there’s only a handful of minutes left on the clock. Ask Him what to do when you’re not sure about closing an important business deal at the office. “Call unto me, and I will respond.”

What better place to look for inspiration in this particular matter, than in the numerous supplications of our Infallibles. In the supplication of Abu Hamza Thumali, Imam Sajjad (as) address God by saying: “I call upon Him with my needs then He answers me, even though I was slow when He calls upon me.” He further goes on to say, “All Praise is for Allah, whom I call upon with my needs whenever I wish, and I entrust Him with my secrets without an intercessor, and He grants me my wishes. All Praise is for Allah whom I do not plead to anyone but Him, for if I pleaded to others, they would not grant me.”

Let us not make our five daily prayers the only medium of communication between us our Lord. Let us attempt to talk to God on a regular basis, and be engaged in constant remembrance of Him.

Mohamed Kazim Suleman