By Shaykh al-Islam Mufti Taqi al-‘Usmani | Translated by Umer Ansari

The summary of the Deen, all the efforts required in this Deen is to strengthen our bond with Allah.

Turning back to Allah (رجوع إلى الله), to strengthen the connection with Him is the foundational stone of this Deen.

Allah Most High and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) have taught us how to strengthen this connection. Anyone who follows it will establish and strengthen their bond with God Almighty and they will find acting upon the Deen easier.

When this is achieved by the Grace of God then all the religious obligations become easy. However, when we become heedless of Him, when we forget Him, when our bond with Him weakens, then as a result of it we fall into sins and we fail in fulfilling our obligations.

Three simple ways to strengthen our bond with Allah:

1. Shukr (Gratitude): Having gratitude. Thanking God Most High in abundance for all the wonderful blessings that He has bestowed upon us, whether a blessing seems a significant one or an insignificant one.
2. Du’ā (Supplication): Make the habit of making du’a, i.e. supplication to God Most High. Whatever you need, minor or major, ask from Him.
3. Ritual Supplications: Make the ritual supplications part of your life. The Messenger of God taught these supplications to us so that we have a constant connection with Allah. For e.g. supplications upon leaving the house or entering it, before and after meal, before going to sleep and after waking up, etc.

The experience of learned shows having abundant gratitude, habit of supplicating to Allah, and observing the ritual supplications strenghtens the connection with God Most High, and having that connection is in truth opens the doors of ultimate success.”

[Extracted from: “Khutbāt-e-Dawra Hind”, from a lecture given to a women’s gathering in Bombay, India in 2010.]