UAE Friday sermon: be devoutly obedient to God to recieve his blessings

God answers the prayers of those who are devoutly obedient to Him and rewards those who stand for prayer, the sermon will tell mosque-goers on Friday.

The Quran reads: "and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (Prophet Mohammed) and fears Allah and is conscious of Him – it is those who are the attainers." (An Noor: 52)

Being devoutly obedient to God is described as qunut in the Quran. The qunut are described as having high status with Allah.

This status can be achieved by following God’s teachings and standing for prayer for long hours at night. Qunut is also achieved by “turning to Allah” and supplicating to Him, the sermon will say.

It is accorded to "those who say, 'Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire', the patient, the true, the obedient, those who spend [in the way of Allah], and those who seek forgiveness before dawn". (Al Imran: 16-17)

Prophet Ibrahim was praised by God for being qunut. He is described as being a comprehensive leader, devoutly obedient to God, truthful and believed that Allah is the only God.

Following the example of Prophet Mohammed, Muslims should lengthen their standing during prayer, supplicate to God and ask Him to grant them His mercy and blessings.

Prophet Mohammed was said to have taught Al Hasan Ibn Ali, his grandson, the supplication of qunut. He said: “The Messenger of Allah taught me some phrases to recite in qunut of witr prayer: ‘Oh Allah, guide me amongst those whom You have guided, grant me soundness amongst those You’ve granted soundness to, protect me amongst those You have protected, bless me in what You have bestowed upon me, and save me from the evil of what You have decreed. For, indeed, You decree in truth, and none can decree over You; none can disgrace those who You support, and none can honour those who You oppose. O Lord, You are the Blessed, and the Exalted.”

This supplication is a great one in meaning, the sermon will say, because it combines all that is good in this world and in the Hereafter.

It was narrated that once the Prophet heard a man praying; he glorified and praised Allah. The Prophet told him: “Supplicate, you will be answered; ask, you will be given.”

Allah has prepared for the obedient men and women forgiveness and a great reward.