Ghafir: (60-63) And your Lord says, "Call upon Me..."

Know that when the Almighty established the truth and certainty of the Resurrection, and since it is self-evident that no one benefits on the Day of Resurrection except through obedience to God Almighty, then engaging in obedience becomes one of the most important matters. Since the noblest form of obedience is supplication (Du'a) and humble entreaty, God Almighty commanded it in this verse, saying: {And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you."}

People differed regarding the meaning of {Call upon Me}:

1. It means the command for supplication (Du'a).
2. It means the command for worship ('Ibādah). This is supported by the subsequent verse: {Indeed, those who are too proud to worship Me}. If the command for supplication did not mean general worship, the meaning of {Indeed, those who are too proud to worship Me} would be lost. Furthermore, supplication often means worship in the Qur'an, such as in the verse: {They invoke nothing besides Him except female deities} (An-Nisa: 117).

The response to the second view is that supplication is an acknowledgment of servitude, humility, and neediness. Thus, it is as if it is said: the one who abandons supplication abandons it only because they are too proud to show servitude.

Regarding the argument that supplication often means worship in the Qur'an, the response is that abandoning the apparent meaning (literal supplication) is only permissible with a separate proof.

If one asks: How can He say {Call upon Me; I will respond to you} when one may supplicate often without being answered? Al-Ka'bi answered by saying that supplication is only valid under a condition: that what is sought through the supplication is beneficial and wise. He then questioned himself: What is most beneficial is done without supplication, so what is the benefit of supplication?

He answered this in two ways:

1. The benefit lies in the turning toward God and complete reliance upon Him (Faza' and Inqitā').
2. This argument also applies universally: if it is known that something will happen, it must happen anyway, so there is no need for supplication. If it is known that it will not happen, it certainly will not happen, so there is no need for supplication. All arguments presented here are covered by our response. This concludes what he mentioned.

I have another perspective on this: He said, {Call upon Me; I will respond to you}. Whoever calls upon God while having even a speck of reliance in their heart on their wealth, status, relatives, friends, effort, or diligence, has, in reality, only called upon God with their tongue. With their heart, they rely on something other than God to achieve the desired outcome. Therefore, this person has not truly called upon their Lord at that moment. However, when one calls at a time when no attachment remains in the heart to anything other than God, it is apparent that the response is obtained.

If you understand this, there is a complete glad tidings within it: complete detachment of the heart from everything other than God only occurs near death. At that time, a person is certain that nothing except the grace of God Almighty will benefit them. According to the principle we mentioned, supplication at that time must be accepted by God. We hope for the grace and favor of God to grant us success in supplication coupled with sincerity and humility at that time. Know that the detailed discussion on supplication has already been covered in Surah Al-Baqarah.

Then the Almighty said: {Indeed, those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, humbled [and] degraded.} (Dākhirīn means humiliated/degraded).

This is a great favor from God Almighty, as He mentioned a severe warning for abandoning supplication.

If one asks: It is narrated from the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) that he narrated from the Lord of Might saying: {And ask forgiveness for your sin and exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord in the evening and the early morning... Indeed, those who dispute concerning the signs of Allah without any authority having come to them, there is nothing in their breasts except pride, [pride] to which they will not attain. So seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing... The creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know. And the blind and the seeing are not equal, nor are those who believe and do righteous deeds and those who do evil. Little do you remember. Indeed, the Hour is coming—there is no doubt about it—but most of the people do not believe. And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, humbled [and] degraded. It is Allah who made for you the night that you may rest therein...}

Know that the connection of this verse to what precedes it is in two ways:

1. It is as if the Almighty said: I bestowed upon you these great and magnificent blessings even before you asked for them. If I bestow blessings without asking, how much more so will I bestow lesser things after you ask?
2. Since God commanded supplication, it is as if it is said: Engaging in supplication must be preceded by acquiring knowledge (Ma'rifah). What is the proof for the existence of the Capable God? God Almighty has mentioned ten proofs for His existence, power, and wisdom.